Help! I Feel So Lost In The Tech World!

A reader wants to know: "I feel so lost in the tech world. You being a women, how did you learn and improve on your self to where you felt confident enough to advise others?"

Great question! My fatal attraction to technology really started while I lived in Japan. Somehow I ended up buying this great digital camcorder —that wasn't available in the U.S.—at a Japanese pawn shop. Although the whole menu was in a different language, I was determined to own it.

I learned by pushing all the buttons until I figured out how to use it. I know it sounds hilarious, but in my defense, the menu was in JAPANESE. I still have the camcorder, and it still does a great job of taking digital video and still photographs. That's what motivated me to learn more about video editing, editing software, web design and even computer hardware.

The moral of the story is just take the bull by horns and do something. Anything. Find a hobby that requires you to get really acquainted with one particular gadget. It could be a music player, a digital camera, or even your computer. You could always practice taking apart an old computer, and learning about the parts inside.

I pushed myself even further by creating my own personal weblog (online diary) about technology for women like me who were also trying to stay updated with the latest techie toys. That's how I improved my self on a daily basis because it forced me to stay updated with the latest trends. 

And I wasn't alone. Check out this list of techie blogs by ladies for the ladies. Believe the list keeps growing.

• Techie Diva (yes, this is my blog)
  
• Shiny Shiny
• Gadget Candy
• Chip Chick
• Darla Mack
• The Gadgeteers
• Amber Mac
  
• PopGadget
• Women's Ring

I literally have hundreds of gadget related sites bookmarked that I frequent on a daily basis. I learn something new everyday.

Also, surrounding yourself with people who share in your desire to learn about technology is a huge motivator.  Find out if your community college offers short computer classes. Some electronic stores also offer short seminars. Apple is one of them. And look on the web for free online classes.

Everyone learns in different ways, you just have to start somewhere. Taking that first step can be a life changing experience.

I want to hear from the ladies in the house, how did you conquer your technology fears?