Complete guide to reference collection (with pictures): Latex+Lyx+Zotero

For every individual who is at university, the unavoidable question is, how to make a beautiful reference list at the end of their paper? Different journals have different requirements of the format. Copy the articles' name and paste, then repeat... the most boring process!

[Note: Chinese version of this post is available at http://www.loyhome.cn/787.html]

[注：本文中文版在此 http://www.loyhome.cn/787.html]

In this information era, intelligent software may solve all these problems. Some people recommend EndNote or NoteExpress, but they are commercial software and you must pay for them. Furthermore, the are not well combined with web browsers like Firefox or Chrome.

Fortunately, I found Zotero! From its official website,

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. It lives right where you do your work—in the web browser itself.

How powerful it is! Simple clicks and automatic save!

The video guide on its website is very clear, so there is no need for me to write something about supports. Please visit: http://www.zotero.org/

save reference via goole scholar

save reference via goole scholar

You may save the information of articles while browsing online. Several database are supported, like Google Scholar, Jstor etc.

select items and save

select items and save

Select items which you want to be saved.

open zotero (click the icon on the bottom bar)

open zotero (click the icon on the bottom bar)

Open Zotero ( click the icon on the bottom bar ) and you can see them now.

make notes if you like

make notes if you like

After the collection, you can add notes if you like.

attach some important files, like PDFs

attach some important files, like PDFs

Then attach the necessary files, like original paper (PDFs) and screenshots, Zotero will help you manage them.

mark them

mark them

Mark them with different tags and classify them into different folders. The "Filter" will help you find them quickly.

export items

export items

Select items and export to BibTex format.

select items or folders and then create bibliography

select items or folders and then create bibliography

Or you may select items or folders and then create bibliography, then paste it into Word etc. You can export different kinds of lists. There are already more than 100 journals' formats available.

Moreover, if you are using Latex ( Lyx ), you may simply export the BibTex file. I usually use the WYSIWYM editor software Lyx. It's more easy to import BibTex file by a simple click. Then insert the reference to where you need.

Open Lyx and import BibTex

Open Lyx and import BibTex

add database

add database

click on "insert citation" button

click on "insert citation" button

select reference and style

select reference and style

All done! Now you can see it in your paper!

All done! Now you can see it in your paper!

I have saved much time with Zotero and Lyx, so will you.

How to download BBC World Service?

For most people in China, listening to international radio programs ( BBC, VOA, CNN etc. )  is one of the most effect ways to improve their abilities of English-listening. For example, when I was preparing for the IELTS last month, BBC radio programs were the most appropriate material for me.

The easiest way of access is buying a short-wave radio and following BBC's schedule ( link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmeguide/). However, because of the governmental limitation and disturbing, the quality is very bad and it is hard to recognize what they are speaking.

The alternative and free way is to download records through the Internet. Thanks to BBC's Podcast (http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice), it is easy to select different kinds of programs. But please remember, there are only the latest 7-days programs available. Meanwhile, if you would like to listening the live programs, you can visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/audioconsole/?stream=live.

If you are used to RSS readers like Google reader, here is a list of the most popular programs' subscriptions:

You can find the RSS icon on every program's  webpage.

But if you want to record the TV programs, some software may be helpful ( since BBC uses RTMP agreement with FLV ). My choice is FLVRecorder. After installing, open the online-watch window and this software will record every thing. You may open different programs at the same time and FLVRecorder will automatically distinguish them.

For more details, please visit: http://www.flvrecorder.com/

Notice: BBC online TV programs are only available within UK. Use proxy to access.

Consumption and Conception of Values in Ancient China and Greece: Differences in Thinking Between China and the Western World

Compare the difference in thinking between ancient China and Greece: Confucianism and Aristotelianism.

Then I introduce the modern idea from a recent paper:
If money doesn't make us happy, why do we act as if it does (Aaron Ahuvia, 2008)