WHAT'S HOT
The new version of FlashCards 1.2.9 adds Landscape mode compatibility for Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, and the interface has been improved making it much more handy for users.
SETUP
Installation was a breeze. No special configurations
were necessary after installation. The setup program installed three
software components on my Pocket PC: The FlashCards program, a Language
database (that can be customized with your very own word combinations);
and an on-screen French keyboard that works just like the regular Pocket
PC on-screen keyboard.
Figure
1: FlashCards setup program
I was surprised that only 800KB of memory was required to install and use FlashCards, which is excellent.
PROGRAM FEATURES
As mentioned, FlashCards consists of three components: The FlashCards main program, (which includes 4 games) a French Keyboard, which is added to the standard Pocket PC input method selection menu, and a database of words that can be customized with your own vocabulary of words.
FlashCards Games
When you start FlashCards, you are presented with a screen that allows you to choose one of four games to play, and choose a dictionary category (Business, General, Law, Medicine, and PC) to use with each game.
Figure 2: FlashCards main program
Each game consists of 50 questions, and the games are very easy to learn and use. To play a game, simply select the desired dictionary category, then tap a game button to begin playing.
The four games that are included with FlashCards are:
1. Flash Cards
– You guessed it--a flash card game that displays two cards: One card on top that displays an English word, and a “hidden” card on the bottom that displays the translation. To reveal the translation card, simply tap it.
Figures 3 and 4: Flash cards game (hidden card and revealed card)
The flash cards are separated into categorized alphabet “Blocks.” For example, Block 1 is for words that begin with “a,” Block 4 is for words that begin with “c,” Block 10 is for words that begin with “p” and so on. By default, the Flash Cards game plays the Blocks in order. To switch to a Block manually, simply tap on the “Block” button at the bottom of the screen and select the desired block number.
Figure 5: Block selection
Below the flash cards are two buttons: Drop and Skip. The Drop button removes the card from the current game (so you don't see the card again), and the Skip button allows the game to come back to the card later in the current game (in case you can't remember it at that particular time).
Below the Drop and Skip buttons is an option to always show the translation card, and a counter that shows the number of flash cards left to play in the current game.
After you finish the current flash card game, the game will give you the option of starting the current block over, go to the next block, or quit (to the main screen).
2. Pockets
– I thought I could figure out the Pockets game without resorting to the instructions (like I always do), but to no avail. However, I was able to easily learn the game by selecting Help (from the Tools menu), which has easily understandable instructions. The Pockets game works somewhat like the Flash Cards game. In this game, the same cards used in the regular Flash Cards game are graded into four pockets (groups). The goal of the game is to move the cards to the fourth pocket.
Figure 6: Pockets Game
When a card appears, you must tap the “Got It!” button or the “Forgot It!” button. Choosing the “Got It!” button moves the card up into the next pocket in the game. After you use all of the cards in a lower pocket, you browse the same cards in the next pocket, until you get to the fourth pocket.
3. Translation Test –
In this game, an English word is presented to you, and you must choose the correct foreign translation word from four (multiple choice) answers.
Figure 7: Translation Test Game
If you choose the correct translation word on the first try, the card will be dropped from the list. If you choose the wrong translation, the card will stay in the pack and will be displayed later.
4. Spell It Right
– This game works similar to the other games by using flash cards, but requires use of the French keyboard (selectable from the Input selection menu in the lower right corner of the screen). In this game, you are presented with a card with an English word on top, and a “hidden” translation card below it. The goal of the game is to correctly spell the word in French by typing the word into the blank field—without revealing the translation card.
Figure 8: Spell It Right Game
If you spell the word correctly, the card will be dropped from the current game. If you spell the word incorrectly, the game will ask you to try again, or you can skip the card.
French Keyboard
The French keyboard included with FlashCards is designed for one of the games, but can be used in any other Pocket PC program.
Figure 9: French keyboard
You will notice the French keyboard does not use the standard QWERTY keyboard layout, so it took some time for me to adjust to the different layout.
The Language Database
The FlashCards language database consists of 3000 basic lexis and about 4000 special terminology words (units), available from following 7 dictionaries:
- 1000 words, general vocabulary Level – I
- 1000 words, general vocabulary Level – II
- 1000 words, general vocabulary Level – III
- Law terminology – about 1000 words
- Medical terminology – about 1000 words
- Business terminology – about 1000 words
- Computer terminology – about 1000 words
Customized User Dictionary
FlashCards also allows you to create a custom dictionary for inputting new word pairs (available by all games).
Figure 10: Creating a new dictionary
HELP SUPPORT
LingvoSoft provided excellent instructions
for program operation and learning the games in FlashCards. The instructions
are clear and easy to understand. Especially for the Pockets game.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
LingvoSoft FlashCards requires Pocket PC
2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 (FlashCards is compatible with Landscape
mode in Second Edition), with 800KB available memory.
BUGS AND WISHES
As far as bugs, I haven't discovered any--yet. FlashCards seems to be a fairly stable program and works great. No crashes or funny behavior.
As far as wishes, I know FlashCards is not an actual language reference guide, but one feature that would be helpful is a search function to find specific word pairs in the dictionaries. In the current version, to find a word you must start a game and browse through the Block categories to find a specific word. Providing a search function button would allow users to look up a word from the main program with easier accesibility.
PURCHASING
LingvoSoft FlashCards is available directly from the LingvoSoft web site for $39.95. A limited 30-day trial is available for download.
PROS
Easy to learn and use games
Low memory requirements
- Good help guides
CONS
Non QWERTY French Keyboard may be awkward to use
- No search functionality
High price
OVERALL IMPRESSION
LingvoSoft FlashCards is a great learning
tool to help you speak, read and write in a foreign language and have
fun while learning. The games are easy to learn and fun to play, making
it something I will be carrying with me on the plane prior to flying
to another country. However, the $39.95 price seems a bit high for a
Pocket PC program. I am now more ready for my excursion to Paris, now
that I've gotten a significant boost in my French comprehension.
