Study Guide: Information Technology 
ISM 3011 Test 2 Study Guide
Know the following terms and concepts from Chapters 5 - 7
Moore’s Law (and constraints on it) – (Intel co-founder) Chips performance per dollar doubles every 18 months. Data storage will double every 12 months. With an optical cable it can double every 9 months.
Microprocessor - The brain of any computing device.
Volatile memory - When power goes out, all that was not saved is lost.
Non-volatile – storage that will retain data even when power goes out (hard disc, flash memory, DVD)
RAM – Random access Memory - temporary storage that provides fast access for executing computer programs and files. When you “load” or “launch” a program, it usually moves from your hard drive to those RAM chips, where it can be more quickly executed by the processor.
Flash memory – non-volatile, chip based storage often used on cameras, MP3’s, mobile phones etc. (equivalent to a hard drive.
Solid State electronics – (RAM, microprocessors and flash memory) no moving parts,
Semi-conductors - a substance such as silicon dioxide used inside most computer chips that is capable of enabling as well as inhibiting the flow of electricity). So if someone refers to the semiconductor industry, they are talking about the chip business
Price elasticity - consumers buy more products as they become cheaper.
Memory size (Kb, Mb, Gb…) 1k bites, 1 million bites, 1 billion…
Quantum computing - employ qubits that can be both one and zero at the same time. Add a bit to a quantum computer and its capacity increases exponentially.
Super computers – Are the fastest computers at the time they are introduced.
Grid computing – special software that enables computers to work together on a common problem as if they were a massive supercomputer.
E-waste - discarded tech junk, known as electronic waste
Network Effects also known as Metcalfe’s Law or networks externalities. MORE USER=MORE VALUE
Staying power – the long term viability of a product or service. The network with the
Know the following terms and concepts from Chapters 5 - 7
Moore’s Law (and constraints on it) – (Intel co-founder) Chips performance per dollar doubles every 18 months. Data storage will double every 12 months. With an optical cable it can double every 9 months.
Microprocessor - The brain of any computing device.
Volatile memory - When power goes out, all that was not saved is lost.
Non-volatile – storage that will retain data even when power goes out (hard disc, flash memory, DVD)
RAM – Random access Memory - temporary storage that provides fast access for executing computer programs and files. When you “load” or “launch” a program, it usually moves from your hard drive to those RAM chips, where it can be more quickly executed by the processor.
Flash memory – non-volatile, chip based storage often used on cameras, MP3’s, mobile phones etc. (equivalent to a hard drive.
Solid State electronics – (RAM, microprocessors and flash memory) no moving parts,
Semi-conductors - a substance such as silicon dioxide used inside most computer chips that is capable of enabling as well as inhibiting the flow of electricity). So if someone refers to the semiconductor industry, they are talking about the chip business
Price elasticity - consumers buy more products as they become cheaper.
Memory size (Kb, Mb, Gb…) 1k bites, 1 million bites, 1 billion…
Quantum computing - employ qubits that can be both one and zero at the same time. Add a bit to a quantum computer and its capacity increases exponentially.
Super computers – Are the fastest computers at the time they are introduced.
Grid computing – special software that enables computers to work together on a common problem as if they were a massive supercomputer.
E-waste - discarded tech junk, known as electronic waste
Network Effects also known as Metcalfe’s Law or networks externalities. MORE USER=MORE VALUE
Staying power – the long term viability of a product or service. The network with the