WordStreamer is a speed reading tool that I put together over the weekend. It works on the principle that our brains only process text when our eyes are not moving. WordStreamer simply streams a text file one word at a time, at a rate specified by you. Since your eyes are not traveling from word to word, this allows you to read at a faster rate in no time by simply pressing up to increase the rate at which the words are displayed.
I got the idea from a British company that has a desktop program called BookMuncher that they are charging money for. I had planned to download and try out there app because I heard some pretty great success stories on the public radio and they had said "It's a free download". But.. it was free to download and $9.99 to try. I also noted they were going to release a mobile version, but it looked as if they planned to lock it down via the mobile service provider market(i.e. pay AT&T to download, pay AT&T for book). So basically I had to see what the fuss was about.
The goal of this release
The goal of release 0.7.5 is to get some testers for the new streaming control i made for this version.
Big Changes:
1. Lots of font customizations (color,size,style,alignment,max width per line).
2. Text from the surrounding area is displayed when paused.
3. Delays can be triggered from line breaks, word length, or punctuation.
4. Average words added to 'About' screen(total isn't yet saved across app exits).
5. The install directory has changed from "WordStreamer" to "WordStreamerPPC" (so you'll need to uninstall the old one manually).
The main goal of release 0.5.7 was for me to find out if this kind of thing works. So Far.. It does. After a short period you'll soon find yourself reading at pretty fast rate with ease. The only complaint I've seen online is a person saying there eyes hurt from focusing on one spot for a while without blinking.. Please people, press pause and blink
I went the quickest route for this early release and just did some form magic to make things work, since a large goal of this is to gauge user want. If the desire is there, i'll put in some time and do all of the drawing manually to better handle text wrapping and speed.
How To Use
The current target platform is Win CE 5.0 Pocket PC (compact framework 2.0).
You can jump right in when you start up WordStreamer by choosing 'Make Demo File' from the menu or choosing a file via the 'Choose File Option', then hitting 'Go' or Enter to start the process.
Keyboard Controls:
- Up, NumPad2, 2: Increase the speed the text is streamed.
- Down, NumPad8, 8: Decrease the speed the text is streamed.
- Left, NumPad4, 4: Lower the Font Size.
- Right, NumPad6, 5: Raise the font size.
- Enter/Return, NumPad5, touch screen, 6: Start/Stop streaming text.
Quirks or Issues
- The settings page tab order is all out of whack, Ill correct for next release.
- The Status bar per second and per minute timers always reflect values as if only 1 word is displaying at a time (The averages on the about screen reflect the correct totals though).
- The settings screen is not dynamically drawn(meaning a scroll bar has to be used) I'll be addressing this in 1.0.
- Only .txt files are currently supported.
- If your having issues with characters such as umlauts try using utf-8 encoding. Thanks Boops.
- [0.5.7]I've currently only tested the Smartphone version on an emulators. Testers are needed.
Future Thoughts (Feel Free to add your own)
- I've got some nifty document navigation thoughts for the future.
- What about an RSS reader or a tool for importing web page body text? If we can ever get some help with getting the AutoHotKey for CE compiler going there will be some great great things coming.
- I know i know the settings page is ugly. im probably going to do a tab view to get rid of the scrolling.
- Fullscreen view?
- .rtf/.doc support - if time or available libraries permit.
Note:
I find it easier to read at higher rates if i increase the font size a bit and hold the phone back from my face a couple feet (like in my lap or out in front like a book).
On npr people were reporting comfortably reading at rates of 200-400+ words a minute within 5 minutes of starting!
Like it? Share with your friends!
If you got an error while installing Themes, Software or Games, please, read FAQ.
Supported operating systems:
Windows Mobile 5.0, Windows Mobile 6 Classic, Windows Mobile 6 Professional, Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
Similar Software:
InkingText InkingText - InkingText converts handwritten ink notes to text files using the built-in Microsoft Transcriber APIs.
To use the app, choose 'New Text' from the toolbar and write the text message on the ink pad.
When you have finished, press the 'Convert to Text' button
TextFields TextFields - This program allows you to make text field templates. You can enter text and store it as a compact field file or export the text into Pocket Word.
This program requires that you have both the 'BeanDLL.dll' file ** and ** the runtime files for Visual Basic on your PocketPC computer
Spanish PenReader for Windows Mobile PenReader is multilingual Windows Mobile handwriting recognition software which enables handwriting data input possibility, making the work with your device handy and effective
FilesDetailer FilesDetailer - This program allows you to browse the folders on your PocketPC. You can make a 500 character note for each file. NOTE: The note is attached to the end of the file and this works on most file types.
This program requires that you have both the 'BeanDLL.dll' file ** and ** the runtime files for Visual Basic on your PocketPC computer
NoteBitmaping NoteBitmaping allows you to batch convert drawing/text notes on your PocketPC into custom bitmap images. Use the file explorer to browse the storage folders of your PocketPC for note files. Tap on the note file to convert it to a bitmap image or select 'Convert All' to convert all. You can also preview the bitmaps in your picture viewer
TapText TapText is a whole new way of inserting text into your notes, e-mail or documents, etc... With only two taps you can add pre-edited text into any application without leaving it or even changing your preferred input method. If you are tired of entering the same text over and over, then this is the best tool for you. TapText will save your time and effort
Italian PenReader for Windows Mobile PenReader is multilingual Windows Mobile handwriting recognition software which enables handwriting data input possibility, making the work with your device handy and effective
FileReport FileReport - This program allows you to select a text file and gives a 'report' of the number of the complete path, number of words and the number of lines.
This program requires that you have both the 'BeanDLL.dll' file ** and ** the runtime files for Visual Basic on your PocketPC computer
DateLines DateLines - This program allows you to enter a start date and number of days. Then tap the button and the program will create a text template in Pocket Word with a list of days.
This program requires that you have both the 'BeanDLL.dll' file ** and ** the runtime files for Visual Basic on your PocketPC computer
Comments on WordStreamer:
Comments not found
If you noted an error or download link is broken, please, report it via this page or use comments.
WordStreamer is compatible with your device Gigabyte GSmart S1204
