People who work within some facet of the technology often find themselves both advantaged and disadvantaged with respect to the rest of the world. If you are reading this article, there is a great chance you are one of the technological "insiders".

Depending upon how you classify yourself, you might find that the more technically oriented you become, the greater the choices you have when you need to talk with others. Before the dawn of modern communications technologies (namely the telegraph and soon after the telephone) the most advanced technology to come about was the invention of the written letter. Clearly this was a vast improvement to smoke signals, beating drums, and other primitive techniques.

Since the Industrial Revolution, much advancement has occurred in the area of communications both broadcast and personal.

What forms of communication do you employ in your relationships or dating life?

With so many competing services, it can be overwhelming to decide what is appropriate and useful in any given situation. Let's take the concept of communicating with a current or potential mate. In the past, there was face to face, which was great when you were face to face. When you were out of sight, you could remain "in mind" by picking up the telephone and speaking directly.

Prior to the invention of email, further distance usually prompted one to depend upon the written word, delivered by parcel post to maintain communications. Today there is email, video email, instant message, twitter, facebook walls, myspace pages, blog posts, text messages, and a host of other similar technology driven forms of communication.

Invariably, you are going to have favorites as it relates to these various services. Some you'll find completely useless and wonder why they even still exist. Others you'll often ponder why everyone on the planet is not using them as their primary communications method. You'll find your proficiency in a specific service or technique will increase the more you use it. And you'll likely use it more if your preferred communications targets are employing the same services.

This, then, brings us to the concept of communicating with someone you know and love, or someone you'd like to know and love. If you're already involved with someone, chances are you know whether they can send text messages and if they even like it. Same goes with instant messages (IM), email, facebook status and wall messages, twitter "tweets" and/or a slew of other "web 2.0 communications" technologies.

You may not know this about a prospective date. Different age groups seem to handle the acquisition and use of this information in different ways. People in their 40's or older tend to simply pick up the phone and talk. Youngsters 25 and younger are adept at pretty much any technology and seem to employ many of them in their everyday lives.

But it's the 30 something folks that are finding the biggest challenges in communication techniques. Some find disdain in one form over another and simply refuse to employ a style they don't use regularly.

So how can you best overcome incompatibilities with your current or future mate?

The easiest is to talk about it. Using whatever means is most important to them, have the conversation. Learn about their likes and dislikes. Share the services and technologies you prefer.

When meeting new people, if in person, simply ask how they prefer to be contacted: do they prefer voice, text, or email. Be sure to substitute one of your choices in the list. In fact, make this query an early focal point so you can best assess your potential compatibility.

You'll be much happier in the long run.