tertium alter ego

2008-09-16

Our Professor

As usual, at the beginning everybody in a group has to tell a little about his or her own person to others to 'break the ice'.

No need to say how many nationalities and occupations are in our group. Ordinary canadian mosaic. But something interesting on our professor. She got BAC at McGill and Master's degree in Sydney, Australia where she taught as well as in Tokyo, Japan, Warsaw, Poland, Istanbul, Turkey, and Tver, Russia - what's a surprise!

She mentioned its name as Kalinin (former name, the city was named after Mikhail Kalinin, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR). I wonder in what times she was there!

2008-09-14

An Interesting Question On OS We Still Have Not An Answer For

Searching for Google Chrome for Linux recently installed on my laptop I came across this blog posting A Web OS?.

The author maybe is a little bit aggressive, and therefore the text is stuffed with f-words too much but it gives the general view of how the OS environment are evolving - from simple to sophisticated and ineffective - disregarding of real user's needs.

The point I like most there is the following question:

"... when your Aunt asks why her 1.2GHz computer isn't fast enough to run an online word processor that has the same fucking features as the 1987 version of Corel WordPerfect, you don't have an answer for her."

I have not any answer. And you?

2008-09-13

unit 1

I am going to post here my homeworks of the course I take in McGill University. Not to teach someone but rather to remember the material we pass through during the course English Grammar and Writing Techniques. Your comments are warmly welcomed and appreciated!

Since there is such a topic as Blog Writing in the course I believe this blogspot of mine will be useful.

So, this is the first one about good writing, the text taken from the anthology recommended by our professor to buy ($20) at McGill bookstore.

Simplicity Questions

1.What is the main argument or thesis of “Simplicity”? (Course pack p.111)

The gist of the article is the right way of writing. The good writing must be clear as reflection of clear way of thinking. It is not something given like a nature's gift but might be learnt by hard working.

2.List some examples of clutter. (Course pack p.111)

Too complicated texts of manuals, sophisticated style of insurance or medical plans, ciphered financial reports, and my favorite one – FIDO mobile plans.

3.How can a writer avoid clutter? (Course pack p.113)

In very simple manner – just to simplify the words themselves and the text entirely by means of which one tries to express thoughts. In any case, it should be started from clear thinking, then continued in clear writing, and finally, in iterative redactions in order to achieve the initial lucidity of mind.

4.Define the “common reader” and list some possible reasons a reader could become confused when reading a text. (Course pack p.113)

This is a person with very short average period (30 sec) of attention and many temptations to lose the latter like the following: TV, cellular, advertising, radio, internet and so on.

5.Provide examples of ways a writer can be careless. (Course pack p.113)

It can be in many forms. For example, the shoddiness when a reader may interpret a phrase in a few ways, or when a logical liaison is absent, or a reader just loses the sense because of verbiage or incorrect using of a word.

6.Why is the edited manuscript included in the “Simplicity” essay? (Course pack pgs. 114-115)

To show us the process of 'clearing' as it is in reality of a writer's life. How much work should be done before the text is accepted in final redaction.

7.What important questions should writers ask themselves? (Course pack p.116)

Is what I have written exactly what I wanted to say? Would it be enough clear for somebody else who reads it without my assistance? How much bigger could my honorarium be if I added some more words in this apparently too simple and short sentence?

8.What conclusions does the author of “Simplicity” come to? (Course pack p.116)

The author bewares us to be persistent on that long hard road that leads to good writing (good mention of the ancient proportion of inspiration and respiration in any action).

2007-11-09

Gmail - 10 things a job seeker should know - alexvoy@gmail.com

Gmail - 10 things a job seeker should know - alexvoy@gmail.com: "Article: 10 things a job seeker should know By Frank J. Giudice, Job Guidance Educator Here is a list of important things to remember when working on finding the right job. 1) 86% of employers look at soft skills to be the top reasons why they hire someone. 2) Between 70 & 80% of all jobs are filled through word of mouth. Hint: Keep your network list up to date and make sure to ASK your family, friends, and former co-workers if they know of any openings. 3) 78% of all hiring managers prefer a chronological resume, a resume organized by dates of previous work experience. 4) Approximately 90% of all executives ask their administrative assistant for advice on hiring decisions. The point is, smile and be friendly with everyone you meet in the parking lot, the front desk, people you pass in the hall, sitting in the reception room, etc. You don't know who's watching. 5) Expect at least 2 interviews before an offer is made. 6) Hiring managers believe that about 1/3 of job candidates lie or leave jobs off their resume. Remember, honesty is always the best police. 7) Try not to be the first person interviewing for an opening. Reasons are the interviewer may not recall in detail what you talked about and you wind up as the benchmark. "