Fraser Sherman reports:

"Closed-caption writers provide the subtitles that make TV dialog comprehensible to people who are deaf or hearing impaired. Someone who works as a caption generator can find closed-captioning jobs in other fields too, such as transcribing spoken words for online courses. You don't need a formal degree in this field[,] but you need the skill to transcribe spoken words fast and accurately...Closed-caption writers use the same stenotype machines as court reporters. You can take classes to become certified or acquire an associate degree. The typing speed required should qualify you for most closed-caption jobs...People who are deaf aren't the only ones who benefit from the services of caption writers. AI Media says loss of hearing is a spectrum: [P]eople who still have some degree of hearing may benefit from closed-captioning on their TV or streaming media. Even people with no hearing loss can benefit if they're watching in the midst of noise, or if, say, they want to watch in bed without disturbing their sleeping partner. The Federal Communications Commission says that with a few exceptions, cable operators, broadcasters, satellite distributors and other 'multichannel video programming distributors' have to make closed captioning available for their transmissions. The caption author has to make their work meet federal standards. Even if you work in fields that don't have to meet FCC rules, the standards are a good guide...Closed-caption writers need to be detail people, AI Media says. If you're working under FCC rules or providing complex instructions in a technical video, accuracy is a must. You need a good understanding of grammar and language as well. It helps if you can work well under pressure. The Rev captioning service says that if you're working with pre-recorded material[,] you'll have some lead time, but not a lot. If you're the caption generator for a live event, you'll have to transcribe accurately with no certainty what the next words or sounds will be. With live material, you also can't rewatch a scene to fix transcription errors. Most caption writers rely on the same equipment court stenotypers use to take accurate transcripts. Zip Recruiter says stenotypists [use] machines that type in symbols, capturing spoken words in a mechanical shorthand. While there are no formal educational requirements for caption writing, expertise with the stenotype machine is essential. The New York Career Institute says the same classes and courses court stenographers use will provide good training for caption writers as well. Some court stenographers branch out into caption writing. To learn the skills you need, you can take classes in stenotyping, both online and in person. Stenotype certification proves you can translate dictated words at up to 180 words per minute. An associate degree requires 225 words per minute. Degree programs also offer specialization in closed-caption work."

Related: Closed-caption writing can be applied to video calls. Rooms To Go explains how to set up a professional background for these.

The Earnin blog reports:

"Overdraft protection is a banking service consumers can opt into to overdraw their checking accounts for a fee...'Can I overdraft my debit card?' you ask yourself. 'What about my credit card? Or my savings?' You know it’s possible to overdraw your account with online payments, and you’ve heard of people doing it with checks, so it’s understandable to wonder what other kinds of accounts allow you to make transactions without sufficient funds...Let’s say you had $5 in your account this morning, but today is payday, so you should have plenty of money by the afternoon. Unfortunately, your employer’s payroll system takes longer to deposit your paycheck, so you won’t have the funds you expect some time until next business day. You use your debit card to buy a $7 slushie from the convenience store without knowing your real balance. The transaction goes through because you have overdraft protection, but now you owe the bank $35.47 — $2 for what it loaned you and $33.47 for the service. You can call the bank and try to explain, but you just purchased a really expensive slushie if they decide not to waive the fee. It was such a small difference, too, but overdraft fees are fixed. Your debit card is connected to your checking account, so debit card overdrafts are a common way to incur such fees. In addition, banks will often set overdraft limits. Even if you have overdraft protection, this means you cannot borrow more than your bank will allow if you overdraw your account (such as $500 or $1,000)...Because using your credit card entails borrowing money from your credit issuer, there is technically no finite amount of money in an account to withdraw from. However, it is possible to reach and exceed your credit limit. Your credit limit is the maximum amount of money your issuer is willing to let you borrow. This number varies between different cards, institutions, and individuals, so it could be as little as $200 (such as putting down a deposit on a secured card) or as much as $500,000. Your card will decline if you attempt to make a purchase that pushes you over your credit limit. Unless you have over-limit coverage, that is. Similar to overdraft protection, over-limit coverage is a service you must opt into with your credit issuer that enables you to exceed your credit limit in exchange for a fee. Your bank cannot charge you fees for reaching your limit, only if you agree to surpass it. Keep in mind, though, that using too much of your available credit could negatively impact your credit score. Experts suggest using approximately 30% of your credit limit. For instance, if you have $15,000 in available credit, then making more than $4,500 worth in purchases or expenses could make you seem like a risky borrower...Fortunately, a savings account can only be emptied, not overdrafted. That said, different rules influence your ability to withdraw from your savings. US law dictates that you cannot make more than six convenient withdrawals from your savings account per month ('convenient' includes transfers made via phone, online, check, etc.). Your bank may charge you a fee if you exceed this number of withdrawals or refuse the transaction. However, it’s possible to exceed the six-withdrawal limit if you use 'inconvenient' methods, such as visiting a bank branch in person, taking out cash from an ATM, or requesting a check...Though you cannot overdraft savings accounts or credit cards, it’s beneficial to be careful with your checking account, so you avoid overdraft fees. A few ways you can elude overdraft fees include: 

