C4: Terminology
Did you go to Google for help while working on the earlier exercises? Did you find that you had trouble finding the help you needed? Figuring out the correct terminology to use in a search is a skill in itself. You know where to search, but knowing what terms to use can be tricky. In this chapter, we will explore the terminology to use when searching for help.
Issues surround terminology. First off, dissimilar programs can have specific names for their functions, elements, and tools. For instance, in Word your color options are called “Colors” or “Theme Colors.” However, in Photoshop your color options are called your “Color Palette.” Theme colors are a different thing in Photoshop. If you look up “theme colors Photoshop,” you probably will not get the answer you want if you are just trying to create a color palette for your image.
Functions may have names that make no sense whatsoever. Luckily, big software manufacturers tend to have usability testers—people who make sure all the terminology makes sense to the audience. Small firms may not have that luxury. They often have people naming functions who may not be very aware of their audience. Therefore, you are more likely to find this issue in less popular, less utilized, or open-source programs.
Searching for information on an icon can also be tricky. I have encountered this issue when looking up icons on my Android phone. What is that wavy “N” icon? How about that “B” with wings? When describing an icon or a button, it can be especially hard to find information. One note: I have found it harder to find information on well-known functions. You can find info and an explanation on that wavy “N” rather quickly. It is NFC, a data transfer function. If you look up that funky “B”, you will see it is harder to find because the icon is more common; therefore, you are expected to know what it is. It is Bluetooth by the way, a connection protocol.
Two strategies might help you find the correct terminology. One, look for the correct terminology to show up in Google’s autofill. It is possible that you will find what you need that way. Start typing the term or description, and see if something useful comes up. For instance, if you start typing “Photoshop color,” a number of options come up that might be helpful, including “Photoshop color palette.”
Secondly, once you have initiated a search in Google, scan the page and look for other terminology. Then try a search using those words. For instance, if you search for “Word color scheme,” you will have several pages come up that talk about themes. Searching for “Word color themes” will give you better results.
Knowing how to search effectively is a very powerful skill. I encourage you to practice that skill in other situations.
