Comments on: Links – Speak to Geeks plus more on Social Brum. http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/ Social media, active citizens, government, neighbourhoods and more. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:10:16 +0000 http://podnosh.com/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jo Ind http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/comment-page-1/#comment-1083 Jo Ind Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:50:53 +0000 http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/#comment-1083 Speaking as someone who aspires to geekdom, I think "geek" is a useful word. It makes people who are comfortable and canny with computer technology seem less intimidating to technophobes and therefore helps people to make the transition. Speaking as someone who aspires to geekdom, I think “geek” is a useful word. It makes people who are comfortable and canny with computer technology seem less intimidating to technophobes and therefore helps people to make the transition.

]]> By: Why “geeks” aren’t helping - jon bounds http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/comment-page-1/#comment-1084 Why “geeks” aren’t helping - jon bounds Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:09:55 +0000 http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/#comment-1084 [...] My Comments Elsewhere Links - Speak to Geeks plus more on Social Brum. (Podnosh) Rss Importer Bug (Pligg Forum) deadlines for commenting on this site (Big City Plan Talk A Place To Talk About Birmingham?s Big City Plan) feed me (bounder) Snow Hill? (BiNS iPhone icon | Birmingham) [...] [...] My Comments Elsewhere Links – Speak to Geeks plus more on Social Brum. (Podnosh) Rss Importer Bug (Pligg Forum) deadlines for commenting on this site (Big City Plan Talk A Place To Talk About Birmingham?s Big City Plan) feed me (bounder) Snow Hill? (BiNS iPhone icon | Birmingham) [...]

]]> By: Jon Bounds http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/comment-page-1/#comment-1082 Jon Bounds Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:16:06 +0000 http://podnosh.com/blog/2009/02/08/speaktoageek/#comment-1082 I've said it before and I'll keep worrying about it - "geek" is not a helpful word when trying to increase people's usage/awareness of computer tools. It sets up a division between people who do/can and those who don't - even if one doesn't already exist. I've been to too many talks/conferences/places where people were trying to help explain something really exciting useful or even game-changing and they started by saying "this is a bit geeky, but". No, it's really exciting/useful/important and if you take a few minutes to enthuse about how it can meet a need or solve a problem then it suddenly becomes a worthwhile thing to use — making it something that people are happy to try and test (and learn to use). There are enough barriers to people making the most of of technology and it's associated concepts, without people trying to "reclaim the language" and causing confusion at the same time. I think I shall try and write about this properly, stay tuned… I’ve said it before and I’ll keep worrying about it – “geek” is not a helpful word when trying to increase people’s usage/awareness of computer tools.

It sets up a division between people who do/can and those who don’t – even if one doesn’t already exist.

I’ve been to too many talks/conferences/places where people were trying to help explain something really exciting useful or even game-changing and they started by saying “this is a bit geeky, but”.

No, it’s really exciting/useful/important and if you take a few minutes to enthuse about how it can meet a need or solve a problem then it suddenly becomes a worthwhile thing to use — making it something that people are happy to try and test (and learn to use).

There are enough barriers to people making the most of of technology and it’s associated concepts, without people trying to “reclaim the language” and causing confusion at the same time.

I think I shall try and write about this properly, stay tuned…

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