Initial Core 2 study project

reference-materials/README.md

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+# Reference Materials Intake
+
+Drop Core 2 reference files into this folder:
+
+`/home/kenpatmonk/comptia-a-plus-core2/reference-materials/`
+
+Supported or likely usable formats:
+- PDF
+- EPUB
+- HTML
+- TXT
+- Markdown
+- Images/screenshots
+- Unknown formats, after inspection with `file`
+
+## How References Will Be Used
+
+Reference materials are used to improve:
+- Small study sections
+- Memory tricks
+- Windows and Linux labs
+- Post-section quizzes
+- Wrong-answer explanations
+- HTML objective status mind map
+
+Reference materials are not copied directly into study notes. Notes should be original summaries, explanations, examples, labs, and quiz questions.
+
+## Intake Steps
+
+When new files are added:
+1. List filenames.
+2. Run `file` on unknown formats.
+3. Extract readable text from PDFs/EPUBs when possible.
+4. Identify which Core 2 objective topics the material covers.
+5. Update `REFERENCE_INDEX.md`.
+6. Update lessons, labs, quizzes, and `mind-maps/core2-status.html` as needed.
+
+## User Notes
+
+The user does not personally have a Mac, but can sometimes use a friend's Mac.
+
+For macOS material:
+- Include real Mac labs when the objective is exam-relevant.
+- Include Windows/Linux comparison notes so progress is not blocked when the Mac is unavailable.
+- Keep macOS labs safe and read-only unless a change is explicitly part of the lab.