Unit L: The Computer Industry and Careers
TRUE/FALSE
1. Computer historians believe that the Difference Engine contains many of the same concepts that define
the modern computer.
2. The Hollerith Tabulating Machine was developed in response to slow calculation time for the U.S.
census.
3. The company that Herman Hollerith founded is now known as Hewlett-Packard.
4. The ENIAC was smaller and more powerful than the UNIVAC.
5. Each new generation of computers evolved based on changes in the computing power.
6. The Apple 1 was sold as a kit.
7. The Mark 8 was the first commercially successful minicomputer.
8. Cisco is an example of a network hardware company.
9. The IEEE Standards Association regulates interstate and international communications.
10. The U.S. government restricts exporting hardware and software that contains certain strong encryption
algorithms.
11. The IT industry is dominated by the U.S..
12. Product announcement is the first stage in the life cycle of a new computer model.
13. Beta versions of software are often buggy.
14. A VAR assembles or modifies products into complete hardware and software solutions targeted
towards specific businesses.
15. The second market tier consists of small start-up companies that primarily sell through mail order.
16. Telecommuters tend to be less productive than those on-site.
17. Anyone who uses a computer for work is considered to have an IT-related career.
18. Most IS departments are headed by a CIO.
19. A network administrator often maintains a company’s Web site.
20. A+ Certification measures the level of proficiency in database administration.
21. Computer engineering degree programs focus on hardware and devices at the chip level.
22. The Security+ exam covers cryptography, authentication, and protection from viruses and worms.
23. When writing your resume, it is important to thoroughly describe all of your past employment history,
even if it takes several pages.
24. Job-hunting experts agree that spending most of your time researching jobs online is effective.
25. A company’s mission statement describes its goals and how it will accomplish them.
26. A head hunter works on behalf of employees.
27. To set your resume apart when searching for a job online, use a distinctive e-mail address, such as
Ilovedogs@yahoo.net, instead of your name.
28. Attaching your resume in .rtf format enables it to be read by a variety of word processing programs.
29. A job search agent is a database of job openings posted by employers.
30. A disadvantage of using a job search agent is that you have to be online while it works.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ____ is a manual calculating device that consists of several positionable rods.
a.
An abacus
c.
Napier’s Bones
b.
A slide rule
d.
The Hollerith Tabulating Machine
2. The Analytical Engine used ____ to store data for calculations.
a.
punch cards
c.
rods
b.
color patterns
d.
beads
3. In 1623, ____ created a mechanical calculator that used interlocking gears.
a.
John Napier
c.
Charles Babbage
b.
Wilhelm Schickard
d.
Herman Hollerith
4. Which of the following is true about first-generation computers?
a.
They used transistors.
b.
The IBM 360 is an example.
c.
They did not have operating systems.
d.
They used programming language compilers.
5. ____-generation computers started with the invention of the microprocessor.
a.
First
c.
Third
b.
Second
d.
Fourth
6. In 1984, the ____ computer was released, featuring a graphical user interface.
a.
Mark 8
c.
IBM PC
b.
Apple Macintosh
d.
Apple II
7. By the late 1980s, the computer industry used two main platforms: Apple Macintosh, and the ____
IBM-compatible.
a.
minicomputer
c.
graphical user interface
b.
third-generation
d.
MS–DOS-based
8. ____ programming languages became available for second-generation computers and is still used
today.
a.
COBOL
c.
FORTRAN
b.
C++
d.
Both A and C
9. A ____ is a sharp rise and fall in stock values of a particular industry.
a.
hot air balloon
c.
surge
b.
bubble
d.
spike
10. ____ is an example of an IT service company.
a.
LinkSys
c.
Cisco
b.
AMD
d.
AOL
11. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the biggest computer hardware-producing countries
by dollar value?
a.
U.S.
c.
India
b.
Japan
d.
Singapore
12. A company’s percentage of the total market pie is called its ____.
a.
market share
c.
MSRP
b.
VAR
d.
life cycle
13. Which of the following is NOT true about first-tier companies?
a.
Their market share is more than 2% of total sales.
b.
They include start-up companies.
c.
They have high overhead costs.
d.
They are more likely to honor warranties.
14. Distribution centers and computer retailers are types of marketing ____.
a.
tiers
c.
channels
b.
shares
d.
sectors
15. A discounted price for a computer product is called the ____ price.
a.
equilibrium
c.
second tier
b.
MSRP
d.
street
16. Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of telecommuting?
a.
Decreased productivity
c.
