Every week it seems like there’s a new technological advancement everyone seems to know and be familiar with, except for you. And at this point, you’re too afraid to ask. It’s almost as if everyone learned a new language, seemingly overnight, and forgot to include you. Not knowing the right tech terms can leave you feeling obsolete and potentially expendable. Fortunately, the terms are a lot less complicated than you might think. It’s like how learning Spanish was easy until you started to have to conjugate the verbs. Luckily, you won’t have to be doing any conjugating here.
Browser vs. URL
These two together help you explore the world wide web. The browser is the application you use to access a webpage like Google or Facebook. Your favorite browser is probably Chrome, followed by Safari and Internet Explorer. The URL, or the, Uniform Resource Locator, can be accessed on any browser, and it is merely the web address that locates the page you’re trying to view.
Network vs. Server
A server is a device that performs a task for one or more clients. David Mercer, founder of SME Pals, a blog dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs turn ideas into profitable startups, says, “a great example of this ‘client-server’ model is a web server.” A computer network is simply two or more computer systems that are linked together, no matter which devices you’re using.
Cloud vs. Big Data
Everyone is always talking about the cloud but where is it? A cloud is essentially an off-site storage unit for your data. You’re not 100% sure where your files or the data center is, nor are you sure which machine your files are on at the data center. Big data, on the other hand, is a type of massive quantity of data that is available to companies, both large and small.
So, now that you’re familiar with a few of the popular tech phrases bouncing around online and at the office, how can you boost your tech confidence?
Join an Online (or Offline) Tech Community
If you want to learn how to become more tech-savvy, there are tons of free online tech communities you can join. With sites like Reddit offering subreddits (forums dedicated to specific topics) for various tech-related industries and interests, you can quickly learn the lingo and learn from industry experts. StackExchange allows you to ask experts specific questions and get tips on how to apply your new understandings. Quora, GitHub, and CodeAcademy can all help you learn new skills, get questions answered, and apply your new skills in a safe environment.
Make Your Objectives Clear
Even if you’re still learning the ins and outs of all the new technical jargon, you likely work alongside or manage some already tech-savvy individuals. Even if you don’t feel 100% comfortable with some of the tech words or applications, it’s vital that you get comfortable with making your objectives clear. Keep the lines of communication open and clearly define the primary goals you wish for them to accomplish. Excellent communication is essential in any setting.
Understand their Needs
While you continue to read up on the newest and latest technologies, make sure that you are applying what you read to your team. You may not entirely understand the new technology, but you should understand it enough to evaluate whether or not it might be helpful to your team. Talk with them to find out what they’re missing and how new advancements might be beneficial and make their job more efficient and effective.
Understanding new technical jargon and technology advancements can feel like you have to learn a whole new language and way of living. Thankfully, the words sound more complicated than they are. Reading up on technical terms, getting involved in on-and-offline communities that help you hone your technical skills, and keeping the dialogue open with your tech team will help ensure that you feel confident in the workplace.
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