Sort Out the Hardware Portion

Although we use things like PCs, cell phones, digital cameras and PDAs, often we have no idea what actually makes them work. Learning the ins and outs can give you an edge.

I recommend: It may take a few clicks before you get to the exact page you're looking for, but Whatis.com has a comprehensive listing of terms, phrases and quick links to the most common searches. Jupitermedia Corp.'s Webopedia also has a feature called "Technology Word of the Day" and a link to the top 15 most-used technology terms. CMP's TechWeb has 20,000 IT terms, and it's a good place to go if you already know the word you want defined.

Play the Name Game

As on the hardware side, the Internet has also given birth to its own language.

I recommend: Albion.com's Netdictionary has a listing of Web acronyms and slang, and NetLingo has a "Top 20" list of Web terms parents and tech newbies may find useful, as well as phrases that have morphed into everyday lingo. It also has a dictionary that can be downloaded to a PDA or cell phone.