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What does technical writing mean?

Different people interpret the terms ‘technical writing’ in different ways. To some people, technical writing signifies exigent, strong and very precise text created with reference to intricate subjects, typically pertaining to IT. And yes, that’s what exactly technical writing mean. While others may understand technical writing in context of user guides for sophisticated products, procedural pieces of writing that can be comprehended only by the people with corresponding familiarity; or any text that is indecipherable to those who lack intrinsic understanding about the topic in question.

Technical communication encompasses all the activities and statements mentioned above.

Apart from this, there are a lot more that technical communication covers, stated as follows:

Editing services
Technical writing
Marketing transcript
Proposal (RFP) Services
Blog Content Writing
Blog Content Editing
Process Documentation
Copywriting
Creative Writing
Press Releases
SEO-Focused Blog and Article
Stylistic Review

In fact, technical communication has a broader meaning. It stretches across a broad range of jobs and accounts. And that means technical communication need not always be ‘highly technical’, if at all it is ‘technical’.

It can be inferred that technical communication is not imaginative and ingenious in nature. Therefore, non-fiction writings are also considered to be counted under technical writing, given to its specificity related to facts.

Technical writing is an illustrative type of communication based on facts and truth. It explains the cause-result relationship. It depicts the facts about events, persons and objects. Therefore, forms of technical communication like press releases or citations containing information pertaining to computer systems etc are backed up with true events and genuineness. It would be correct to say that works of non-fiction authors give all the answers to our ‘how ’and ‘why’.

A traditional recipe can be termed as the purest form of technical writing. It personifies the most primitive type of technical communication in itself. It lists out the basic ingredients of the recipe, subsequently stating how to combine these ingredients and in what proportions, to make an entirely new dish. A traditional recipe is short, snappy and to the point- and it is supposed to be followed word to word.

Exactitude, briefness and correctness are the most important elements of technical writing. These elements make technical writing what it is. Technical writing is all about combining right elements in the right order. When it comes to creative technical writing, it need not be insipid and unintelligible, neither does it need to be limited to statistical projects. It can exhibit facts and particulars in a very artistic manner. One can say that fine technical writing means interesting, definite and clear-cut approach to look for information.

We utilize and depend upon technical communication on a regular basis, than we might imagine. Technical writing is essential to keep things up and working at all times. And we must maintain its qualities of clarity, pertinence and definiteness, which make technical writing what it is.

Getting started with Aquaponics system

It is essential for you to understand the components that go into the making of Aquaponics before you go shopping for materials and equipment at a home depot.

Aquaponics is a combination of the best of the old and the new. It is a blend of best characteristics of a conventional aquaculture the contemporary technique of growing plants- Hydroponics. Several enthusiasts and specialist practitioners verify the fact that Aquaponics eradicates the drawbacks of the two older methods, because cleaning and maintain it is comparatively simpler.

A well-balanced system

Balance is an essential element of any biological system to ensure that it will sustain. This fact is also applicable to Aquaponics system.

Aquaponics system achieves and maintains its balance by the way of three major elements of the system viz. the fish, the plants, and the bacteria. It may sound strange but without the bacteria, the Aquaponics system will simply collapse. (Or it will require ten times more efforts to make it work!)

When you have an Aquaponics system in position, the following sequence of activities takes place repetitively.

The Aquaponics system consists of two major sections. In one section freshwater fish (for example- tilapia) spin around. When the fish are fed, it’s obvious that they will generate waste matter. Uneaten fish feed also constitute of waste in the water. The fish also lets out from its body ammonia, which is a chemical.

Subsequently the water in one section of the system, i.e. the fish section will get foul and polluted because the fish is endlessly throwing out waste materials and ammonia.

That’s where the bacteria come into the picture. The microorganisms that occur naturally in water begin to grow in number over a period of time. The nitrobacter bacteria are able to decompose ammonia being continuously produced by the fish.

