In class we learned about the styles of communication and the role plays enacted were pertaining to the styles. Additionally, there are six steps that outline the process of communication. The filters between each step influence the messages we send. They are made up of our experiences, attitudes, biases, family cultures, and social values.

Step 1: Idea/Concept

We express thoughts in many different ways, but the most common method is through verbal communication. The first step is the creation of an idea or concept. This can be very vague because it can be defined as feelings, emotions or a motivation to act.

Step 2: Encoding

When the speaker is thinking about what he or she wants to say, and how to say it effectively, it is called encoding. Encoding involves selecting the proper words to best express a given thought or concept.

Step 3: Transmission

The brain has chosen how to best verbalise the message in words and sends the message to the vocal cords and the mouth to speak.

Step 4: Receiving

Receiving is defined as the physical receipt of the sound waves that carry the speaker’s message. The sound waves hit the eardrum and are transmitted into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain for processing.

Step 5: Decoding

The brain processes the message in two steps; decoding is the first. The brain assimilates the electrical impulses sent by the ear with our comprehension of language.

Step 6: Interpretation

Interpretation is the most critical step in the communication process. This is when the person receiving the message puts meaning behind it.

Filters

Between each of the communication steps are filters. The filters are background processes that occur throughout the communication process. These filters affect the message either positively or negatively: depending upon the filter used and the filters used by the recipient(s) of the message.

Knowledge of how the language is put together helps with getting your point across. An interesting article, well-written and simple to understand. For further reading Click Here.

Introduction

Android is the world’s most popular mobile platform. It is a Linux-based operating system, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as Smartphones and Tablet Computers. With Android you can use all the Google apps. There are more than 600,000 apps and games; songs and books; and thousands of movies available on the Google Play.

Android organization

• Google: It develops the Android.
• OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers): They are the hardware manufacturers, and also the custom application components.
• Application Development Companies: They employ the Android developers, and also outsource the product development to the services companies.
• Freelance Android developers: They create their apps and publish them on Google playstore. Freelancers develope applications for product companies.

Founders of the Android

Android, Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in October 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White. The first Android phone was HTC G1. Google acquired Android Inc. on August 17, 2005.

Android Versions:

1. Android 1.0 – Release Date: September 23, 2008
2. Android 1.1 – Release Date: February 9, 2009
3. Android 1.5 Cupcake – Release Date: April 30, 2009
4. Android 1.6 Donut – Release Date: September 15, 2009
5. Android 2.0/2.1 Éclair – Release Date: October 26, 2009
6. Android 2.2 FroYo – Release Date: May 20, 2010
7. Android 2.3 Gingerbread – Release Date: December 6, 2010
8. Android 3.0 Honeycomb – Release Date: February 22, 2011
9. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich – Release Date: October 19, 2011
10. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean – Release Date: July 9, 2012

These version names run in alphabetical order.

Android OS

The Android OS is a software stack of different layers, in which each layer is a group of some program components. It includes operating system, middleware and important applications. Each layer in the architecture provides different services to the layer just above it.

Following are the different layers in the Android stack:

• Linux Kernel Layer
• Native Layer
• Application Framework Layer
• Applications layer

Android Runtime consists of Dalvik Virtual machine and Core Java libraries. DVM is optimized for low processing power and low memory environments. Unlike JVM, the Dalvik Virtual Machine doesn’t run .class files, instead it runs .dex file.

Play everywhere you go

Google Play is the easiest way to enjoy all your favorites: without any wire.

Widgets

Put the important stuff right within reach and interact with your favorite apps directly from your home screen with widgets.

Notifications

An easy-to-read notification tray gives you quick access to your calls, incoming texts, and new emails in a non-intrusive way.

Multi-tasking

With Android, you can quickly and seamlessly switch between apps and pick up whatever you were doing. Juggling multiple tasks at once on a mobile device has never been easier.

Voice typing and actions

You can control your Android device with your voice. Simply touch the microphone icon on the keyboard and start talking to write emails, SMS, or any other text — more than 30 languages are supported. Text appears in real time, so there’s no waiting.

Photos and videos

Capture special moments with photos and videos, explore your shots and quickly share your favorites in any way you want.

1) When writing a technical document, which of the following should you do?

Options

• Always describe things in technical terms.
• Include every thing you’ve learned.
• Describe things exactly as they’re described to you by subject matter experts.
• Write for your readers

2) Why is consistency in your technical documentation important?

Options

• It allows to be more creative when writing document.
• All business managers require it
• It helps readers learn complex or new information more quickly.
• It makes easier for you to write your document.

3)  Journal writing would be an example of what type of writing?

Options

• Expository writing
• Fictional writing
• Expressive writing
• Technical writing

4) Choose the type of writing that is NOT considered technical communication.

Options

• Newspaper editorial
• Resume
• Travel report
• Maintenance Procedure

5) How is technical writing different from novel, poetry or journal-writing?

Options

• Technical writing mainly records personal experience.
• Technical writing requires a dialogue between writer and reader.
• Technical writing uses a lot of figurative language.
• Technical writing requires no action on the part of the reader.

Software Testing an investigation in which software undergoes varies tests to improve its quality. While developing a s/w (software), the programmers must plan and document their work, software testers must as well.

The more important test deliverables are:

• Test Plan describes the overall method to be used to verify that the s/w meets the product specification and the customers need. It includes quality objedctives, resource needs, scedules, assignments, methods and so forth.
• Test Cases list the specific items that will be tested and describe the detailed steps that will be followed to verify software.
• Bug Reports describe the problems found asthe test caese are followed. These could be done on paper but are often tracked in a database.

  There are two ways for testing the s/w:

  a. Manual

  b. Automation

• Technical writers or Illustrators create the paper and online documentation that comes with a s/w product..
• Configuration Management handles the process of pulling together all the s/w by the programmers and all the documentation created by the writers and putting it together in a single package.

  The following figure shows the Steps of Testing process:

  

  Illustration 1: Steps of Software Testing