Noob Users: Mincing Technical Terms

[s3MA00RRNY]

I was just thinking of one of those weird things that I come across frequently when assisting people with their computer troubles. Sometimes computer illiterate or un-savvy people will tell me about their problems with INTERNET EXPLORER like so:

"So when I open the internet..."

"I double-click the internet..."

"My internet doesn't work" (but email and Firefox works fine :p)

Similar confusion comes with Microsoft and Windows:

"My Microsoft won't start up."

"Did you hear about the latest version of Microsoft coming out?"

"I heard Windows was coming out with a new program."

"Microsoft is broken." :D

Apple and Macintosh as well.

Calling an iPod Touch an iTouch. :gag:

And of course the list goes on.

Any terms you've heard users mangle?

[earthpigg]

"Technical terms" and "trademarks" being confused.

;)

[lisati]

"Doing a powerpoint" when they mean making a presentation.....

[Elfy]

As long as you know what they mean does it matter?

There's not many people in the world born knowing everything.

[lisati]

As long as you know what they mean does it matter?

There's not many people in the world born knowing everything.

True.

[Spice Weasel]

All of these: http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid/cs_mincing.shtml

[poodoopealeoaph]

Well, I'm sure everyone has heard this already but... when certain "down home" white people like to make singular things plural for no reason. For example, "I'm going to go down to the wal-marts", "Did ya'll see that picture on the internets?"... really? how do these people not realize that it is amazing how dumb they are?

[Elfy]

and with that I'll close.


To achieve this, we strive to maintain an atmosphere that can be enjoyed by all and we ask all members of the community to be respectful at all times. This means please use etiquette and politeness. Treat people with kindness, gentleness and respect. If you do this, the rest of the code of conduct won't need more than a cursory mention.