From 439c697bb2c6a48bd0930bea60395da8d4fa4a99 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Kenneth Odle Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2025 14:23:30 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?Added=20=C2=ABelzcards=C2=BB=20info=20to=20chap?= =?UTF-8?q?ter=202?= MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit --- 006/006 time.csv | 2 ++ 006/include/chap02.tex | 74 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-- 2 files changed, 74 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/006/006 time.csv b/006/006 time.csv index 463bec3..daad9ca 100644 --- a/006/006 time.csv +++ b/006/006 time.csv @@ -22,3 +22,5 @@ Date,Topic,Minutes ,flacards (ch. 2),25 ,,60 ,,15 +,,60 +,,60 diff --git a/006/include/chap02.tex b/006/include/chap02.tex index 3b3d21e..d0fcb71 100644 --- a/006/include/chap02.tex +++ b/006/include/chap02.tex @@ -252,7 +252,77 @@ The \textsf{flacards} package also has a lot of other options for designing your \textit{You might want to look into the source code for deeper \\understanding.} \end{quote} -In this case, I highly recommend it. The source code includes a number of example files that you can examine and compile yourself to get an excellent understanding of how this package works. +In this case, I highly recommend it.\footnote{I actually need this on a t-shirt!} The source code includes a number of example files that you can examine and compile yourself to get an excellent understanding of how this package works. (This concept is so true of all things, not just software projects.) And of course, looking into the source code may cause a lot of confusion initially, but it is worth digging through that confusion to achieve a much deeper level of understanding than you ever could by just guessing at options. +\section{The elzcards Package} -\section{The elzcards Package} \ No newline at end of file +If you are creating flash cards that you are going to send to a commercial printer, you might want to look into the \textsf{elzcards}\footnote{Available at \kref{https://www.ctan.org/pkg/elzcards}{https://www.ctan.org/pkg/elzcards}.} package because it offers a \textit{lot} of options for setting up crop marks that the printer will use to cut the cards apart. + +What's nice about this package is that it can also produce business cards, either single-sided or double-sided. You define the card contents once and the package does the rest. (You will need to add the \textsf{geometry} package to set up your page and margin dimensions.) + +A unique feature of this package is that you define your cards first (using either an \texttt{IndexCard} or \texttt{FlashCard} environment) and then output them with the \verb|\MakeIC| or \verb|MakeFC| command. This allows you to output the cards in a different order than you entered them. I'm not entirely sure why this would be handy, but I feel that it will come in very useful for some people. + +The biggest disappointment with this package, however, is that there is no easy way to format the front and back of the cards. In fact, the package documentation included a macro that essentially centers the text both vertically and horizontally. This seems to be a klunky approach, since you need to invoke that macro every time you create a new flash card, which is tedious. + +To add some padding for the backs of the cards (where I don't necessarily want to center the text), I used the \textsf{adjustbox} package. My macros for the front and back look like this: + +\begin{Verbatim}[frame=lines, numbers=left, xleftmargin=5mm, framesep=3mm, breaklines=true, label=\fbox{Macros for formatting cards in elzcards package}] +\newcommand{\kfront}[1]{ + \vspace*{\stretch{1}} + \begin{center} + {{\LARGE #1}} + \end{center} + \vspace*{\stretch{1}} +} +\newcommand{\kback}[1]{ + \vspace*{\stretch{1}} + \begin{adjustbox}{padding = 10mm 10mm 0mm 0mm} + \parbox{0.8\linewidth}{\raggedright #1} + \end{adjustbox} + \vspace*{\stretch{1}} +} +\end{Verbatim} + +\noindent{}which makes an actual card look like this: + +\begin{Verbatim}[frame=lines, numbers=left, xleftmargin=5mm, framesep=3mm, breaklines=true, label=\fbox{Samples flashcards with macros}] +\FlashCard + {\kfront{Apex}} + [\kback{The single point on a code or pyramid that is furthest from the base. For a pyramid, the apex is where all the triangular faces meet.}] + +\FlashCard + {\kfront{Arc}} + [\kback{The part of circle lying between two points on the circle.}] +\end{Verbatim} + +Where this package really shines, however, is in its ability to make business cards. In this case, no macros are necessary, since you are only defining the business card content once. I've included samples of both flash cards and business cards online. + +\section{The eCards Package} + +\section{Summary} + +\begin{longtblr} +[ + caption = {}, + label = {tb:}, +% theme = {custom1} +]{ + width = {\textwidth}, + colspec = { X[1,0.7] X[1,c] X[1,c] X[1,c] }, + hlines = {0.5pt,solid}, + vline{1,5} = {0.5pt,solid}, + rows = {5mm, m, rowsep=1.5pt}, + rowhead = 1, + cells = {font=\sffamily\fontsize{8pt}{10pt}\selectfont}, + row{1} = {font=\bfseries}, +} +Parameter & \textsf{FlashCards} & \textsf{flacards} & \textsf{elzcards} \\ +{Document \\class} & \texttt{flashcards} & \texttt{flacards} & \texttt{article} \\ +{\texttt{geometry} \\package} & Pre-loaded & Pre-loaded & Need to load \\ +{Card \\environment} & \texttt{flashcard} & \texttt{card} & {\texttt{FlashCard} \textit{or} \\ \texttt{IndexCard} \textit{or} \\ \texttt{BusinessCard}} \\ +Card size & Only two options available, but others can be configured & Need to be defined explicitly & Defaults to either business card or index card but can be overridden \\ +Grid lines & {Can print on \\front or back} & {Can print on \\front or back} & {Can print on \\front only} \\ +Frame & Yes & & Yes, with either a macro or defining in each card \\ +Counter included? & No & Yes & Yes \\ +Define margin & Yes & & No \\ +\end{longtblr}