Last updated: 3/19/03
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Computers and Society, Winter 2003 (Bowen)
Topics for Quiz 2 - Quiz 2 is one-half hour at the beginning of class on April 2
(This list is not final until the end of class on March 26)

  1. Computer hardware - what makes computers valuable?
    1. Logic Gates
      1. Two inputs, one output, a shape, a name and a rule relating the output to the two inputs
      2. Shapes, names and rules for of the three Logic Gates
      3. Filling in truth tables or finding outputs given inputs, for single and combined Logic Gates
    2. Instruction cycle - Fetch, Interpret, Execute, Increment
    3. Accumulator - the place where the "computing" is done
    4. Paper and Pencil Computer - given diagram, master cycle, instruction set and memory contents, carry out instruction cycles
      1. This is "the von Neumann architecture", invented by John von Neumann and used by all computers to date
  2. Computer software
    1. File system
      1. Hierarchical file system, what can be in a folder
      2. Using Windows Explorer
      3. Path and URL - naming them, identifying and naming their parts
    2. Forms of computer information
      1. Number of values that can be stored in n bits
      2. File sizes for graphics, sound, number and program files
        1. Address space Vs actual memory size
    3. Applications - purpose, examples
      1. Spreadsheets
        1. Primary function and sub-functions of spreadsheet - e.g. storing numbers, storing text, formatting,     formulae, charting, printing, saving, opening
        2. What can be in a cell
        3. Using Excel
  3. The Internet
    1. Describe how computers are identified on the Internet (IP address and what it looks like)
    2. Describe the form that information travels in (packet, head, body)
    3. Describe the role of Local Area Networks
    4. Describe how the Domain Name System works
    5. World Wide Web (application)
      1. Given a URL, identify its different parts and what they signify (repeat of an item above)
      2. Describe the sequence of events if you point your browser at a web site by typing in the URL in the domain name form
    6. World Wide Web browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer)
      1. Describe action of Domain Name Server, web client / web browser and web server.
      2. Describe or define the terms (computer) protocol, URL, IP address, gateway, router, HTTP, HTML
    7. Email
      1. Describe action of transporting a message using email servers and email clients
    8. Describe the "client/server architecture"
      1. What a client does
      2. What a server does
    9. Describe the "peer architecture"
  4. Using computers - Windows, Windows Explorer, Excel
    1. Making folders, sub-folders, etc. Saving files to a specified folder, with a specified file name. Using Windows Explorer to check the foregoing, and fix mistakes.
    2. Excel:
      1. Starting and exiting Excel, open an existing file, start a new file, Save As... and Save, print (including orientation)
      2. Entering text, data and formulas in cells.
        1. Formulas using +, *, sum, average, min and max
      3. Formatting for font, font size, font and background color, alignment (center, left and right), italics, bold, underline, borders (not the same as underline) including color, indent, text wrap within a cell, centering across selection, and clearing formats.
      4. Number formats: general, number, percent, date/time, currency, accounting
      5. Controlling the width of columns
      6. Displaying and printing formulas and gridlines
      7. Hide and unhide columns
      8. Use custom headers and footers
      9. You should also be able to edit or correct the contents of a cell by selecting the cell, tapping the <F2> key, and editing using the keyboard and mouse. Notice that, unlike entering information the first time, you CANNOT Enter the edited information by using the arrow keys, only by tapping <Enter> or clicking on another cell. This is because, while editing, the arrow keys move the insertion point within the cell contents.
  5. Social issues
    1. Describe the services that an online job site can offer (from assignments)
    2. Describe the difference between privacy and security. Describe several methods to protect each. (from assignments)
    3. Describe encryption and the role it plays in computer security
    4. Discuss the reasoning given in the "Social Issues" handout for why computers have not lead to net unemployment, and give your own view
    5. Discuss the meaning of "convergence" in the computer field, and give several possible examples