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Chapter 16 COMPUTER WORDS REVIEW SUGGESTIONS A. Explain the difference between hardware and software. KEY: Hardware includes physical equipment such as keyboard, disk drive, and printer. Software includes programs of instructions to the computer so that the computer will, for example, do word processing, algebra tutoring, or chess playing. B. Explain the difference between RAM and ROM. KEY: RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary memory storage (it can be changed). ROM (Read Only Memory) is permanent memory storage (it cannot be changed). C. What is each of the following? 1. a byte, 2. a kilobyte, 3. a megabyte, 4. a gigabyte KEY: 1. A byte is storage space enough for one character such as h or 9; 2. one thousand bytes; 3. one million bytes (no connection with an August evening at the lake); 4. one billion bytes (equal to one thousand megabytes) D. Give the name for each of the following: 1. the display screen-like TV-where you see text, messages, ads, etc. 2. the blinking light on the monitor which shows where you are typing 3. a link between different kinds of systems such as between the computer and 4. the particular link—or interface—between a computer and a telephone line 5. a flexible magnetic plate that stores information 6. the blending of names on a list with copies of a standard document 7. a work station like that of a bank teller, with a keyboard and a display screen 8. a storehouse of data on a subject, which can be consulted by many users 9. a worldwide system of computer networks working together 10. messages from one computer to another KEY: 1. monitor, 2. cursor, 3. interface, 4. modem, 5. floppy disk, 6. merge or merging, 7. terminal, 8. database, 9. Internet, 10. e-mail E. How does the binary system of counting differ from the decimal system? KEY: Numbering in the decimal system is to the base ten; in the binary system, to the base two. Computer messages are sent by electronic impulses which can only be on or off, making necessary a binary system. |