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Public Confused by Tech Lingo
the_helper_monkey writes "The BBC has an article about how tech jargon confuses the public. It's based on a survey done by AMD asking the definitions of words such as megahertz, MP3, and Bluetooth. " I was recently reminded of how big a deal this is while trying to help my tech novice brother select a computer. If you don't know what a gigabyte is, it's hard to know how large of a hard drive you need.
Just tell them to go here: The Jargon File.
"Times have not become more violent. They have just become more televised."
-Marilyn Manson
Just tell them to go here: The Jargon File.
Bluetooth, MP3, RAM, cache, FIFO .. they mean very specific things, and are well suited for having their own names.
Now, if you want a thrill ride of superfluous jargon, take a gander at the business "self help" section of your local book store.
Or google for something called "Six Sigma."
Business jargoneers have a nasty tendency to rename common ideas, wrap them in market speak to create buzzwords, and resell them to the helpless souls who seem to collect in middle managment.
I think that the problem is an interesting reflection on the state of technology, and "technologists" themselves. For example, the test includes Megahertz, megapixel, download, web browser and Bluetooth--all good examples (IMO) of naming. "Bluetooth" may be debatable, but it's a distinct name for a distinct technology, and people who use technology should be aware of its capabilities. "Web browser" is another good name; unfortunately, Hollywood's and tech-illiterate journalists' insistence on "surfing the 'net" means that a good name is unknown by the public.
On the dark side of the naming spectrum, the tech industry has given us some gems such as SMS, DVR, MP3 and dot pitch (all from the quiz). SMS and DVR are good examples of trying to pick a generic name that didn't step on any copyright holders' toes, but didn't adequately describe the product either. But perhaps the public is too picky. They learned about VHS, so why can't they learn about DVR.
Dot pitch is a terrible misnomer but its roots are firmly entrenched in the display industry. Perhaps a better term would be "pixel density" or "image clarity," but then it's hard to associate a name like that with a value that gets better as it gets lower.
MP3 is understandable: no one is going to get a friendly, trademarkable name from a group of geeks writing cutting-edge software. But the trademark issue itself it one of the culprits. How many nice names could we have for computer components if the most descriptive words weren't already trademarked?
And finally, it's easy to point out to Houston that we have a problem. It's harder to realize what the problem's origins were and to appreciate the evolution of the computer industry in just fifty years. And it's most difficult to propose a workable solution and carry it through.
Have fun: Join D.N.A. (National Dyslexics Association)
It's embarrassing that I understood that enough to offer a correction. I think you meant "Bombast" and not "Bombard." Bombast is pretentious rhetoric. Bombard, as a noun, is a 14th century cannon.
Again it's proven that using complex words incorrectly is more embarrassing than using simple ones correctly. "Better to be silent and thought a fool," etc.
Hey freaks: now you're ju
So to paraphrase from Mark Twain's speech: in other words, eschew obfuscation!
Have fun: Join D.N.A. (National Dyslexics Association)
Now that English is used for Mass...
It would just figure. Some guy starts a flamewar by comparing MCSE with Vatican II and everyone misses the most important point - Martin Luther beat Vatican II to Mass in the vernacular by about 400 years.
Sorry to nit, but I didn't spend five years as a Lutheran kid at a Catholic school just to let that one pass.
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."