If you’ve followed the C&D blog for a while you’ll know that I happily wear the mantle of “office geek“. I’ve always been fascinated by technology, since before the days back through the mists of time when I played clunky games (in colour, no less!) on my Amstrad CPC6128.

I’ve never really been concerned with the mechanics of how technology works; for me it’s much more to do with how the application of technology makes my life easier and more interesting. And in turn it’s about my ongoing frustration with how impenetrable technology can be for the average person who simply wants to get on with the job at hand. For reasons that aren’t clear to me I’ve never had trouble interpreting geek-speak, but I know that puts me in the minority, and in turn that for most people there’s nothing more frustrating than technology that simply isn’t clearly explained.

So, I thought it would be helpful to round up my top five resources that actually do present new technology in a way that makes sense to the non-geek:

Five websites that help me understand technology

1. I love Lifehacker because it has a slightly toned down version of the irreverent tone that characterizes all of the blogs in the Gawker network. That and its uncanny ability to help me out whenever I have any kind of issue with all things Internet.
2. Web Worker Daily (part of Om Malik’s GigaOm network) does exactly what it says on the tin: provides tips on improving your workspace and work habits for virtually anyone whose day involves a computer. It’s particularly great for those of you who are mobile / virtual office workers.
3. It’s really not about technology so much as it’s an eclectic guide to running a better business and doing so on your own terms. But since it’s written by the folks at 37signals who create web-based applications, the focus of Signal vs. Noise leans towards technology. What I like most of all is the underlying message that technology for its own sake is almost always a bad thing.
4. I love almost everything about Britain’s Guardian newspaper website, except the recent redesign that seems to have made it more difficult to find what I’m looking for. Their Guardian Technology section is a great blend of how-to information, real news and analysis, and genuinely unbiased reviews.
5. This last one’s a little out of step with the others. Fred Wilson, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures, has been writing at his blog, A VC, for almost five years now (making him one of the first venture capitalists to embrace blogging so openly and comprehensively). If you’re outside of the technology community, a lot of the companies and technologies he writes about will seem unfamiliar, but Fred has an uncanny ability to understand how to simplify complex ideas, and to interpret how technology will play out in the marketplace. For that last reason alone, his blog is a great resource for information on things that aren’t mainstream yet, but will be soon. Coincidentally Fred recently mused on blurring the lines between geek tech and mainstream tech…

That’s all for now. If you have suggestions for other resources, feel free to leave them in the comments.