# Term for the technologically capable. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 2, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970 "2011-09-02T16:03:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/1 "2011-09-02T16:03:05Z")
We have the adjective _Literate_ to describe those who can read. We have the adjective _numerate_ to describe those who can do math. With the increasing use of computers and devices in our society, it seems we need a similar word for the ability to use technology. Yes, we can describe it with short phrases like “technologically competant.” But I’m looking for a single term like literate and numerate. Is there such a term? If not, what do you folks propose? I was thinking, “Technate” but it sounds and looks a little weird to me. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/2 "2011-09-02T17:48:13Z")
Geek ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/3 "2011-09-02T17:50:16Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > We have the adjective _numerate_ to describe those who can do math. We do? I just use computer-savvy. Not everything needs to be condensed into one word, and I like savvy. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/4 "2011-09-02T17:53:20Z")
I’ve always heard “computer literate.” ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/5 "2011-09-02T18:05:35Z")
Technophile? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/6 "2011-09-02T18:14:56Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > I was thinking, “Technate” but it sounds and looks a little weird to me. Technate is probably the best single word you’re going to come up with, although it’ll grate on the ears of classicists. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/7 "2011-09-02T18:16:02Z")
[Wonk.](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wonk) ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/8 "2011-09-02T18:17:43Z")
“Computer literate” for more casual people, or “Power user”, to describe advanced users below programming/professional levels. ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/9 "2011-09-02T18:21:27Z")
> [@Krouget](#): > > “Computer literate” for more casual people, or “Power user”, to describe advanced users below programming/professional levels. This. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-the-technologically-capable/594970/10 "2011-09-03T03:40:09Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] Technate is probably the best single word you’re going to come up with, although it’ll grate on the ears of classicists. [/QUOTE] [This person](http://thetechnorateteacher.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/being-technorate/) seems to prefer technorate. Like **Bosstone** , I’m really not sure we need an actual word for it.