Before classifying a worker, it is critical to have a basic understanding of the tests applied in making the distinction between employee and independent contractor.

FORBES: A Common HR Mistake that Proves Costly: Misclassifying Employees as Independent Contractors

As I progress through my 30-day BlackBerry trial, I'm writing most of my thoughts with the assumption that you have a basic understanding of BlackBerry's new devices and platform.

ENGADGET: Back to BlackBerry: a power user's perspective Mobile

Some nonprofit news sites train their volunteers so they have a basic understanding of how to get the facts right and how to report fairly on controversial issues before they publish stories.

CNN: Future of online news may be 'hyperlocal'

As expected, employing social media as a critical marketing technique is growing among B2B companies, but half of respondents in a newly released survey did not have a basic understanding of what their target markets were and who they could sell to.

FORBES: The Change in B2B Marketing

Until then, you'll just have to put your trust in strangers and hope they have at least a basic understanding of the rule of thirds.

ENGADGET

Just as an example, 78 percent of eighth graders in Los Angeles public schools have a "below basic" understanding of science.

NPR: Seeking Solutions for the Nation's Broken Schools

Unfortunately, financial analyses and projections are not taught in law school and most attorneys do not have more than a very basic understanding of them.

FORBES: Welcome to Divorce Dollars and Sense

The ability to read the tape along with a basic understanding of technicals will help you put all that news and information you have to actual use.

FORBES: "And then all of a sudden..."