Read about Wavelength.
ID Courses from Wavelength
ActionScript Certificate Courses.
Wavelength Workshops.
Training Participants' views
Read this month's editorial.
View Previous Issues of Wavelength.
Readers' Views.
Subscribe to Wavelength Newsletter.
Read the Wavelength articles.
Serials.
ID Section.
Technology Section.
Utilities to increase your efficiency.
Discussion Forum.
Laugh-a-Little.
Innoken Online Games.
Work at Wavelength.
Contact Wavelength.



 

 


Laugh-A-Little

If you are feeling bored and tired; you have arrived at the right place. Here you will find jokes, cartoons, and satire that will rejuvenate you. The links in this page may also help you obtain a new perspective towards your work:-)

June 2008

So how often your CCR trainees complain about the calls they receive?
Well, things weren't much different in the past long gone.
Click http://www.michaelclark.name/jokes/computer/ancient_tech_support.shtml to read about ancient Support-lines!

Have you ever used a spell-checker, trusted it to take care of all your language issues, and then sat in a corner red-faced and embarrassed at having discovered a word that had insidiously made its way into your published work! I have (blush)!
Click http://www.michaelclark.name/jokes/computer/spell_checker.shtml

Do you listen to your audience? Yes?
Please click http://www.absolutelyjokes.com/profession/psychologists/psychologists-at-the-college-reunion.html to discover who doesn’t!

Smile and Laugh…a lot!

 

May 2008

Yesterday, something unusual happened. I found myself channel-surfing. I don’t watch a lot of TV, so for me the exercise was painfully slow; but it did provide me an opportunity to see that most of the news channels were telecasting some or the other “Laughter Show”!

TV powerfully mirrors the popular culture of the day, and so, it can be assumed that today’s audience is willing to laugh (as opposed to the audience of yester-years when serials such as Humlog and Mahabharata ruled the roost.)

With that far-fetched assumption, I once again try to gain your attention through the following links that I hope will make you laugh. Here are they:

  1. An excellent collection of creative ad campaigns can be viewed at http://www.indrajit.in/fun-zone.htm

  2. If you are a dog lover, you will find this dog humor page irresistible. Click http://www.antion.com/humor/speakerhumor/dogs.htm

  3. Check out "Hot Air" at http://www.tltgroup.org/resources/f_humor.html for some journalism humor.

Laugh Jee Laugh!

Continue to laugh and smile, until we meet again – next month!


April 2008

Do you fill in a time sheet before you leave office?
Okay, so you don't call it a time sheet! You've got some other, probably a more exotic name for it!
Doesn't matter, you know what I am talking about!
Now the question is - Do you have to fill it "completely" for 8 hours?
If so, how do you account for the time that you talking, cribbing, drinking coffee!
Here's how...click http://www.ahajokes.com/off03.html for a list of specifics against the non-specifics!

The last day at work...(a sweet dream for many, a nightmare for some!)
How do you tell? Well, click http://www.ahajokes.com/off18.html
...and of course, there is the naukri ad!

And finally...one for the sibling professions!
Click http://www.workjoke.com/projoke64.htm

March 2008

If you've tried introducing humor in your trainings or eLearning content, you know how difficult the task is.

A very practical guide to introducing humor in your writing is available at: http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/may02/hornung.htm in form of "Seven Steps to Better Humor Writing" by Jan Hornung. When I say, "a practical guide", I mean it. If you want to have a quick laugh, scroll down to point 6.

Did you know that one of the favorite pastimes of editors and publishers is changing the light bulbs? Click http://editandwrite.googlepages.com/publishingjokes to confirm.

Steve Toltz has written a novel, called "Fraction of the Whole." A fraction of the whole (wit) can be enjoyed at http://www.readings.com.au/interview/steve-toltz! This interview has motivated me to read the entire (not a fraction) of the whole book.

And finally:
we all are philosophers...are we not?
Click http://www.as.miami.edu/phi/jokes.htm to read what's funny about philosophers.

Are you laughing?
Good…keep laughing!

February 2008

Here are the laughs for February.
Click http://www.swissdelphicenter.ch/en/humor.php for some technical (not technical writing) humor.

And click http://www.soulwork.net/humor.htm for some trainer humor. What? You can't find any? Scroll down.

Writing content is quite similar to writing a college paper. If you don't agree, click http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/How_to_write_a_college_paper. Do you agree now?

Keep smiling…keep laughing!


January 2008

When did you laugh last?
Last month?!
Oh, so you laughed when you visited one of the URLs given in Wavelength’s Laugh-a-Little section!
Here are some more links to help you de-stress.

Do you know that Readers Digest and Writers Cramp? No? Even the king of the jungle knows. Click http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/writing-jokes.htm

Also check: http://www19.homepage.villanova.edu/karyn.hollis/
prof_academic/Courses/common_files/jokes_about_writing.htm

If you are a philanthropic instructional designer, you may want to write humor and make others laugh. The following links should help.

