Getsmarter Blog

Internet | Meet Internet Super-User Debs Saunders

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:45:16 GMT

By The Newsletter Team

Debs Sanders is a teacher who is passionate about educating both her learners and herself. She is also a vocal proponent of GetSmarter’s UCT Internet Super-User course, where she was in the first group of students. Debs shares a bit about herself, and about why she thinks anyone can benefit from the course.

Robyn Allan | GetSmarter's Wonderwoman

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:22:59 GMT

By the newsletter team

Robyn Allan, GetSmarter’s stalwart marketing and events manager, has been at the company since the beginning – she was one of the first three GetSmarter staff. She took a few minutes out of her crazy work schedule to share a bit about herself.

Business | Applying project management to your industry

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:12:56 GMT

By Anna Malczyk and Alex Trengove Jones

Project management is one of those exciting and useful skills that can be applied to any business context in virtually any industry. Wherever people need to be organised to meet deadlines and accomplish business goals, project management will make the process smoother, quicker, cheaper and more enjoyable for everyone. Here are just three examples of how project management can apply to your job.

Internet | The revolution of the internet

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:01:45 GMT

By Masha Du Toit

"The internet is the world's largest library. It's just that all the books are on the floor." John Allen Paulos

We speak about the internet as though it were a place: a place where we can educate our children and ourselves, keep in touch with old friends or find new ones, manage our finances, shop, share knowledge and find entertainment. But can you find your way around this brave new online world – or are you sitting on the edge of the information highway, watching others speed by?

Internet | Legal challenges in your social media blindspot

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:45:47 GMT

By Paul Jacobson
The social web has a playful feel to it. Users are encouraged to share their photos, home movies, thoughts, experiences, locations and more with their friends and family. We build up followings on Twitter and “friend” schoolmates, family members, colleagues and, well, friends on Facebook. Facebook users spend hours developing and managing virtual farms and taking care of each other’s virtual fish tanks. It can be a lot of fun, but there is a serious side too.

Marketing | Plain and simple guide to search engine optimisation

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:28:32 GMT

By Anna Malczyk

If you’ve read anything about internet marketing, you’ve probably encountered the term “search engine optimisation”, or SEO. What is it, and how do you use it? Here’s a quick guide to getting started with SEO.

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Creative Writing | In praise of the plodder

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:18:14 GMT

By Ron Irwin

How many times has an author insisted to me that she is a better writer than some bestselling novelist, and thus it ought to be easy to get her published?

My reply is always the same and always will be the same: people do not buy “drivel”. They buy books that allow them to have an emotional experience that is superior to everyday life. The writing people buy may be workmanlike, but it is professional, and the stories and the characters have resonance.

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Business | The changing face of entrepreneurship in South Africa

claire@getsmarter.co.za (Claire) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:03:17 GMT

By Gareth Cotten

The idea of entrepreneurship has undergone some sweeping changes in the recent past, and nowhere more so than right here in SA. These are just a few of the reasons for, and outcomes of, people having an entirely different take on going into business for themselves.

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Pimp my English | Can vs. may

anna@getsmarter.co.za (Anna Malczyk) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT

By Anna Malczyk
You may remember your school English teacher preaching about the difference between starting a question with “can” or “may”. The distinction is important because it helps make your meaning clearer – which is the goal of good communication!

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Pimp my English | Bare and bear

anna@getsmarter.co.za (Anna Malczyk) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT

By Anna Malczyk
Bare and bear are homophones, which are words that sound the same but are spelled differently. Here’s a quick overview of just some their different meanings – you may be surprised how many there are!

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