If you've spent much time in user groups related to Microsoft Word, Macintosh computers, or technical writing, you've probably seen postings and articles by Geoff Hart, one of the most prolific, respected, and helpful writers and Word experts I know. And now for the big news: Geoff has released his long-awaited book Effective Onscreen Editing! You can learn more about the book here:
http://www.geoff-hart.com/home/onscreen-book.htm
Effective Onscreen Editing is yet to be released in print form, but the PDF version is well worth acquiring--723 pages, exquisitely designed for on-screen reading. I'm going to want the printed version so I can study on my patio with a lemonade in hand, but the PDF offers some real advantages, not the least of which are the clickable hyperlinks to online resources and the ability to search the text (CTRL + F in Adobe Reader).
The book is extremely well organized and amazingly thorough, covering everything from determining your pay rate to preventing repetitive stress injury, from personalizing your software to implementing a practical backup strategy. I've included the basic table of contents below, but you can download the complete table here:
Click to access EOE-detailed-TOC.pdf
If you're editing onscreen, you can't afford *not* to buy this book. I give it my strongest recommendation--and besides, Geoff deserves your support. You can purchase the book here:
http://www.geoff-hart.com/ccart/
Many thanks to Geoff for creating this wonderful resource.
Contents of Effective Onscreen Editing
I. Overview and introduction
Chapter 1. My goal and approach in this book
Chapter 2. Advantages of onscreen editing
Chapter 3. Writing and editing are human endeavors
II. Mastering the tools
Chapter 4. Personalizing how your software works
Chapter 5. Moving around the document and selecting text
Chapter 6. Using revision tracking
Chapter 7. Inserting and deleting text
Chapter 8. Using the search tools (find and replace) to improve consistency
Chapter 9. Developing style sheets: a tool for consistency
Chapter 10. Using spelling and grammar checkers
Chapter 11. Automating your edits
Chapter 12. Editing in special situations
Chapter 13. Using the Internet to improve your editing
III. Identifying and overcoming barriers
Chapter 14. Coping when revision tracking isn't available
Chapter 15. Developing safeguards
Chapter 16. Solving the proofreading problem
Chapter 17. Coping with the human factor
Chapter 18: Putting the theory to work: a four-step implementation process
Appendix I. Developing a sound backup strategy
Elements of a backup strategy
Recovering the current version of your work
Recovering previous versions of your work
Protecting yourself against viruses and other malware
Protecting yourself against theft and damage
Appendix II: Protecting yourself from injury while using the computer
Aches and pains
Hand problems
Eye strain
Solutions
Appendix III: Changes made in Word XP, Word 2003, and Word 2004
Adapting the tips in the main text to work with these versions of Word
Further reading
Useful references
Helpful Internet resources
You'll find more information about Geoff himself at his website:
www.geoff-hart.com
And again, you can purchase the book here:
http://www.geoff-hart.com/ccart/
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READERS WRITE
After reading the last newsletter on "The Need for Speed," Bill Rubidge wrote:
One suggestion I would add, since it is so basic, is: Learn to use the keyboard whenever possible, rather than the mouse. And I'm not necessarily suggesting learning and memorizing the keyboard commands--I'm just suggesting using the keyboard Alt keys to access the Word menus and move through them to the command you want and would otherwise access via numerous mouse moves and clicks. Once you display the keyboard commands (use the options to do this), learning to use the keyboard instead of the mouse is pretty quick.
Many thanks to Bill.
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RESOURCES
Jonathan's Tool Bar & Grill reviews many free or cheap utilities and Web sites, both of general interest and of special interest to writers and editors. Among the writer's productivity tools recommended are:
* ToDoList (free task list manager)
* Smart Type Assistant (shareware abbreviation expander)
* Phrase Express (free abbreviation expander)
* WordWeb (free dictionary)
* Documeron (free quick access to recently used files)
* TinySpell (free text spell-checker)
* FileBox Extender (free quick access to recently used folders)
* TraxTime (shareware punch clock)
* Copernic Desktop Search (free)
* Screenshot Captor, FastStone Capture, and MW Snap (free screen capture tools)
For more information, visit the blog here:
http://jonathanstoolbar.blogspot.com
