How to Use the Command 'speedread' (with examples)

‘speedread’ is a command-line tool designed to enhance reading speed through a technique known as Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). By displaying text one word at a time at high speeds, it allows users to read quickly without having to move their eyes across a page. This method leverages the brain’s ability to process text efficiently at a single focal point, potentially increasing reading speed significantly. The tool is particularly useful for those who want to consume large amounts of text more rapidly, such as students, researchers, or avid readers.

Use case 1: Reading a Text File at a Specific Speed

Code:

cat path/to/file.txt | speedread -wpm 250

Motivation:

For readers wishing to train themselves to read faster, controlling the speed at which text is displayed is crucial. This command allows users to specifically set their desired words per minute (WPM) rate, providing a consistent and measurable pace for reading practice. Individuals attempting to achieve a particular reading speed can greatly benefit from this function, allowing them to incrementally adjust and improve over time.

Explanation:

• cat path/to/file.txt: This part reads the contents of the specified text file and feeds it into the speedread command.
• |: This pipe operator takes the output of cat and uses it as the input for speedread.
• speedread -wpm 250: The -wpm 250 argument specifies the reading speed, set here to display 250 words per minute. Adjusting this number changes how fast the text is read.

Example output:

A stream of individual words from the file would appear on the screen, each word replaced quickly to maintain a flow corresponding to 250 words read in one minute.

Use case 2: Resuming from a Specific Line

Code:

cat path/to/file.txt | speedread -resume 5

Motivation:

Imagine you are reading a long document, and you had to stop midway. Rather than start from the beginning or manually find where you left off, ‘speedread’ allows you to resume reading from a particular line. This feature is particularly beneficial for lengthy texts or documents, saving time and maintaining reading continuity.

Explanation:

• cat path/to/file.txt: Reads the full content of the text file.
• |: Passes the file content to speedread.
• speedread -resume 5: The -resume 5 command resumes the speed reading session starting from line 5 in the document, skipping the initial lines.

Example output:

Starting at line 5, words begin flashing on the screen, allowing the reader to smoothly continue from where they previously left off.

Use case 3: Showing Multiple Words at a Time

Code:

cat path/to/file.txt | speedread -multiword

Motivation:

Reading words one at a time is beneficial but can sometimes be less effective for contextual understanding. By displaying multiple words simultaneously, users can grasp more context in a single glance, which might aid comprehension and retention, especially for complex texts or narratives.

Explanation:

• cat path/to/file.txt: Command to read the specific file and prepare its content for subsequent operations.
• |: Connects file output to speedread.
• speedread -multiword: The -multiword flag modifies the display to show more than one word at a time, aiding in faster yet more coherent reading sessions.

Example output:

Instead of one word appearing on the screen, two or three words appear together, moving as fast as your preset speed, providing the reader with a more natural-feeling reading experience.

Use case 4: Slowing Down by 10% During the Reading Session

Code:

[

Motivation:

Despite a preference for speed, there are times when the complexity of the material requires a slower pace for better comprehension. In such instances, being able to dynamically adjust speed, reducing it by 10%, allows users to process more challenging sections more comfortably without pausing the overall reading session.

Explanation:

• [ : This keypress affects the flow of the session by reducing the current speed by 10%, giving readers more time per word.

Example output:

The pace at which words appear noticeably slows down by 10%, allowing for easier assimilation of difficult or dense information.

Use case 5: Speeding Up by 10% During the Reading Session

Code:

]

Motivation:

Once familiar with the material, or if the text is simpler than anticipated, users may want to increase their reading speed. Speedreading functionality allows for a real-time increase of 10% in speed, facilitating a more efficient use of time when tackling texts that the reader is already comfortable with.

Explanation:

• ]: This keypress interacts with the running speedread session, increasing the speed at which words are shown by 10%.

Example output:

The word display pace accelerates by 10%, rapidly increasing the flow and speed for efficient processing of less complicated or more familiar content.

Use case 6: Pausing and Showing the Last Few Lines as Context

Code:

<space>

Motivation:

Context is key in understanding text, especially when distractions occur. Temporarily pausing the reading not only stops the flow but also reviews the last few lines, reinforcing memory and context. This tool is invaluable for retaining information integrity and maintaining narrative understanding, particularly crucial in dense academic or technical readings.

Explanation:

• <space>: By pressing the spacebar, the reading session is paused and the last few lines are presented, giving a sense of context before resuming.

Example output:

The session pauses, displaying the last few lines already read, providing context which aids in comprehension and continuity before resuming the speedreading activity.

Conclusion:

‘speedread’ offers an innovative approach to reading, designed for those seeking efficiency and speed in processing text. Through its diverse set of functionalities, from controlled speed adjustments to pause and resume capabilities, users can tailor their reading experience to suit both their speed and comprehension needs. Enabling faster reading, it serves as a valuable tool for students, professionals, and anyone keen on maximizing their reading efficiency.