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Proposal: Language Learning

For example, this question:

Can I convert my CSV file into an Anki deck? I can't find any options in the program.

And its answer:

The desktop Anki version will allow you to import "Text separated by tabs or semicolons." Use this option to choose your CSV file. After opening the file, you will be presented with a dialog which allows you to customize how your data is imported. One of the settings is an option that lets you choose the delimiter. Change this to a comma, and it should work for you.

Screenshot: Importing a CSV file into Anki

Question stolen from Super User: Can I create an Anki deck from a .CSV file?

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    This question is strictly about software operation, and there really is no specific language issue involved. I would say it goes on Super User. I think a question might be on-topic if it asked something like how to best use the software for language learning.
    – user3169
    Aug 8, 2015 at 23:54
  • Will just asking how to best use Anki be on-topic?
    – Ooker
    Aug 9, 2015 at 8:52

1 Answer 1

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This question is clearly on-topic on SuperUser, however, I think the types of experts you're looking for are far more likely to be hanging around on Language Learning, so I would be in favor of allowing it.

This is precisely the type of material you're likely to find on certain languge learning blogs and even books (Fluent Forever comes to mind as an example of both).

So while how to use Anki would generally be on-topic on SuperUser, there are aspects of how to use Anki (and other programs), that are specific to language learners ("Are there any free fonts that display all the characters of the IPA distinctively?", "What's the best way to organize Anki decks to study 3 languages simultaneously?", etc).

Similarly, we should probably allow questions about how to use AnkiWeb and Duolingo, even though they might be on-topic on WebApps.

And we should permit questions about how to use AnkiDroid, even though it might be on-topic at Android Enthusaists.

Just because a question is on-topic somewhere else doesn't mean that somewhere else necessarily has the best experts available. And this is one of the (possibly rare) cases where I think language learning experts are more likely to be able to provide the best answers.

There are also questions about Anki on SuperUser which would not be on-topic here. We don't want to become a general Anki support forum. We want to focus on the types of questions where Language Learning experts are the experts with the knowledge needed to answer the question.


Of course, the authoritative way to determine if this question is on-topic is to ask it during the definition phase, and see what kind of reception it receives. :)

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    +1 This is similar to the policy GraphicDesign.SE uses on software questions. "How to achieve X using Y software?" is on topic and gets much better answers from topic specalists who understand the context than they do at superuser - but "tech suppport" questions to do with software installation, maintenance, crashes etc are closed/migrated. The rule of thumb I use is "In real life, would I ask this question to a designer or a tech support guy?" - maybe the LL.SE equivalent would be "In real life, would I ask this question to a language teacher/polyglot, or a tech support guy?" Nov 2, 2015 at 11:39
  • Would a question asking for recommendations be on-topic as well? Something like "What is a good program to learn Kanji where I can learn by practicing strokes?" Feb 17, 2016 at 14:01
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    @RegularUser: Asking "What is a good..." is always off-topic on Stack Exchange, as it's entirely subjective. Asking "Is there a program that does X, Y and Z?" could possibly be on-topic.
    – Flimzy
    Feb 17, 2016 at 16:45

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