• Opting out of overdraft protection;
• Enabling low-balance alerts, so you know when you are at risk of overdrawing your account;
• Linking your checking account to your savings as a backup. 

You can also use financial apps to manage your various accounts and keep a watchful eye on your financial situation. If you have a low balance with no choice but to pay a necessary expense, then Earnin allows you to access up to $100 per day from your paycheck before the typically scheduled date without taking out a loan. Likewise, Mint is helpful for budgeting, and Peak can help you visualize your financial goals. You’re not alone if you’re worried about overdrafting, but rest assured, you cannot overdraft a credit card or savings account."

Jacob Yoss reports:

"Money is a go-to for many people when it comes to gift-giving. It’s not the most personal gift you could give, but if you’re not sure what the recipient would like, you can spare yourself from guessing incorrectly and allow them to spend the money however they choose...Of course, give according to your means...[P]lan a budget that accounts for all of your gift-giving each holiday season. Other gifts cost money anyway, so set aside a specific amount you can afford for your entire family. Write down how much you spend on physical or experiential items to get an idea of how much cash you can give to friends and relatives who won’t be receiving something else...Cash is not an appropriate gift for everyone. As mentioned previously, it’s not particularly personal, so giving your significant other an envelope with $50 or a gift card to a department store probably won’t go over very well. Giving money from one high-earning professional adult to another could also be interpreted rudely; cash is usually for people who need it (a check would be preferable in this case) or children who are excited about the freedom it entails. So, your cousin’s child who just turned 10? Cash is perfect. Your cousin herself who’s not in any debt? If you’re close, then something more thoughtful would be better...When gifting money to family members, consider what they will use it for. It may be that it’s none of your business, but a relative who is struggling with money would undoubtedly appreciate a bit of extra generosity (especially if you’re in a position to be generous). Giving loved ones financial aid during the holidays is where things get really tricky. Make sure your intended recipient is open to it, first — not everyone is willing to admit they need help — and give an amount you believe would make a legitimate difference...You don’t have to give naked money, either; it’s possible to pay for expenses like college tuition or medical bills directly...Gift cards are popular ways to give money as a present. Sometimes it’s nice not to have endless possibilities of how you could spend a gift — if you have a gift card to a bookstore, then you have to spend it at that bookstore. It’s a roundabout way of buying someone a book; they just get to decide which. Gift cards are a mid-way between the safety of giving someone cash and something more personal. On that note, make sure the gift card you buy someone is for a business they would gladly shop or dine at...Put the card in an envelope and include a note so your recipient doesn’t feel like you made the minimum effort...If you’re a grandparent gifting money to grandchildren, then you need to treat them equally and give the same amount to each. If you are someone younger and don’t need to distribute your generosity equally amongst your relatives, then it’s wise to be polite about it — that is to say, discreet. Don’t flaunt your gift-giving to relatives who aren’t receiving anything from you, and ask them not to say anything...Because money is a generic gift (however practical), put a little effort into its presentation. Make dollar bills into origami shapes. Put cash inside balloons and make children pop them. Hide money at the center of a 3D puzzle. Freeze bills in a block of ice for a pun on 'cold, hard cash.' The way you present your gift can add extra layers of thoughtfulness, intimacy, and fun. Gifting money to family members comes with a set of rules no one really understands, so just remember to be considerate, don’t feel pressured, and find a way to add a personal touch."

