Keeping Your Writing Simple
he good folks who buy your how-to manual do not want to read anything complicated or hard to comprehend. They bought your manual to help them solve a specific problem, quickly, easily, and efficiently. You've heard the acronym "KISS" ? "Keep It Simple, Sport!" Obey this admonition and you can't go wrong. This isn't Hemmingway we're writing here, folks. Just the facts.
Write what's in your head, then fine tune it, but don't over-write! We're trying to clear the fog here, not contribute to it.Fortunately for users of word processing programs, there are a number of tools to help us in our quest for simplicity and clarity.In Microsoft Word, for example, under the Tools menu item, there's a selection for "Word Count". Clicking on this option will display (logically enough) the number of words in our whole document plus some other information about the document. More importantly, when you run the Spelling and Grammar checker from the Tools Menu, at the end you will get a display of the number of sentences per paragraph, along with other statistics, two of which we'll focus on next.When Word finishes checking spelling and grammar, it can display information about the reading level of the document, including the following readability scores. Each readability score bases its rating on the average number of syllables per word and words per sentence.The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a 100-point scale; the higher the score, the easier it is to understand the document. For our how-to manual, aim for a score of approximately 60 to 70.The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score rates text on a U.S.
grade-school level. For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader can understand the document. For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 7.0 to 8.0.I've mentioned word processing programs several times in reference to writing your how-to manual. You are certainly not required to use a computer or a word processing program to write your how-to manual. I know of several writers who prefer to write (at least the first draft) with a pencil and legal pad.
An advantage of the handwritten draft method is that you can carry it with you conveniently practically wherever you go. And it's available and ready to be used quickly, without having to wait for a laptop computer to boot up. I always carry a notepad (or my handheld palm-style computer) to jot down ideas whenever they occur to me. (I just haven't figured out how to take it into the shower with me yet!)And there's one other method I've referred to that I personally like in certain situations: the audiocassette recorder..
Best Regards, Robert Brents, "The 80/20 Guy"http://www.RobertBrents.comFor your free four-lesson e-seminar, How To Write, Publish,Market & Promote Profitable How-To Manuals, emailmailto:freehowtoeseminar@sendfree.comCopyright 2001 Robert Brents and Blue Gecko Press.Screen Telephone Calls Over the Internet In Real-Time - ThePhoneBOT.com Releases New Version of Telephone Answering Machine Software and New Remote Client Application for Real-Time Voicemail Screening Over Networked PCs
Los Angeles, CA
August 27, 2004 - ThePhoneBOT.com announced today the availability of ThePhoneBOT version 4.0, the latest release of its popular web-based voicemail retrieval software. Also released today is the new PhoneBOT Remote Client application, an innovative new technology that allows users to expand the Windows-based answering machine and voicemail screening capabilities to serve multiple locations over networked PCs. Designed to replace a standard home/office answering machine or telephone company voicemail, ThePhoneBOT and PhoneBOT Remote Client software is now available for download at www.ThePhoneBOT.comWith ThePhoneBOT version 4.0 software and a compatible voice modem installed on a user's PC, multiple Remote Client PCs can now be connected via an IP address within the home, or between home and office locations. When an incoming call arrives, ThePhoneBOT relays caller-ID information and streams the voice of...
Laptop > Screen Telephone Calls Over the Internet In Real-Time - ThePhoneBOT.com Releases New Version of Telephone Answering Machine Software and New Remote Client Application for Real-Time Voicemail Screening Over Networked PCs
How To Find The Best Laptop Deals
Copyright 2006 Titus Hoskins
Finding a special laptop deal or price is within every shopper's reach. It's mainly knowing where to look!
Simple as that statement may sound, many people in the market for a new or used laptop don't know where to look for that special laptop or notebook deal. They simply don't know how to proceed or what steps they should take to find the laptop deals that do exist, sometimes right in they very own neighborhood.
Simple shopping tips or advice that may take 100s off the price of a new or used laptop. Most of these shopping tips or guidelines fall within the realm of common sense. Common procedures that will reduce the price tag on your next laptop purchase.
Here's a short run down on some shopping tips you can try:
Use The Internet
Your neighborhood is the whole world.
We are no longer confined to a small shopping location or area. We have the whole world at our disposal...
