Uniledge

The Finer Points of Facebook - #10 - Share Facebook info on your site or blog

fundook — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:30:02 GMT

Using Facebook Widgets

The Finer Points of Facebook - #9 - Customize Facebook Privacy Settings

fundook — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:20:02 GMT

Customize Facebook Privacy Settings

The Finer Points of Facebook - #8 - Fine-tune Your Facebook Profile

fundook — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:20:02 GMT

Customize your Facebook profile

The Finer Points of Facebook - #7 - Creating Facebook Groups

fundook — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:20:01 GMT

Creating Facebook Groups

The Finer Points of Facebook - #5 - Hiding Facebook Content

fundook — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:15:03 GMT

Hiding Facebook Content

The Finer Points of Facebook - #4 - Your Facebook Status Updates

fundook — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:15:01 GMT

Your Facebook Status Updates

F Minus by Tony Carrillo

fundook — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:25:02 GMT

http://www.gocomics.com/fminus/2012/05/21

Help For Writer's Block: 7 Tips to Boost Your Creativity

fundook — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:40:02 GMT

Do you need help for Writer's Block?

Writer's block is inevitable; it can happen at any point and, when it does, it’s a pretty serious problem.

There comes a time in every writer’s life when the creativity, desire and motivation to produce an amazing piece of literature just stops dead. You know you need to keep on writing: you have a deadline to meet, your readers are waiting to read your next installment or you know Google will be shortly de-ranking your site for infrequent content. But sitting there at your desk surrounded by empty coffee cups, a few scribbled notes and a snoring dog (that may just be me), you feel about as inspired as a soggy dishrag—and potentially just as worn out and smelly.

There’s nothing coming to your mind. You write a sentence, delete it, and then write it again. You delete it again. You’re well and truly stuck. Yet somehow you have to come up with something—the old “dog ate my homework” excuse just won’t cut it here—but how?

[Infographic provided by Vappingo proofreading services]

NOM DE PLUME. Borrowed word

fundook — Tue, 29 May 2012 11:20:03 GMT

NOM DE PLUME nomm de ploom (French)
‘pen-name’, ‘writer’s assumed name’:
…‘Belle de Jour’, the nom de plume of a working girl whose blog has just
landed her a five-figure book deal. (Independent on Sunday)

Oddly, nom de plume does not actually appear in French and it
tends not to be used about serious writers – writers, that is, such as Eric
Blair, who took the name George Orwell, or Mary Ann Evans, who
wrote under the male pseudonym of George Eliot. There’s something
slightly frivolous about a nom de plume. It therefore seems appropriate
in the Independent example above to describe the assumed identity
of the web woman (who might be a man) who might be a call-girl
(or not).

Did you know the following genre fiction authors have a Nom De Plume?

Stephen King writes Horror. He also writes as Richard Bachman, Eleanor Druse, Steve King, and John Swithen.
Jack Higgins (his pseudonym) writes Mystery. He also writes as Martin Fallon, James Graham, and Hugh Marlowe.
Barbara Michaels (her pseudonym) writes gothic and supernatural Thrillers. She also writes as Elizabeth Peters.
Alistair MacLean writes Mystery. He also writes as Ian Stuart.
Eboni Snoe (her pseudonym) writes African-American Romance.

Is choosing a pen name right for you?

It’s important to know that writing under a pseudonym is a personal decision. Here are 7 reasons for doing so.

Your real name is difficult to pronounce or spell.
Your last name is near the bottom of the alphabet.
Your name is too common. (Hmm. There are a lot of Tracy Campbell’s).
You might write in different genres. If you are a woman and you want to reach a male audience, you might want to consider using a masculine name or just initials. Let’s take Romance novelist Nora Roberts, which is her real name, also writes futuristic suspense under the pen name, J.D. Robb. (I’ve thought of using T.C. Mac).
You might want to keep aggressive fans at bay. (I should be so lucky).
Your sales weren’t great with your first book and you want to start fresh. (Hopefully, I won’t have that problem).

Before you decide on a Nom De Plume, get a second or a third opinion because the name you choose is your brand and it could haunt you the rest of your life.

from: http://tracycampbellwriter.files.wordpress.com/

Coarse/Course

fundook — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:25:02 GMT

Read the sentences below carefully and choose the correct word. Remember the differences between the words.

Coarse means rude or rough (adj.)

Course is "a progression through a development or a period or a series of acts or events" or conduct (n.) or to issue from (v.)

