Markdown and the Slow Fade of the Formatting Fetish

Markdown is gradually replacing traditional document formats like .docx and .pdf, offering a simpler, clearer writing experience by focusing on content over visual styling. Its rise reflects a shift in digital communication, emphasizing readability and structured thinking, particularly among younger users. The article critiques the heavy formatting reliance in older tools like Microsoft Word, arguing that they detract from genuine writing quality, while advocating for Markdown's adoption in educational settings to promote effective communication. The future of writing could lean increasingly towards Markdown, diminishing the dominance of proprietary formats.

https://ia.net/topics/markdown-and-the-slow-fade-of-the-formatting-fetish

Write Now With Scrivener, Episode No. 49: Nicolas Binge, Science Fiction Author

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Nicolas Binge, author of four sci-fi novels, released Dissolution, exploring memory, aging, and a woman's quest to uncover her husband's faded memories due to dementia. The narrative intertwines two timelines, reflecting on identity loss and offering a love story. Binge discusses writing challenges and mentions his positive experience with Scrivener software for structuring his work.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/write-now-with-scrivener-episode-no-49-nicolas-binge-science-fiction-author

11 of the Weirdest English Grammar Quirks

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English is a complex language, full of quirks and inconsistencies. Notable oddities include the unreliable “I before E” rule, specific adjective and adverb order, the confusing “ough” sound, and unique infixes for emphasis. The choice between “a” and “an” depends on sound, not spelling. Additionally, some nouns lack corresponding verbs, and the “th” sound is difficult for non-natives. Examples like “ghoti” spelling “fish” illustrate spelling irregularities and stress changes can alter meanings. Lastly, contronyms like “oversight” showcase words with opposing meanings. These complexities make English both challenging and delightful.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/language-trends-culture/english-language-quirks/

Markdown and the Slow Fade of the Formatting Fetish

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Markdown is gradually replacing traditional document formats like .docx and .pdf due to its simplicity and focus on content over formatting. It enhances clarity and readability, empowering users to concentrate on communication rather than visual design. Although many still rely on Microsoft formats due to familiarity and educational norms, Markdown's adoption is rising, especially among younger users and in various digital platforms. It encourages better writing habits by minimizing distractions and promoting structured thought. Ultimately, Markdown may transform how we write and share ideas, steering away from the complexities of proprietary formats that often prioritize appearance over substance.

https://ia.net/topics/markdown-and-the-slow-fade-of-the-formatting-fetish

MemorialCare Securely Elevates Communication Standards and Boosts Efficiency With Grammarly

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MemorialCare, a nonprofit health system in Southern California, faced challenges in maintaining clear communication across its growing workforce. To enhance written communication while ensuring IT compliance, they adopted Grammarly's enterprise product. This centralized usage improved productivity, saving employees over 20 days and $10k annually. Surveys revealed 90% of users felt time was saved, and 81% found their jobs easier due to Grammarly, which also supports HIPAA compliance and data security. Employee adoption increased, and various departments requested licenses, showcasing the tool's widespread value.

https://www.grammarly.com/business/learn/memorialcare/

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Em dashes (—) denote pauses, additional information, or shifts in thought, functioning like commas, colons, or parentheses. En dashes (–) relate numbers or dates, and hyphens (-) link words or prefixes. Em dashes emphasize parenthetical content; en dashes indicate ranges (e.g., dates). Hyphens also connect compound terms. Use spacing around em dashes varies by publication, but many omit spaces.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/em-dash-en-dash-how-to-use

On-Device AI at Scale: Grammarly’s Journey to Faster, More Reliable Models

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Grammarly has developed an on-device AI approach to enhance speed and reliability in its grammatical error correction (GEC) model, optimizing it for local use without quality loss. Key challenges included memory management, computational efficiency, and cross-platform deployment, which were addressed by reducing the model’s memory footprint to under 1 GB and improving processing speeds to meet strict performance targets. A custom Rust-based SDK facilitates seamless deployment across multiple platforms, successfully delivering high-quality performance to millions of users and paving the way for future AI advancements.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/engineering/on-device-models-scale/

How to Brainstorm: 5 Simple Steps for Stronger, More Organized Writing

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Brainstorming organizes ideas into clear writing. This guide offers five steps: define your goal, choose a method, generate ideas freely, group and refine them, and create an outline. Prepare with a productive environment, set a time limit, and remain open-minded. AI can enhance brainstorming by generating ideas, structuring thoughts, and providing feedback. Avoid pitfalls like overthinking and self-doubt.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-process/how-to-brainstorm/

17 Brainstorming Methods and Techniques to Unlock Your Creativity

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17 brainstorming techniques enhance idea generation, including classic methods (freewriting, mind mapping), collaborative approaches (round-robin, brainwriting), visual strategies (storyboarding, sketching), analytical methods (Five Whys, SWOT analysis), and digital tools (AI generators, mind-mapping software). Explore various techniques to unlock creativity and adapt processes for effective brainstorming.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-process/brainstorming-methods/

3 Power-User Tips for Working More Efficiently With the Scrivener Binder

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Three tips for optimizing the Binder in Scrivener:
1. Show document counts in folder icons to manage projects better.
2. Add links to files in the Inspector for quick reference.
3. Use Editor navigation history for efficient document navigation.

Implementing these tips can enhance your workflow in Scrivener.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/3-power-user-tips-for-working-more-efficiently-with-the-scrivener-binder

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