Jamie Balfour

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I don't make enough of these writing tips it would seem. But for those who want to know the difference between discrete and discreet, here's a little attempt from me to explain it to you.

So we talk about several discrete things like a discrete graphics card or in my case discrete mathematics. We use the discrete with a t between the two es. This is because the meaning of discrete is totally different from discreet. This form of discrete means for something to be individual or disconnected, detached or distinct. In terms of our graphics card you can see how this the case since integrated graphics are a physical part of the system (and nowadays included in nearly every system) and cannot be added after. Discrete graphics on the other is distinct and disconnected or individual from the rest of the system, in fact it's actually a whole system on it own that has all the parts to be able to operate on its own.

Discreet on the other hand is associated with being unnoticed or concealed. For instance, during a talk you may be told to go and find someone but to make it discreet. 

Both of these words are totally different but knowing when to use the correct form is very important. 

Posted in Writing tips
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I really do adore writing and as some of you may know, I used to even love English the most at Secondary School before I decided to ditch it for Computing.

But some things still hack me off even more than people who don't know why their Windows Taskbar is at the right hand side instead of the bottom. I've now decided to start making blog entries on things that people consistently get wrong when writing.

Today's post is on the difference between the two words lightening and lightning. They are very distinct words that are one character different. I noticed this twice in the past two days and it's just something I cannot get out of my head. One place I now notice this problem all the time is when people are referring to Apple's Lightning connector. So here's the difference:

Lightning

That is lightning without the extra e is the form of electrical discharge that we see when warm and cold air mix (or something like that). Notice the single e.

Lightening

This is when you turn a lap on and the room begins to lighten up. Another example could be take 10 potatoes out of a bag, this is lightening the bag.

There. There may be more of these posts in the future because I get annoyed.

Posted in Writing tips
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