Original humor writing is difficult. Dave Barry says just that in "Dave Barry on Humor" at http://www.learner.org/catalog/extras/interviews/dbarry/db02.html


Some more serious reading on humor is available at:
http://www.melgilden.com/Sampletext/EssaKids.html

 

~~~~~~ 2007 ~~~~~~

December 2007

Who says laughter is not serious stuff!

The use of humor in instructional design is a tricky affair. We often try to avoid the use of humor not because we don't appreciate its potential, but because we are also aware of the risk. Humor writing is tough. It is probably the most difficult kind of writing. If you still want to try, begin by reading, "Humor Writing - It's a Laugh!" at http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorResources/WritingFeature/HumorWriting.asp

I quote from the article -
"They (the methods of writing humor) are:
* The Use of Surprise;
* Creating A Sense of Superiority;
* Exaggeration and Embellishment; and,
* Comedic Timing."

(Is that how you add the quotation marks around bulleted lists?)

Another article with 10 tips for writing humor is "Top Ten Tools for Writing Humor" available at: http://www.shawnolson.net/a/556/top-ten-tools-for-writing-humor.html.

And now for some serious (and scary) stuff about jokes, click http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/30/leno-sues-you-stole-my-jokes/ to read "Leno sues: You Stole My Jokes!"

Laugh carefully.

November 2007

Have you made your resume yet?
Shhhh....
What?
Not so loud...
Okay...I understand...and I think everyone else does too! I’ve seen the resumes of your colleagues at a job portal!
Click http://www.slimeland.com/original/fresume.html for reading some don'ts of resume creation!

Read the "Humor Maze" of resumes at: http://www.pair-of-dice.com/luke/maze/resume.html

And then read some more about resumes at:
http://www.newcanaancats.org/a_little_humor.htm

You aren't taking all this seriously...are you? Please don't...they are just jokes. For some serious tips, click http://www.humorbin.com/showitem.asp?item=414

Keep laughing...that reminds me of the orbit advertisement, and also the procrastinated-for-as-long-as-possible trip to the dentist. Ouch!

 

October 2007

Find a new metrics for evaluating performance at:
http://www.comedy-zone.net/jokes/laugh/education/student2.htm

Find an excellent assessment question at:
http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/Professor_Bonk

And now find out how full your life is. Click:
http://jokes.hellacool.co.uk/jokes/
Rocks-a-meaning-for-life-A-philosophy-professor-stood-before-his-class.html


September 2007

Humor for writers, about writers, in writers...is the rarest of the rare material. So we look for humor about those around us.

Check out the symptoms of Grapholism at:
http://www.computerjokes.net/195.htm

Then click http://www.computerjokes.net/144.htm to find more about the Girlfriend v5.0 application.

And finally check out http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/

August 2007

Laughter is the Best Medicine, so proclaims Reader's Digest! Inherent in the statement is the assumption that we all need medicine - well! Here’s your dose.

The first course of this...medicine...is available at http://www.multilingualplanet.com/mlp_humor.htm. Scroll down to find EuroEnglish Language.

Read the 26 golden rules of Writing Well by clicking at http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/rules.htm

Check out some funny insurance statements at http://www.slinkycity.com/funny-insurance-claims.html

Before you leave, click http://www.slinkycity.com/english-language.html to read why English is such a funny language.


July 2007

If you want to learn how to use humor in writing, I recommend Wilbur Smith's, River God. If you want to read a simple article on "Humor in Writing", click http://www.ellisparkerbutler.info/epb/biblio.asp?id=5340 to read a short, inspiring article by Ellis Parker Butler. If you don't have the time to read the book, then the following jokes will make for some quick and happy reading.

Here are some writing tips that should bring a smile to your lips:-)

http://www.metrodirect.net/writershome/humor/how-to-rite.htm has some extremely useful writing tips.
If you are an aspiring author, you will appreciate the first definition on the page http://www.metrodirect.net/writershome/humor/dictionarily.htm

A more serious note on humor is evident in the article "Using Humor in Training" at http://www.hendonpub.com/publications/lawandorder/trainingupdate.aspx

If you are a dog-lover, do click http://www.top20fun.com/funny_jokes/5337.html to acquire a basic understanding of the canine property laws. However, I'd like to change the tenth law - it should read, "Even if it's broken, it's mine."

June 2007

Do you laugh? If you don't, you could be ruining your health. We all strive to achieve happiness and it is the same happiness that eludes us when we lose our health. Some years ago, I almost lost everything that I valued by losing my health - I recommend that you take time out to enjoy life - don't let life run you; you run your life. Laughter probably is the best medicine of all professionally induced ills (as Reader's Digest proclaims.)

This month, we begin with some BPO jokes to de-stress the busy and tired BPO trainer.
http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/apr/27bpo1.htm

(Laugh and retain your health. Remember, "Your death will be accepted as an excuse. However, we require at least two weeks' notice as it is your duty to train your replacement." - quoted from the article at the above link.)

Click http://www.hltmag.co.uk/sep06/joke.htm for two cartoons that are sensibly humorous.

