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Terminology Matters

Because accuracy matters.

When it comes to technology it seems like there's a whole 'nother language to learn. And yet, using the right terminology is important to getting yourself understood, and getting your questions answered and problems resolved.
A scene that metaphorically represents the challenge of learning the technical language of computers and technology, similar to learning a new spoken language. Imagine a person standing before a giant, glowing computer screen filled with complex technical diagrams, code, and jargon. The person looks intrigued but slightly overwhelmed, holding a dictionary of computer terms. In the background, diverse symbols and icons of technology, such as circuit boards, USB symbols, and cloud computing icons, float in the air, signifying the vastness of technology's language.
(Image: DALL-E 3)

Computers and technology, much like medicine, automobiles, and many more disciplines, has its own set of words, buzzwords, and terminology.

And just like when you go to the doctor, or take your car to a mechanic, it’s important that you be able to communicate clearly whatever it is you want them to look at.

The more accurate the terminology you use, the more likely you’ll get the correct and desired outcome.

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TL;DR:

Terminology

Using correct terminology helps improve your odds of accurate assistance and problem-solving. Misusing terms can lead to wrong answers, and even judgments about your abilities. Learning and applying the right vocabulary is key to getting the accurate help you want.

It’s like another language

I hear from people all the time 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.

That’s not far from the truth, and it can seem overwhelming.

If you’re just using technology and never need to interact with a technician or anyone else about it, it actually doesn’t really matter what you call things.

The problem comes when you’re trying to communicate with technical professionals such as myself. This is especially true when asking for help or guidance. We need to know what your talking about, accurately, in order to give you the help you’re asking for.

Judgement

There was an advertisement for some kind of vocabulary program many years ago, and the catchphrase they used was: “People judge you by the words you use.” It’s absolutely not fair.

But it is very, very true.

People judge you by the words you use, and when you use the wrong words, not only is there a high possibility of miscommunication, but there’s also this back-story of judging you and assuming you’re not quite as knowledgeable as you really 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 is 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.

It’s very important to communicate clearly, particularly when asking questions or seeking help.

Examples

I want to show a couple of real examples. They may or may not seem obvious to you, but trust me, they’re not obvious to the people using them.

There’s no such thing as a labtop. It’s a laptop. It was originally thought of as something you would use on your lap while you’re sitting down.1

There are many ways you might come to the wrong conclusion. It’s very easy to hear “labtop” and infer that the word derives from being used in the laboratory. That’s not at all the case.

A Computer
A Computer (Image: canva.com)

This box is not a CPU. This box is a computer. It contains a CPU, among other things. A CPU or Central Processing Unit is a specific chip inside of that box that is the brains, as you will, of a computer.

Does it matter? Well, yes and no.

On one hand, when people are asking me questions and they talk about their CPU, I might very well misunderstand what they’re asking. Or I might get lucky and get it right.

Another example is your computer’s screen. Unless you have an all-in-one computer, it is not your computer. Your computer is likely a box as you see here, with a cable that connects to your screen (which might also be referred to as a monitor or display).

Sometimes it’s us

For the most part terms mean what terms mean. To the professionals that live and breath this stuff, there’s a well defined use of terminology.

Except when there isn’t.

Take, for example two words close to my heart: “image” and “clone”, in the context of backing up. They are two different things. However some people use clone to mean image, and some use image to mean clone.

Sigh.

Industry shame

It’s shameful, but many technicians and help personal actually do judge you by the words you use. They may not be as forthcoming or as “helpful” if, from their perspective, you don’t understand the right words.

It shouldn’t be that way, but I’m here to tell you that it often is that way.

I’ve done a lot over the past twenty-plus years, and I’ve learned a lot about the terms that people tend to use and the terms that people misuse. I’m generally able to interpret a lot of questions correctly, to understand what was meant as opposed to what was written.

It’s an intentional piece of work that I have to do; it’s something that I have to focus on, something I have to keep in mind, and often something that slows me down 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.

Do this

I strongly encourage you to invest a little bit of time learning the vocabulary when it comes to computers and technology. Try to understand exactly what those terms mean, and try to use them properly. You won’t always get it right, but trust me, the attempt is very much appreciated.

Be prepared for some, hopefully gentle, corrections. Accept, and try to learn from those.

I do have a glossary that I’d encourage you to browse. If there’s a term missing, just let me know.

One of my goals is to write about technology and explain things in terms you can understand. One place I do that is in my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to Confident Computing! Less frustration and more confidence, solutions, answers, and tips in your inbox every week.

Footnotes & References

1: Ironically one of the worst ways to use it due to ventilation often being obstructed.

22 comments on “Terminology Matters”

  1. 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-

    Reply
  2. 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

    Reply
  3. 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.

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply
    • 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”. :-)

      Reply
      • 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

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  5. 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.

    Reply
  6. 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. :)

    Reply
    • 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?

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      • 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. :-)

        Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
  7. 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

    Reply
  8. 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.

    Reply
  9. 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 .

    Reply
  10. 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

    Reply
  11. 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).

    Reply
  12. 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.

    Reply
  13. 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

    Reply
  14. 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

    Reply
  15. 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 .

    Reply

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