Test your basic knowledge |

Technology In Action - 2

Subjects : it-skills, literacy
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A measure of processing speed equal to 1 million hertz.






2. A concentric circle that serves as a storage area on a hard drive platter.






3. A computer that is intended for use at a single location. A desktop computer consists of a case that houses the main components of the computer - plus peripheral devices.






4. A portion of the hard drive containing all the different configurations (settings) used by the Windows operating system (OS) as well as by other applications.






5. A keyboard that is distinguished by the first six letters on the top-left row of alphabetic keys on the keyboard.






6. 'The time it takes for the hard drive's read/write heads to move over the surface of the disk - between tracks - to the correct track.'






7. A server that processes and delivers incoming and outgoing e-mail.






8. The combination of a computer's operating system and processor. The two most common platform types are the PC and the Apple Macintosh.






9. About a billion bytes






10. A Windows feature that starts the computer by using the registry information that was saved during the last shutdown.






11. Video interface technology that newer LCD monitors - as well as other mutlimedia devices such as televisions - DVD players - and projectors - use to connect to a PC.






12. A unit of computer storage equal to approximately 1 million bytes.






13. The science of using nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale.






14. A temporary storage area on the hard drive where the operating system 'swaps out' or moves the data or instructions from random access memory (RAM) that have not recently been used. This process takes place when more RAM space is needed.






15. A port that is slightly larger than a standard phone jack and transfers data at speeds of up to 10 -000Mbps; used to connect a computer to a DSL or cable modem or a network.






16. 'A network topology in which each node on the network is responsible for retransmitting the token - or the data - to other nodes.'






17. 'Software - often used for training purposes - which allows the user to experience or control an event as if it is reality.'






18. How a user sets up his or her computer and other equipment to minimize risk of injury or discomfort.






19. The process of installing all the files and programs from the distribution CD to the computer's hard drive.






20. A type of technology used to transmit video signals; used on newer LCD monitors - as well as other multimedia devices such as televisions - DVD players - and projectors.






21. A system of networking connections in which all devices are connected to a central cable called the bus (or backbone).






22. 'Programs that include image - video - and audio editing software - animation software - and other specialty software required to produce computer games - animations - and movies.'






23. The set of techniques used in processing and retrieving information.






24. Impact of read/write head against magnetic platter of the hard drive; often results in data loss.






25. A circuit board with specific functions that augment the computer's basic functions and provide connections to other devices; examples include sound card and video card.






26. A business program used for storing sales and client contact information in one central database.






27. A network located in a home that is used to connect all of its digital devices.






28. A computer that provides resources to other computers on a network.






29. A cable that transmits data at close to the speed of light along glass or plastic fibers.






30. 'A mini-application that runs on the desktop - offering easy access to a frequently used tool such as weather or a calendar item.'






31. A small camera that sits on top of a computer monitor (connected to the computer by a cable) or is built into a notebook computer and is usually used to transfer live video.






32. 'A device that reads information from a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card-like access card (such as a student ID card); card readers are easily programmed by adding authorized ID card numbers - Social Security numbers - and so on.'






33. Software that facilitates the communication between a device and the operating system.






34. A set of memory chips - located on the motherboard - which stores data and instructions that cannot be changed or erased; it holds all the instructions the computer needs to start up.






35. 'The set of programs on a computer that helps a user carry out tasks such as word processing - sending e-mail - balancing a budget - creating presentations - editing photos - taking an online course - and playing games.'






36. A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from - and maybe even write to - CDs - DVDs - or Blu-ray discs.






37. A Windows utility that shows programs currently running and permits you to exit nonresponsive programs when you click End Task.






38. 'The mechanism that retrieves (reads) and records (writes) the magnetic data to and from a data disk. They move from the outer edge of the spinning platters to the center - up to 50 times per second.'






39. An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.






40. A network made up of local area networks (LANs) connected over long distances.






41. 'Software that handles requests for information - Internet access - and the use of peripherals for the rest of the network nodes.'






42. The time it takes a storage device to locate its stored data.






43. 'A thin - round - metallic storage plate stacked onto the hard drive spindle.'






44. 'A program with a specific purpose that must guarantee certain response times for particular computing tasks - or else the machine's application is useless. Real-time operating systems are found in many types of robotic equipment.'






45. An agreement between the user and the software developer that must be accepted before installing the software on a computer.






46. The measurement (in miliseconds) of the time it takes for a pixel to change color; the lower the response time - the smoother moving images will appear on the monitor.






47. The design of a computer network; includes both physical and logical design.






48. 'On the desktop - the bar that appears at the side or bottom of the window and controls which part of the information is displayed on the screen.'






49. A device (such as a printer or external hard drive) that can be attached directly to a network instead of needing to attach to a computer on the network.






50. 'The process of identifying a computer user - based on a login or username and password. The computer system determines whether the computer user is authorized and what level of access is to be granted on the network.'