We've all been through the rules that a great trainer should follow, but what about some rules for the trainees? Shouldn't there be some rules and guidelines for them too. Click http://www.karlaadams.com/Top%2010%20rules.htm to find out how you can "attend trainings effectively." BTW, Karla is the fitness trainer:)

May 2007

In the good old days, children could avoid responsibility for a long-long time. Things have changed since. We now prepare our children to face the challenges of life from their first day on earth.

Click http://www.boloji.com/cartoons3/00786.htm to meet parents who want to ensure that their son should find his rightful place in the society.

Click http://www.memsaab.com/newforum/Topic923-12-1.aspx to laugh a few Indian laughs. (I request the international subscribers to ignore this link)

Instructional design is psychology applied to learning. Thus, it can be inferred that jokes that pertain to psychology would apply to instructional design. Right? Wrong. If you do not know why, find out by clicking http://www.psych.upenn.edu/humor.html

April 2007

Let us begin with some educational cartoons. Well...no! These cartoons don’t educate, they are about “education”. Click http://www.borg.com/~rjgtoons/edu.html to view some cartoons by Randy Glasbergen.

Do you use humor in classroom? It isn't easy to manage, I agree; but it does work wonders. Here is an article that you may like to read through before you experiment with humor. Read "Humor In The Classroom: Cultivating Camaraderie To Maximize Learning" by Katherine Abbott and Mark Lewis, which is available at http://www.abbottcom.com/Humor_in_the_classroom.htm

I also liked the way the content is presented in this article. What do you think?

Is humor getting a bit too serious this month? I am sorry...I do have some links that I hope will have you rocking in your seat. Click http://www.freedomtolearn.org/ftl_classroom_humor.html, and if you want to read some jokes that require more cognitive processing, click http://2havefun.com/Comedy/professor.shtml.

March 2007

Have you ever tried to design humor? I am serious. One of the tasks that bring tears to my eyes is the task of designing relevant and appropriate humor for inclusion in training or eLearning content. It is easier to use humor in classroom trainings, than it is in eLearning. If humor in eLearning is even an iota more than the subtlest of the subtle; you are fried! If you’ve fought the urge to use humor for the fear of using it incorrectly, make a new beginning. First motivate yourself…tell yourself you can make people laugh, and that you can win US$2000.00 for writing some humor!

Did you know about the contest organized by Sulekha & Penguin? It is called India Smiles contest. I didn't. Let's watch out for the next one and participate. I don't see myself anywhere in the league of the humor writers...yet, I would like to give it a shot.

Nevertheless, here's the link to the winning entry.
http://manjul-bajaj.sulekha.com/blog/post/2005/03/ruminations-of-the-teenager-formerly-known-as-achint.htm

This entry by Ms. Bajaj won the prize (and not a small one...US$2000.00...Bookmark this site and participate!)

But then, you need to practice. It isn't easy to make people laugh. Here's a link that will guide you towards making your writing more humorous:)
Click http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/may02/hornung.htm

February 2007

We've found writer jokes, technical writer jokes, designer jokes, publisher jokes, and also some programmer jokes in this section. Yet, they are one kind of jokes that have not yet found their way into this section. These jokes relate to those of us who look the busiest, who spend more time in the conference halls than they do at their desks...Have you already identified them? Oh, you have. Good. This month we devote this section to our dear…oh so dear managers!

Click http://www.workjoke.com/projoke50.htm to read some good manager jokes. The first may be a bit off-color but then I decide to take a measured risk:) After all, managers are the most mature of us all.

Click http://www.joblatino.com/jokes/managers.html to join a project manager in a hot air balloon (We all know how hot air is an abundant commodity with this particular variety of travelers.)

Find out how managers complicate lives (ahem!) by clicking http://www.dyoks.com/jokes/joke.cfm?jokeid=448

And if you haven't laughed enough (look around before you laugh) click http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/b/bad_manager.asp to view some interesting manager cartoons.

And finally…
Darth Vader…you remember him, don’t you? Click http://www.costumedogs.com/images/03-14-2006.jpg for a quick recap.
PS: The above link has nothing to do with managers (though Darth Vader did manage his fleet quite well!)

 

January 2007

Laughter is good for health.
Laughter is good for the mind.
Laughter is good for building friendships.
Laughter is good in almost all ways...except when you laugh
at someone! Click the following links to simply laugh the
good laughter!

Click http://www.squarewheels.com/jokes/trainerjokes.html
for some hilarious trainer jokes.

How many languages do you know? Mr. Pitroda thinks that
English should be introduced in class I, in all Indian schools.
He is right. Click http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/06/Nov/language.html
to find out why.

Bill Gates Wealth Index - Wow! Click http://www.templetons.com/brad/billg.html
to determine the true magnitude of Bill Gates' wealth.

Black Humor...eh!
http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/07/Jan/placement.html

I wish you a magnificent New Year!

 

