If your teenager wants an MP3, don’t worry it’s not a weapon. If you know someone who is “blogging” have no fear – they’re not on drugs. It’s just the latest lingo.
Ipod? Tivo? Podcasting? Skype? Know what these are? If you’re still clinging to your Barry Manilow 8-track or Peter Frampton albums ... it’s time to let it go! If you’ve just learned how to set the clock on your VCR, you’re about a decade behind. You’ve got to catch up. Technology and knowledge are moving at a rapid rate and if you blink you’ll get left behind! So, here’s my remedial glossary to help us “over 40” (and under 40!) chicks become culturally capable!
SMARTPHONE = Basically, this is a cell that not only makes phone calls, it’s a two way radio, sends email, meets your text messaging, paging, web access, photography and MP3 needs as well. It could probably clean your house if you knew how to program it!
PDA = No, this is not a Public Display of Affection; this is a Personal Digital Assistant. (I thought that’s what my teens were for?) It’s like a palm-sized computer that helps you to organize your life with contact info, to-do lists, calendars and just about anything else you want. I have one and have found the secret to its effectiveness is to charge it!
BLOG = Sorry, this is not what you become with bloating and water weight gain! A blog (aka: weblog) is simply an on-line journal. (That's what this is.) They are personal, casual and loaded with resources. The more popular ones are: Xanga.com, Typepad.com and myspace.com. I’ve recently started blogging and I’ve found it’s great therapy. If you need to rant, try it!
SKYPE = It’s not a skin disease; it’s basically an Internet phone! Skype is free downloadable software (www.skype.com) that enables you and others to “talk” PC-to-PC just like you would on a telephone. I’ve skyped with my sister who lives in Mexico City for the price of a local phone call. It’s great!
TiVO = Bet you thought this was one of the brothers in The Jackson Five? Tivo is a gizmo, a “personal video recorder” that allows us to program and record all of our favorite TV programs and plays them back at our leisure. Like who has time for this?
WiFi = Every wife needs a wifi...ok, well, maybe not. WiFi is the universal symbol which identifies a wireless capability. For example, you’ll see the Wi-Fi decal at places like Beaners, Waterstreet, Panera’s, etc. to let you know that you can bring your PDA, Smartphone, laptop or other wireless gadget and hook up to their hot spot. Ain’t it crazy?
MP3 = Three military police? No! Remember albums? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CD’s? They are old news! The newest format for audio files is known as MP3 = MPEG Audio Layer 3. Pretty techy. Basically this technology boggles the mind and somehow compresses CD files so you can store and play over 1000 songs on a unit which about the size of a pack of gum!
iPOD = Apple’s hip and popular version of an MP3 or digital music player. Ipods have replaced the Walkman of yesteryear. Tell your kids or grandkids you have an iPod and they’ll think you rock.
Get it?
If not, just pull out your Donny Osmond 45’s and forget about the whole thing.
Beth
