ranger
5e0ef5adf1
Single-file HTML RSVP reader for academic papers and long-form text. Released free / GPL v2+ as a replacement for subscription-based RSVP readers (SwiftRead, etc.) that cost ~$120/year for the same core functionality. v1.1.0 ships with three reading modes: - Word: classic RSVP with ORP focal-character coloring - Sentence: chunked reading, auto-advancing on word-count timing - Paragraph: skim mode Other features: WPM slider 200-1500, drag-drop .txt loading, localStorage persistence (text + WPM + mode + position), keyboard shortcuts, dark-mode WP-tone palette, sentence splitter that handles common academic abbreviations (Mr./Dr./e.g./i.e./et al./ Vol./Fig./decimals). Single self-contained HTML file. No install, no dependencies, no network calls. Runs in any modern browser, fully offline.
84 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
84 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# ◈ Ranger Reader
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A lightweight RSVP reader for academic papers and long-form text — single HTML file, no install, no subscription, no cloud, runs offline in any browser.
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Built to handle the volume of reading required by a research thesis without paying the $120/year for SwiftRead or similar tools. Released here so others can do the same.
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## What it does
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Three reading modes for the same text:
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| Mode | What it does | Best for |
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|---|---|---|
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| **Word** (key `1`) | Classic RSVP — one word at a time at a chosen WPM, with ORP (Optimal Recognition Point) focal-character colouring | Fast skim, the "I'm reading at 4× normal speed" experience |
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| **Sentence** (key `2`) | One full sentence at a time, auto-advancing based on word count | Comprehension-grade reading of methods and results sections |
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| **Paragraph** (key `3`) | One paragraph at a time, longer display | Preview / postview stages, skim for quotes |
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## How to use
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1. **Open `ranger-reader.html`** in any modern browser (double-click works)
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2. **Paste text** into the textarea at the bottom, or **drag any `.txt` file** onto the page
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3. **Press the spacebar** or click **▶ Play**
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4. **Tap `1` / `2` / `3`** to switch between Word / Sentence / Paragraph modes
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5. **Slide WPM** up or down to taste (default 500, range 200–1500)
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Text, WPM, mode, and reading position all auto-save in your browser — close the tab, reopen tomorrow, resume where you stopped.
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## Keyboard shortcuts
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| Key | Action |
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|---|---|
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| `Space` | Play / pause |
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| `←` / `→` | Skip back / forward (10 in Word mode, 1 in chunk modes) |
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| `1` / `2` / `3` | Switch to Word / Sentence / Paragraph mode |
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| `+` / `−` | Adjust WPM by 50 |
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| `R` | Reset to start |
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## Converting PDF papers
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The reader takes plain text. To convert academic PDFs:
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```bash
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# macOS / Linux — install poppler-utils first (e.g. brew install poppler)
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pdftotext input.pdf output.txt
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```
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Then drag the `.txt` file onto the reader page.
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## What it doesn't do (yet)
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- A built-in file library — paste or drag, one paper at a time
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- Per-paper bookmarks — single position memory
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- Background sound / brown noise — planned for v1.2
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- Browser extension packaging — planned for v2.0
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- Multi-language ORP heuristics — currently tuned for English
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## Why RSVP works
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RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) shows words sequentially at a fixed location, eliminating the eye saccades that normal reading requires. For many readers — particularly dyslexic readers — this:
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- Reduces visual-tracking effort
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- Eliminates letter-reversal confusion (words don't sit next to each other)
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- Enforces consistent pacing (no getting lost in a paragraph)
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- Allows comfortable reading at speeds well above normal saccading limits
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Brain comprehension is the real ceiling, not eye movement. RSVP lets you read closer to that ceiling.
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## Caveats
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For academic citation work, use Sentence or Word mode in combination with the source PDF — RSVP is excellent for prose but cannot render tables, figures, or equations. The published recommended workflow:
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1. First pass via Sprint / RSVP at high WPM to get the paper's shape
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2. Second pass in the source PDF for the Methods, Results, tables and figures
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3. Capture exact quotes with page numbers from the PDF, not the RSVP stream
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The abstract is an advert — don't cite it. Read the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. The meat is in the middle.
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## License
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GPL v2 or later. See [LICENSE](./LICENSE).
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## Acknowledgements
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Built as a study tool during an MSc thesis on accessibility-focused authentication research. Released as free software because reading subscriptions are a tax on poor researchers and accessibility tools should not be paywalled.
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