Hello,
It’s Jesse from Jesse’s Tech Solutions. After many years in IT, I know that technology can feel like it has its own foreign language. All the jargon—”the cloud,” “cookies,” “cache”—can be confusing and make you feel like you’re being left behind.
My job is to be your friendly, local translator. I believe that understanding the language of tech is the first step to feeling confident and in control. So, let’s demystify a few common terms.
1. WiFi vs. The Internet
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they are different things.
The Internet is the massive, worldwide network of computers. It’s the information superhighway.
WiFi is the wireless technology that lets your devices (phone, laptop, TV) connect to that internet highway without cables. Your Wi-Fi is created by a box in your house called a router. So, your WiFi is your home’s connection to the internet.
2. The Cloud
This is probably the most confusing one! “The Cloud” isn’t a fluffy thing in the sky. It’s just a term for a network of powerful computers (called servers) in data centres all over the world that store and manage data. When you save a photo to iCloud or Google Photos, you’re not saving it to the sky; you’re saving it to one of these secure computers, allowing you to access it from anywhere. Think of it as a secure digital filing cabinet.
3. Browser Cookies
No, not the chocolate chip kind! When you visit a website, it may save a tiny text file on your computer called a “cookie.” This file acts like a memory card. It helps the website remember you—for instance, it can keep you logged in or remember the items in your shopping cart. They are generally harmless and useful, but it’s good practice to clear them out every now and then for a “fresh start.”
4. Hardware vs. Software
This is a fundamental concept. Hardware is any physical part of your tech that you can touch. Your phone, your laptop, the mouse, the screen—that’s all hardware.
Software is the set of instructions and programs that tell the hardware what to do. Your apps, your Windows or macOS operating system, and your web browser are all software.
Technology doesn’t have to be intimidating. At Jesse’s Tech Solutions, there are no silly questions. If you want a one-on-one session where we can go over these terms and anything else you’re curious about, just give me a call.
Talk soon,
Jesse
Jesse’s Tech Solutions