Upgrade Your Brain

You know what I need? More memory.

No, not for my computer, for me. I have an exam coming up and I need to cram some facts and figures into my head. Is there any software that will help me?

Of course there is! Memory drills are a common tool, and the Mac is traditionally very strong in educational software. It didn't take me long to find some software that I could use to create virtual "flash cards" to help me solve my short-term problem, and do it with at least a modicum of style.

One possibility is Loopware's iFlash. It is very reasonably priced ($15) and offers a surprisingly large number of features. It will, of course, help you with manage memory drills, but it also exports to iPod format, offers downloadable card decks for many standard subjects, and the developer is working on a version for Cocoa Touch devices.

Another contender is Moremac's Mental Case. Not only is the application visually pleasing, its memorization drills are beautiful and, apparently, tweaked with a special repetitive algorithm based on some very official-sounding science or somesuch. OK, for my simple task, Mental Case is overkill. But after giving it a spin I was quite impressed and found myself wishing I had more than just a short-term need for its $40 worth of expertise.

So what I decided to use is JRC's Genius. Compared to the other two applications, it is slim and lightweight, but it's also freeware (charitable donation suggested) and, as it turned out, exactly what I needed. In no time at all I had my data entered, and Genius was quizzing me on the cards that I missed most often. If I don't pass the exam, it won't be for lack of practice, that's for sure.

If you've got test coming up, or just want to increase your personal memory, give one of these a spin. Or if you have another favorite, leave a comment and let the rest of us know your secret.