~~~~~~ 2006 ~~~~~~

December 2006

Smile, laugh, and put your worries aside.

Laughter isn't easy. It's tough! I don't mean that it's tough to imitate laughter but it's truly difficult to initiate it. Yet it fills our lives with sunlight in winters and with cool soothing breeze in summers! Laughter delights us...without pretenses!

This month's collection has a few links that I hope will bring a smile to your lips:)

  1. Click the following links for some art-related humor.
    http://www.buy-original-art.com/entertainment/the_road_painter.htm
    http://painting.about.com/od/inspiration/a/ArtJokes.htm
    http://painting.about.com/od/inspiration/a/Murphy_Law_Art.htm

  2. And the following links for some photographic humor.
    http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/Double_ended_Lorry
    http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/High_tech

  3. Here are two links for the technically inclined.
    http://www.jokecenter.com/jokes/Computer/1908.htm
    http://www.jokecenter.com/jokes/Computer/799.htm

I wish you a magnificent New Year!

November 2006

To smile and to laugh…and to make those around you smile and laugh; this is what life is all about. (How we wish that the bosses would understand this!)

Here are some links that should give you a reason to laugh. By the way, did you know that laughter is just as contagious as a yawn is? So make sure that you pull out your neck you’re your work and laugh aloud! So loud that everyone in your bay pulls out his or her neck from the work and…well! This is carrying a metaphor too far! Let’s begin.

Some instructional designers (especially the green-horns) can be categorized as technologically challenged. Please also note the fact that most designers of all types (graphic, instructional, interior, and so on.) prefer to don the technology-repellant over-coat. For all of us who deliberately try to ignore technology as a professional hazzard rather than a friendly assistant...here are a few humor pills.

  1. Click http://jokes.comedycentral.com/random_joke.aspx?joke_id=888&cat_id=37 to read about the tech-support executives' woes, which are crafted and grafted by the technologically challenged!

  2. The technology savvy know the importance of CTRL+s, while the technologically challenged assume that the computer will protect their data automatically. Click http://jokes.comedycentral.com/random_joke.aspx?joke_id=888&cat_id=37 to find who is on whose side! Flummoxed?! Click to know!

  3. And now for desserts...Mrs. Computer or Mr. Computer...or should it be Ms. Computer? Click http://jokes.comedycentral.com/random_joke.aspx?joke_id=880&cat_id=37 to see why computers should be considered Female. To ensure gender neutrality of this section, here's another link (http://jokes.comedycentral.com/results/index.asp?cat=37) which discusses why Computers should be Male!

Laugh...Smile...Be Happy!

October 2006

It isn’t easy to make people laugh! The truth is that you require a different kind of creativity to make people laugh – I don’t have it. This is why I try so hard to find links that have jokes to make you laugh…for I feel that each tinkle of your laughter adds a drop of happiness to your life as well as to mine. How? Here’s my logic.

Though we all know that we don’t take anything with us when we leave this beautiful earth, but I feel that we do take away with us – the sum total of all the happy moments of our lives – when we close our eyes forever, when we breathe our last; what probably shimmers through our closing eyelids is a beautiful collage of our happy moments! I can’t be very sure of this for I haven’t experienced it yet – but then I don’t want to take the risk of letting these moments go by. If these links bring a smile to your lips – you too become part of my collage of memories. Do become.

Here are some links that should make you smile.

  1. Hybrid plants...why not? Hybrid flowers...beautiful! Hybrid animals...what?!
    Check out: http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=19777
    And to find out why dogs bite their owners (if they do) click
    http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=19731

  2. A writer struggling to be published, a publisher trying to change a light bulb, a hall named after a writer...if you want to know more about them - click
    http://www19.homepage.villanova.edu/karyn.hollis/prof_academic/
    Courses/common_files/jokes_about_writing.htm


  3. Though I should've saved this link for Christmas, I can't stop myself from presenting it here. Facts are facts...aren't they? Click http://www.physlink.com/Fun/IsThereSanta.cfm to figure out what I am hinting at.

Keep laughing until Diwali-Eid and after!

September 2006

  1. Acronyms have been the breeding ground for humor for a long-long time. Click http://www.pinetree.net/humor/computeracronyms.html to find how some computer related acronyms can tickle your funny bone. APPLE and WINDOWS seem especially interesting.

  2. The following link has information (ahm!) that would probably appeal to male programmers! Hey...No! I am not using sexist language! It's just that the content of http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/88q2/3785.4.html brings cars and programming languages together...and men do seem to be more interested than women in both of them:-) I plead humor as my defense for ruffling any feathers that I may have!

  3. To round it up...here's a bit about Bill Gates, PC, Mac, and so on. Click the following links:
    http://www.elsop.com/wrc/humor/ms_genes.htm
    http://www.elsop.com/wrc/humor/ms_cars.htm

  4. And...http://www.elsop.com/wrc/humor/shipwrek.htm

August 2006

  1. Of all the serious types, programmers are the only ones who appreciate humor. I am being honest. Instructional Designers profess to use humor in their work, "humor could be used as a tool to gain learner's attention" they say, yet, when it comes to jokes about instructional designers, you can hardly find any. How can we use humor if we don't make it a part of our lives?

    This question merits some thought, which we shall give to it; yet, in the meantime, click the following links to join the programmers for a few laughs.

    http://www.absolutelyjokes.com/profession/programmer/programmer's-error.html
    http://www.absolutelyjokes.com/technology/computers-and-software/dear-boss.html
    and... http://www.ariel.com.au/jokes/The_Evolution_of_a_Programmer.html

  2. Here are a few interesting rules that will remind us that language errors make the world a more lively and humorous place to live in. Click http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/books/845/1lang.htm to become a crusader for errors.

July 2006

Are you ready for a good laugh? Here are some links that will help you forget your worries and rejuvenate you through a healthy dose of laughter.

Let us begin with some funny pictures.

  1. Here's something on time-management...(Is it really funny?!)
    http://www.ahajokes.com/crt080.html
    and on Internet Honesty...
    http://www.ahajokes.com/crt004.html
    and when you don't know...
    http://www.ahajokes.com/crt037.html

  2. Here's some technical writing humor from http://www.writejustified.com/humor.html. BTW, is there is need to justify writers; don't they do better unformatted! Do scroll down to the signs and notices. That's where the real fun is.

  3. "Sneak Peek - A day in the Life of A (Software) Technical Writer" by Alfred PM, a Bangalore-based freelancer, cannot be strictly categorized as humor - It may make you a bit sad too, yet, the interactions between RobotRama and JavaSrinivas are very real. Click http://www.stc-india.org/indus/012006/humor.htm to find out if you agree.

