• Intro
  
• Survey Results
  
• Interview - Choosing A Web Host: Part 2 - Will Bontrager
  
• The Office Corner
  
• Free Stuff
  
• Grammar Question of the Month: Plural of surname ending in "x"
  
• Tech Tips: Buying The Newest Software Blues - Claudia Slate
  
• Writing Corner: Keeping in Touch - Peggi Ridgeway
  
• Writing Resources
  
• Trivia
  
• Word of the Month: Kist
  
• Recommendations
  

* CLEAR COMMUNICATION -- Are you positive you'll be understood by others because you use good English? Patricia L. Kurtz suggests being considerate when writing or speaking to people who do not have English as a primary language. Avoid idioms, jargon, acronyms, and complex sentences. Speak slowly, and pause between thoughts, as well at the end of sentences or phrases.

Our most important communication skill, says Kurtz, is attitude. A great communicator needs the desire to understand and be understood.

Yes! I have a hearing loss. I'm thrilled when the person phoning me speaks clearly and without the speed of popping popcorn! Speak with clarity and sensitivity. And write using the same thoughtful attitude.

* WRITE THE FIRST PART LAST --Time to write a letter or other important document? If you have trouble expressing yourself, don't be nervous. Try this: write your entire message, then find the most important part of it and put it at the beginning. Now you're ready to begin editing and proofing. Key: don't save the best for last. Some people will never get that far!

* WANT TO FIND SOME GOOD SMALL BIZ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS? Go to www.ossweb.com/askjudy.html. Feel free to post a question or respond to someone else's question. Or both. I just received a new question regarding the value of e-books, which should stir up some controversy.

* ENJOY FINDING SPECIAL WEB SITES? Subscribe to Webgrammar's Food for Thought. Go to www.webgrammar.com and click on the top left "subscribe" link. It's monthly, text only, and also has a Windows tip and a grammar, writing, or usage tip.

HERE'S THE NEXT SURVEY, based on the quirky experience of Gloria Howard, of www.woodworkersauction.com. She recently received this e-mail message:

"Found your website and like your items, but we're looking for a kist. Please reply urgently if you have a kist. Thanks."

At that point, Gloria didn't know the meaning of "kist." What do you think she should have said (or have done)? Go here to express your opinion: www.ossweb.com/survey2.html

Q. One of my sites does not have Perl module LWP::Simple installed, meaning that I cannot use several of your scripts. You did, however offer me a workaround, so that the coding goes through my other site, which does have this module installed. Does this happen often?

A. Regarding Perl module LWP::Simple, probably hosting companies wouldn't list it as a feature of their site because it's a standard module -- included in the standard distribution of Perl version 5+. If a hosting company offers Perl then one would expect them to offer the modules of the standard distribution.

Not many scripts require automatic pre-scheduled launch, so it might not be an issue. We have two scripts coming up that will require cron, the follow-up autoresponder and the ezine mailer. Probably every UNIX/Linux server has cron, but many hosting companies don't give their lower cost hosting accounts access to it.

Our programs (along with the majority of ready-made free Perl CGI programs and probably most commercial Perl CGI programs) are built for UNIX/Linux.

Ideally, Perl scripts should be portable across operating systems. That's one of the nice things about Perl -- write it once and it'll work anywhere. And most scripts can be ported with little fuss.

The main functional difference between UNIX/Linux, where Perl CGI scripts are concerned, is the mailing programs on the servers. Most UNIX/Linux servers have sendmail or qmail. Very few NT servers have those mailers. So scripts that send email can be a hassle to port from one to the other.

Where our scripts are concerned, we tell people they're welcome to port to NT for their own use but we can't guarantee they will work once ported.

However, some hosting companies don't bother to install all the modules. Reasons vary. Maybe a tech determined certain modules probably wouldn't be used anyway, or maybe it was the end of the day and it was decided the rest could wait until they were needed.

I've been using module LWP::Simple for several years. In the few instances when a hosting company didn't have the module LWP::Simple on their servers, simply mentioning that one of their customers needs the module got it installed. So far, there've been only two instances where the hosting company wouldn't (maybe couldn't because of lack of technical help, just guessing) install the module for their customers.

