Do not let it be another drab, boring year. Last week, we began our suggestions on 10 techie things you can do in 2011. On the Top 5 of our list, we recommended the following: explore a new gadget, donate your techno garbage, learn a geeky skill, launch a money-making blog and be a Facebook, Twitter or Youtube superstar.

With technology all around us, there's no excuse to be an ignoramus really. I admire grandmoms as old as 70 who exert an effort to navigate through Windows 7. And take note, my oldest friend on Facebook is 80 or something, an ex-journo. It's more than just bridging the generation gap in tech. Modern-day advancements in technology should be used towards one's enhancement and the pursuit of knowledge. We wouldn't call anyone techno-savvy if it means knowing the latest s*x videos uploaded on Youtube or having the most number of foreign chatmates you can ask for Western Union remittances from.

Now we continue with our list from Number 6 to 10:

6. Read up as much on tech-related things. Websites like Engadget, Gizmodo and ReadWriteWeb should be up there on your feed reader. Or better yet, make sure you buy a copy of MB Technews every Monday and Wednesday (ahem!) for the latest gadgets to rock the Philippines!

7. Attend IT/tech events. These days, there are lots of 'em happening around town: not just the usual consumer electronics shows but also blog parties, digital marketing seminars, and toycons. Make sure to be updated on the events happening in the big venues like Word Trade Center and SMX Convention Center. Lest we forget, a true techie grills the salesman on functions and specifications of a device, even if it's just a good, ol'  appliance fair in Glorietta.

8. Meet or adopt a guru. So yes, maybe most of us can't meet Steve Jobs in our lifetime. But it's not yet too late to follow and look up to somebody for inspiration on leading a techie life.Thank God, most of today's biggies have their own websites (even Bill Gates) and we can easily be updated on them by subscribing through email. The people we look up to are just a Twitter or Facebook "add friend" away!

9. Bone up on new words. Corollary to learning a new skill or reading tech bibles, learning the new words of the decade are a must. Be warned, most of them are updated as the months go by. As such, last year's Froyo might already be obsolete by next quarter. At the risk of being called a jejemon, make friends with words like apps, retweet, OEM and even 802.11g

10. Get away from technology, even for just a bit. Yes, I am contradicting myself here. But our life is so tech-dependent that it would be good to get away from tweets and Facebook notifications, even for just 24 hours. Technology can be so overwhelming that planning a perfect escape is so tempting: just chilling out on a remote beach with no cell signal,  looking at the moon and sipping ice-cold margarita. So sue me!:)