New words and terms are often coined with the emergence of computing,

New words and terms are often coined with the emergence of computing, networking and internet technologies. Unusual-sounding and quirky titles and terminology soon come into being. Existing terms and words are still used; sometimes they come with new, fresh or enhanced explanations. Examples of such are web, surfing, notebook, mouse and so many more.

Why the internet is called the web? The only webs my grandparents knew were spun by spiders. To them, the internet is a complication construction of multi-layer webs. Sound like an interesting way to look at the internet.

Today they employ people working on the internet and call them web designers. Grandma once asked me if a web designer is someone who designs those colorful and arty-looking spider webs! She assumed that web designers are unkempt, disorganized people thinking up ideas to decorate webs, rather alike artists, writers or geniuses. We explained that web designers are among the new jobs created in the market, with the internet explosion. Ideally, a web designer should have a balance between creative and technical inclination; combining graphics with programming know-how. It is no wonder that a good web designer is highly paid.

Besides these, other terms that tickle grandma are the notebook and laptop. A notebook is a physical paper book; and now it refers to a portable computer. Ir ia also referred as alaptop, as it can be conveniently placed on laps. Grandma giggled and said that she related a laptop to naughty thoughts. The term made her think of 'dirty dancing' - scantily-dressed ladies in dim bars doing a lap dance!

When my nephew, Jon, told her that he wanted to surf the internet, she warned him about stormy seas and strong winds. Surfing is a dangerous activity; you have to be guided by your parents or elders, she told eight year old Jon.

With the wisdom of the young, Jon gave his great-grandma a little education on computers and internet surfing. Now Grandma spends hours on the computer, surfing the internet for recipes, gossips and entertainment. She is active in a number of networking sites and making friends all over the world. To top it all, grandma is very current with the latest words and terminology in computers and internet.