Julia Olech reports:

"Experts agree that incorrect grammar is very quickly becoming a modern-day epidemic. With the growth of social media and text messaging as well as the use of abbreviations, slang, and social media, it’s not surprising that an increased number of people sacrifice grammar in order to get their message across quicker.
The first step to improving your grammar skills is realizing what common errors you’re making...Often deemed unimportant, the comma is actually an extremely powerful grammar tool. Its sole purpose is to show where a reader can pause to take a breath and take time to understand the text. However, positioned in the wrong place, commas (especially Oxford commas) can completely alter the meaning of a sentence...Forgetting about regular commas can quite literally create extremely dangerous situations. For example, stumbling across a sign that says 'Hunters take caution while hunting pedestrians using walk trails' would probably cause you to run away or hide. That’s because it tells hunters to take caution while trying to shoot people walking by. Adding just one comma in the middle would protect many passers-by through providing a warning for hunters to be extra careful and not hurt anyone using the walking trails. Missing commas can even portray you as a serial killer or a cannibal! Regardless of your intentions, saying[,] 'We’re going to learn how to cut and paste kids!' would probably force many concerned parents to call the police. Good luck trying to explain to the officers that you weren’t planning on taking out a knife during a class. A comma at the end of that sentence wouldn’t just make it clear you were addressing children — it could keep you out of prison as well. The lack of punctuation can cause an endless list of uncomfortable situations. Imagine you were desperate to use the toilet in a restaurant, but the sign on the door said[,] 'Toilet ONLY for elderly disabled pregnant children.' It sounds like its use is restricted to children who are both elderly and pregnant, and disabled on top of it all. However, the addition of commas changes the meaning of the sign, allowing entry for the elderly, kids, disabled people, and pregnant people. Omitting commas in sentences may quickly turn pedestrians into criminals. After all, many people might be tempted to break the law if they knew there wouldn’t be any consequences. Writing 'No trespassing violators will be prosecuted' allows everyone free entry on the premises without any repercussions. Yet if that sentence had a comma, anyone trespassing is subject to the law...After seeing how omitting commas can put you in trouble, you may be tempted to put them everywhere just in case. Unfortunately, this grammar mistake can still lead to confusion...Let’s say you want to protest against seal hunting. You make your sign to show your support, but accidentally put a comma in the middle of it. This suddenly directs your message at baby seals, not hunters. More specifically, the sign would tell the little animals to stop partying, which differs a lot from banning acts of animal cruelty...We’ve all seen signs that warn people of wet floors — whether in a shop, hotel, restaurant, or on the street. However, these signs seem to be warning about slipping on wet people instead. Unless you were planning on informing others to be careful while walking on wet pedestrians because they’re slippery, add a comma to prevent people from falling on wet floors. It might also save you a lot of money on compensation should they sue you for inadequate warnings...The Oxford comma is arguably the most controversial grammar rule — and it divides most English speakers. Regardless of how you feel about it, adding it at the end of a list of two or more can make a great difference in how others understand you...A misplaced Oxford comma may even cost companies millions of dollars. In 2018, a dairy company from Portland had to pay $5 million when it was sued by three of their lorry drivers for missed overtime payments. The men argued that they weren’t excluded from the extra payment as the law didn’t specify delivery drivers as exempt from it. This all could have been avoided if there was an Oxford comma in the state’s law, which stated that no overtime pay was required for staff involved in: 'the canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution.'...The rule behind apostrophes is very simple. If you’re indicating possession (as in something belongs to someone) or contraction (like 'it’s' or 'won’t'), an apostrophe is a must. If you want to talk about something in its plural form, then avoid that punctuation mark at all costs. Otherwise, a shop sign that informs customers about weekend opening days should say[,] 'Open Sundays' (not 'Open Sunday’s') as it’s open every Sunday in the year. Similarly, a 'sports bar' is a place where you can go to drink beer and watch various sports games with your friends. Going to a 'Sport’s bar' wouldn’t really make sense unless the owner of the bar’s name is Sport. A grocery store should pride itself on selling 'fresh fruits and vegetables'[,] not 'fresh fruit’s and vegetable’s'[,] because apples and cucumbers can’t really be in