Humans have edge over all other living things because of their ability to communicate and make ways to channel their ideas. Writing is one of the most important forms of communications and it is till date the most relevant means of preserving knowledge. Writing has some rules and regulations that everyone will have to follow in order to make their writings understandable and authentic. There are many ways of writing and every writer will have a different style of writing but the basics of writing will never change. We will be discussing one of the most important rules of writing and that is to count chars without spaces

Report or message

Count chars without spaces means to count the number of character used in any article, report or message without the space that is used between two words or sentences. To count chars without spaces is important because it keeps the length of the article zeichen or the writing sensible. Suppose for a university student whom have been given an assignment of 4000 words and he/she is supposed to do that, now if the characters are being counted without the space only then will the article make sense. If the world limit includes the spaces that are given the length of that 4000 word article will include every space that was given after every word.

Word limit is very essential for class projects and thesis and that is where the importance of word count comes. It is also a feature in MS office that will count the words written but it will also follow the principle of count chars without spaces because this is how traditional writing is done. It is also very important to count chars without spaces for newspaper advertisement or newspaper article because there is a word limit that has to be followed. The automated counting allows you to get the numbers you want easily and quickly. In turn, you will have the opportunity to check easily whether your work is in line with the requirements and have it revised and improved.

The word count function in MS word is the tool that is used for counting words, whenever a document is being written in MS word it will give counter of every word used in the document but will exclude the counter of spaces that are being used. The reason to count chars without spaces is very simple, words are counted because they account to a meaning and they account to a certain understanding and then combined together they make sense to the reader and channels an idea from one person to another through writing. But spaces have no importance and they don’t represent an idea or any meaning they are used within words to clarify each word and establish an understanding of the literature.

count chars without spaces is very important to have an understanding and to limit the writing so that it stays on track and don’t get diverted from the topic because if one document or story is talking about everything in the world, it won’t make sense but when you do it following a word count you tend to narrow down your ideas for the best understanding by anyone and by yourself.

The Art of Using Tools

I am that kind of a person that would analyze everything I do and over-think everything that takes place around me looking for better ways to do daily tasks and evaluate the means to improve current processes. No matter what I am doing and regardless of the situation, I believe that everything we do can be done in a better way, either better in terms of better quality or better outcome, less time, or less waste. This can be very challenging, very rewarding and sometimes very exhausting, but the result is always worth the effort.

Lean Six Sigma may be the first thing to cross your mind when I say eliminating waste, and sure it is. Lean is a mindset, an attitude, a culture or even a business style ( or a life style), yet what I want to discuss is more simple and basic than discussing the concepts of Lean.

Have you ever asked yourself whether or not you are using the correct tool to do a specific task? Are you using the correct pencil to draw a new product idea? Are you using the proper software? Are you using the correct screwdriver to put together a new table you just bought? Are you using the correct set of needles to complete your knitting project? Or even are you using the correct measuring cup when you prepare your favorite cake recipe?

Have you ever paused for a minute and took a look at the “tools” on your desk to evaluate if you really need them or not? Or if they really serve you in doing your daily tasks?

We all have a set of tools that we may identify as: “favorite tools”, “best tools”, “tools one is used to”, “available Tools”, but how far are these tools “fit for use”.

Have you guessed how many tools one may be using during his day. I counted 14 different tools that I’ve used only during the past couple of hours, the absence of 10of these tools would have made me less productive while the absence of any of the other 4 tools would have prevented me from completing the tasks I should be doing. These tools include the coffee machine, a cup, the coffee scoop, a light stand, my desk & Chair, a book, my pencil, a block note, my phone, my headphones, my laptop, the MS WORD software, and an internet browser.

The Oxford Dictionary defined the word “Tool” as: “A device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function”, it is also defined as “A thing used in an occupation or pursuit”.

What could be considered a tool in your work setting? Laptop, printer, scanner, fax, stationary products, software, etc..

Prevent error

What about a template that would save your time, prevent error and give a consistent standard output each time you fill it out, what about means of communication that will provide on time clear & concise information, or may be using and understanding industry related symbols on a package or in a process sheet.

I can list endless examples of what can be considered a tool, things that we have and use without even identifying them as tools, or tools that may be wasting our time, or giving us an 80% acceptable output but we never question if there could be a better tool out there which can give a better output or one that could be easier to use.

In the pursuit to mastering ” The Art of Using Tools” the first step is to understand what needs to be done. This can be achieved by

1. Identifying the required output, for example shape, size, time frame to complete it, quantity, quality, complexity of the output
2. Determining the steps needed to obtain the output, in other words the tasks that you have to complete to obtain the output. Is it a one task, a set of independent tasks or interrelated tasks that have to be performed in a specific order.
3. Evaluating the current/ existing way(s) to perform this task, this will help you identify the currently used tools.
4. If needed, you can search for new, advanced or different tools that are used to carry out same tasks. You do not have to re-invent the wheel, search the internet, there are plenty of virtual communities in almost every industry or specialization where members share their experiences, give advice or discuss the new trends pertaining to this specific specialization. This includes LinkedIn groups, Local Chapters, Professional Blogs, online professional and educational institutions, subscribing to newsletters, and following manufacturers or products online.

“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them. ® Steve Jobs

For example, since I like my coffee to be strong, I got myself a new coffee scoop that will help me get the same taste of coffee each time, it saved me a couple of seconds because now I use only one big scoop instead of adding two and half small scoops, I can never get confused in counting how many scoops I’ve added in the coffee machine and finally it makes it easy for me to give instructions to anyone to prepare a cup of coffee for me ( just use one scoop instead of please use two and a half scoops of coffee).

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