A Perl module is pre-written code for certain functionality. To have the functions for one's own script, one just uses the module.

The reason I use LWP::Simple is because it lets my scripts use HTTP to get pages from the internet. It only takes two lines:

use LWP::Simple; get 'http://willmaster.com';

It's so simple, it's no wonder that many programmers are now using it.

I've thought about it, but rewriting and debugging the code for that functionality along with the security features already in the module seemed like a waste of time.

Because most hosting companies wouldn't list LWP::Simple as a feature of their servers, the question "Do your servers have Perl module LWP::Simple installed?" might need to be asked. I expect almost all answers will be "yes."

NEXT ISSUE: PART 3 - WHY MOST HOSTS PREFER TRANQUIL SITES An interview with Will Bontrager

2. NEED ONE-AT-A-TIME LARGE MAILING LABELS? Paper Direct has Laser One-ups with 250/box. I've been working on one box for over three years. They're envelope size. Set up a template in your word processor, import your logo if you wish, and keep it handY for those times when you want your label to look very good!

3. LASER AND FAX PAPER QUALITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Recently it was time to order another carton from my office supply store. I said I wanted 20# bond, but that the last had been flimsy, and sometimes got caught inside my printer. They recommended 20# Willcopy Plus MP, from Willamette Industries. Costs a couple of bucks more. Works like a dream.

4. TRY LIMITING YOURSELF TO THREE FONTS when you're creating a Web site, newsletter, report, etc. Using too many fonts confuses readers. If you have a decorative font, use it sparingly. They were generally designed for headings. More at www.ossweb.com/presentations.html

5. WANT TO SPELL "RESUME" (REH-ZOO-MAY) RIGHT? Use this HTML code to create the word "résumé" properly, using the acute accent:

6. FIX WINDOWS: This site is a good Windows troubleshooting (and security) resource. Through Troubleshooting Flowcharts, articles, tips and tricks, it provides free information to address issues with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000. [LINK NO LONGER VALID]

FREE EDITING! If you like this e-zine, recommend it to your friends. Each month I'll have a drawing for those that participate, and the winner gets two hours of editing or site analysis by...yep...me. Here's the URL: http://www.ossweb.com/recommend-ezine.html

FREE DICTIONARY! Webgrammar offers all site visitors the chance to win a free Webster's dictionary, monthly. Sign up! www.webgrammar.com/contest.html

A. The Gregg Reference Manual, Ninth Edition, says to add "s" or "es", but if the "es" ending makes the plural surname awkward to pronounce, omit the "es." Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, says that the apostrophe is never used to denote the plural of a personal name. It also says that the names of persons and other proper nouns form the plural by adding "s" or "es."

In your case, it's not awkward. So if you've been saying, "The Foxes went to Philadelphia for Christmas," you're correct.

A: There almost as many reasons for a computer freezing up as there are ants at a picnic. Without more information I couldn't begin to know which might be contributing to your freezes. But I will comment on your eagerness to get the latest software upgrades and new version.

Jumping on the bandwagon too soon can result in difficulties. The day Microsoft released the new Windows XP for the retail market, they also released a patch for it. Why? Because computer manufacturers had been selling systems with XP on it for a little longer, and between those users and folks still doing testing for them, they had found some bugs that needed fixing.

There is a moral to that story. Computers are made by lots of different people and companies with lots of different hardware. People install lots of different software on all those differently configured computers. It takes a while to learn how everything is going to work together in so many different environments. Or not work. There's no way for any software or hardware company to test all the millions of different combinations. That means that the first users of any product are essential beta testers for it. They are going to find bugs and things that are not working right and report them and complain.

So unless you want to be one of those beta testers, why not just wait a bit and let others have the frustrations in exchange for your getting a product that will be closer to being right?

When I got my first computer, I wanted the new stuff hot off the press. But I had wiser friends, programmers who wrote code for many software companies and their advice to me was "Never buy version 0 of anything." Wait until the product or upgrade for that matter, has been out for six months or so and the first (at a minimum) patch for the bugs has been released.

That said, pay attention when security releases come out for your operating system, your email program and Internet browser, especially, and other software as well. While you need to read the information about just what those patches intend to do to your system, generally you do not want to wait very long to download and install them. There are too many bad guys out there creating worms and viruses and Trojan programs to take a chance when a fix is available.

