October 2007 Archives
The free version of BYKI v3.6, or Before You Know It, is nothing more than a simple foreign language flashcard app. I really didn't expect too much from a computerized version of such a time-worn technology as flashcards, but I'm glad I gave it a try. It's so simple to use that I just leave it running whenever I'm working at my computer. Now, when I have to wait those agonizingly long seconds for my computer to finish doing what I just told it to do, I just flip a few flashcards, learn a little Spanish, and I'm no longer waiting!!! There are plenty of times I'm on my computer and have to wait for 3 or more seconds as it. With BYKI these waits are no longer boring. That alone is enough for me, so it's all gravy that it's kind of fun also. And I can now count to10 in Spanish too.
In my Spanish download there are 16 different vocabulary lists with around 14 words per list; lists such as Counting Numbers, Polite Conversation, and Meeting and Greeting. The new vocabulary is presented via 5 "Learning Modes": Review It; Recognize It; Know It; Produce It; and Own It. Following this sequence worked pretty well for me. I also got other languages, Latin and German, and more are available from the vendor; all free. If you upgrade to the commercial version for $45 - $55, you'll get quite a bit more functionality, including recording you saying the word and comparing your pronunciation to the native's. For a
