Topicmarks - Summarize Long Documents Quickly

The Challenge of Information Overload

Encountering lengthy documents on unfamiliar subjects is a common experience. It’s not limited to academic research; the internet is filled with extensive articles exceeding our capacity to fully absorb.

While some may have the leisure to meticulously review each text, most individuals operate under time constraints.

The ability to quickly grasp the core ideas of a text is therefore crucial for efficient information processing.

Tools for Efficient Summarization

For those seeking a novel approach to managing information overload, Qwiki presents an alternative.

However, if a traditional method of fact and figure extraction is preferred, Topicmarks offers a valuable solution.

This tool can assist in distilling key information from complex texts, enabling users to quickly understand the essential points.

Topicmarks: A Text Summarization Tool

Topicmarks is an online platform designed to condense English text. It provides a means of creating summaries and permanently stores them within your account, free of charge, with the option to delete them as needed.

While currently offered without cost, the developers intend to introduce charges for users who consume significant resources in the future.

Methods for Text Submission

Topicmarks’ summarizing engine allows for quick comprehension of lengthy articles, eliminating the need for exhaustive reading.

Several input methods are available to utilize the Topicmarks engine. These include uploading text files directly from your computer, pasting text into a designated field, or submitting a webpage URL.

• File Upload: Topicmarks supports a variety of file formats.
• Direct Paste: Text can be copied and pasted directly into the provided text area.
• URL Submission: An entire webpage can be summarized by providing its URL.

Supported file types for upload include Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), OpenOffice ODF text (.odt), Hypertext Markup Language (.htm, .html), and Plain text (.txt).

Initiating the Summarization Process

Once the text source is prepared, simply click the "Try it now" button to begin the summarization process.

The engine will then analyze the provided content and generate a concise summary.

Account Creation and Data Saving

New users of Topicmarks are required to establish a user account. All generated summaries from submitted texts will be securely stored under this account.

Registering an account also enables alternative text submission methods, including email uploads and the use of a convenient bookmarklet.

Login Options

Users have the option to sign in to Topicmarks utilizing their existing Google or Yahoo! credentials.

Alternatively, a new Topicmarks account can be created directly from scratch.

Summarization Process

A visual progress bar indicates the status of the summarization process. The engine's processing steps are also displayed for transparency.

Upon completion, Topicmarks will notify you via email. Processing time varies based on text length, complexity, and current server load.

Summary Information

Following summarization, general text details are provided. This includes the source, file size, and total word count.

This information proves particularly valuable when managing a large collection of summaries.

Alternative Text Submission Methods

Beyond file uploads and direct text/URL pasting, Topicmarks offers several other methods for submitting content.

One convenient option is utilizing the provided bookmarklet. The link to install this tool is located in the upper right corner of the screen, positioned beneath the "Sign Out" link.