COMP100 – Review questions

Excel

1. In Excel, what are the three basic data that a cell can contain?

2. Stored in the cell [Q14], how is the following formula modified so that the reference [A7] does not change if the formula is copied to another cell?  If the formula is copied to cell [S12], what it look like there?

[Q14] = P10 * ( 1 / A7 )

3. Although databases and spreadsheets are different applications, can a spreadsheet be used as database?  Can a database be used a spreadsheet?

Input / Output

4. What function does an "ergonomic keyboard" serve?

5. Both a "force feedback" and "tablet PC" exhibit qualities of both input & output.  Explain why?

6. Identify 2 benefits of the quasi-copy "electronic paper" over display screens (softcopy) and paper (hardcopy).

7. List 3 biometric measures.

8. Both are extremely accurate pointing device, but why is a digitising/graphics tablet considered "absolute" and a mouse "relative?"

9. What is OCR?  List 2 useful applications of this technology.

10. Why is a "barcode" considered a robust (or durable) type of input (even though the barcode scanner is the input device)?

11. Describe why printing an essay is output, but saving to disk is not.

12. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages to dot matrix (impact) printers.

13. People with disabilities have problems using common input & output devices.  Discuss 3 input/output devices that such people could use in order to interact with computers.

Storage

14. Identify 2 main differences between primary and secondary storage.

15. What makes a storage device a "computer" storage device"?  (for example, a VCR is not a "computer" storage device.)

16. With respect to storing data, what do floppy diskettes, hard drives, Zip disks, and tapes have in common?

17. Place the following measures in order of increasing magnitude: terabyte, yottabyte, megabyte, kilobyte, bit.

18. Assuming both DVDs and hard drives spin at the same speed, why is reading random data from a hard drive faster than from a DVD?  (Consider sequential access and direct access.)

19. Why is scratching a hard drive more serious than scratch a CD?

20. Why is a USB flash memory device sometimes called "removable primary storage?"

21. "To increase performance on a computer, select a faster processor, use a larger hard drive, and increase the system RAM."  How does increasing the system RAM increase performance?  (Consider the CPU, OS, and applications.)

22. List 2 methods/devices of backup with a common personal computer.  Which method/device is more reliable and why?

Operating Systems

23. Describe the 3 types of operating systems?

24. For what to the acronyms CLI and GUI stand?

25. What is WIMP?

26. What are the 3 aspects/components to "systems software?"

27. Describe how "virtual memory" increases the actual physical system memory.

28. How a disk (or file) fragmentation degrade a computer's performance?

29. What is disk (or file) fragmentation and how is it solved...at least temporarily?

30. What makes a storage device a "computer" storage device"?  (for example, a VCR is not a "computer" storage device.)

31. The compressed folder utility in Windows, WinZip, and other "compression" and archive programs are used everyday.  List 3 reasons for using a compression program.

32. "Billy Bob wants to send a bunch of files to Timmy Todd.  To make the transmission easier, faster, and secure, Billy Bob compresses the files to a .zip and e-mails it to Timmy Todd."  How is the transmission easier, faster, and more secure?

33. What is "open source" software?  How is Linux considered "open source?"

34. Why are there so many distributions (or flavours) of Linux and other *NIX operating systems? 

35. In past years, many users took time to select the correct operating and system and learn how each feature and function worked.  With modern computers, most years successfully use their computers with little (or no) thought as to the operating system; why?

Communication

36. Describe the differences between: real-time, delayed, and stored communication.

37. What 3 aspects/components are required for electronic communication to happen?

38. As a service on the Internet, which came first and why: web browsing, e-mail, streaming audio/video, or instant messaging?

39. In comparing physical media, why is fibre optic cable considered "better" than twisted-pair copper wire?

40. What media to cell/mobile phones, wireless Ethernet, satellite, and the local music station have in common?

41. What is an "internet service provider?"

42. What does "line of sight" mean when referring to microwave and infra-red communication?

43. Dial-up (telephone) users need a modem; what is a "modem"?  Do people using high-speed Cable and DSL also need a "modem?"

44. Discuss 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of using a computer with wireless network connection (compared to a physically wired connection).

45. What is a "protocol?"  As an example, what are FTP and HTTP each used for?

Society, Security, and Ethics

46. What are "ethics?"  Why do we need them?

47. What is a "computer virus?"  What are the 3 forms of viruses?

48. How does a "firewall" reduce the risk, even if infected with a Trojan horse virus?

49. Why is an "audit trail" (or access log) and important aspect of security?  (how can the access log be used?)

50. Why is software theft so easy?  And why is it wrong?

51. What is data encryption?  Describe how using it with file compression is an advantage.

52. What concerns should computer users have?  (both electronic and physical)

53. What is "spy ware?"  Can it be avoided?

54. Each country has laws and rights for illegal duplication and access of intellectual property, but this is still a serious concern over the Internet.  Why?

55. Discuss why biometrics are "better" access methods over just a username & password.

56. Describe how a repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur when just sitting and using a computer.

57. What is difference between a "hacker" and a "cracker?"  Which would you consider Yanni to be?  J