English 2126

http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/
Here it is: http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/grammar/gramchek.htm

I don't like how this site is organized, but it does talk about good stuff about English. The textbook used for this class is "A College Grammar of English (Longman English and Humanities Series) (Textbook Binding) ". It must be a good book but too expensive. Amazon lists its price at $108.

A vert good site talking about English usage

I am very delightful to find this site. UsingEnglish.com talks about daily usage and grammar of English. The first article I read is "Adjectives That Look Like Adverbs". I love it.

skyscraper

I am building a skyscraper starting from basics. :-)

marshalling and unmashalling

Place in proper rank : "marshal the troops"
Arrange in logical order: "marshal facts or arguments"
Make ready for action or use: "marshal resources"

Ajax tutorial

I am reading this tutorial about AJAX
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-ajax1/

Code to send AJAX HTTP Request:

function addToCart(itemCode) {

// Obtain an XMLHttpRequest instance
var req = newXMLHttpRequest();

// Set the handler function to receive callback notifications
// from the request object
var handlerFunction = getReadyStateHandler(req, updateCart);
req.onreadystatechange = handlerFunction;

// Open an HTTP POST connection to the shopping cart servlet.
// Third parameter specifies request is asynchronous.
req.open("POST", "cart.do", true);

// Specify that the body of the request contains form data
req.setRequestHeader("Content-Type",
                     "application/x-www-form-urlencoded");

// Send form encoded data stating that I want to add the
// specified item to the cart.
req.send("action=add&item="+itemCode);
}

The Ajax community is fast moving. JSON is an alternative to the
XML data.
representation

boilerplate

Standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories

Thick plate iron used in the production of boilers

Norway and Norwegian

Norwegian is a Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is an official language. Norwegian is closely related to and generally mutually intelligible with Swedish and Danish.
(Wikipedia)

Fingers crossed

Example:

Let's keep our fingers crossed one of the Google Techs see this and ...

fingers crossed

hopefully

1. We'll make it to the finals, fingers crossed

"in other words" and "as a result"

"In other words" is good to be used to provide an alternative explanation. The "as a result" is useful in drawing causal conclusions.

The meaning of hype

Don't say hype when a line goes up. Use spike or peak.

Word usage of ever and enough

Philip discovered I liked to use "ever" when it is not necessary. "enough" is another word that is not necessary after an adjective.