June 2006

Some of Wavelength's elite audience find the Laugh-a-Little section very refreshing. If you are one of those who scroll down to the Laugh-a-Little section the moment they click open Wavelength, I should say that you are missing out on a lot of little jokes masquerading as serious stuff! If you don't believe me, read through the preceding sections of Wavelength to confirm.

So you caught me:-) I always say that Wavelength's audience comprises the intellectual elite!

Here are some hi-fi jokes for your cerebral palate. Let's begin with the teachers' jokes collected and presented by David Shay.

    1. I hope you will overlook the occasional off-color joke in this cool collection at http://www.workjoke.com/projoke80.htm. If you are wondering whether I underestimated the sophistication of your cerebral palate, scroll down to "The Evolution of a Math Problem." Isn't it an Analysis level joke?

    2. I just had to click the Previous button on the page above, and I discovered an interesting collection of artist-jokes. Click http://www.workjoke.com/projoke77.htm to read some excellent artist-jokes. I specially recommend the one about Pablo Picasso! I can assure you that this joke could be a true story.

    3. And now for those who prefer the micro-view of content - the editors, I click the next button to arrive at http://www.workjoke.com/projoke81.htm. Please scroll down to read "Simple Questions, Complicated Answers", "Top 24 Oxymorons", "Translation and Advertisement", and "Classified classics."

I hope you are laughing so hard that your chair had to come alive in order to stay under you. Keep laughing, until we meet next month.

May 2006

Hiyeeeeee! My back is stiff; I've been sitting on this chair for the last 20 hours; I haven't even been to...you know! And you want me to laugh! Do you know, I am stuck to my chair and if I laugh, the chair will rock with me! Ouch! Ouch!

OUCH!

Among other things that an instructional designer receives upon joining an organization, there is one that though free is not welcome! It's a rack with many hats. There is the SME hat, the PR hat, the course manager hat, the writing style standards hat, and finally the editor's hat. Whether or not these hats go with the instructional designer's cerebral attire is not a question that is discussed in the open. I present the following link to those who are currently wearing the editor's hat!

    1. Read "Writers' Humor" available at http://www.cyberlepsy.com/Downloads/Writers%20Humor.pdf. The "canonical list of oxymorons" as well as "Rules for Writers" will rejuvenate you through your editorial phase!

    2. Have you ever been through the rigmarole of putting a classified in a newspaper? If you have, you will commiserate with Mr. Jones; if not, you will know what to be careful of when you place a classified. Read "Truth in Advertising?" at http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/advertising_blunders.htm.

    3. Ever given a thought to our closest friend? Oh yes! I mean "our" closest friend...the computer! Click on http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/com_movi.htm to read about 24 things that you didn't know about your closest pal! (Only the moviemakers did!)

    4. If you are in love with instant messaging, I think "AOL Online Messages" will make a lot of sense to you. Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/AOL_MESSAGES.HTM

Keep laughing!

April 2006

When did you laugh last? Yesterday? Or did you have the last laugh?
I think most of us are busy trying to have the last laugh...so busy, that we forget when we laughed last. Cheer up, smile, and click on the following links to laugh a bit.

    1. If you really want to have the last laugh, click on http://library.thinkquest.org/J002267F/humor_writing.htm. This link gives you some tips to write humor. Anyone who writes humor adds so much value to life. If you experiment, do send your creations to Wavelength. All of us could use some good laughs!

    2. What? You want more tips on writing humor? Here are two.
    3. The link http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/archives/9707/techwhirl-9707-01358.html has some technical writer humor! As expected...it's too technical. Our technical writer friends can help "simplify" the joke!

    4. The quality of Indian cartooning is growing by leaps and bounds. Here are two good links.

Keep laughing!

March 2006

    1. Humor section today begins with pictures - funny pictures, cute pictures, pictures that will make us smile - any time! Well, those of us who love dogs will love this link. Dog lovers, check out http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/dogs/index.htm - I just love “Dog Warning” (http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/images/05/dogwarning.htm) and “Dog Speed Indicator” (http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/images/05/dogspeedindicator.htm)! Enjoy!

    2. Here's a good, sensible (?) training jokes site. If you've conducted trainings, you may experience deja vu, as you laugh through some of the jokes given here. Click on http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/trainingjokes.html to enjoy some interesting real and virtual training moments. Scroll down to "Minister Training" - substitute the minister in the joke with our "minister sahib" and it won't be a joke anymore. Sigh!

    3. Artists and Graphic Designers, please click on http://www.workjoke.com/projoke77.htm to read some artist jokes.

    4. Also check out http://www.tonyfollari.com/art-jokes.html to read some "thought-provoking" jokes on art and artists!

    5. Let's wind up with President George Bush's New Year resolution at http://www.tonyfollari.com/computer-jokes.html

      Keep laughing!

February 2006

    1. Have you heard this…
      "Instructional Design is a systematic method of writing instructions!" I hear it often...and for the same reason I found http://www.ma.huji.ac.il/~hart/humor/instructions.html hilarious! I am sure constructivism will ensure many other interesting interpretations of the instructions listed here! Check it out!

    2. Teachers will be teachers...and they will be smarter than students. Right? Well...sometimes! Checkout http://www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/teachers.htm. I liked the one about little girls, lipstick, and the janitor! “Mirror, mirror, on the wall! Whose lipstick is it, after all?'

