BBC News alerts us to a survey of 1,000 workers by U.K. recruiter Computer People that finds two-thirds of office workers feeling bewildered and inadequate due to technology jargon.

The top five most commonly used jargon terms: bandwith, html, hostname, alias, and IP address.

“Over half (56%) of those surveyed said that IT professionals ‘speak another language,’ ” reports Computer People, “with two fifths (40%) saying that they feel IT staff are unaware of the confusion that tech jargon causes.”

My thoughts are with everyone in the path of Rita. May you all stay safe. But: Ever since it was pointed out to me that MSNBC has a hurricane coverage graphic that resembles Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, I can’t help but chuckle at their disaster coverage. In related news: The folks at Adult Swim are auctioning a signed ATHF poster, with proceeds to benefit the Red Cross.

“Fifteen-hundred years ago, everybody knew that the earth was the center of the universe. Five-hundred years ago, everybody knew that the earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you’ll know tomorrow.”
—K

I’ll tell you:

The Center for Media Research is part of MediaPost Communications, “an integrated publishing and content company whose mission is to provide an array of resources to super-serve media planners and buyers.” They’re involved with conferences like OMMA Conference and Expo East and Forecast 2006 and are ranked above AdAge, Adweek, and ClickZ on page 1 of Google’s results for “online advertising media.”

So why does the CMR footer say “(c)2000” instead of 2005? (Have they been out of business for five years?) Why, when I visit their Reports and Studies page, are they touting “New 2003 Media Trends Research”? Why is their Research Library littered with bad and dead links? If they’re an industry leader, why is this site being ignored so badly?

It may or may not be fair, but after visiting this site, I’m inclined to steer clear of anything bearing the MediaPost name. After all, if they haven’t taken 30 seconds in five years to update their Web page footer, how seriously can any of their information be taken?

Takeaway for marketers: If you’re going to do online properly, understand that sites require ongoing review and updating. You may not undertake annual redesigns, but at least take care of the embarrassing stuff.

Soflow’s Robert Loch asked that question on AdRants recently. A bunch of companies were named: Toyota, IBM, HP, Aflac, BMW, Google, Apple. And one more, mentioned more often than any other (as of this writing): Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s late-night lineup featuring Family Guy, Futurama, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and more.

Adult Swim is terrific. (Heck, I’ve been watching since their interstitials were literally adults swimming!) What’s really notable about the Soflow responses, though, is that Adult Swim is capturing the attention and admiration of some of the best marketing minds out there with smart, funny, conversational interstitals that are simply white text on a black background. Forget all the high-cost flashy production values. The biggest budget item here: Knowing how to talk to your audience with a consistent tone of voice.

Takeaway for marketers: Know your audience. Talk to them.