The Sideways Dictionary Uses Analogies to Define Technical Terms
Michael Hines — March 22, 2017 — Social Good
References: sidewaysdictionary & psfk
The Sideways Dictionary's goal is to make complex-sounding tech terms easy to understand through analogies. It was created by Jigsaw, a Google-backed company of engineers focused on social good in repressive countries, and The Washington Post. The dictionary is filled with terms like "Secure Socket Layer" and "API" which are important things to know but can be hard to explain.
Using crowdsourced analogies, which can be voted on by users, the Sideways Dictionary breaks these tech terms down into ideas anyone can understand. The dictionary's website is wonderfully minimalist, with a single-page design that eliminates the need to search for a word or term. Jigsaw says it hopes the Sideways Dictionary will make the tech that people interact with on a daily basis (and in most cases depend on) easier to understand.
Using crowdsourced analogies, which can be voted on by users, the Sideways Dictionary breaks these tech terms down into ideas anyone can understand. The dictionary's website is wonderfully minimalist, with a single-page design that eliminates the need to search for a word or term. Jigsaw says it hopes the Sideways Dictionary will make the tech that people interact with on a daily basis (and in most cases depend on) easier to understand.
Trend Themes
1. Minimalist Tech Jargon Glossaries - The Sideways Dictionary's minimalist approach to explaining complex tech terms through analogies presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in simplifying technology understanding.
2. Crowdsourced Analogies - The use of crowdsourced analogies in the Sideways Dictionary provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating collaborative and user-friendly platforms for defining technical terms.
3. Single-page Design - The single-page design of the Sideways Dictionary's website offers an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating intuitive and efficient user experiences for accessing information.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - The Sideways Dictionary's approach can be applied in the technology industry, enabling companies to simplify complex tech terms and improve user understanding.
2. Education - The Sideways Dictionary's concept of using analogies can be applied in the education industry to make technical subjects more accessible and engaging for students.
3. User Interface Design - The single-page design of the Sideways Dictionary's website presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the user interface design industry, inspiring more streamlined and user-friendly platforms.
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