    3. There are a lot of myths that surround designers. Click on http://www.howdesign.com/dc/features/truthaboutdesigners.asp to find the truth behind these myths.

    4. If you own or manage a website or publish an eZine, please do click on http://www.webfoot.com/advice/WebDarkSide.html. Everything on this web page is so true...so real...sniff! The question, “Dear Mme. Curie: how does radiation work?” is probably the one that baffles the recipient most. This question does need a lot of explaining...and it would be difficult for Mme. Curie to explain this in a few paragraphs:-) I am sure; some of you must've had similar experiences!

    5. Programmers will find this link the most! Please click on http://www.yov408.com/html/fun.php#quotes for some intelligent humor.

January 2006

    1. 1. Here are a few novelist jokes for my instructional designer and content writer friends. I know you must be quite mad at me for not adding instructional designer jokes in this section, but you know how it is. We are perceived to be serious, philosophical, philanthropic souls, devoted to perfectionism. Technical writer jokes, writer jokes, professor jokes, editor jokes, author jokes, publisher jokes...even novelist jokes exist, but there aren't any instructional designer jokes! Do you know what I think about this...I think we are smart, we don't worry about such trivial details, and we will definitely enjoy http://www.apc.net/ia/znovel.htm! Way to go..

      .
    2. This one page will keep you rolling with laughter, especially if you are a programmer! Click on http://www.workjoke.com/projoke20.htm and enjoy! I specially recommend "Ten Commandments for Stress Free Programming." WYSIWYMGIYRRLAAGW but not on this page! Yes, the statement is perfectly valid and intelligent! How? You figure it out.

    3. Designers will find the list of "Unspoken Graphic Design Rules" immensely useful. It will provide them the comfort of precedence. "If something's happening to me, it's already happened to everyone else before!" So cheer up, click on http://www.biz-community.com/Jokes.aspx?l=196&c=13, print the list, and tack it to your soft board. Next time, when any of these 37 rules materializes, show the list to your project manager!