Test

иллюстрация:http://www.anotherangler.net/images/lbird.jpg

The Finer Points of Facebook - #3 - Customizing Your Facebook News Feed

fundook — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:10:02 GMT

Customizing Your Facebook News Feed

My Last Wish

fundook — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:00:01 GMT

A despondent woman was walking along the beach when she saw a bottle on the sand. She picked it up
and pulled out the cork. Whoosh! A big puff of smoke appeared.
"You have released me from my prison," the genie told her.
"To show my thanks, I grant you three wishes. But take care, for with each wish, your mate will receive double of whatever you request."
"Why?" the woman asked. "That bum left me for another woman."
"That is how it is written," replied the genie.
The woman shrugged and then asked for a million dollars.
There was a flash of light, and a million dollars appeared at her feet. At the same instant, in a far-off place, her wayward husband looked down to see twice that amount at his feet.
"And your second wish?"
"Genie, I want the world's most expensive diamond necklace."
Another flash of light, and the woman was holding the precious treasure. And, in that distant place, her husband was
looking for a gem broker to buy his latest bonanza.
"Genie, is it really true that my husband has two million dollars and more jewels that I do, and that he gets double of
whatever I wish for?"
The genie said it was indeed true.
"OK, genie, I'm ready for my last wish," the woman said.
"Scare me half to death."

фото: http://www.masterfile.com

NÉE. Borrowed word

fundook — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:02 GMT

NÉE nay (French)
‘born (under the name)’
Fancourt, who died on Thursday, married Lillian Marion Osborne (née Parkin) in 1921, whom he divorced in 1960 (Daily Telegraph)

Née – like a reference to someone’s ‘maiden name’ – is a rather courtly usage that is on the way out now, not necessarily because women don’t change their names when they marry as because it seems part of
a time when such a change was automatic and unquestioned. Its place will therefore be in the older-style obituaries. An obvious alternative is
‘born –’.
фото:http://signs-of-life.aminus3.com

Handsomer than Mel Gibson

fundook — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:50:14 GMT

A lecturer asked her audience, "Who is wiser than Ann Landers*,
more controversial than Geraldo Rivera**, wittier than Robin
Williams*** and handsomer than Mel Gibson?"
From the audience came a forlorn voice: "My wife's first
husband!"

* Ann Landers was a pen name created by Chicago Sun-Times advice columnist Ruth Crowley in 1943 and taken over by Eppie Lederer in 1955. For 56 years, the Ask Ann Landers syndicated advice column was a regular feature in many newspapers across North America. Due to this popularity, 'Ann Landers', though fictional, became something of a national institution and cultural icon. (wiki)
**Geraldo Rivera is an American attorney, journalist, author, reporter, and talk show host. Rivera hosts the newsmagazine program Geraldo at Large and appears regularly on Fox News Channel.(wiki)

***Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork & Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. He has also won two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.(wiki)

Loose or Lose?

fundook — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:15:02 GMT

1. Loose with its two "o's" should remind you that there is too much space so something is "loose" as in a pair of loose (or roomy) pants. Loose also can refer to a handful of coins that are unrestrained as in "loose change." Similarly, a person may be described as "loose" if he or she functions with few rules or boundaries.

2. Lose with only one "o" should remind you that something is missing as when one loses or becomes unable to find or keep something or fails to achieve, as in "to lose" a game.

Write in the correct form of the word in parentheses and then click "submit" to send your answers.

The Finer Points of Facebook - #2 - The Facebook News Feed

fundook — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:05:03 GMT

The Facebook News Feed

Among / Between

fundook — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:02 GMT

Among is a preposition used with three or more persons or things.

I could not decide among the three different desserts which I wanted to eat.

Between is a preposition used with two persons or things.

I could not decide between the cheesecake or the apple pie, so I ordered both!

Choose the correct word in parentheses and then click "submit" to send your answers.</p

Hero vs. Villain at the Leaning Tower of Pisa

fundook — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:55:02 GMT

Tourists in Pisa's Catherdral Square love to pose with the Leaning Tower, either trying to demolish it or straighten it! Which would you be, a superhero or a supervillain?

Supervillian Attempts to Topple Leaning Tower

Superhero Arrives Just in Time to Save Tower

When is it Okay to Use Contractions in Formal Writing?

fundook — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:40:47 GMT

Many people avoid using contractions in formal writing because they are under the impression that contractions are only appropriate for casual writing and that they constitute non-standard grammar. Are they really representative of sloppy writing? When is it okay to use contractions?

Many automatic grammar-checking software packages will produce an error if you use a contraction within your written document and will instruct you to correct it. But does the use of a contraction really constitute a mistake? In most cases, no.

Occasions When it is Okay to Use Contractions in Formal Writing

To communicate a message in an easy tone and style. Sometimes you may want to structure a formal communication, informally. For example, if you are writing a sales letter to a customer, you may want the customer to feel that you are talking directly to them. Contractions make the writing much more personal and friendly.
When writing dialogue, it is generally more authentic if you use contractions. People use contractions all the time in their everyday speech and it is important that you replicate that in your writing. So, for example, if you are reproducing a customer testimonial, it is often useful to use contractions.

What do the Style Guides Say?

