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Transcript
Terminology Matters
Hi, everyone! I’m Leo Notenboom for askleo.com.
One of the most frustrating aspects that I hear from people all the time about technology in general is that it sometimes seems like you need to learn a whole other language just to be able to communicate about what it is you are using.
Now, in reality, of course, that’s not technically true. There are a few words that you may or may not need to know, but if you’re just using technology, it actually doesn’t really matter what you call things. The problem comes when you’re trying to communicate with others, especially technical professionals such as myself.
The issue is that words matter.
It’s funny; there was an advertisement for some kind of vocabulary program many years ago, and the catchphrase that they used was this: “People judge you by the words you use.” Now, it’s not fair; I’m not even going to claim that it’s fair or that it needs to be this way, but it is in reality very, very true.
People judge you by the words you use, and when you use the wrong words, not only is there a very high possibility of miscommunication, but there’s also this back-story of judging you and perhaps coming across not quite as knowledgeable as you really, in fact, are.
Just because you might use the wrong word for something doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re talking about. You probably do. To you, it’s very clear exactly what it is you mean and what it is you’re trying to communicate. The problem, of course, is that the person that you’re talking to may have a different vocabulary for these things, a different way of saying things and different nomenclatures for things that are very important.
Now when it comes to technology, like I said, it ends up being really important to communicate clearly. Especially when you’re asking questions or seeking help. That’s why I want to talk about this a little bit today and kind of encourage you to spend a little bit of time on your technology vocabulary.
I want to show a couple of really, I’ll call them “extreme” examples but they’re not necessarily obvious to the people that actually use them.
One example: There’s no such thing as a labtop; l-a-b-t-o-p. What it is is a laptop; l-a-p-t-o-p. The intention of course is that the computer, a laptop, was originally thought of as something you would use on your lap while you’re sitting down. Whether or not that’s true, or actually true in practice is immaterial. That’s what the word is – a laptop. Now I also understand that there are many ways that people can come to the wrong conclusion about what that word means or what that word is.
If they only hear it, it’s very easy to hear “labtop” and then it’s also very easy to infer that the word derives from being used in the laboratory. It’s a “labtop” but that’s not at all the case. Laptop is the word; laptop is what you should be using when you’re talking about that particular type of technology.
Another example that actually I see way more frequently than “labtop” is “CPU”. This box is not a CPU. This box is a computer. It contains a CPU; a CPU or Central Processing Unit is a specific chip inside of that box that is the brains, as you will, of a computer. That’s a very, very common, erroneous usage of terms. Now, again, does it matter? Well, yes and no. On one hand, when people are asking me questions and they talk about their CPU, I kinda know what they are talking about. The problem is that many technical professionals, unfortunately, and to our shame, to be honest, aren’t as forgiving.
They actually do judge you by the words you use. They may very well not be as forthcoming or as helpful if from their perspective, you don’t even understand the right words. It shouldn’t be that way, but I’m here to tell you that it is that way.
Like I said, I’ve done a lot over the past thirteen years, I’ve learned a lot about the terms that people tend to use and the terms that people misuse, so I’m actually able to interpret a lot of questions correctly – to actually understand what is meant, but that’s an intentional piece of work that I do; that’s something that I have to focus on, something I have to keep in mind as I’m reading the questions that people submit.
Again, I hate to say it, but not everyone’s like that, and of course I’m not the only person that you’re ever going to ask for help, so my takeaway from this, my request for you for this is simply two things: One, I would strongly encourage you to invest a little bit of time in vocabulary, specifically when it comes to computers and technology, learn the correct terms. Try and understand exactly what it is those terms mean and try at least to use them properly.
Now, I also get that it’s not always obvious that you’re using a term wrong. For example, the people that are using the “labtop”, well, they don’t know it’s wrong. It’s what they hear; it’s what they assume. I get that, but be prepared for some, hopefully, gentle corrections. Accept those, in good faith, that people are attempting to accept or correct your use of terminology so that you’ll have a better experience with other technical professionals moving forward.
The second thing that I’d like you to do, and this comes back to Ask Leo!, leave a comment down below. If there are specific terms that confuse you or that you don’t understand, I’d love you to hear what they are. I’m not sure you are aware, but I actually have an online glossary. Glossary.askleo.com is, in fact, an online glossary that tries to, as I say, define confusing technology terms in plain English.
It’s usually possible. It takes a little bit of work but it actually can help you understand exactly what those words often mean. So I’m going to ask you, again, if you have some thoughts, leave them down below in comments.
As always, if you’re watching this anywhere but on askleo.com, those comments are at this URL. Go here and you’ll scroll down and you’ll see moderated comments for this video. I’d love to hear what you think. As always, I’m Leo Notenboom for askleo.com. Have fun; be safe; don’t forget to back up. Take care, everyone.
