The language of e-business: 10 tech terms from 2004

Every month, it seems like the Internet brings a new word or phrase into the language. Tech writers typically try and explain the meanings of these terms the first few times they are used in an article. Nevertheless, it's not uncommon to find yourself reading a tech article and wondering just what the heck a blog, podcast, mash-up, or the word-of-the-month really is.

2004 has been an especially rich year for new techno-jargon. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, here's a guide to some of the terms that made it big this year.

If you already know all these strange words and phrases, do yourself a favor and pass this list onto the people you know and love. Then they'll have some idea just what the heck you're talking about!

10 Tech Terms from 2004

Bangalored - If your hot IT job is outsourced to India, you've been "Bangalored".

Blog - Amazingly enough, there are still people that don't know what a blog is. According to Merriam-Webster, "blog" topped the list of words that people looked up at its site in 2004, beating out tongue-twisters like defenestration and sovereignty.

So what is a blog? According to Merriam-Webster, "blog" is a noun that means "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer".

While that's a pretty good definition, "blog" is also commonly used as a verb. "To blog or not to blog?" - that is the question.

In fact, bloggers (those who blog) have a habit of tacking "blog" onto other terms like a grade-schooler that has just learned his first 4-letter word. The world of blogs is known as the "blog-o-sphere", while "moblogs" are group online journals.

Gatesed - If you encounter one of the unfortunate side-effects of using Microsoft technology, you've been "Gatesed." In typical IT usage, "If it Gatesed (BSOD), you were SOL."

Hot spot - Some people think that hot spots have something to do with the origins of volcanoes, while others think they are just the preferred lounge locations for cats and dogs. In the world of IT, though, the term refers to places that have wireless Internet connections. Many national and local retailers, especially coffee shops, are adding wireless hot spots to provide the tech-savvy another reason to stop in and spend.

Mouselexia - The inability to use a mouse correctly. Some people are naturally mouselexic, while others are just struck with mouselexia when an IT guru is looking over their shoulder.

Offshored - Politically correct term for having your job outsourced to another country. See "Bangalored".

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