The benefits of blogging

Blogs are getting more popular. A lot of writers are getting into the blogging bandwagon for many reasons. Some write blogs to earn money, while others blog to hone their skills. Here are two reasons why I think a Technical Communication student like me should blog.

1.      It improves one’s writing skill.

Blogging is a good way to practice writing and editing. It is true that we can enhance our skills through the writing assignments that we get in class; however, by blogging, we give ourselves more opportunities to write about a wide variety of topics. This will help us become more flexible in the genres that we write.

2.      It creates a good network.

Like forums, blogs encourage discussions on certain topics, which can open opportunities for you to get future clients or possible jobs.  A Blog can be considered an online portfolio.

Here are just two reasons how a student can benefit from blogging. Happy blogging everyone!

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Mac App Store

I haven’t updated my laptop for more than a month, but recently I decided to download the software update. The update includes the Mac App Store, which gives Mac users access to more than a thousand applications for their Mac. The Mac App store has the similar concept with the App Store for iPods, where users have a single portal to access different applications. This innovation benefits Mac users and app developers. App developers can distribute their applications through the App store for only $99 annually. The registration fee is very inexpensive so this will definitely encourage more developers to produce more applications. I’ve downloaded a few applications just to check out what’s in store. Like the App Store for iPods, you can find cheap and even free applications. Mac users should definitely get the Mac App store for their Apple computers and dig through applications that they can use for leisure or productivity!

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Image from: http://www.razorianfly.com/wp-content/uploads/mac_app_store1.png

Writers' Complete Weapons

This semester, I found a really good buy from the Red River College Bookstore. I was looking for a good pencil, and found that the Staedtler pencil costs about $5.50. Going through the same rack, I found little case, which includes a pencil, highlighter, pen and a fine marker. I got the product for only $10.50! 

I’ve been using it for three weeks now, and so far I am really happy with the product. The pen writes well and doesn’t blot. The pencil already comes with a piece of lead, the highlighter works fine, and the fine marker can also be used as a pen. The case also helps keep the pens intact so you don’t misplace it. It doesn’t occupy too much space in the bag so you can take the whole thing with you even if you’re just carrying a pouch. I think this product is a really good starter set for a writer who wants to be armed with all the weapons needed for writing.

Image from: http://www.staedtler.com/triplus_mobile_office_eng.Staedtler

Learning through Apps

I own an iPhone and there are millions of people who own iPod and iPhones. Through iTunes, iPod and iPhone owners can get access to tons of applications. Some of the applications were made for fun and there are also numerous applications that can help us with our tasks.

I've downloaded more than forty applications since I got my iPhone. What I find really useful though are applications that help me gain knowledge and develop skills. Instead of bring a heavy dictionary to school I just used the dictionary.com application that I downloaded for free. Through the development of different applications for learning, iPods and iPhones will definitely contribute in the proliferation of mobile learning.

The next time you visit iTunes, maybe you should try the other categories aside from Games and Social networking. You will discover that these little tools will help increase your knowledge in a fun way!

Image from: http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2190/84125075.jpg

YouTube for Shared Learning

A few years ago whenever I want to learn something new, I usually find a book that will tell me how to do things. Nowadays, I've observed that if ever I want to learn something I search the Internet for information. I have two favourite sites that I go to learn about new things. Guess what sites are they. You'll probably say Google as the first site. You know what my second favourite site is? YouTube. 

I like going to YouTube when I want to learn new things because there are a lot of channels, where people share what they know through tutorials. There are also those who share their product knowledge through reviews. A lot of people in YouTube are generous in sharing with the world what they know, which makes it a great place for shared learning. People can comment on videos, making it more interactive. 

In the future, I think YouTube will become more than just a site to upload videos. It will open more possibilities for shared learning similar to forum and community sites.


Image from: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2010/08/24/youtube-logo.jpeg

Snagit

Screenshots are very useful graphics that we can incorporate in manuals. Screenshots are used as guides for locating software options. Sometimes they are also used as verification tools by software users to check if what they are doing is correct. This feature helps writers address the needs of visual learners.

Not all screenshots are helpful. There are screenshots with poor resolutions, which sometimes just adds to the users’ stress. It is important that we use screenshots with the right resolution. 

Most PC users are familiar with the Print Screen feature included in all PCs. If you are familiar with it, you know that it only captures the entire screen for you and that you have to manually crop it if you just want to show a specific portion. Macs are equipped with the screen capture feature that allows users to select a specific location to capture.

You will be delighted to find out that there is a screen capture software that can help you produce quality screenshots. Snagit will answer most of your screenshot needs.

Snagit allows you to capture, edit and share everything that you can see on your screen. They say that, “if you can see it, you can Snagit”. 

Your experience with Snagit doesn’t end in the capturing. You can modify the way your screenshot looks. There are options for adding callouts, shapes, and effects. Once you are satisfied with the appearance of your screenshot, you can then upload without having to use the copy and paste feature. You can directly upload it to a website, attached it to a Microsoft document, or send it via email.

Snagit is a paid software. It costs $49.95. You can also try out the software free for 30 days. Visit http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp for more information or to download the software.

Cooking and following instructions

Cookbooks are fascinating. You can try out different cuisines just by following instructions from a book. I know very little about cooking so oftentimes I try my best to follow each and every step on the recipe. One evening, I cooked with my friend who knew more in terms of cooking. That night, he was following a recipe from one of his friends. I noticed that unlike me, he didn't closely follow every step as described. He followed information on how each ingredient should go; however, measurements were mostly left to his discretion.

As I observed him, I realized that most people who know more in terms of software or other products tend to use the manual the same way as my friend used the recipe. People get certain information, but they are more adventurous in terms of doing things that were not specified on the manual. People who are intermediate to experts are usually not scared to try out what they know, even though sometimes it may mean making some mistakes.

What I've observed shows that each type of user utilizes the manual differently. There are manuals that are to be strictly followed, and there are those that are more open to deviations. Whatever the manual is, the most important thing is it should be written and formatted in an easy to understand manner.