Flashcard clock speed (computer issue)
I cannot find a prior thread on this topic (there are lots on general slowness or flashcards, but not the combination that I can find).
I tried to do a couple of sets of flashcards at work on break (first time trying this from work), and the clock between each item in the set (the 3 second countdown) ran incredibly slow. On one of the 3 sets I tried (I just picked random very small number sets as it is going too slow to do a larger set)- for a little bit in the mid part it ran normal speed. The connection is a high speed connection and the pages here load instantly, so it is not a general speed, everything loads and works fine- the clock just goes incredibly slow on the countdown.
So I am wondering if anyone with computer knowledge knows why this might happen and if there is any fix for it, or if I just need to give up and not do try to do those on my breaks and just do them at home (where everything works fine).
I am trying to convert my some of my Spanish vocabulary from words I know, to words that I know instantly without thought using the flashcards- slow motion is not helpful.
4 Answers
I believe web page controlling the flash cards must reference a timing subroutine that works on the local computer. If that is true, the internet connection speed would not matter and the problem is on the local computer. I ran a set of flashcards after you asked the question. Is your Adobe Flash player version current on the computer?
I've done further research on this problem. The timer function on the flashcards appears to be a Flash call (using Javascript) of the shock wave format (SWF) from the HTML for the page. The Adobe website does have some documentation on timer functions, but nothing I've found directly addresses this issue. Here are a few things to check
check the version of Adobe Flash player (should be 10) check the version of Internet Explorer (website says 7 or above)
I have not been able to replicate the problem on my computer, but one website suggests setting the "enable hardware acceleration" switch in Adobe flash. To do this, go to the flashcard box and right click. Select "Settings". A window will be displayed. Navigate to the left option and click. A check box will be shown to enable hardware acceleration. Check the box and save. I don't know that will help (since I can't replicate the problem), but it can't hurt.
I am reasonably certain this problem is within the computer. Either some setting is not correct or something else (software, probably) is inhitiing the timer operation. Without being able to replicate, I can't troubleshoot here. Maybe you can pass this message to your IT staff and they can troubleshoot.
Let me know what happens!
In principle, the timing could be determined by either the host or the client computer but, in practice, it's usually the client that "runs the show" (because it's easier / more efficient). Unless it's the host computer that's "running the show", network issues/speed should be irrelevant. The most likely candidate would be some other program running on your work computer that is "sucking up cycles" and, thus, slowing down everything running on your work computer.
Some anti-virus programs (either because they are very paranoid or because they are badly written [[usually the latter]) have a reputation for "slowing down" everything. In the typical IT environment, you will have no say in the choice of anti-virus software and must, simply, learn to live with it.
I am assuming it is this computer/network, as I have no problem on my home system
I am networked to a large system, I never know what is on my computer and what is elsewhere. All my word files are elsewhere- when they change out my computer, my files do not need to be transferred, but my internet favorites, etc. do. I am not allowed to alter the computer, we have to ask IT to do any changes (I just got a new computer 2 weeks ago because something quit working on the last one). On my C drive in the Adobe file there is only a help viewer and a Reader 8.0 folder. On my programs list there is an Adobe Reader and a QuickTime, but I can't find any indication of Adobe Flash but I am not sure I really know how to locate it. If you think that is the issue, I can ask the IT people, but supposedly we are not supposed to do anything that streams video as it slows our whole system, so usually all the video ads are blocked with a warning message anyway. If that is the issue, I may just have to give up the whole idea- they are not generally thrilled with us doing too much not work related, although it is only live streams, blogs and hotmail that they have officially banned.