possession of anything. It’s just a plural form to make it clear that the shop has more than one fresh fruit or vegetable in stock...Quotation marks are extremely useful when you’re quoting or referencing someone in your text. They allow you to talk about book and movie titles without confusion...However, placing them randomly in a normal sentence often undermines what you’re trying to say. That’s because misplaced quotation marks allow readers to take what you’re saying as a suggestion or sarcasm...Generally speaking, exclamation points are used to express heightened emotions, like anger or excitement. Most readers automatically perceive sentences with more than one exclamation point as angry shouting. Therefore, excessive use of exclamation points can be quite overwhelming and the meaning you’re trying to get through is likely to get lost...Interestingly, due to social media, the excessive use of exclamation points is being normalized. People feel the pressure to make sure their emotions are clear in plain text so they add multiple points at the end of their sentences. Suddenly, responding with[,] 'Sounds good' doesn’t portray as much excitement as[,] 'Sounds good!!!!!!!!' Similarly, 'You’re the best' wouldn’t be genuine without [five] exclamation marks at the end — because how do you tell someone what they mean to you if you can’t shout it out to them? Despite being more accepted on social media, remember to avoid using exclamation marks excessively in formal and academic writing...The English language loves to put multiple words together and turn them into contractions. They’re commonly used in everything from daily speech, to movies, newspapers, and even instructions. Contractions are created by swapping certain letters with an apostrophe. Knowing which letter to replace can seem difficult at first, but there’s only one simple rule you should follow to create them. If contractions are made of two separate words, then the apostrophe replaces any letters that aren’t a part of it. For example, 'you are' can easily be turned into 'you’re' — in this case you’re swapping the ‘a’ in “are” for an apostrophe. In 'does not,' it’s enough to replace ‘o’ with an apostrophe to create 'doesn’t.' Don’t worry if you find it difficult to understand at first. Many native English speakers themselves struggle to know how to use contractions — it’s especially visible on social media. It also seems that it’s the distinction between certain contractions and possessive pronouns that are the most difficult to differentiate. These include the constant battle between 'your' and 'you’re,' 'its' and 'it’s,' and 'their,' 'they’re,' and 'there.' Unfortunately, missing apostrophes can also result in a catastrophe. As they’re a necessity in contractions, omitting them can sometimes create a completely new word. For example, a simple 'we’ll' (we will) can quickly turn into a 'well,' 'she’d' (she would) into a 'shed,' or 'we’re' (we are) into 'were.' Luckily, this is only the case for a selected few contractions, which makes it a lot easier to remember...'You' is a possessive pronoun used to describe something that belongs to you...On the other hand, 'you’re' is a contraction of two words — 'you' and 'are.' It’s always used to describe a state of being and is usually followed by a verb that ends with -ing or an adjective to describe who you are. For example, 'you’re going home,' 'you’re shaking,' 'you’re annoying,' 'you’re funny.' It can function as both the contraction and separate entities[,] but it’ll still have the same meaning. People tend to mistake the two and use them interchangeably, despite the fact that they mean two completely different things. Whenever you find yourself unsure of which one to use, try to replace each 'your' and 'you’re' in your text with 'you are.' If it makes sense, then it’s definitely the latter you should use...Mixing 'it’s' with 'its' is another prevalent grammar mistake. It could stem from the fact that 'it' is used when talking about inanimate objects or ideas, which is much more abstract than talking about people. However, the 'it’s' vs. 'its' rule is just as easy to understand as 'your' vs. 'you’re.' 'Its' should be used when you’re talking about a possession or that something belongs to something else...'It’s' is a contraction of either 'it is' or 'it has,' depending on what you’re trying to say. To decide which one to use, check if you can replace it with 'it has' or 'it is.'...'They’re' is a contraction of two words that describe a state of being — 'they are.'...'Their,' just like 'your' and 'its,' is a possessive pronoun that shows something belongs to a group. It’s generally used in a plural form...but can sometimes be used when talking about someone whose gender you don’t know...Finally, 'there' points out a place far away from you. Essentially, 'there' works as an opposite of 'here,' for example[,] 'I left the book there.' Additionally, 'there' can be used to introduce a subject of a clause or a sentence, such as[,] 'There is my favorite person!'