When the bacteria break down the ammonia in the water, it forms nitrates. Nitrates can usually be found as a byproduct in any kind of aquatic systems, including aquariums. Higher amounts of nitrates in water give rise to a new problem altogether. They promote growth of unwanted plants in the water.

And now the plants assume the important role of restoring the balance of the system. Nitrates are a naturally occurring nutritious substance for plants. Plants absorb the nitrates present in the water.

Thus, in one section you have fish which excretes ammonia which ultimately gets broken down into nitrates by the bacteria. In another section there are plants that filter the water and take in all the nitrates present in the water. All the unwanted waste created by the fish is put to use by the plants which helps them grow. The dirty water of the fish section is passed through the plants section a number of times in a day, so that plants can cleanse and purify the water.

The best thing about Aquaponic system is that a natural and organic filter is in place throughout the day and every day. The fish will not experience any trouble while they thrive in a closed habitat since plants are constantly working on detoxification of water. Subsequently, the arrangement will help attain an intrinsic biological balance. The only thing you need to do is keep an eye on the level of water and make sure that your fish tank is not getting congested.

Introduction to Aquaponics

Aquaponics is one of the most admired and viable techniques to grow fresh organic vegetables and fruits as well as maintain a freshwater fish structure simultaneously. Aquaponics eradicates the usual shortcomings of the conventional vegetable gardens by employing the benefits of having a closed system of freshwater fish. It’s like aiming for two objectives at the same time. The freshwater fish system will produce fish, which in return will provide for nutrients vital for growth of the plants.

The plants will gain from the waste material produced by the fish, which are naturally occurring nutrients for the plants. The water gets purified and filtered as the plants absorb the nutrients from it.

This method is sustainable and many Aquaponics admirers throughout the country have reported success of this method which yields organic fresh fruits and vegetables as well as succulent fish.

Unveiling the Aquaponics

Aquaponics is the combination of two older techniques, viz. the hydroponics and aquaculture.

Hydroponics aims towards growing vegetables and fruits by making use of just water, and no soil. Aquaculture is a practice of rearing fish in closed systems. When these two methodologies are merged we get altogether a new concept, known as Aquaponics.

Now you must be wondering, why Aquaponics is good for you? Here are the chief benefits of Aquaponics.

Aquaponics consume a very little space.
Installing an Aquaponic system is very simple.
Having an Aquaponic system in place and its upkeep is relatively economical.
Expansion of an existing Aquaponic system is very easy. You may include more sections over time to increase the capacity of the system.
It facilitates production of vegetables/fruits as well as fish.
There are many professional Aquaponics practitioners throughout the country. While you’re just a beginner, you can learn the tricks of the trade from people practicing Aquaponics by getting in touch with them.

Flexibility of production with Aquaponic system

Aquaponic systems can be expanded or contracted according to individual needs. A modest aquaponic system can yield around fifty kilograms of freshwater fish and a hundred kilogram of vegetables within a span of 6 months.

If you wish to start a business of fresh organic fish, vegetables and fruits you can simply scale up the capacity of your aquaponic system to achieve a larger yield. Expanding the aquaponic system will require space and a robust system for pumping the water. However, these are just one-time expenditures.

You won’t encounter any issues once you have a larger aquaponic system up and working. You just have to keep an eye on the system to ensure that plants and fish are growing properly. A plentiful produce from an aquaponic system is a sign that the system is being looked after appropriately.

One must always remember that, it’s never too late to start an aquaponic system. Also do not let your lack of experience deter you from starting your own aquaponic system. It is your aspiration to be self-reliant and enthusiasm to make things work that is needed to have your own aquaponic system.

The cost aspect of the mobile apps development

Now that most of the people have become tech savvy and have switched to smartphones, the market is flooded with mobile apps, which has lead to the emergence of altogether a new arena of business and competition. Mobile apps have created a place for themselves in our daily life. We use apps for an array of reasons, let it be business, information, entertainment or education.

In the earlier post, we had learnt about how lucrative the field of app development is. In this post we will talk about the cost gears of the mobile apps development. We will see what the contributing factors of the app development costs are.

