January 30th, 2010

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

As I mentioned in my previous update, Sharpened.net may undergo a major revision this year. Since my goal from the beginning has always been to create an easy-to-use computer and Internet resource, your feedback is essential in building a better website. Therefore, if you have any ideas on how to improve Sharpened.net, please let me know. Whether you would like to see changes to the interface, the content, or anything else, I would love to hear any ideas you might have.

You can always contact me using the Contact Page.

Looking Forward

As 2009 comes to a close, I am happy to report that I have added more information to Sharpened.net this year than any previous year of the website's 10 year existence. Yet, somehow I published fewer Editor's Updates than nearly every prior year. So while I plan to add lots of new content in 2010, I will also make a point to keep you more up-to-date with the happenings of Sharpened.net in the coming year.

Speaking of 2010, I have some exciting things planned for Sharpened.net in the next twelve months! While I won't give away all the details quite yet, let's just say it has been nearly five years since the last major website revision. Maybe, just maybe, it's time for a new look. As always, I welcome your feedback if you have any ideas or suggestions for the website.

Thanks for another great year. See you in 2010!

Giving Thanks

As humans, we seem to have a natural inclination towards unthankfulness. We dwell on the few things we don't have instead of being grateful for the things we do. Fortunately, Thanksgiving provides an ideal time to reflect on our many blessings, helping us move toward an attitude of thankfulness. When we take time to be thankful, the trivial wants and concerns of our lives seem to fade away.

It's funny how when we encounter unexpected difficulties, we quickly think, "Why me?" as if we are the only ones in the world who have to deal with these dire circumstances. Yet, each one of us has our share of difficult times. For example, if you have car trouble, you might just feel that you are the most unlucky person in the world. But if you ask around, it is difficult to find another person who has not experienced car problems. Many are not even so fortunate to have a car.

Yet how often do we think "Why me?" in regards to the blessings we have been given. It's as if we deserve every good thing we have, but none of the bad things. I am the first to admit this is how I often think. So this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the many blessings I have undeservedly received.

E-mail Etiquette

For many of us, e-mail has become a regular part of our daily lives. Most people send multiple e-mail messages to co-workers and friends every day. Therefore, I find it surprising that so many users are unaware of basic e-mail etiquette. In case you are unsure if you know all the "netiquette" rules related to e-mail, here is a list of guidelines that you may find helpful:

1. Include a relevant subject
   Most of us receive several e-mails per day. Having a relevant subject for each message makes it much easier to browse through the messages and reply accordingly. Plus, if you don't include a subject, it increases the odds that your message will get caught in a spam filter.
2. Add your name to your e-mail account
   When you include your name in your mail account configuration, it makes your name appear in the "From:" field rather than just an e-mail address. This is helpful for other users and will also decrease the chance of your message ending up in a junk mailbox.
3. Use good grammar
   Composing an e-mail message is different than text messaging or chatting online. Therefore, maintaining good grammar and punctuation is important, especially in work-related e-mails.
4. Include paragraphs
   Separate different thoughts or topics with a paragraph and an extra line break. This makes lengthy e-mails much easier to read.
5. Don't spam
   Spamming users with unsolicited e-mail is a cardinal online offense. We all know how annoying it is to receive unwanted messages. Therefore, please don't contribute to the problem.
6. Don't forward messages
   Nobody likes a frequent forwarder. Forwarding e-mail is typically more enjoyable for those forwarding messages than for those receiving them. You can occasionally forward important e-mails, but make sure to delete any other e-mail addresses included in the body of the message. This way you won't unnecessarily share other users' e-mail addresses.
7. Use Bcc for mass e-mails
   If you need to send an e-mail to a large group of people, be sure to enter the addresses in the the Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc) field. This means each recipient will only see your e-mail address, rather than the e-mail addresses of everyone you sent the message to.
8. Include a signature
   Appending a signature at the end of an e-mail is a clear way to end your message and provide your contact information to the recipient. A personal signature may simply include your name and e-mail address. A work-related signature may also include your title, business name, and phone number. Many e-mail programs allow you to create multiple signatures for different purposes.

Summer Break?

It has been nearly three months since my last Editor's Update. Have I been slacking in the aftermath of Sharpened.net's tenth anniversary? Or have I just been on summer vacation? It may surprise you that neither is the case. I have actually been adding busy new content at a frantic pace during the past few months. I've added hundreds of new database entries, including glossary definitions, acronyms, emoticons, and file extensions. I just haven't published any Editor's Updates for awhile.

So why the undue update delay? Well, I am not one for excessive excuses, but I did fall a bit behind in my e-mail correspondence when I recently moved to a new location. And, as some might remember, I once made a particular point to stay current with my e-mail and to avoid e-mail bankruptcy at all costs. Therefore, I have focused my time on responding to your messages rather than writing more blithering blogs. After all, I imagine you would feel naturally neglected if I posted updates while ignoring your mail.

I have said it before, and it is worth saying again – your feedback is the foundation of Sharpened.net. When you submit ideas and suggestions, I take them seriously. Most of the time, your suggestions end up as part of the website content in one way or another. Therefore, I always appreciate your feedback and am glad to have received an abundance of suggestions during the past few months.

Fortunately, I am now current with my e-mail correspondence and have time to compose my updates as usual. So send me your feedback and you may be able to delay my rants for awhile longer.