Recently, I was checking out some articles on the web that were written originally by English Teachers and today are archived for public access. There were some really nice articles written on academia, learning, and also “e-learning” which was a new term back in the 1970s. Today, e-learning is as commonplace as wi-fi at Starbucks. Did I learn something from these articles? Indeed, I did. They confirmed for me and helped me revisit an important conclusion about learning “methologies”. Essentially, there are four of them. Three are well-known, and one is a big unknown, but after this blog post you should feel otherwise.

1. There are visual learners who depend upon visual symbols like diagrams and video. So, if you are a professor and have many of these kinds of students, you must prepare lots of good charts to support your lectures.

2. There are audio learners. These are individuals who are able to assimilate your direct words into meaning without necessarily consulting a visual prop. I am an audio learner and therefore love audio books.

3. There are kinetic learners. These are people who can only learn by doing. They need to take something apart and rebuild it to learn, as a case in point. Many engineers are kinetic learners.

4. Finally, there are writing learners. They actually learn by writing about something. Is this a branch of #3? Perhaps. At the same time, they are merely writing about something without physically engaging in a learning activity. It is amazing how authors use this approach to deliver a script, book, movie, etc. and these reading these words experience something from their words.

Wishing you all a restful weekend,

Keith

Dear Readers and Visitors:

This morning, I finally finished composing a free e-book that describes the basics of a fine utility program that is available as a free download from CNET’s website download dot com, called Advanced System Care v3.6.1. This remarkable program inspects and repairs your computer (desktop, laptop, netbook, etc.) system and works with the very latest in anti-virus, defrag, and other relevant technologies. It is clearly on par with giants like Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials. Advanced System Care addresses sensitive issues like privacy, temporary files, and log files, all of which today need to be addressed, lest a spyware program gain new insights into your browsing or confidential information that you thought was safely stored on your local drive. Like AC/DC once sang “watch your back”. So, true, especially in the evolving Internet age.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MY E-BOOK ABOUT ADVANCED SYSTEM CARE v3.6.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ADVANCED SYSTEM CARE 3.6.1 FROM CNET.

Regards and Best Wishes for a relaxing weekend,

Keith

Yesterday, I was searching for a quality e-book on public speaking and I stumbled upon this fine website called MANY BOOKS DOT NET. Wow, what an incredible e-book resource. Kudos and many thanks to the founder and administrator of this site. There are over 27,000 e-book titles you can download from this site. Mind you, this is not a techie website, but rather a cultural and general educational type of e-book that you will encounter here. Even as a Technical Writer, I need to revisit important cultural and educational facts and ideas. We are always human beings (lol). So, take a quick surf over to MANY BOOKS DOT NET when you can. It is really great and I guarantee you will find at least one e-book that you will cherish for present or future reading. Cheers, Keith

This post is dedicated to Chapter 4 of Joan Lambert’s book Windows 7 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. What I would like to discuss in this post is Chapter 4 which tells you about (1) working with Windows, (2) understanding files, folders, and libraries, (3) finding your way around the computer, (4) connecting to a network resource, and (5) finding specific information. These are all very important topics.

First, working with the Windows Operating System (OS) is important because it is designed to be a user-friendly interface to help you find things easily. You can easily size, move, and arrange windows as per your needs. You simply need to learn to use the icons and learn how to point, drag, and click your mouse on the right part of the window you want to manipulate. Essentially, there are two icons located in the top right hand corner of the window that allow for resizing, minimizing and maximizing.

Second, to work with files on your computer, you need to use the Windows Explorer. Go to the Start Menu of your machine and then select the Documents icon (a folder icon). This will display a window that will list, in the left side, all the major ways you can access information on your machine: desktop, downloads, libraries, etc. In the right pane, you will see all the files and sub-directories of the selected access point (for example, your desktop) that fall within that category. You can organize files as per your needs. I like to have my files listed by file type, and not by name.

Third, this chapter will help you to find your way around your computer as you use W7. Instead of selecting Documents from your Start menu, rather, select Computer. This icon will display a window that will show all drives and drive related information. For example, my computer has merely a C drive and a DVD drive. So, this window shows those two components. If you click on either of these components, then you will see further details, like directories and files that are currently accessible via such information access points.

Fourth, this chapter will help you to connect to a network resource. Essentially, you need to learn how to map a network drive. Important steps include selecting “Map a network drive” after selecting Computer from your Start menu. When this window appears, you need to select the correct drive letter and designation and then complete further steps using this wizard. As long as your network resources are correctly set-up then this mapping should turn out successful.

Finally, this chapter will help you to learn how to find specific information on your computer as you become a Windows 7 user. One great utility in this respect is Windows Search. All you need to do is click on your Start Menu and enter the name of a file or directory you wish to find in the text box that appears. You don’t need to enter the complete name. Rather, just enter the elements that you know and Windows 7 will produce a list in a pop-up window that will let you choose the right file or directory you were seeking.

In summary, we are still in the early stages of this book. Nonetheless, important information has been presented and this chapter will definitely help you to feel more at home with Windows 7, especially if you are new to the Microsoft Windows OS

Click here to check out Windows 7 Step by Step
Click here to check out Windows 7, The Pocket Guide

This post is a special “thank you” to Ms. Emma Alvarez, a great social media entrepreneur who took time amidst her very busy schedule to read and review my book “The Power of OM”. Emma is a most talented graphic artist from Spain and her professional work is often displayed at art shows around the world. For those of you who question the idea of a meditation book being presented in a Technical Writing blog, never forget that the body and mind can suffer from stress. And what better way to re-energize, relax, and renew oneself than through meditation. This has been my experience and it is my wish for all my readers and visitors to benefit just the same.

Click here to read Emma’s review.