...Making spelling mistakes is arguably a part of human nature. As annoying as it can be for the person misspelling a word, these errors usually become the topic of jokes...Unfortunately, spelling mistakes can also be used by cybercriminals. So[-]called typosquatting (or URL hijacking) is a common form of cyber attack that targets people who misspell a site address in their web browser. As these errors happen quite often, hackers started creating malicious websites mimicking URL names. These look-alike sites are set up to gain a visitor’s trust and collect their personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, bank account details, or credit card [credentials. Typosquatting] can even lure its targets into various fraud cycles by displaying believable error messages about their devices. The unsuspecting victim then follows through with the pop-up message that allows hackers to infect their device with various types of malware. To avoid becoming a victim of typosquatting, pay extra attention to the URLs you input in your web browser. While most of the time the wrong URL won’t work, you shouldn’t risk your personal safety by accidentally misspelling anything...Proper punctuation and spelling make a difference in clear and concise communication. However, grammar is so much more than just correctness — it’s an art in and of itself that allows us, as humans, to freely express how complex our minds are. Unfortunately, it’s also an art that an increasing number of people tend to dismiss as unimportant and unnecessary. Yet studies show that grammar still has a big impact on people’s lives, especially in professional settings...Profiles with a few or no errors performed significantly better within the job market and were offered higher positions than those who displayed poor grammar. Professionals who use proper grammar are also more likely to continuously look for new challenges and opportunities for professional growth. Meanwhile, those with poor grammar skills are more likely to settle for the same position for a longer period of time. Fewer grammar errors could also be linked to more promotions. People with better grammar climbed the career ladder a lot quicker than others, even if they had the same level of education. That’s because employers judge your intellect, analytical skills, and attention to detail through your grammatical abilities. Too many errors, however small, will make people perceive you as lazy and sloppy. Not to mention that bigger errors will undermine your credibility and make people more reluctant to believe anything you say...Analyzing written text is one of the best ways to improve your grammar skills. The visual representation of actual grammatical rules will make it easier for you to understand and remember them. Apart from enforcing proper grammar use, reading helps with correct sentence structure and your writing fluency. If you’re just starting out with learning proper grammar, stick to easy texts like children’s books. You’ll be able to increase the difficulty level as your grammar skills develop...Another great way to improve your skills is listening to how other people speak. Try to hear how people structure their sentences and where they pause. You don’t just have to listen to people you know[,] either — any conversation around you or even watching an English movie will benefit you. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn just from hearing others speak...Playing games stimulates your brain. Doing so to learn or master English provides you with a more entertaining way of studying. Various online grammar platforms (like Free Rice or Games To Learn English) encourage you to practice your skills through a multitude of different games aimed at learning different grammar rules...Whenever you write, always check for any mistakes by reading out loud. Actually saying the sentences will allow you to hear the errors as they happen and correct them. Pay extra attention to where you need to pause to take a breath or when sentences are too long and complicated to understand. This is something even expert English writers do as mistakes can easily be missed if you’re just skimming through a text...Your phone can be your greatest tool for maintaining good grammar. App stores offer a vast choice of apps that help you develop proper use of the English language, such as Duolingo or Johnny Grammar Word Challenge. Some correct your text as you write, provide educational games, or even offer quick lessons on various grammar rules...Finally, it might be a good idea to enroll in additional English classes. It’ll give you a great opportunity to ask questions, practice with other students, and use newly-learned skills in various situations. English tutors are also able to spot any existing mistakes in your grammar and explain to you how to fix them. Going to a class can give you a massive confidence boost to actively practice English every day on your own...In many situations, people are likely to make assumptions about you based on your grammar skills. A single email, business letter, job application, or even a post on social media may make you look extremely smart or quite uneducated. Luckily, it’s entirely up to you which impression you’re going to make. Regardless of your current grammar skills, you can always grow and improve them with practice and effort."

