[DDN] the digital divide in language

[J Cravens]

Twice this week, someone has written me with a comment that has 
included computer/Internet technical jargon that I have no idea what 
it means. It happens more frequently than I like to admit. And it 
brings to mind times when I have interacted with people online, 
particularly people from developing countries or people with little 
computer or internet technical experience, and they have written, in 
response to one of my emails, "I hate to sound stupid, but could you 
explain the term such-and-such?" I have always happily complied, even 
when I think, wow, they don't know what such-and-such means?! I'm 
sure they have plenty of their own common terms that I would be 
clueless about.

While everyone on this Digital Divide list is concerned, ofcourse, 
with the Digital Divide, remember that many of us (me, for instance) 
do not come from a computer technical background -- our experience is 
in a completely different area, often having nothing to do with 
computers. So when posting here, or when writing someone offlist, 
consider offering people links to explanations of, for instance, 
acronyms that might not be understood by everyone. And if a person 
writes for further explanation, don't assume they are stupid -- 
assume, instead, that they have a different area of expertise than 
you, and how smart you are may depend on the subject at hand.

Just a thought.
--
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Jayne Cravens
Bonn, Germany
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