 

~~~~~~ 2005 ~~~~~~

December 2005

Do you expect me to laugh? Are you crazy? I've meetings
planned for the whole day. At 10 AM, I am meeting two vendors,
who were untraceable for a fortnight; then I have to meet three
possible SMEs; next I have the monthly review meeting with my
boss; in the afternoon... ... ...
Do you seriously expect me to laugh?

This is precisely why you need a laugh, and I knew about your
meetings so I brought along just two little links...check them
out please. I would like to see you laugh.

Did you know Nostradamus was a technical writer? Neither did
I, until I read this highly interesting, extremely readable,
and completely non-technical article by Geoff Hart at:
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/magazine/humor/nostradamus.html
I believe you Mr. Hart.

I can see you walking the tight rope between being sensible
and being correct, wondering how much to
1. capitalize,
2. punctuate,
3. list,
4. and abbreviate,
so that your writing reads just the way the client dreamed
it would! Though the publishers of this site have categorized
this article as humor, for us this article at
http://www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/humor/technologywriters.cfm
is serious reading.

 

November 2005

Do you expect me to laugh? Are you crazy? I've meetings
planned for the whole day. At 10 AM, I am meeting two vendors,
who were untraceable for a fortnight; then I have to meet three
possible SMEs; next I have the monthly review meeting with my
boss; in the afternoon... ... ...
Do you seriously expect me to laugh?

This is precisely why you need a laugh, and I knew about your
meetings so I brought along just two little links...check them
out please. I would like to see you laugh.

Did you know Nostradamus was a technical writer? Neither did
I, until I read this highly interesting, extremely readable,
and completely non-technical article by Geoff Hart at:
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/magazine/humor/nostradamus.html
I believe you Mr. Hart.

I can see you walking the tight rope between being sensible
and being correct, wondering how much to
1. capitalize,
2. punctuate,
3. list,
4. and abbreviate,
so that your writing reads just the way the client dreamed
it would! Though the publishers of this site have categorized
this article as humor, for us this article at
http://www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/humor/technologywriters.cfm
is serious reading.

 

October 2005

No…please…Please…PLEASE! Leave me alone! I am busy! I can’t laugh! If Microsoft Word hears me, I am a goner! Please leave me alone! I’ve given my word to Microsoft Word; I shan’t look at anything but the screen…the little box of light that Plato feared would keep us glued forever, making us wonder whether what we see is light or knowledge!

Don’t worry, we will not tell tales. Laugh with us for a while and no body would be any wiser…including Microsoft Word!

Do you want to know something serious about humor? Read "Stupid Things Trainers Do To Sabotage Success - Not Using Humor At All, Or Using It Inappropriately." at http://www.gmp1st.com/trtp/trtp0900.htm. My advice (which comes free with Wavelength,) is that you should be what you are...your natural self. Serious people, who attempt to be funny, end up "looking funny," and that isn't a good thing for the credibility of your training!

Wow! I think I am assassinating the character of this section by using it as an "Advice-from-the-Doctor" forum! Let's get down to some real good, tangy, and refreshing humor!

If you haven’t seen this, you haven’t seen confidence. This is confidence!
http://www.fl-k9.com/graphics/Dog%20Humor/self_Confidence_1.jpg

This all-purpose excuse form is perfect for...well...for all excuses! http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/EXCUSE-FORMS.HTM

For some seriously funny classroom humor, visit: http://www.teachersfirst.com/humor.shtml
(When did I grow up? More accurately, why did I grow up?)

Here's something for language experts and trainers...check out: http://www.squarewheels.com/jokes/trainerjokes3.html to read some really funny trainer jokes! “Funny Trainer – Jokes” or “Funny - Trainer Jokes”? You decide.

 

September 2005

Sigh! Humor isn't for us. We can't laugh. We are Instructional
Designers. We carry the burden of ensuring that the human race
and its progeny is educated in the most effective manner. It's
no laughing matter.

I too am quite serious about it...believe me and read, "What's
so funny about instructional design?" at
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/humorinstruct/index.htm. Is
there a real instructional designer out there who walked into
a bar...especially from Mumbai? I thought not...ID is
heady enough!

All of you (not just new, fresh, and starry-eyed instructional
designers) should definitely check out
http://www.campusnut.com/lovecalculator.cfm, add your name
along with your dream-person's name to the two fields, and
find out if you are made for each other. Those who are
"settled-for-life" can have fun reading the smart messages
and figure out if the hot-couples in your organization are
really so hot!

(A Note of Caution: Don't take the Love Calculator too
seriously, it might just be a random number generator!
Who Knows?)

Check out some humor theories at
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~jteslow/pptext.html. You will be
"seriously" surprised to know how serious humor can be.

Those who would like to experiment with humor in their
trainings may enjoy this pdf:
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-71798-173628/unrestricted/Whisonant.pdf
According to my information, no study has ever proved that
humor makes learning more effective, but many studies have
shown that they do help the learner become more interested in
the training (if humor is implemented properly.) According to
ARCS, higher attention level leads to a more motivated
learner,which in my opinion should increase the effectiveness
of learning. So where did we begin?

 

August 2005

Attended any interview recently? No? Doesn’t matter…here’s a refresher.

1. "You have three years of Instructional Design work experience...hmm! So...tell me something about yourself."

"You are a fresh graduate...hmm! So...tell me something about yourself."

Unbelievable, believe it! (How unoriginal!) Most interviews start in exactly the same way, with almost the same words, and nearly the same expression! Hmm...you got it!

But then, we know, that an experienced ID is very different from an inexperienced one, just like an experienced nurse is different from the inexperienced one, and if you love your life, you'd be better off with an inexperienced one...or would you? Check out http://www.nursinghumor.com/bedside.nursing.humor/graduate.nurses.vs.experienced.nurses.htm to find out! If you compare nurses to IDs, do it at your own peril!

2. If you would like to work on a different project but your PM doesn't want you to leave, here's a sure-fire way to ensure that you are not only "freed" but also recommended to another project, which in all probability is being managed by your current PM's bete noire. Send the link http://consc.net/misc/moser.html for this self-referential story to your PM, and add the note that the best part of the story is its end!

3. This last link is dedicated to all science graduates, engineers, science teachers, course developers who have worked on science projects, and all others who have been associated with science at some point in their lives...in other words, to almost all instructional designers. Click on http://quark.physics.uwo.ca/~harwood/humor12.htm to join "A Party of Famous Physicists."

Keep laughing!

 

July 2005

There are many reasons for Instructional Designers and Content Writers to laugh and smile.
Here are a couple of them.

1. Five new projects are expected to start this month. There are a few minor issues...but for now... Let's celebrate! (Read: We need 30 Instructional Designers for these projects, but there is a sealing on recruitment for the next three months. This a minor issue, as our existing IDs are a motivated group and they will gladly double their effort!)