Mary Cullen reports:

"In all business writing, the audience is the top consideration. Who you are writing for will determine how you write your email. The reader will determine the tone, formality, and content of the communication. Your email’s reader may be your colleague, client, or supervisor. Each reader will have a different background, project knowledge, and priorities. You can use project acronyms with a colleague who has the same deep project knowledge as you do. Those same acronyms will be confusing to an executive who needs an update for budget forecasting. With your audience at the forefront, you will always write a more effective email. The audience includes all the people included in the sender fields. This includes the To:, CC:[,] and BCC: fields[,] but [the] main focus should be on those in the To[:] field. Writing for the audience also means using these fields correctly. The ‘To:’ field is for the direct audience who needs to reply or take action from the email content. The ‘CC:’ field is for readers who need to receive the email conversation for reference or clarity, but do not need to take action nor reply. The ‘BCC:’ field is for the audience who only needs to see the initial email and none of the later chain of replies. Incorrect usage of the sender fields is a common business email mistake. It occurs when the audience and their roles are not thoughtfully considered. Use the [‘]B[CC:’] field very judiciously. Often it's best to forward an email separately, with a brief statement on why you're sending this information...An email must have a purpose. And it must have only one purpose. This email practice is called the ‘one thing rule’. Covering multiple actions in one email can cause confusion and inefficiency. One email should not include both client report revision notes and a scheduling question for the quarterly meeting. This scenario calls for two separate emails. By limiting emails to one thing, the email is easier for the recipient to understand, process[,] and act upon. This clarity increases understanding and productivity. In practice, we sometimes have to ask for several pieces of information related to the same topic. In this case, use a numbered list to clarify for your reader that the request has components. This will help your reader respond easily and ensure you receive all the specifics you need...There is a tendency to over-communicate by email. While email is efficient and provides an electronic [paper trail], not all communication should occur over email. Ask yourself: 'Is this email really necessary?' Perhaps a quick phone call or a ping on the company messenger is more appropriate. If you’re expecting a lot of back-and-forth on the topic, a short conversation can eliminate a lengthy email chain. Choose the right channel to send information. Email is great, but it's one channel...Email can be used in many scenarios but is not always appropriate. If you are delivering bad news, do so in person or buffer the email thoughtfully. An email is impersonal and is difficult to [use to] convey empathy or compassion. If you must write a business apology email[,] follow these rules. Sensitive information sent by email runs the risk of being accidentally shared. There are plenty of cases of email mishaps, ranging from funny to serious. Whether the information is personal contact or personal opinion, consider whether it’s appropriate for an email. If you wouldn’t want it accidentally shared, be very thoughtful about how it is sent in the first place. If you are unsure if an email is appropriate, ask yourself if you'd be comfortable with that email being projected in a meeting. Attending the meeting are your boss, all your future bosses, and your mother. If it passes this test, then send it. If not, there is likely something that is not appropriate...The volume of email we receive and send can sometimes diminish our motivation to write an effective business email. Consider the four key questions when preparing an email. Write it in a way that is concise yet clearly conveys the information and request to the reader. Your reader, and their inbox, will appreciate it."

Barbara Bean-Mellinger reports:

"While every individual magazine, newspaper and online website has at least one editor who is responsible for that publication, an editorial director's job has a broader scope. The position may involve overseeing several publications or websites -- or a combination of the two -- as well as books and any other materials the parent company publishes...The editorial director is an executive who works with other executives and senior management to plan the overarching vision that encompasses all of the company's publications. This includes the short-term and long-term goals for the parent company and the individual publications, websites and divisions, as well as the coverage, target audience and tone for each. The editorial director conveys this information to the editors of each publication, site or division. In some cases the editorial director may be the editor of some of the publications...Although each publication and website has its own purpose and audience, the editorial director makes sure they share certain qualities determined by management. It could be a similar look, layout or tone. Sometimes the editorial director is involved in hiring writers and photographers, or in setting policies such as submissions guidelines or editorial style across all of the publications and websites...It's the editorial director's responsibility to ensure that the quality of each publication and website meets the standards set by senior management. Often, a board of directors -- made up of industry experts and scholars -- sets the direction for each entity, and it's up to the editorial director to make sure those guidelines are met. The editorial director may not review every issue before it's published; that's the editor's job. Over time, however, the editorial director can assess how well each is meeting its goals and serving its audience...In the case of a book publisher, the editorial director supervises editors, each of whom is expected to acquire a certain number of book titles per year. Setting the guidelines outlining the types of manuscript ideas editors should seek is part of the job, as is approving titles and authors editors have chosen. The editorial director also prepares and administers the budget and finds funding for titles if necessary...Editorial directors typically have bachelor's or more advanced degrees in English, journalism or a related field, plus direct experience as editors of publications, websites or books. They have keen interest in the English language and grammar, and keep current on media and publishing trends. Successful editorial directors must be detail[-]oriented, organized, adept at prioritizing tasks, and able to delegate appropriate responsibilities to editors and assistants."

