Friday, November 28, 2008

Recent Research Papers

DAVIM’s Research and Development Cell
(Nov’ 2008 Report)
Recent Research Work done for the following group projects:
Group : Robotic Brain Development
Paper 1. Robotic Brain Development
Paper 2. The Robot and Human Emotional Interface – Towards Automatic Techniques Of Emotional Assessment
Paper 3. Rehabilitation Robotics – Innovations In Tertiary Prevention Of Stroke Patients

Group : ICT and Globalization
Paper 4. Semantic Blogs – Towards Reconsideration of the Blogging Benefits and Dangers

Group : Pervasive Computing
Paper 5. Personalization Issues In Pervasive Applications
Paper 6. Teenage Security Considerations in Pervasive Environment

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Book Review - By Saba Hilal

The Art and Craft of Technical Writing

Technical Writing
Process and Product
Third Edition

Sharon J. Gerson
Steven M. Gerson

2005, Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.,
Indian Branch, 482 F.I.E, Patparganj, Delhi 110092, India


PP 490
ISBN 81-7808-381-7
Rs. 275/-

The book is marvelous, easily readable, and highly recommended for technical writers and those learning the expertise. The reader gains practical technical communication knowledge and helpful guidelines to the job search as an additional benefit. This book should be on the shelves of anyone with a profession that require concise communication skills.
Some of the outstanding features of this book are to include the Technology tips, which provide useful instructions on basic computer literacy and writing at Work Case Studies, showing real-world examples of the ideas being presented. Techlinks, with updated online material and resources are also useful.
Before/After Examples showing the value of revision and Checklists for ease of remembering, and following through on all aspects of the material presented; are included in this book. Margin Call-Outs are also given. These are like pull-quotes that highlight particular points of interest in the documents being examined.The units in this book include sections on correspondence (memos, email, letters, including cover letters in trying to find a job), technical publications (fliers, brochures, newsletters, etc.), electronic communications (websites and online help), report writing (MLA and APA styles are presented, as well as methods of research), and a handy handbook of grammar aids as the final section, to help with punctuation, spelling, mechanics and other items of grammatical interest. There is also a section on oral communication - while this is not a speech textbook, so much of one's business image comes from the way one presents himself or herself orally, on the telephone, in presentations, in interviews, and in everyday conversation. The authors also provide some information on using PowerPoint and other visual aids in effective presentations. This is a great textbook, useful for classroom settings as well as individual study and reference. The layout is visually interesting and well formatted.
The parts on short reports, long reports, grammar, punctuation, research, graphics, oral presentations, instructions, technical description, and objectives, are good and useful.
Although, there is good continuity between chapters and the organization is well planned, I did not like the wasted political-correctness (PC) that was unnecessary and does not fit in with the value of the other stuff in this book.
Overall, it is a useful book, particularly for those who are beginning their college careers, and for those who are going into technical fields that require clarity and precision.