FAQ
It’s an app that helps you create flashcards faster by harnessing machine learning. You can either use Rhodopsin standalone, or couple it with other apps that support it, e.g. Anki (via Image Occlusion Enhanced).
Q: What is Rhodopsin, exactly?
Q: What makes Rhodopsin special?
It runs directly on your device and is super easy to use. Once installed, you get immediate access to features like automated image occlusions in Anki. Or use it standalone and build powerful workflows to transform data into flashcards.
Q: Is Rhodopsin just about creating image clozes?
Nope! Image support is only the first phase in a much bigger plan of bringing machine learning to flashcard creation.
Q: Which operating systems are supported?
For now Rhodopsin only supports macOS (10.15 or later). I would like to add support for Windows and Linux in the future, but there is no concrete roadmap on when that could land, yet.
You can download Rhodopsin from my Patreon page at the $10 pledge and up. If you pledged your support to my Patreon before Sept. 21st 2022 and are still subscribed at the add-on aficionado tier, you will also have access to Rhodopsin and any future projects released at the $10 tier.
Q: Where can I get Rhodopsin?
Q: Do I really have to pay $10 a month to use Rhodopsin?
Not necessarily, no. Pledging for one month, downloading Rhodopsin, and then coming back in the future is also completely fine. Any Rhodopsin build downloaded from my Patreon will work for a year before it needs to be updated. Please note, however, that you will not be able to access any updates and new features released in the meanwhile until you re-pledge your support. Of course Rhodopsin is only one of the many perks offered via my Patreon, so it’s worth sticking around!
Q: Where can I learn how to install and use Rhodopsin?
A tutorial video and more extensive docs will be coming up soon! Until then: Make sure to check out the instructions on Patreon (they’re super simple as Rhodopsin is just a normal Mac app that you can drag-and-drop to install).
Q: Where can I report a bug or submit feedback and suggestions?
For now feel free to just shoot me a message on Patreon. A public bug tracker is also coming up soon.
Q: How does Rhodopsin work, on a technical level?
Magic! But seriously, it uses the machine-learning capabilities of your device to parse things like image information into data that can be used to create flashcards.
Q: Is any of my data sent anywhere?
Q: Will Rhodopsin work with the upcoming native version of Image Occlusion on desktop?
No, all of the processing happens directly on your device, which makes it fast, secure, and able to work when you don’t have internet.
Yep! Rhodopsin will be supported day one via the reimagined Image Occlusion Enhanced add-on that is going to release in parallel with native IO.
Q: Why does Rhodopsin cost money in the first place?
Developing software takes a lot of time and effort, especially with tools like Rhodopsin that break new ground. More importantly though, by placing some tools like Rhodopsin behind a paywall, I can sustainably support working on all of my free and open-source projects – things like Image Occlusion Enhanced, Review Heatmap, and many other Anki add-ons.
Q: Is Rhodopsin open-source?
No, in fact it’s the first and only proprietary piece of software I have ever released.
I am a huge proponent of open-source software and have been so for over a decade now, with dozens of FOSS projects released in the meantime.
I went with a closed-source release in this case primarily for the same reason as above: Keeping a tiny number of projects proprietary, especially if it’s something trailblazing like machine learning, allows me to more sustainably fund my work, which in turn supports my open-source efforts. It’s a similar model to the ones followed by projects like AnkiHub and even Anki itself.
Open-source licensing can also get tricky in the machine learning space, so that’s another small benefit.