Distractions
b.
Security risks
d.
Reduced utility costs
17. A ____ worker is hired as a consultant for a project or length of time.
a.
telecommuting
c.
CIO
b.
contract
d.
security expert
18. The A+ Certification is sponsored by ____.
a.
CompTIA
c.
Oracle
b.
Microsoft
d.
ICCP
19. The ____ exams measure proficiency with software applications.
a.
CPP
c.
MCSE
b.
MOS
d.
MCDBA
20. A(n) ____ is a recruitment firm that a company hires when looking for upper-level management job
candidates.
a.
employment agency
c.
human resource
b.
job seeker
d.
head hunter
21. A(n) ____ is a group of people working together to accomplish a goal.
a.
business
c.
nonprofit
b.
organization
d.
corporation
COMPLETION
1. An abacus is an example of a ____________________ calculator.
2. The first commercially successful digital computer was the ____________________.
3. Charles ____________________ proposed a device that would calculate large tables of numbers
quickly using steam power.
4. A(n) ____________________ is an experimental device that requires further development before it is
produced or distributed.
5. A(n) ____________________-generation computer used vacuum tubes to store individual bits of data.
6. Third-generation computers were possible after the development of ____________________ circuits.
7. Early IT industry pioneers located their businesses in ____________________ Valley.
8. A sign that dot-com stocks are regaining consumer confidence was the successful IPO of
____________________ in August 2004.
9. The technology-focused sector of the stock exchange is called the
________________________________________________________________________________.
10. 90% of the personal computer operating system market is controlled by the company
_________________________.
11. Products that are announced but never produced are called ____________________.
12. The first phase of software testing is called the ____________________ test.
13. The ____________________ phase of software testing is often conducted off-site by professional
testing companies.
14. ____________________ is the science that focuses on the efficient use of human energy during work.
15. Using technology to work from home or off-site is called ____________________.
16. High voluntary ____________________ rate indicates that employees are not satisfied with their
compensation or working conditions.
17. Computer ____________________ degrees focus on the computer architecture and software.
18. A(n) ____________________ exam is an objective test that verifies your knowledge level about a
particular technology or subject.
19. ____________________ technology degree programs focus on how computer equipment and software
are used by businesses and organizations.
20. A(n) ____________________ is an organization’s goal or plan.
21. Organizations that focus on political, social, or charitable goals are called ____________________
organizations.
22. A(n) ____________________ chart depicts the hierarchy of employees.
23. A Web ____________________ is an online version of your resume.
24. A(n) ____________________ tool is software that performs broad-based Web searches.
MATCHING
Match the person or company with their contribution to computer history.
a.
Thomas deColmar
e.
Jack Kilby
b.
William Oughtred
f.
AT&T’s Bell Laboratories
c.
The Tabluating Machine Company
g.
Ted Hoff
d.
Ecker-Mauchley Computer Corporation
h.
Steve Jobs
1. Now known as IBM.
2. One of the first to construct an integrated circuit.
3. Developed the first general-purpose microprocessor.
4. First to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
5. Invented the first mass-produced mechanical calculator.
6. Constructed the first UNIVAC.
7. One of the founders of Apple Computer Corporation.
8. Constructed the first slide rule.
Match the IT industry category with its description.
a.
Equipment manufacturers
d.
Service companies
b.
Chipmakers
e.
Retailers
c.
Software publishers
9. Create operating systems, programming languages, and applications.
10. Design and produce processors, sound cards, and motherboards.
11. Examples include CompUSA and PC Connection.
12. Design and produce PCs, mainframes, PDAs, and more.
13. Provide business consulting, Web hosting, and network security.
Match the IT job with its responsibilities
a.
Computer engineer
e.
Quality assurance specialist
b.
Database administrator
f.
Systems analyst
c.
Manufacturing technician
g.
Technical support specialist
d.
Network specialist
h.
Technical writer
14. Creates online or printed user manuals.
15. Designs and tests computer chips, circuit boards, and peripheral devices.
16. Plans and implements new or improved computer services.
17. Participates in the fabrication of circuit boards and peripheral devices.
18. Creates data entry forms and reports.
19. Participates in alpha and beta software testing.
20. Works at the help desk.
21. Maintains LANs and network security.
ESSAY
1. List one defining characteristic about each of the four generations of computers.
2. Describe the rise and fall of the “dot–com bubble.”
3. Describe ways to find information on computer-related degree programs or certifications.
4. What are some things to consider when looking for a job in the IT industry?