Good reminder to us “Techies” to be more tolerant of others interpretation of what something is called or what it actually does. It really helps to try and remain humble and helpful….
I use to have discussion with fellow tech peers, usually very late at night during a 48 hour non-stop system upgrade, we would have complete meaningful conversations and later realize we had used nothing but 3 or 4 letter acronyms the entire time, not one real word during the entire conversation. Someone listening in would have thought we were speaking a foreign language….
-lol-
Well … ya kinda were! :-)
A lot of younger “techies” and salespeople seem to know less about computer history. One acronym I “test” them on is “SCSI” computer. I have an old one stashed away that cost a whole lot of money when new. I’ve never had anyone answer my question. I’ve been working on computers for 30 years, but I am not a geek, I just enjoy it. I’m a nit picker that loves detail….. Thanks, Leo
My first somewhat-portable drive was an external SCSI drive. Took work home that way, maybe 20 or more years ago.
What really gets frustrating to me is when I get a call that “my computer won’t come on” when in fact it is just the monitor that is not working.
I sometimes see “programm” used in place of “configuring”. Something like: “How do I programm this computer to go on the internet”.
Less now, but a great many peoples wrongly used “word processor” to refer to some of the late electronic typewriters that had some text editing capability, instead of real word processors that are applications running on a computer. Sadly, the makers of those greatly contributed to the confusion by miss-labeling typewriters as “wordprocessor” in an attempt to exploit what was then a buzzword.
Very technically, program (one “m”) is also correct. Programming is nothing more than instructing the computer how to do things. As is configuring.
Similarly, and again very technically, those typewriters with some editing capabilities were a kind of early word processor. While it’s not what we might call them today, the term applies. In the dictionary it might be labelled “archaic use”. :-)
I LOVED my Panasonic Word Processor! It had a built-in printer and used the square “floppy” discs. I ended up donating it to a popular thrift shop when it wouldn’t do something anymore like it was supposed to (I can’t remember what that something was). Some geek probably bought it, took it home and gave it some TLC and probably had it acting right again. I know very little about working on a computer…..I knew even less then.
LOL :D
Alain,
Both are correct, word processor is the correct term for the machines as well as the software.
I looked it up and all the sources I found referred to both as word processors.
Even the professionals get it wrong sometimes.
Leo, boy do I relate. I worked in surgery, during surgical procedures, for over 25 years. Medical terminology is used widely, in medicine. It really is a jargon, that you must know, to understand what you are scheduled to do. I am a self taught geek. I retired and got my first computer, back in 1996. Yes, I am a late comer.
My first computer was something else and a BIG problem. It had a Mwave Modem with Sound Card, combined. IBM made these suckers and they were super sensitive. One of the worst technical components, ever!!! I finally, got a newer computer, after a computer tech came out to my house and totally crashed my brand new motherboard. The company sent me out a brand new updated computer.
My dear friend is the one, who taught me the technical terms for the computer. In the beginning, I would use the wrong term, in the right sentence. I finally, decided that I would build my own computer from scratch. Once, I started to build computers, terminology became clearer to me and I knew what components, motherboards, CPUs to use, when building a computer. I learned a new jargon and am proud that I did.
I have found one problem with most computer users – They really don’t care to know more about their computer’s inner workings, only how to use it, for Email, Internet Surfing and how to use Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. How to fax, scan and save on their computer. Oh, these are important to know, but, they don’t care about the inners, of their computer. Of course, it is the inners that get them into a LOT of trouble and problems. They will then call you to help them or to fix or repair the issue. Which, I do willing. I hate to see people frustrated. :)
Yes, that’s how most feel about driving cars….”most of us” don’t want to know “how” a car works…we want to be able to drive it. Of course, I’m not one of those that come under the “most of us” heading. I’m curious about how things work, be it a car or a computer. I would like to learn everything I can about my laptop, mostly so I will be able to make any repairs needed myself. I want to take the “mystery” out of my laptop. But I really don’t know where to begin. Got any suggestions?
We may not want to know how it works, but understanding basic terminology is pretty important when it comes time for automobile maintenance and repair. :-)
I had a similar problem when I wanted to replace a keyboard on an otherwise healthy laptop, didn’t want to pay shipping or repair expenses. I can’t speak to other brands, but I have found just about every Dell laptop built has a service & repair manual available for download from their website. Written in understandable English, I’ve been impressed every time I need & use one.
In my assessment of Win 10, I forgot to mentioned I had 1 laptop that the Wi-Fi would not work after installing Win 10. I went back to Win 7 on that laptop and Wi-Fi still would not work ….. after many hours of research, I found another Wi-Fi card, plugged it in and Wi-Fi started working. It was not the right size Wi-Fi card, so I order the right one, plugged it in and now the Wi-Fi works each time I turn that laptop on. But, this had nothing to do with installing Win 10 as far as I can ascertain.