Also, see what tech folks in the know say about each particular patch and upgrade. A search for the name in a search engine like Google or at a site like ZDNet or CNet should locate some reviews for you. You'll get a better feel for the pros and cons of the changes that are going to be made and how they might work for you.

Claudia Slate
Dakota Technics
clslate@dakotatechnics.com
http://www.dakotatechnics.com

You may have heard the phrase, seriously or in jest, "Have your people call my people." If you're involved with employees, customers, members of a church, trade or professional organization, you know the greatest challenge facing your relationship with those individuals is the one, the only,—communication.

While the word "communication" may seem a bit overused, even worn out, we'd like to suggest it is truly a royal resident in every organization every single day. It's the basis of every piece of paper you initiate or review, receive or distribute. It's the glue that holds your world or your business together.

Like a car, communication runs well when its owner oils it, replaces defective parts and pays attention to its needs. Words and sentences perform magnificently when their author, like any good driver, maintains them and points them in the right direction. We share below some basic guidelines for creating a smooth-running, effective written communication, regardless of your intended audience:

• Frame the message by using one inch (or larger) margins.
  
• List major facts (or requests) first, not last.
  
• Follow the major fact with its supporting facts and information.
  
• Delete unnecessary sentences/paragraphs; summarize minor points into brief capsules of text or one-line statements.
  
• Create lists of items; use bullets or numbers with items.
  
• Set a special item off by itself, in a sentence or paragraph which is indented from both sides.
  
• Write in the "organization" mode. If you represent the organization, company or management, say "we," not "I" for impact.
  
• Keep it brief and to the point. If you can get your message on one page and maintain a simple, uncluttered layout, do so.
  
• Provide a goal or date for every action item.
  
• Underlying all rules is the premise: keep your message simple. Everyone appreciates clear communication. That's the car that reaches its destination first, not the one that meanders all over the roadmap.

WordPix: http://www.wordpix.com

ASK OXFORD Ask the experts; world of words; better writing; word games; global English; and education categories. www.askoxford.com/

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL JOB APPLICATION
www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/successfulcv/

BUSINESS CARD CD-ROMS from Cyberi, Inc
www.cybericard.com/htm/products.htm

FOOD TIMELINE: Ever wonder what the Vikings ate when they set off to explore the new world? How Thomas Jefferson made his ice cream? What the pioneers cooked along the Oregon Trail? Fascinating information. www.gti.net/mocolib1/kid/food.html

IS IT LEGAL FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES TO EXPIRE? Do you give out gift certificates for your business services? Terri Lee Romine, president of www.ivaa.org, (her site: www.innovativeoffice.net) points us to comments on the legality of such certificates! www.nolo.com/auntie/question_726.html?e=b26a0000512062001

USELESS KNOWLEDGE - If it isn't here, it isn't trivia!
http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/

HOW A PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES A WEB SITE
http://gahran.com/critiques.html

TUTORIALS: SPOONO
Web developer tutorials include HTML, JavaScript, PHP, Photoshop, Cinema 4D XL, PSP, Flash, Adobe Illustrator, and 3D Studio Max are just some of the programs covered. [LINK NO LONGER VALID]

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: a kist of whistles is a churchorgan (Scotch). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says "Etymology: Middle English kiste, from Old Norse kista, ultimately from Latin cista -- more at CHEST." And here's a site with photos of a stunning marquetry kist: www.gtcreations.com/kist/

CRANE.COM: The finest writing paper, stationery, gifts and desk accessories, fine art paper, writing instruments, and books. Well worth a visit. Site loads in a flash.

THE LIST: Find an ISP by Location, Area Code, Country Code, U.S. Nationwide, or Canada Nationwide

NEWBIE CLUB: At last! The Mysteries of your PC and the Internet Explained--in Plain English. Good site and e-zine. Go ahead, try it!

USABLE WEB: Over 1,400 links about Web usability

ARCHIVES FOR ALL COMMUNICATION EXPRESSWAY ISSUES
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Contact Judy Vorfeld at www.ossweb.com.contact.html

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