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 large - expensive computer that supports hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously and executes many different programs at the same time.






2. The system software the controls the way in which a computer system functions - including the management of hardware - peripherals - and software.






3. The space on the hard drive where the operating system stores data if there isn't enough random access memory (RAM) to hold all of the programs you're currently trying to run.






4. '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.'






5. A step-by-step guide that walks you through the necessary steps to complete a complicated task.






6. '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.'






7. 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.






8. A program that is hosted on a Web site and does not require installation on the computer.






9. 'The essential component of the operating system that is responsible for managing the processor and all other components of the computer system. Because it stays in random access memory (RAM) the entire time the computer is powered on - the kernel is






10. An interface port that transfers data at 400 Mbps.






11. Software that is developed for and customized to a specific industry's needs (such as a wood inventory system for a sawmill) as opposed to software that is useful across a range of industries (such as word processing software).






12. 'The backslash mark () used by Microsoft Windows and DOS in file names. Mac files use a colon (:) - and UNIX and Linux use the forward slash (/) as the path separator.'






13. A special data packet that allows Data to flows from device to device in one direction only.






14. The process of sending jobs formerly performed in the U.S. to other countries.






15. 'Unlike the command- and menu-driven interfaces used in earlier software - GUIs display graphics and use the point-and-click technology of the mouse and cursor - making them much more user-friendly.'






16. 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.






17. Violating a software license agreement by copying an application onto more computers than the license agreement permits.






18. 'A physical address - similar to a serial number on an appliance - that is assigned to each network adapter; it is made up of six 2-digit characters such as 01:40:87:44:79:A5.'






19. A device that allows you to capture sound waves - such as those created by your voice - and transfer them to digital format on your computer.






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






21. The metal or plastic case that holds all the physical parts of the computer together - including the computer's processor (its brains) - its memory - and the many circuit boards that help the computer function.






22. A special numerical code that prioritizes requests from various devices. These requests then are placed in the interrupt table in the computer's primary memory.






23. 'An open source operating system based on UNIX. Because of the stable nature of this operating system - it is often used on Web servers.'






24. 'A section of a hard drive platter - wedge-shaped from the center of the platter to the edge.'






25. A list of commands that displays on the screen.






26. The set of programs that enables a computer's hardware devices and application software to work together; it includes the operating system and utility programs.






27. A network in which the nodes are located within a small geographic area.






28. The first part of the label applied to a file; it is generally the name a user assigns to the file when saving it.






29. A fast transfer port.






30. Acts as a go-between for computers on the internal network and the external network (the Internet).






31. 'In a file name - the three letters that follow the user-supplied file name after the dot (.); the extension identifies what kind of family of files the file belongs to - or which application should be used to read the file.'






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






33. A power supply regulates the wall voltage to the voltages required by computer chips; it is housed inside the system unit.






34. A software program or hardware device designed to prevent unauthorized access to computers or networks.






35. A device that can project images from your computer onto a wall or viewing screen.






36. Programs that perform basic editing tasks on audio files such as cutting dead air space from the beginning or end of a song or cutting a portion from the middle.






37. A desktop system unit that houses the computer's processor -memory - and monitor in a single unit.






38. A method of optical storage for digital data; originally developed for storing digital audio.






39. 'A method of data collision detection in which a node connected to the network listens (that is - has carrier sense) to determine that no other nodes are currently transmitting data signals; short for Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Dete






40. A method of optical storage for digital data that has greater storage capacity than compact discs.






41. A type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances (approximately 30 feet for bluetooth 1 and 60 feet for bluetooth 2). Often used to connect peripherals such as printers and keyboards to computers or headsets t






42. '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.'






43. The process by which humans or computer software provide organizational structure to a computer's contents.






44. 'The set of minimum storage - memory capacity - and processing standards recommended by the software manufacturer to ensure proper operation of a software application.'






45. A nonimpact printer known for quick and quiet production and high quality printouts.






46. The radio waves or cable that transport data on a network.






47. 'A form included in many productivity applications that provides the basic structure for a particular kind of document - spreadsheet - or presentation.'






48. The pre-installed software (often trial versions) on a new computer.






49. Measured in degrees - this tells how far you can move to the side of (or above or below) the monitor before the image quality degrades to unacceptable levels.






50. 'A wireless standard established in 1997 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; also known as WiFi (short for Wireless Fidelity) - it enables wireless network devices to work seamlessly with other networks and devices.'