FYI
My daughter and son-in-law bought a new Dell laptop. It would not connect to their wi-fi. I tried working with it and it would not connect. Brought it down to my house, it connected instantly on my wi-fi. Took it home and still could not get it to connect. Gave up on it, told them to take it back and exchange if they could. Next day they brought it back to my house and said, “there it is.” OK, what do you want me to do with it? The answer was, ” I don’t care what you do with it. It isn’t mine anymore, it’s yours.”
I’ve really enjoyed it.
But I did take it back to their house when I was house sitting, I was determined that it was going to connect, one way or another. Finally gave up, never got it to wok.
Hi Leo ,
We really hear you when you talk to us . The last video I watched , you advised us to keep learning and that is so right .
But I didn’t adopt the attitude until you mentioned it . Yesterday I spent time online finding out how to remove anti-
virus software without messing up my computer . Most people don’t know how to do this . I searched & searched while
putting two plus two together on my own and now I have knowledge that I didn’t possess last week . Learning makes
me more independent . These other websites out here don’t really help . They send people to their forums . It’s like
the blind leading the blind . That is one of the reasons I thank you so often . You attempt and do help us .
Thank you, Leo. Although I do use other sources, your comments are written in plain English and very easy to understand. You are a gem! Now I know that an up-to-date glossary is exactly what I need.
[A quick aside: I find the incorrect use of the term “like” to be particularly annoying.
I like good music and good food.
The term “like” is NOT appropriate int the phrase, “like I said”.
The correct word is “as” as in “as I said”.
Now I’ll try to get back to understanding techie terminology.]
Perhaps you would like to write about or perhaps write a book about “How to identify your problem, so you can ask the right question.” I recently went through a week of frustration because I asked the wrong question.
I asked “How do I tell if a rescue disk or the C:\ drive was starting my computer”.
I should have asked “If my rescue disk is not starting my computer, why isn’t it?”
The answer to that question lead to revising my BIOS, but I didn’t know enough originally to ask the right question.
Sincerely, John
I agree that the words we use are important; there are subtle differences that just might matter. However, us techies must also make allowances for users (who by definition are not necessarily techies). One example is when a user refered to the test database, one stickler for terminologies (a relatively new techie) corrected the user and said the proper term was instance and then the stickler went into a dissertation on the differences of instance and database. To the user it didn’t matter. We all knew what the user was trying to say. Bogging down the conversation with esoteric definitions added nothing to finding the solution to the user’s problem (which turned out to be a programming error).
Didn’t see anywhere else I could leave a survey response….so….here t’is.
I downloaded 10 early on without incident, problem, and set sail. No problems to date with 10.
Happy that I learned about your glossary.askleo.com this evening. For sure, I’ll be looking into that. I’m such a dummie.!! Enjoy your weekend. – MB
No mater your profession or job, every profession or job has it’s own specific term or words that only have meaning to those in that job or profession. I think that most of the people using Ask Leo come from other than a tech background and if they want to communicate to technical persons about computer technical problems be it hardware computer components or Software, then they need to know which is which. What has been missed in this discussion is that most everyone buys a computer in a box, takes it home plugs it in and feel it ought to be like a toaster or coffee pot and should make toast or coffee.
What I see a lot of in Ask Leo are people who have had been around computers for a few years and have had to learn from exposure to problems to learn to ask the right questions with the right terminology. Lets put the shoe on the other foot, put the computer person in the need of medical help (doctor must determine medical need from what the patient tells him or her) this goes with every trade or profession in the world. so maybe computer repair people or programming people need to learn how to ask addition questions to get to the root of a problem Joe public has no idea how to explain. This is what you do in your letter because you care about the user of your letter.
Computer technology is changing so fast, that today when something breaks or goes south it’s almost easier to replace the unit or component or program, that caused the problem.
The following is an example of what I’m talking about. I use program X and have for 7 years, a program update caused some major problems. I contacted the program help people and they could not find an issue. Removed and reinstalled the program many time over the next 6 months, still the same issue. This program was installed on 4 other computer, which all worked correctly, buy working with the vendor their next update fixed my problem on 1 computer out of 5 in the same house and now all computers in the house are doing as they should.
My point was, is that a lot of the problems you are asked to help with can be machine specific.
Program help as in Backup and such are where the people using Ask Leo need the most help, maybe it’s email or the internet or just plain everyday maintenance.
You’ve help me a great deal over the years, just by reading your weekly newsletter. I’ve also have every one of your how books except for the new backup program.
Thank you for all your valuable information over the years.
Chuck
I often times get confused when .. Monitor or computer ? To be quite frank .. I don’t really know . Is both the same ? I will be checking out .. glossary.askleo.com . After all , it’s best to learn something new everyday .. no dummy here or left behind in technology . Thanks Leo . Such a great help to me and as well to others .