A.J. Andrews reports:

"Microsoft Office Document Imaging offers your business a way to edit text from scanned and online-faxed documents stored in a Tagged Image File Format. TIFF files are a popular format for transferring scanned and faxed documents to PCs, enabling you[r] business to receive files via email and edit the text with applications such as MODI. However, you must retrieve the TIFF file and edit its text in a Microsoft word processing program, such as Word...Click the Start orb followed by 'All Programs.' Select 'Microsoft Office.'...Select 'Microsoft Tools' from the drop-down menu. Click 'Microsoft Office Document Imaging.'...Click 'File' and 'Open' on the menu. Browse your computer for the Microsoft Document Imaging file you will edit...Click the imaging file you will edit to highlight it and click the 'Tools' tab. Select 'Recognize Text Using OCR' from the Tools menu...Click 'View' followed by 'Select Arrow Icon.'...Left-click the mouse and drag the cursor over the text you will edit to highlight it. Click 'Edit' followed by 'Copy.'...Open Microsoft Word and open a blank document...Click 'Edit' followed by 'Paste.' Your text from the Microsoft Document Imaging file is ready for editing...MODI was included with Microsoft Office 2007 and earlier. Now it's part of the free Microsoft SharePoint Designer. You can download the MODI component of SharePoint Designer without having to download the rest of the suite (see Resources).”

Jonathan Rosenfeld reports:

"Electronic commerce (e-commerce) law governs commerce, trade, and sales. This field of cyberspace law deals with issues such as security, contracts, and human resources. The manufacture of products and their sale can also fall under e-commerce law. Security laws protect consumers and providers of goods and services as well as contractual parties. A section of e-commerce law that arises from contract formation deals with the liability of Internet providers for outages, which can be substantially damaging to contracting parties. Human resources are subject to laws designed to ensure fair hiring practices. Merchandising is also a part of e-commerce law. Product and service providers, as well as consumers, can benefit from learning about legal issues and protections governing online commerce...Cybercrime law encompasses issues such as network intrusion (hacking) and other crimes that take place online. Hacking may be the most publicized cybercrime, and things like malicious viruses and the use of encryption to contribute to or cover up a crime are covered by cybercrime law. There are laws against fraud and identity theft, and some of the most difficult free expression issues are also covered in cybercrime law. Some of these are obvious, such as laws against child pornography and regulation of pornography that is not intrinsically illegal. Bullying is rapidly becoming an issue in the area of cybercrime, as online bullying behavior becomes more virulent. Cybercrime may be one of the most important areas of cyberspace law for everyone to understand...Freedom of expression as it applies to cyberspace law is a very controversial subject. Although free speech is a right in America, there must be a law against some of the most hurtful things that can happen on the Internet. It can be very difficult to draw the line between free speech and harmful activities. U.N. guidelines have been set to forbid activity when it impinges on human rights. According to Frank La Rue, who has served as the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of expression, 'Expression such as child pornography; incitement to genocide; advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence; and incitement to terrorism are all prohibited under international law.'...Intellectual property in cyberspace is a burgeoning area of law. As more illegally reproduced documents and images make the rounds on the Internet, copyright law is particularly important to understand. Copyright law protects materials by making it illegal to reproduce someone else's work. It also prevents the distribution of the copyrighted work, public display of the material, and public performance of the work. Patented inventions and trademarks are protected as well...Privacy in cyberspace law means that people have the right to decide what is done with their personal information. This is largely disregarded, as many do not take the time to discover what is done with their information on the Internet. Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, put information online for everyone to see, often with the consent of those who post on these platforms. Privacy is also an issue with purchasing goods and services online, as some suppliers sell personal information to other businesses, resulting in large amounts of spam. Insecure transmissions over the Internet, logs of emails, data trails, and Web page tracking are all privacy hazards that people meet with online every day. Another complex privacy issue is that of government surveillance...It can sometimes be difficult to avoid getting into situations online that could bring legal entanglements, but the most important thing to remember is that the laws of the real world apply online. If you're not allowed to do something in the 'real world' without ramifications, chances are good that you're not allowed to do it online, either."