This post is a special “thank you” to Ms. CarolAnn BaileyLloyd, a great social media entrepreneur who took time amidst her very busy schedule to read and review my book “The Power of OM”. CarolAnn also is a dedicated Web Consultant/Marketer, Ghost Writer, Professional Blogger, and Online Content Developer & SEO/SEM Specialist. For those of you who scoff at the idea of a meditation book being presented in a Technical Writing blog, never forget that the body and mind do get tired out. And what better way to re-energize, relax, and renew oneself than through meditation. That has been my experience and it is my wish for all my readers and visitors to benefit just the same.

You can click here to read CarolAnn’s review.

On page 24 of W7 Step by Step, in Chapter 1: Explore Windows 7, the authors give the reader a most valuable table that they can print out and keep with them as they use Windows 7. Essentially this table summarizes the most vital keyboard shortcuts which allow for diverse operations to take place within W7. This table can be found on page 24 of this book. It can also be found on the companion CD to this book within the e-book that is presented there. I recommend you take note of these keyboard shortcuts so that you can perform these W7 feats all the better.

Keyboard Shortcut – Function

Windows logo key – open or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key + B – Select the first icon in the notification are of the taskbar.
Windows logo key + D – Minimize all open windows.
Windows logo key + E – Open the Computer window.
Windows logo key + F – Open the Search window.
Windows logo key + G – Select or move between desktop gadgets.
Windows logo key + L – Lock the computer.
Windows logo key + M – Minimize all open windows.
Windows logo key + Shift + M – Redisplay the windows.
Windows logo key + P – Display the Projection controls.
Windows logo key + R – Open the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key + T – Select or move between the taskbar buttons.
Windows logo key + U – Open the Ease Of Access Center window.
Windows logo key + X – Open the Windows Mobility Center (portable computers only).
Windows logo key + Spacebar – Make all open windows temporarily transparent (Aero-capable computers only for this command option).

Enjoy your weekend everybody

Special thanks to Rich Robinson for Windows 7 Pocket Guide
Special thanks to Joan Lambert for Windows 7 Step by Step

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be covering, this summer, a great book released by Microsoft Press. It is entitled “Windows 7: Step by Step”. For those of you who have decided to go with Microsoft Windows 7 for your computer’s operating system (OS), this is a book that will help you immensely. Before I dive into the chapters and content therein, here is a summary (the TOC) of how the authors have approached Windows 7 in this well-written book. Notice how the authors guide you slowly from superficial concepts to the last chapter which deals with hardware that interfaces with W7 (Windows 7, I will be using this abbreviation from now on).

Windows 7 Step by Step Table of Contents (TOC)

Chapter 1: Explore W7
Chapter 2: Manage User Accounts
Chapter 3: Manage Your Network
Chapter 4: Navigate Windows and Folders
Chapter 5: Manage Folder and Files
Chapter 6: Connect to the Web
Chapter 7: Work with Web Pages and Sites
Chapter 8: Manage Internet Explorer (IE)
Chapter 9: Change Visual Elements
Chapter 10: Change System Settings
Chapter 11: Work with Programs
Chapter 12: Set Up Hardware Devices

Regards,

Keith

Click here to visit Minty White for more about Windows 7
Click here to visit O’Reilly Publishers featuring W7 Step by Step

Documentation is always considered important by organizations. At the same time, few people enjoy spending time to actually create meaningful and helpful documentation. Our world today is on the move. However, like the age-old expression goes “haste makes waste”, the very same holds true for documentation. There are many people creating, developing, testing, and implementing systems of all kinds. Yet, the glue that holds developers, testers, business analysts, users, and investors is the documentation. So, as a Technical Writer, I encourage everyone in the business word to adopt these four simple words into their everyday vocabulary “make time for documentation”. To create a product and have erroneous or no documentation makes no sense. It is like going on a long trip and not making sure you have ample brake fluid, oil, gasoline, and other vital liquids for your car. Take care of your car, right? So, do the same for your product or service. Spend some time verifying your documentation. You just might discover something important in this process of review. You might even discover ways to better your product and/or service and realize just how documentation has kept you in the game

Dear Readers:

Right now, I am reading a book written by Jeff Jarvis called What Would Google Do?. It is a really interesting book because, unlike other books that discuss the actual functionality of a software program, this book discusses Google’s business approach to everything that they do. Basically, Google has redefined the rules of business such that they are empowering anybody that uses Google, for whatever reason, whether it is a simple search or Google AdSense. Just when you thought Bill Gates was a man of power, put that thought into check. The founders of Google are more than brilliant mathematicians able to create flawless algorithms for searches. They are brilliant businessmen who really understand how to get people to begin and remain Google-centric. Google is truly dedicated to learning as much as it can about you so that it can work with you and empower you in new ways. Like Jeff Jarvis says, and like Google says “think distributed”. So true. Here are the main points of the Google Rules that Jeff Jarvis discusses in this book. Thanks for all the hard research, Jeff, and for sharing these insights with the rest of us. Indeed, Google is leading us all into a new generation of business and e-commerce, to say the least.

Google Rules

1. New Relationship (between Google and you)
2. New Architecture (dynamic, to say the least)
3. New Publicness (hopefully, Google will value your privacy more than Facebook)
4. New Society (Google redefines the idea of society, here)
5. New Economy (It is indeed a virtual economy now)
6. New Business Reality (the playing field is leveled now via the web)
7. New Attitude (with a new business reality comes a new attitude)
8. New Ethic (yes, we still need to be good people, even on the web)
9. New Speed (Motley Crue said it first “too fast for love”)
10. New Imperatives (Google will only reveal this to us in small doses)

You can get your copy of this book at Amazon by clicking here.

All The Best,

Keith