Home K200 Syllabus K200/labs.htm In Class Assignments

 


 COMPUTER TERMS

The following is from a recent advertisement for a computer. I would like you to examine it and attempt to understand the terms used in the advertisement. I have posed some questions in italics which I would like you to try and answer. Don’t worry about learning the technical details; just try to form a broad understanding of some of the terms. At the bottom of this page, you will find directions for some resources that will help you in answering the questions.

Briefly answer the questions and hand in your answers.  Keep a copy of for yourselves.  You will need it to study for the exam.

  • Intel 700MHz Pentium III Processor

(Q: What does 700MHz mean? What is the difference between a Pentium II and a Pentium III chip?)
  • 128MB SDRAM Expandable to 384MB

(How much is 128 MB? What does RAM stand for? There are many different kinds of RAM such as: DRAM, SDRAM, EDO RAM, etc. Can you try and figure out what these mean?)
  • Integrated 512K Cache

(What is cache?  What is the difference between "Level 1 cache" and "Level 2 cache"?)
  • VX700 17" color monitor (15.9" viewable area)

(What is the difference between the CRT monitor (like the one in front of you) and the new LCD monitors (flat screen)?)

  • 13.5GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive

(What is Ultra ATA? IDE? EIDE?)
  • 40X variable CD ROM Drive & 3.5" Diskette Drive

(What does the 40X variable mean?)
  • Boston Acoustics BA635 Speakers
  • U.S. Robotics 56Kbps Voice Winmodem

(What is a modem? What does the 56 Kbps mean?)
  • 2USB, 2 parallel ports
  • Sound Blaster compatible PCI sound card
  • Mid-Tower Case
  • Multi-function Keyboard & MS IntelliMouse
  • Microsoft Windows 98, McAfee Anti Virus Software

(Do you understand all these terms?)

Define the following:

  • The Java programming language
  • Video card (what are some of the different kinds that are available?)
  • USB port
  • Firewire

 

Resources

1. For information about the Pentium processor, go to the Intel site at www.intel.com and look under Product Info.

2. Go to the following web site: www.currents.net/resources/dictionary/dictionary.phtml  Type in the term you want to look up in the box provided. Click on the Search button.

3. Check out the Glossary of PC and Internet Terminology at http://homepages.enterprise.net/jenko/Glossary/G.htm

4. Go to the following web site: www.techweb.com/encyclopedia Enter the term you wish to define in the box and click the "define!’ button.

5. Go to the "Buying a Computer" Lab on the CD that accompanies your textbook. Click on the "Steps" icon. An advertisement will be displayed. Click the "Shopping Glossary" button to display the Shopping Glossary window on the screen. Click the arrow button to display the list. Scroll down till you see the term you wish to define. Click on that term and press Enter.