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The SuperMemo algorithms [1] have been re-implemented in more modern software such as Anki [2]. These systems are popular for goal oriented learning like studyi

The SuperMemo algorithms [1] have been re-implemented in more modern software such as Anki [2]. These systems are popular for goal oriented learning like studying for a test or learning a new language. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo#Algorithms https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo#Algorithms [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki_(software) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki_(software)

bd_beats 6y ago
Anki's SRS algotihm is based on SM2 and is woefully outdated in comparison to SM's SRS algo. Additionally SM is much more feature rich once you get into incremental reading and fully optimizing your learning experience. Sure the UI isn't a nice flashy Electron.js app, but SM is a titan compared the terminate that is Anki.
- sradman 6y ago
  I was thinking of platform support [1]: > The method is available as a computer program for Windows, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, (Pocket PC), Palm OS (PalmPilot), etc. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo
  - rajlego 6y ago
    Yeah, that's definitely a problem. I will say though, if you use a VM you can get a not too bad experience on both mac and linux (I've tried both and found it usable enough for daily use).
- michaelcampbell 6y ago
  outdated doesn't mean ineffective. Anki is also free, and with a pretty big community behind it.
- wenc 6y ago
  So, SRS algorithms are such that the more you try to get the optimality, the more the returns diminish because there's significant variability in the human population (bias-variance tradeoff sort of applies). The Ebbinghaus curve itself is a very crude approximation. See this: https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com/questions/3757/which-srs-algorithm-yields-greatest-evidence-based-remembering https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com/questions/3757/wh... (I'm a language learner and an active user of SRS) The notion of an outdated algorithm corresponding to worse or better results to me is neither here nor there. There's evidence that the repetition interval itself is not the critical factor in retention. Empirically we know there are things that we remember with 0 repetitions (the vivid details of a traumatic event), while other things we struggle to remember even with SRS when there's no emotional connection to what is being memorized. When you're doing self-hacking, you have to understand you're working on a highly variable, complex adaptive system that defies optimality and exactness. Much of what is known are approximations.
  - allenu 6y ago
    I’m in strong agreement with your points. It always surprises me when I read people trying to come up with a more optimal algorithm for testing one’s retention when there are so many factors out of one’s control that would influence the forgetting curve. For instance, the notion of judging your ability to recall something and providing it as input to Anki is such a gross approximation. Choosing the wrong value from 1 to 5 would affect your recall schedule considerably. In my opinion, what’s more important to a recall strategy is just pure habit. You have to practice regularly, and anything that makes the software easier to use for the long term is something that would have a greater effect than the optimality of the recall algorithm. (Incidentally this is why I’m working on a flash card app that is easier to use, to help ensure one comes back to it regularly.)
  - rajlego 6y ago
    Have you tried SuperMemo? Intervals matter because they correlate with rep loads. The more accurate the intervals, the lower daily rep loads can be. The SuperMemo creator has spent 3 decades and collected plenty of data, it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't be able to improve on an algorithm from 1990.
- bostonvaulter2 6y ago
  Looks like SuperMemo is windows only which is a deal-breaker for me.
  - rajlego 6y ago
    scroll to the bottom of supermemo.wiki/learn, there are some suggestions on using it on non-windows platforms
rajlego 6y ago
I would note that modern here should be taken to mean in interface alone. SuperMemo is still actively being worked on and looks like it will continue being worked on and improved for the foreseeable feature.

bd_beats 6y ago

Anki's SRS algotihm is based on SM2 and is woefully outdated in comparison to SM's SRS algo. Additionally SM is much more feature rich once you get into incremental reading and fully optimizing your learning experience. Sure the UI isn't a nice flashy Electron.js app, but SM is a titan compared the terminate that is Anki.

sradman 6y ago
I was thinking of platform support [1]: > The method is available as a computer program for Windows, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, (Pocket PC), Palm OS (PalmPilot), etc. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperMemo
- rajlego 6y ago
  Yeah, that's definitely a problem. I will say though, if you use a VM you can get a not too bad experience on both mac and linux (I've tried both and found it usable enough for daily use).
michaelcampbell 6y ago
outdated doesn't mean ineffective. Anki is also free, and with a pretty big community behind it.
wenc 6y ago
So, SRS algorithms are such that the more you try to get the optimality, the more the returns diminish because there's significant variability in the human population (bias-variance tradeoff sort of applies). The Ebbinghaus curve itself is a very crude approximation. See this: https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com/questions/3757/which-srs-algorithm-yields-greatest-evidence-based-remembering https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com/questions/3757/wh... (I'm a language learner and an active user of SRS) The notion of an outdated algorithm corresponding to worse or better results to me is neither here nor there. There's evidence that the repetition interval itself is not the critical factor in retention. Empirically we know there are things that we remember with 0 repetitions (the vivid details of a traumatic event), while other things we struggle to remember even with SRS when there's no emotional connection to what is being memorized. When you're doing self-hacking, you have to understand you're working on a highly variable, complex adaptive system that defies optimality and exactness. Much of what is known are approximations.
- allenu 6y ago
  I’m in strong agreement with your points. It always surprises me when I read people trying to come up with a more optimal algorithm for testing one’s retention when there are so many factors out of one’s control that would influence the forgetting curve. For instance, the notion of judging your ability to recall something and providing it as input to Anki is such a gross approximation. Choosing the wrong value from 1 to 5 would affect your recall schedule considerably. In my opinion, what’s more important to a recall strategy is just pure habit. You have to practice regularly, and anything that makes the software easier to use for the long term is something that would have a greater effect than the optimality of the recall algorithm. (Incidentally this is why I’m working on a flash card app that is easier to use, to help ensure one comes back to it regularly.)
- rajlego 6y ago
  Have you tried SuperMemo? Intervals matter because they correlate with rep loads. The more accurate the intervals, the lower daily rep loads can be. The SuperMemo creator has spent 3 decades and collected plenty of data, it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't be able to improve on an algorithm from 1990.
bostonvaulter2 6y ago
Looks like SuperMemo is windows only which is a deal-breaker for me.
- rajlego 6y ago
  scroll to the bottom of supermemo.wiki/learn, there are some suggestions on using it on non-windows platforms

rajlego 6y ago

I would note that modern here should be taken to mean in interface alone. SuperMemo is still actively being worked on and looks like it will continue being worked on and improved for the foreseeable feature.