Cause and Effect

When writing documentation cause and effect is a very important. Not only do you need to get your point across to the reader, but you must also take into consideration how it is processed. It is important to capture the reader’s attention by giving details of your topic. Break down the topic by placing things into groups. Using bullet points for each item to discuss is always a good way of drawing readers into my documentation.

While creating presentations, I also use pictures to show examples of what is happening with each of the details. Most of when the graphics can lead each of the readers using my documentation with really reading wording. My audience which is typically technical savvy are only interested in the beginning of the process to the end result.

The less technical reader has the ability to understand each point explained in detail and often feel comfortable with both graphics and writing. The pictures used have to show action of what is actually occurring on screen. Some of my readers want descriptions with graphics, but only short phrase and words.

The less technical reader requires more detail and description, often those who use my documentation not only use the graphics, but depend heavily on details. The details are often writing clear enough for those readers, but technical enough I will not insult the intelligence of my more technical group.

How long should your resume be

How long should your resume be? From what I read from good sources, your resume should reflect your years of service. If you have worked 10 or fewer years, it may be around 1 page. For more than 10 years, it will be a little longer. As long as it takes to tell your career story.
After talking with several Hr professional around my company on this subject, more is better. Not saying you should put together a novel, but cutting it too short could cause you to leave out a strength Employers could be search in for.
Kim Isaac a writer for monsters has a good article and great guidelines on creating resumes.

http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/how-to-decide-on-resume-length/article.aspx

Eurozone waves to hit US

Problems in Europe have influence the market since the beginning of the Crisis. Daily while watching the Stock Markets, I notice any negative word will cause a dip. The Stock Market by history typically finds
an excuse to either go up or down. Which means they are strongly connected.

Worries that Europe's crisis could worsen and spread are spooking investors and consumers just as the holiday shopping season nears. Some fear U.S. consumers could rein in spending. Europe's slow growth is already dragging on some U.S. companies' profits. This is also forecast to slow US growth.

I can't help but think how the timing in these global issues all seems to come around at the wrong time. For people like me, ordinary investors whom believe that our 401k and other small investments would grow steadily toward retirement,  feel doomed. Looking at my result from week to week and quarterly when I received my statement, is a sinking feeling that we been lead down a wrong path.

It is believe that as things progress through the next weeks, retailers my feel the effect in form of consumers cutting back during the holidays. Will I cut back myself because what happening in Eurozone, probably not.

I still have the same 15 people or so to buy for with a similar budget as last Christmas season.

Am I concern about Euro's issues coming to an account near me? Of course I am.

From what I'm reading, not every U.S. Company is hurting in Europe, of course. McDonald's, Kraft Foods and Sara Lee Corp. I guess as long as people keep eating fast food, Mac and cheese and pound cake, they'll be fine. Which when I think about it, that's the weekly menu at my house. That could be a sign of in the long run, we'll be fine

Gathering Reader-Centered information

 Organizing your thoughts on paper can often be a key to keeping your document organized. Gathering good resources and doing your research can often make you look as credible to your readers. When doing research I often look to several credible forums. I also check the information gather around other forums and test whether it works as designed.

Planning Your Persuasive Strategies

Persuasive strategies has is key to creating good communication with my readers. Often times my job requires me to lead implementation projects. Project Managers often can come across as pushy and determine. What I have learned over the years is how to get things done by being persuasive and adding those things which will motivate each team member. Breaking down each part of the communication and designing it as positive for  the reader can often affect the attitude toward the project.

Planning for Usability

Planning for Usability is key for designing documentation for your readers. Depending on whether I am writing an email to communicate a idea or writing documentation for new a application being implemented, the approach is slightly different.
When emailing a group regarding a upcoming change, both the subject and the first sentence or most paragraph contain my main point. I then follow with details of the change and timelines. Each detail mentions whom will be affected, how and when. 
Writing Documentation starts with an overview of the product. The overview typically includes what the product does, new enhancement and if it's an upgrade or new features. The middle of the documentation contains graphics and screen shots. I close the documentation out with contact information and document revision numbers. Because I have identified who my audience is, I am better able to determine what each reader needs to complete there individual task.

Identity theft and Social Networking continued

Here's another good article regarding the risk of Social Networking sites.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20045787-17.html