Not knowing computer lingo can put you at risk
A computer or mobile device can be difficult enough to figure out, but there is another complicating factor adding to the difficulty. It’s the dense wall of jargon which seems to characterize any discussion of computers and the internet. Understanding the basics of how your computer or laptop operates is not rocket science but it is often given that aura by computer technicians and enthusiasts. Thus you may experience a sense of panic when any discussion of why your email is not working properly ends up involving questions about what kind of browser you use, your home wifi’s network key, how much storage or RAM your computer has, or what version of Windows it’s running.
There’s also a serious negative side to the excessive jargon and technical terms associated with computers and the internet. Studies have found that when people are overwhelmed by technology they begin to feel helpless and are more likely to be the victims of technology scams. Countless individuals, when confronted with a pop up window or a person on the telephone claiming that their computer is infected, panic and turn over control of the computer and their credit card to charlatans. Security analysts at the East West Institute (http://tinyurl.com/8qyp4fm) deduced that one of the best computer security measures is to make sure that computer instructions are delivered in simple terms.
What can you do if you’re feeling overwhelmed by technology? You could check with your local library, college, or seniors’ centre to see if any are offering computer or internet classes for beginners. These are often offered at various times of the day and may be free.
If you can’t spare the time for taking a course, then you can turn to the internet for the answers to all of your questions or concerns and increase your knowledge in the comfort of your home. One good place to start is Per Christensson’s website. He originally called it Sharpened but has changed the name to PC.Net (https://pc.net). His stated aim is to “help people understand the sometimes intimidating world of computers” and he’s made the site easy to navigate. The Glossary section is an alphabetical set of definitions for anything you want to know about the computer or Internet world. If you’re confused about all of those short forms in text messages then take at look at the Online Slang section.
Another great site for just about anything related to technology is the GFC site (http://www.gcflearnfree.org) which offers free lessons on 180 topics ranging from Microsoft Office to email and Windows 10. You could spend a lot of time honing your skills and knowledge by investigating over 2,000 lessons and 800 video tutorials.
For lessons in almost any aspect of the internet be sure to bookmark the TechBoomers site (https://techboomers.com). It has tons of lessons including tutorials and information about using social networks such as Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter, online shopping, entertainment, and internet safety. There is a large sign up and login box at the top of the home page but I found I could access the lessons without registering.
For specific information about every facet of your computer there is a wonderful little program from Piriform called Speccy (https://www.piriform.com/ speccy) that you can download for free. In a very user-friendly set of windows the program will analyze your computer and supply you with all of the answers to those puzzling questions such as what version of Windows your computer is running, how much RAM is available, and the name and speed of the processor. This is a valuable tool if a computer technician asks for details about your computer.
With the information and technical know-how you glean from the internet and Speccy it will be no time until you can impress your friends with your hi-tech knowledge. As an added and practical bonus you’ll probably feel much more confident using the internet and your computer or mobile device, and you won’t be an easy target for the army of scammers targeting those who are overwhelmed by technology.