The Gregg Reference Manual: “Contractions of verb phrases are commonly used in business communications where the writer is striving for an easy, colloquial tone. In formal writing, contractions are not used (except for o'clock....)”
The Chicago Manual of Style doesn't explicitly pass judgment on the appropriateness of contractions, but it gives many examples of them. It says, for example, that “Don't you want more?” sounds more natural than “Do not you want more?”
The Associated Press Stylebook: “Contractions reflect informal speech and writing. . . . Avoid excessive use of contractions.”
Even the U.S. government advocates using contractions to make writing easier to read. The Government Style Manual instructs you to “Write as you talk” to improve writing readably. One of the best methods of achieving this is through the use of contractions. People are accustomed to hearing contractions in spoken English, and using them in your writing can help them relate to your message.

When it is not Okay to use Contractions

Do not use contractions in documents that serve very formal purposes, such as legal contracts, submissions to professional publications.
Try to minimize the use of contractions in documents that will be read by people who speak English as a foreign language because they can confuse non-native speakers.

www.vappingo.com

What Are Scare Quotes?

fundook — Sun, 06 May 2012 08:00:02 GMT

Writers will often use scare quotes around a word or phrase to indicate that they don't entirely buy into the context within it is being used.

For example, a writer may write:

Yesterday I was chased by my neighbor’s “dog”: a poodle.

Here, the writer is letting the reader know that he doesn’t think of poodles as constituting proper dogs and is basically making fun of the breed. Through using quotes on either side of the word dog he is implying that while his neighbors may call it a dog, it is not the term that he would use. There is almost certainly a hint of sarcasm in the tone of his writing.

These types of quotation marks are often called scare quotes and they show the reader that the writer wants to distance himself from a word or phrase for one reason or another.

One of the problems with scare quotes is that they are very frequently misused and quotation marks are incorrectly applied to draw attention to words within a sentence:

In this picture, the restaurant owner is unwittingly suggesting that the lobsters are not really alive. The scare quotes around the word live leads the reader to question why the word has been singled out and what it actually means.

If you are not 100 per cent confident about when you should use scare quotes, avoid them at all costs. If you think a word is appropriate you should just use it without any quotes; if you don’t think it's appropriate, then don't use it at all, unless you are explicitly trying to be ironic or sarcastic. Getting it wrong can make you look like a complete fool, as our list of unnecessary quotation marks proves.

from: vappingo.com

Cite or Site or Sight?

fundook — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:56:28 GMT

Cite is a verb which means to order to appear in court and to quote as an example, authority or proof.
Site is a noun which means the actual location or a place or scene of something. As a verb, site means to place or locate on a location or position.
Sight is a noun which refers to the sense of seeing.

Answer the questions below and then click "submit" to send your answers.

How to Write Better Status Updates on Facebook

fundook — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:41:08 GMT

How to Write Better Status Updates on Facebook

Persona Grata

fundook — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:30:03 GMT

PERSONA GRATA persow-na grah-ta (Latin)
‘acceptable person’:
The Italian president Giancarlo Dondi called Pugh a ‘persona grata’ who had played a crucial part in Italy’s incorporation into the Six Nations, for which ‘we are eternally grateful’. (Guardian)

Persona grata is found infrequently compared to its opposite (see below) and has a specialist and diplomatic sense to describe someone who is ‘acceptable’ to a foreign government (as ambassador, etc.).
Otherwise, it describes a person who is not merely acceptable but liked and welcomed.

PERSONA NON GRATA persow-na non grah-ta (Latin)
‘someone who is not welcome’:
…such a visit [by the American President] would prove deeply uncomfortable for Michael Howard, who is persona non grata at President Bush’s White House. (Independent on Sunday)

Persona non grata can be used in any context, although it tends to apply to formal settings or situations in which a person might be refused admission to an institution or establishment.

фото: http://brand-glamour.dj.ru

Lord, Give Us a Sign

fundook — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:17:28 GMT

The sign on the desk of an airline executive in Chicago reads:
Don't bother to agree with me,
I've already changed my mind.

In a TV repair shop:
Do it yourself—then call us.

In a doctor's office:
The doctor is very busy — please have your symptoms ready.

On the front door of a spiritualist:
Please ring bell. Knocking on door only causes confusion.

In a Minneapolis toy store:
No eating, drinking, or whining.

On a hotel marquee in Commerce, Calif.:
Our towels are so fluffy,
it'll be hard to put them in your suitcase.

In an elevator:
Button for 8th floor out of order. Push 5 and 3.

In a Los Angeles taxi during the early 1990s:
Driver does not wish to have a conversation about Haiti, Clinton, or the baseball strike.

On a college bulletin board:
Books for sale. Like new. Hardly used.

In a supermarket in Westchester:
THIS IS THE EXPRESS LANE.
Your are limited to 15 items or less.
The number 15 is NOT subject to negotiation.

On the desk of a plumbing supply manufacturer:
Don't tell me what I mean.
Let me figure it out myself.

фото: http://funnysigns.atspace.com/s0001.html

Get to know the Facebook Homepage

fundook — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:35:02 GMT

Get to know the Facebook Homepage