Sam Ashe-Edmunds reports:

"Book editors and newspaper editors might have similar job titles, but their roles are not the same. They fashion content for different audiences, work with writers to meet different goals and meet deadlines on the opposite end of the time spectrum. If you are interested in pursuing a career as an editor, it is important to understand the difference between working for newspapers and book publishers...Book editors help writers create works that fit into the publishing company’s brand. Whether she is editing nonfiction or fiction, a book editor must understand the target audience and serve its needs. For example, this might be done by helping a writer make fictional characters more relevant to specific readers by adding cultural references or certain speaking patterns. A non-fiction book editor might work to highlight information that’s important to the company’s target reader rather than what interests the writer. A newspaper editor, on the other hand, has limited space to work with. Most articles are short and to the point, so the editor must ensure that reporters only emphasize the most important facts. Many newspaper editors develop an area of expertise, or a 'beat,' so they are better able to ensure writers deliver the right content...Depending on the type of content, an editor helps shape the direction of a story or an article. Fiction book editors help writers create believable characters by introducing personality traits and maintaining continuity of these traits throughout the book. They help readers visualize scenes by ensuring the writer delivers descriptive prose. A newspaper editor eliminates information that doesn’t get to the heart of a story, even though it might be interesting, based on the limited space he has. Newspaper editors ask writers and reporters questions that readers might have and suggest sources or additional content that will make the article stronger. Newspaper editors also check facts to ensure they are correct. In addition, they work to tighten up long introductions and work to enforce the inverted pyramid style of writing, which requires that the article present the most important information first...Book editors work with writers over the course of months or even years, depending on the value of the writer to the company. Because book writing is such a creative process, editors give writers longer deadlines to allow them to deal with temporary periods of writer’s block. Newspaper editors often work on stories during the day that will go to the printer that evening. The process is even shorter if there is a web version of the story that needs to appear sooner. Editors stay in close touch with writers during the reporting process to get updates and ensure the writer is on the right track. In many instances, newspaper editors make final edits without showing them to the writer before the article is published...Line editing is the process of making each sentence as strong as possible. This includes catching spelling and grammatical errors, eliminating run-on sentences, substituting words or phrases and making the sentence flow naturally in a paragraph. Book editors are at liberty to make sentences more creative, introducing more adjectives and adverbs, while newspaper editors often try to make sentences simpler, relying primarily on nouns and verbs."

Writers Republic reports:

"If there is one aspect of the book publishing process that you should really be careful of[,] it is the self-editing process. This is because readers could be very intense and picky about writing errors. And one mistake has the potential to derail your book. So before you have your manuscript published, you should make sure that every aspect of your manuscript is as perfect as possible. So you will need to know how to properly self-edit your book...When writing sentences[,] it always pays to make them as short and concise as possible. This will make your writing more straightforward and clear. Remember, nothing annoys readers more than overly complicated word play. So if you want to give your writing a sense of clarity, keep it short and sweet...[I]f you read your work aloud, you will be able to hear your writing and notice any potential mistakes you may have committed. So it is always a good idea to read your work aloud after every writing session. That way, you can have a more thorough and effective way of spotting potential mistakes in your work...[I]t always pays to be as organized as possible. Try to edit your work in various stages and types. For example, you just finished writing a few paragraphs of your manuscript. And now is the time to edit your work. But if you just jump into the self-editing process without any plan or system, you will get bogged down by the amount of editing you need to do. So try [to] be as organized as possible[. ]Categorize your mistakes, according to type, such as spelling, grammar, storyline, punctuation, etc. By being as organized as possible, you will be able to edit your manuscript more thoroughly...One bad habit that some newbie writers have is that they edit their work while they are still writing. It is a bad habit because you already have your hands full writing content. And if you add the task of checking your work for errors at the same time, it can prove quite a challenge. And you would most likely commit more mistakes in the long run. So if you are going to edit your work, you should finish your content first. That way you can fully concentrate on both tasks more effectively...[N]o matter how good a writer you are, there is still a chance that you will commit a mistake or two. Let’s chalk it all up to human error. This is why you will need all the help you can get. And one great way to minimize errors is using an efficient editing tool. These are writing programs that will help you spot writing errors more effectively and consistently. And lucky for you[,] there are a myriad of editing tools to choose from. All in all, if you want your writing to be as perfect as possible, it always pays to get an efficient editing tool."