The overall cost depends upon the type of app you have chosen to develop and market. Apps having basic features and functionality are the simplest to develop and most inexpensive. This benefits small businesses, which cannot spend a lot on this aspect.

Next in line are the business apps which are a little more intricate. Business apps involve database management systems with a need of managing a variety of contents.

Game applications developed to integrate 3D effects and to make the most of the phone’s firmware are certainly very complex.

Some apps, like iNap that uses GPS, and HupplePupple that uses accelerometer, are developed to take the advantage of the built-in features of a smartphone. So the type and the features which you wish to fit into your app will determine the cost that will be incurred.

Chalking out a budget to decide upon how much you want to spend would be a smart thing to do. Usually a team of developers and coders is required to develop an app. So the cost also depends upon the application development company you choose to develop an app for you. Other components of cost include the mobile porting and marketing of the app.

In a nutshell, you must first decide upon the type of app you wish to develop, settle on your budget keeping in mind the various cost gears and choosing from the available alternatives in a way that you get your hands on a remarkable mobile app with impressive design and functionalities.

P.S.- Also look out for Android developer cost.

Guest post by Carole of Carole's Chatter- Garlic Prawns Indian Style

Hello Buddies. Today I am posting a guest post from Carole of 'Carole's Chatter' from NZ. Carole's blog is one of my favorite all time reads. She writes about food and recipes, book reviews, music as well as travel and art. Here is a very first guest post from Carole. I am sure you all will love it.

Garlic prawns Indian style!

Hi everyone, this is my very first ever guest post so I hope you will enjoy it. Carole's Chatter is a blog on food and books mainly with side helpings of cryptic crossword clues, art, music and travel. I have a weekly themed food link up and a monthly book link up. Click here if you would like to visit Carole's Chatter.

These Garlic Prawns are an adaptation of a Madhur Jaffrey recipe from her book Curry Easy. I didn't follow her recipe exactly (constitutionally unable to follow recipes).

Ingredients used:

Pottle of raw prawns – peeled and de-veined – You can leave the little tails on

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp black pepper (ground)

1 tsp finely chopped green chilies (more if it isn't a really hot chili)

¼ tsp yellow mustard seeds

2 large cloves of garlic – finely chopped or smushed

10 basil leaves (fresh and torn or roughly chopped)

5 tbsp of grated tomato (I will explain below)

Some peanut oil or vegetable oil (I used a mixture of Canola with a few drops of sesame oil)

Wash and pat dry your prawns. Mix them in a bowl with the cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt and chilies and set in the fridge (this can be done well ahead of time).

When you are ready to cook, have all your other ingredients ready, it is all going to take about 2 to 3 minutes once you start.

Heat your oil in a pan or wok, it is hot enough when you drop just one mustard seed in and it pops. Then put all the mustard seeds in, give it a swirl, add your garlic, another swirl, then add the prawns and basil. One more stir and then add your grated tomato. Turn down the heat to moderate and fry for no more than a couple more minutes so the prawns are cooked through.

And that's it.

Oh, I almost forgot to explain the grated tomato. This was a completely new thing to me. I was a bit skeptical but Jaffrey tells you just to use a coarse grater and to press hard at first to get a start and then grate away. The skin doesn't get grated and the result is almost a cross between a tomato foam and puree. A great sauce base! I will be grating tomato again.

Things to do before going on a vacation

The last minute hustle and bustle is inevitable before leaving your home for a long awaited vacation. You would definitely not love to have the sinking feeling of something being left undone while you are on your way to the airport. You think you have forgotten something- but you have already fed your dog, turned off the main switch, locked the front door. Then it strikes you that you forgot to lock your garage door!

Things are lot more easier when you plan out the activities beforehand and maintain a checklist of things that need to be done. Here is a list of things you must do before you leave for your vacations and get a peace of mind.

It is very necessary to put all the newspaper and mail subscriptions on hold for the time you would be away. A pile of newspapers outside the main door signifies that the house is empty. It is an open invitation to incidents like theft.

