Geek-Speak Cheat Sheet: A Breakdown of Jargon for the Less-Than-Tech-Savvy

When you're discussing technology, it's easy to get lost amid all the abbreviations, brand names and evolving meanings. It's not generally an issue - you can always ask someone to explain a new term. But there are a few phrases that are worthwhile knowing from the start:

Application Programming Interface (API): Any website that allows developers to create tools that use the site has an API. Even if you aren't involved with technical projects, APIs can be useful because knowing whether a site has an API, like Twitter, tells you that there are tools you can use to take advantage of that site's API, like Twilert, which sends you an alert whenever a particular phrase (like your company's name) is mentioned on Twitter.

Avatar: On many social networking sites, you have the opportunity to upload a photo of yourself to use as an avatar. Depending on which sites you use, that avatar may show up in some unusual places. For instance, you're often able to use your Facebook account to log in to blogs and other websites that use Facebook Connect to manage comments and other information. Your avatar would then show up on these sites even though they have only a minimal connection to Facebook.

In The Cloud: Many web-based applications, such as Google Docs or web-based emails services, store data in the cloud. Rather than saving your files or data to your computer, it's saved to the application's servers, which will allow you to access your files from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Open Source: Typically, software that is offered as open source is free to use and modify. When it comes to using open source software for business uses, there are both significant benefits and issues. While it's free to use, there are some security concerns as well as questions about finding appropriate technical support. (For more on this topic, check out Opening the Door to Open Source Software)

Real Simple Syndication (RSS): Many blogs and other websites that are regularly updated offer an RSS feed so that you can keep up with updates. An RSS feed is a file that can be read by an RSS reader, such as Google Reader, which will allow you to read new blog posts, articles and other updates from any site that you choose to subscribe to, without having to visit the physical site.

Plug-in: You can add plugins to certain kinds of software to customize them and make them more appropriate for your uses. The Firefox Web browser, for instance, has thousands of plug-ins that let you save information, add alerts about your eBay trading or automatically upload photos to a photo-sharing site.

Podcast: Many individuals and companies put out regular audio broadcasts, which anyone can download and listen to. These podcasts can be listened to on an iPod or other mp3 player. For some, podcasts are a marketing method, while for others just share a personal interest through their podcasts. (P.S. Check out OfficeArrrow podcasts here)

Voice Over IP (VoIP): VoIP software, such as Skype, allows you to send and receive phone calls through your computer or a phone hooked up to your computer, often for free. It is possible to use a VoIP system for all of a business' phone calls, but there are some concerns, such as the ability to reach emergency services, that are drawbacks to such a solution. (For more information on Skype, read our review of the service)

Widget: A widget plugs into a website, allowing content and information from other websites to be displayed wherever the widget is installed. Widgets can be used with all manner of different information, from adding advertising to a website to telling you the local weather report.

Wiki: The best-known wiki is Wikipedia, the encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Wikis are websites that allow you to edit pages on the fly, along with anyone else who has access to the site. You don't need to have any technical abilities to edit a wiki and there nature makes them ideal for project management. (For more on this topic, check out Wiki Mania: Defining a Revolution)