*** readme.txt ***

Name:           speedreader v2.1

File Name:      SpeedReader.jar
Main Class:     SR
Author:         Joshua Twait
email:          jspeedreader@yahoo.com


NOTE: This program is provided as Freeware.  
      No warrantee is expressed or implied.
      The author assumes no liability for its use.

CONTENTS:
     1.  About Speedreader
     2.  How to use
          2.1  Loading or Pasting Text
          2.2  Starting and Stopping
          2.3  Setting Preferences
          2.4  Saving and Loading Bookmarks
          2.5  Quitting and restarting
     3.  Impacts
     4.  Problems/fixes
     5.  Regarding Speed Reading in General
     6.  Contact Information




1. About speedreader:

     Speedreader is a small Java application for reading text
fast and discretely. Once a text file is loaded,  the words will
flash sequentially on the screen at a rate and width which you 
decide.  
    
     Font size, typeface, and color may all be defined for 
customized viewing.  For large e-texts, a bookmarking capability
is included to save the state of your reader for another time.

     Speedreader can help to learn to read 'groups' of  words 
instead of reading one word at a time. Once this technique is 
mastered, it can be used as a fast and discrete way of reading 
text.



2. How to Use

     The zip file contains readme.txt (this file) and the 
SpeedReader.jar archive.  If you haven't already, unzip these 
into a folder.

     To start speedreader, you must have Java 1.1 or greater on 
your machine.  To expand the contents of the jar file, put the 
file in an otherwise empty directory on your HD and issue the 
command:
	
	jar -xf SpeedReader.jar


  This will expand all 10 class files and the readme.txt file 
(what you're reading now).  The program may now be run by 
typing:

	Java SR


     Alternatively, you can run speedreader from the .jar file 
without expanding it.

	jre -cp SpeedReader.jar SR


  Please note that if using jre, you must have readme.txt
extracted and in the same directory as the archive to have 
access to the Help->Topics menu.  You may extract readme.txt 
directly from the archive at any time by entering:

	jar -xf SpeedReader.jar readme.txt



2.1  Loading or Pasting Text

     SpeedReader currently works only with pure text files.  You
can either choose the File->Open menu and select a .txt file on 
your system, or copy text from a different application and 
Edit->Paste it into SpeedReader.



2.2  Starting and Stopping

     Once text has been loaded, you can start reading by 
choosing File->Start.  After a short delay, the ASCII text 
should begin streaming in the window.

     To stop reading, choose File->Stop.  At this point you can 
start it again, save your place as a bookmark, or exit the 
program.



2.3  Setting preferences

     The Edit->Preferences menu option displays a new window to 
edit program preferences.  Font type, size, and color may be 
defined as well as the Program window title, characters per 
line, and delay between displayed lines.

     Additionally, checking the 'Extra Delay' box will double 
your delay value for single words in the text which are 
significantly longer than the Characters per line value.

     Preferences are written out to a file SRPrefs.prf in your 
SpeedReader directory and are automatically loaded when the 
program starts.



2.4  Saving and Loading Bookmarks

     At any point after text has been loaded and the reader is 
stopped, you may save your place by selecting File->Save 
Bookmark.  If you have opened a text file, SpeedReader saves a 
file of the same name with a *.bmk extension in the same 
directory.  If you have pasted text, a file dialog will prompt 
you for a file name to save to.

     To load a saved bookmark, select File->Open Bookmark and 
select your *.bmk file in the file Dialog.  You may then start 
reading where you left off!



2.5  Quitting and Restarting

     To exit SpeedReader, save a bookmark (if needed) and select
File->Exit at any time.  Your current preferences will be saved 
for the next session.  




3. Impacts

     Once speedreader has been run for the first time, it will 
create a preferences file in its directory called SRPrefs.prf.




4. Problems/Fixes

     Please email problems, suggestions, and comments to:

     jspeedreader@yahoo.com




5. Speed Reading

     You might try starting out with the 'Characters per line' 
set to 1 and the extra delay option off.  This will give you 1 
word at a time and let you get used to keeping your eyes fixed 
in one place.  Gradually increase your speed as you become 
comfortable (and can remember what you've read!).

     Next, you may want to increase your characters per line to 
something that gives you about 2 words per line (7 - 10 
characters). You can try this in the same manner... starting 
slow, and building speed.  Try not to 'speak' each word to 
yourself, but rather just let them fly by like a moving picture,
grasping the meaning of the group of words.

     You can keep this process of increasing the words per line 
and speed up to whatever level you are most comfortable with.  I
find that, subsequently, reading books is faster since I'm used 
to looking at 'groups' of words and their meaning.  I think of 
each page as two columns ( a left side and a right side of 1 
page ).  I look at the center of the left side, then the center 
of the right side for each line... getting 'groups' of words 
instead of single words.  Newspaper-size columns can be read 
with a sightpath moving vertically down the center of the 
column.

     There are many better methods for books than the one 
described.  For further information on speed reading in general,
look at 'Triple Your Reading Speed' by Wade E. Cutler or 'Evelyn
Wood 7 Day Speed Reading & Learning Program : Remember 
Everything You Read' by Stanley D. Frank.




6. Contact Information

     Author:  Josh Twait
     Contact: jspeedreader@yahoo.com


Thanks for trying SpeedReader!