Leave your pet dog/cat at the pet care center a couple of days before you start off. You will be sure whether or not your pet has adapted and is comfortable staying there.

Inform someone in the neighborhood whom you trust that you won't be in town. Give them a spare key to your house and request them to visit once in a while. Keeping an eye on the house is the least they can do.

Unplug your television, stereo, computer, toaster and other appliances. Also turn off the water heater so that your electricity bill doesn't go up unnecessarily. Turn off all the taps and showers. Pour some anti-freeze solution in the toilet if you're travelling during winters. This will prevent the porcelain to crack from the frozen water.

Get an interior timer installed. Set it to turn a couple of lights on every evening.

Empty your fridge of anything that will go bad soon. You don't want to come home to a stinking fridge.

Pay all the outstanding bills before you go on a trip. Buy prepaid recharge vouchers and international roaming cards for your cell phones so that you stay connected to people back home.

Close all the doors, windows and pull the curtains so that no one can see inside the house from the outside.

Make sure there is no wet laundry in the bathrooms or washing machines. Take out the garbage. Water your plants.

Talking about the important documents like passport, visa, tickets and travel insurance policy, make sure they are in place well in advance. Check if your name on the ticket matches the one mentioned on your passport. If not, get it rectified as soon as possible. Make photocopies of these documents and keep them along while you travel. Keep the originals and photocopies in separate places just in case you lose any set. You can also upload and save scanned copies of these documents online or in your mail box.

Make sure your travel insurance policy covers the places you're visiting. Some European insurance companies do not cover Turkey under the travel insurance policies they have to offer.

Visit your bank to inform them about your trip, so that they do not think that your cards are stolen while you use them to withdraw cash in London. Buy foreign currency from your bank to get a better exchange rate.

You can save a lot of money if you book a parking at the airport well in advance rather than at the last moment. Also check out if any cheaper alternative is available. Such services also offer pick-up and drop facility.

Check if you are carrying excess baggage. You may need to pay extra charges for the weight exceeding the limits prescribed by the airlines.

It would be really wise if you take some time out to do a research over the internet about the customs prevalent at the places you are planning to visit. This will help you avoid troubles and embarrassment. For example, people in certain conservative countries do not like women wearing shorts and tees. So carry suitable outfits.

You definitely don't want to sour your trip by getting sick. So get yourself vaccinated against rabies and malaria, especially if you are planning to visit Asian or African countries. In some countries it is mandatory for you to get certain injections and show the proof of the same, before they allow you in the country.

So this is all about the things that need your attention. I hope you find these tips useful next time you plan your vacations. Thanks for reading. Bon Voyage!

P.S.- Check out these useful links for online cell phone recharge

Vodafone mobile recharge

Airtel recharge

Go 'Fro Yo'!

Frozen yogurts (FroYo) can be a great dessert after a hearty meal. It's healthy and probiotic because it contains yogurt and milk. Unlike ice-cream FroYo does not contain cream which makes it a favorite low fat dessert. FroYos taste a little sour from the yogurt.

If you are a frozen desserts fanatic you must visit 'Fro Yo' to give a cool fruity tickle to your taste-buds! 'Fro Yo' is one of the best gourmet food stores Mumbai, dedicated to serving frozen yogurts, smoothies and milkshakes. While in Mumbai I had been to FroYo a couple of time and the desserts swept me off my feet! It uses natural and freshest ingredients, most of which are imported from USA, NZ, Belium etc.

Fro Yo can infuse any delicious flavor in to a frozen yogurt, right from coffee and chocolatey tiramisu to fruity ingredients like mango, watermelon, blueberries, and so on. They also have to offer a variety of toppings like fresh fruits, sprinkles, choco chips and lot more.

Not only the desserts but also the ambiance will make you go WOW! The place is fully air-conditioned with a vibrant atmosphere and comfortable seating. Here are a few pics of decadent desserts served at FroYo.