When preparing a presentation or keeping track of time spent on a project, you probably grab your nearby stopwatch. Well, for those of us without that convenience there is an online version available that also has a countdown feature. You’ll want to keep this site in your favorites, because in this fast paced society timing is everything. Full Screen Stopwatch
As I began to research the workings of the web, I realized that the internet is increasingly more complex than you or I would have expected. However during my research I cam across Warriors of the Net and the incredible video they have created. So instead of reading my description, watch this informative short film.
When you see the little box in the lower corner of your screen appear with the subject of yet another fresh email, what do you do? I expect that the subject line plays a big factor in your decision to either read it immediately or ignore it. Well, there is a simple solution that can make sending and receiving many of your emails more efficient.
“Write a concise email subject and conclude it with (END)”
By adding (END) to your subject line, you’re telling the recipient not to bother opening the email. Everything that needed to be said is communicated in the subject line. Obviously this is not the solution for every email, but it can be very effective in several ways:
1. Saves time for the sender and receiver
2. It forces you be concise and focus on only the important details
3. Everyone reads the subject of an email, so you’re guaranteed to get your message communicated.
You’ll be surprised how easily wordy emails can be boiled down to just the subject line. Try it out and when people see that that your subject emails are saving them time, they’ll start returning the favor. I’m interested to see how this works for you, so write in the comments below about your experience.
Want more tips for improving your email efficiency? Merlin Mann, founder of of the 43 folders website, gives an excellent presentation on email tips and strategies. Watch if for free here.
I don’t like grammar. In fact if I was forced to chose between chewing glass for eternity and becoming a grammarian I would probably chose the former. But as much as I hate the subject it is the cornerstone of our language and cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, the Web is wellknown for the manifold errors that eek out of the plethora of blogs and pages that are incessantly added to its lists. Let’s take a look at the most profane grammatical errors out there today.
No, it’s is not the same as its. It’s is a contraction of the words it and is. Its is the passive form of it.
Incorrect
Example: It’s grandeur is incredible.
Example: Its a good day for a walk.
Correct
Example: Its grandeur is incredible.
Example: It’s a good day for a walk.
E-mail stands for electronic mail and email is simply a product of removing the hyphen. To be grammatically correct e-mail should be used mid-sentence and E-mail should be used at the start of a sentence. However, I would add that if you are writing in a generally informal and friendly manner, email or Email is appropriate. As for the plural both e-mail and e-mails is considered grammatically correct.
Incorrect
Example: Email is awesome!
Correct
Example: E-mail is awesome!
A common mistake in web forms is to ask for the users “gender”. This is grammatically incorrect as gender is a term used only for grammatical reasons. Asking for the user’s sex in a web form is the correct use of the term.
Incorrect
Example: What is “its” sex? (asking about the sentence: It walks to the store)
Example: What is your gender?
Correct
Example: What is “its” gender? (asking about the sentence: It walks to the store)
Example: What is your sex?
Although in the past on-line is the correct spelling of the term, due to the general acceptance of the term into the English language it is now correct to spell it online.
To check whether you are using the correct form, drop any other people and check if the sentence sounds correct.
Incorrect
Example: Send the report to Dan and I
Example: I went to see “The King and I”
Correct
Example: Send the report to Dan and me.
Example: I went to see “The King and Me” (but it is the movie’s title so leave it as I)
Both inserting and omitting a common in the and within a list is correct. However I prefer to leave it in as I believe that it is generally more clear and precise.
Correct
Example: I bought bread, oil, and water.
Example: I bough bread, oil and water.