2. Let's have a fun party tomorrow night. The party will begin at 6:00 PM. Let's all take a break and enjoy! (Read: Complete your work by 6:00 PM tomorrow evening...we know it's not easy, so stay back late tonight and feel free to come back after the party tomorrow night! We will even provide buses that will bring you back to office...after the party!)

No?!

If your idea of fun is different...check out the following links.

1."Death is nothing more than a change in the state of matter," said the physicist. What did the writer say? If you want to find out, click on http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/93q2/moretechwr.html

2. Animals laugh too...especially when they are around humans. It's true. Click on http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/050331_laughter_ancient.html to find out what makes animals laugh.

3. This one probably has less to do with humor than with Instructional Design. So what? Instructional Designers can make sense out of anything. Try this... http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/humorinstruct/index.htm.

4. Check out http://www.wocka.com/623.html to explore some finer points of English.

Keep Laughing!

 

June 2005

If perspiration led to inspiration, we would be most inspired in June. If a 12-hour workday led to smiles, we would be the happiest people around. Unfortunately, none of the above is true...so turn up the AC, unplug yourself from your seat, do a few stretches and bends, and check out the following URLS to forget the heat, and to grin and smile!

I am sure you've been here before...still check out http://com1.runboard.com/bthescribesmessageboard.fjokejunction.t14. Look for "The Rules of Writing" and "ANALOGIES YOU PROBABLY WON'T FIND IN GREAT LITERATURE." I find "The Rules of Writing" quite creative and useful.

Empathy is what Dr. Arthur will invoke in your hearts when you read the heart-rending letter he wrote to his publisher. Click on http://psychology.about.com/library/hm/blhm_ist21.htm to read what Dr. Arthur has to say about his editors. (Editors please excuse!)

...And http://psychology.about.com/library/hm/blhm_ist20.htm to find what the editor said to the author.

Finally, also check http://www3.sympatico.ca/srajano/jokes.html#The%20Importance%20of%20Punctuation to discover what Gloria wants:)

 

May 2005

When did you laugh last? What?!! Did you say...last month? It's time you laughed some more. Projects and deadlines will always be there...don't let life pass by...laugh a little.

Here's what I did to make you laugh. I brought you some jokes...click on the links...NOW!

If you have developed Math or Science content, this page (http://users.vnet.net/matjohns/humor/understanding-research.html) will mean so much more to you! You would've communicated so much better if you only knew this...but, better late than never!

What is the ID buzzword (buzz-phrase?) that resides at the tip of eLearning management's tongue? No this isn't the joke...the phrase is, "After all it is ID, and ID is common sense. It is not rocket science." But then this is close enough! Check out http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/aeronautical-terms.htm and know what aeronautical engineering is all about.

I thought of adding the link http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/jokes/ask-mr-lang-person.htm for the language buffs but I didn't find it amusing enough so I decided to replace it with http://www.mit.edu/people/jcb/humor/cartoon-physics for some "animated" humor. Oops! I forgot to remove the other link...enjoy it if you can.

 

April 2005

This thread has some good jokes on...well...the writer. Check it out at http://com1.runboard.com/bthescribesmessageboard.fjokejunction.t14 . I would particularly recommend "The Rules of Writing."

The day I dread most is the day my manuscript will be returned by the publisher...click on http://www.commonplacebook.com/humor/religion/paradise.shtm to find out more about the writer's paradise.

Here's something for the project managers too...Please check out the second strip; it isn't a joke it's reality! Click on http://www.j-walk.com/ss/jokes/xlcartoon.htm to figure out what I mean.

And here's another one for those who'd rather work on word, write wonderful scripts than jostle with project budget sheets on excel... http://www.j-walk.com/ss/jokes/warp/warp.htm

 

March 2005

“Yeah, sure! I will add another head to my timesheet and get it approved by my Project Manager. If she allows me, I will definitely laugh.”

So what are you waiting for, get the approval, and get going! Here are some fresh links to treasure.

Speaking English can be tricky, especially for the non-native English speaker. Here's a list of amusing blunders that will take some stress off your mind. I suggest you read it right after your next conference call with a western client.
Here’s the link: http://www.asterisks.com/bonus.html

This list is rudimentary...isn't it? Check out what other technical writers feel about those usual, everyday lies.
Click on http://www.documentia.ca/lies.htm

We've all seen signboards that make us double up with laughter; here's a list of translation errors. Let me know if you could stop at just one! I recommend you start reading it from somewhere in the middle...those are the best ones!
http://www.istc.org.uk/pages/whoops1.php

And when the technical writer visits the doctor...
http://www.nataliewrites.com/techwriter.htm

 

February 2005

“Are you serious? I am designing a course, writing content for another, completing the edit fixes for a third one; and I had to upload these by---why---yesterday! I don’t have time to laugh!”

Wow! You do seem to be busy! It’s just that I needed your help on a few courses – tell me if they interest you.

1. The Art of Resume Making:
----------------------------
I strongly feel that this course would be runaway success in any organization. It will help the industry in general, by making it more dynamic!

2. Boss Management:
------------------
Most people in an organization would love to do this, unfortunately only some excel. This course can carry quotations from such "Maharathis", we can also added a few videos where these “wonder-employees” can share their experiences and provide tips to the un-initiated.

3. Rise like a Phoenix:
-----------------------
...After completing a project, "rise like a phoenix" for another ... yet another...and another!

The Instructional Designer who works on these courses will automatically be paid the development fees in form of experienced gained.

What? You don’t want to develop these courses! No Sweat! Here are a few links that’ll take the stress off your mind.

The Marketing people always make us believe – “Customer is the King”
But then the king may not always be computer literate. Check out http://www.writershome.com/humor/dont-compute.htm#ill.

Is this real? You tell me. Don’t leave it midway. The reply hits the bull’s eye.
http://www.jokecenter.com/jokes/Education/3209.htm

Finally, the joke is on us!
http://www.ahajokes.com/com047.html

 

January 2005

What? Me Laugh? Nah...! I am an Instructional Designer!

Never mind. Here are a few laugh links.

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/games/career/bin/ms.cgi

If you’ve ever tried squeezing a lot of meaning into a few crisp sentences to create a list of objectives for your course, you will surely appreciate this Mission Statement Generator... and wish you had a similar Learning Objectives Generator!

http://www.j-walk.com/ss/jokes/writer.htm
It’s happened to all of us...and it happens not just with Excel!

 

Home  |  Subscribe  |  Gift Subscription  |  Send your Views  |  Unsubscribe  |  Sitemap

Copyright © 2007 Wavelength eLearning Consulting and Training Pvt. Ltd.
Wavelength eLearning Consulting & Training , Link House, 2nd Floor, C-4, Sector 10, Noida - 201301, India.
( Noida is part of Delhi NCR, India )

The site requires Internet Explorer 5.5 / Netscape 6 or higher and best viewed on a resolution of 1024 X 768 with true color..

All rights reserved. No part of this site or its content my be reproduced in any manner or communicated, except in case of brief quotations, without the explicit permission of the publisher. All the brand names / product names / service-marks mentioned on this site are the copyrights of their respective owners.