How To Find The Best Laptop Deals
Laptop > How To Find The Best Laptop Deals
New PlayerPal Release Supports Sweden & Germany Despite Fierce World Cup Rivalry
London, UK (ContentDesk) June 22, 2006 -- Shape Factory Ltd (an English company) has made a service release of PlayerPal 4.2 especially for Sweden and Germany, despite World Cup rivalry reaching an all time high.
With England facing Sweden in their group and the possibility of Germany in a later round, this gesture has been made in the name of sporting solidarity (and the beauty of world wide music remote control).PlayerPal is an add-on product for iTunes and Windows Media Player.
Install it on your music PC and then use it to control your music from any WiFi device with a web browser.
Search, browse and control your music from your couch, bed or office desk using a Sony PSP, PDA, laptop, Nokia 770, Phillips iPronto etc.
Think of it as a web based iTunes remote control (or Windows Media Player remote control if you prefer Microsofts player).The service release (4.21) fixes a few problems once faced by PlayerPals growing international fan base. <...
Laptop > New PlayerPal Release Supports Sweden & Germany Despite Fierce World Cup Rivalry
?Just In Case? Party Invitation: BYO Pets, Laptops & Kids !
"Just In Case" Party Invitation: BYO Pets, Laptops & Kids !The Laptop Guy Sponsors First Annual Fundraiser To Benefit The Franklin County Dog Shelter Pets, Laptops and Kids ? oh my! To help the community prepare for a safe, fun-filled summer, The Laptop Guy and his well-known K9 companion, Zoe, are sponsoring a fundraising party called, "Just In Case," to benefit the Franklin County Dog Shelter. "Just in Case " will feature prevention and protection services for pets, laptops and kids of all ages and will take place at the Westerville Center, Sunday, May 1st from 12:00 ? 3:00."The first 100 party guests to make a $20 donation to Franklin County Dog Shelter will receive a free laptop wireless network card as a thank you from The Laptop Guy and Zoe," said Todd Feit, aka The Laptop Guy. "We rescued Zoe five years ago and she contributes so much everyday to our personal and professional lives. Supporting the shelter is our way of fostering brighter futures for the thousands of dogs,...
?Just In Case? Party Invitation: BYO Pets, Laptops & Kids !
Laptop > ?Just In Case? Party Invitation: BYO Pets, Laptops & Kids !
AP9 Business Max Announces Practical Yet Fun Gadgets for Every Office
Norwalk, CT (ContentDesk) July 7, 2006 -- Technological advancements are constant and exciting, contributing to more efficient workplaces. But keeping up with the times can be costly, particularly for smaller businesses. Members of AP9 BusinessMax, a professional development and business solutions discount program available from Adaptive Marketing LLC, dont have to break the bank whenever they need new equipment, media or employment resources.When purchasing new or additional office supplies and technology at preferred retailers, AP9 BusinessMax members save up to 20%. By simply logging into DealPass, AP9 Business Max members have access to discounts on travel services, corporate gifts, health benefits and electronics. Members can shop online or in-store, and they save both money and time -- the most valuable commodities in...
AP9 Business Max Announces Practical Yet Fun Gadgets for Every Office
Laptop > AP9 Business Max Announces Practical Yet Fun Gadgets for Every Office
An Introduction To Used Laptops
If a customer purchases a laptop and realizes that he doesn't need or want it anymore, and returns it to the store, this laptop becomes a used laptop. If another customer wants a $3,000 laptop for only $700, then he should turn to the market of ?used laptops'.
Today, the computer industry is changing at a very fast pace. Hence the need for the latest laptop is essential. This becomes difficult when one can't afford to buy a new laptop regularly, and upgrading the present laptop might be impractical too. Due to these reasons, one might go for a used laptop.
Also, you have the advantage of knowing about its past performance record from its previous owner.
One false belief some people have is that all used laptops are sold because there is something wrong with the machine. However, these machines have equipment that is meant to last, which is why used laptops have such a huge market. Unless the used laptops are purchased from a top brand, they come without...
Laptop > An Introduction To Used Laptops
suits Keeping Your Writing Simple Laptop
Keeping Your Writing Simple Laptop
Plasma TV for the Home Theater
One of the hottest topics in home entertainment is home theater. And one of the hottest topics in home theater is plasma TV.
Plasma TV for your home theater is actually only a receiver, much like your computer monitor, and is only one component of a great home theater. Still, it's an arguable point that the plasma TV is the part of the home theater package that you'll be viewing and is therefore a very important component.
Consider the technology of the plasma TV...
Laptop > Plasma TV for the Home Theater