Computer Trivia Quiz: 1998

By Richard Morochove

First published January 1, 1998

1. Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) is famed as the birthplace of key computer technology such as the graphical user interface, laser printer and Ethernet networking. What is BARC known for?
(all answers at bottom of page)

a) Tree friendly software.
b) A windmill-powered computer (Big Analytical Rotating Computer).
c) Being worse than a byte.
d) Where do you want to go today, if you don't really want to go.

2. Apple Canada said it would wait up to one year before opening a Web-based computer storefront similar to one unveiled by its U.S. parent because:

a) If people aren't buying the product in stores, they won't buy it online.
b) Hopefully Jobs will be gone by then and it can deep-six this crazy idea.
c) Canadian sales taxes such as the GST, PST and HST are too complex.
d) Its computer technology isn't compatible.

3. In July, Corel CEO Michael Cowpland said the company's shares were undervalued. Shortly afterwards he:

a) purchased some shares.
b) sold some shares.
c) agreed to bundle Internet Explorer with his products.
d) announced Corel's record profits.

4. Microsoft's Bill Gates is highly critical of NC because he says it stands for:

a) Not Compatible.
b) Netscape Communications.
c) No Control.
d) Not Invented Here.

5. Several other companies cancelled plans, but Compaq Computer persevered and last fall announced its first:

a) Net PC.
b) Notebook PC with pen and keyboard.
c) Sub-notebook sized PC.
d) Laser printer.

6. Which of the following Canadian computer companies is looking for a new president?

a) Apple Canada.
b) Compaq Canada.
c) IBM Canada.
d) Microsoft Canada.

7. IBM, Dragon Systems and Lernout & Hauspie are three leaders in the fast-developing field of:

a) Internet-enabled automobiles.
b) Digital photography.
c) Speech recognition.
d) Dreams.

8. Last August, Apple Computer director Steve Jobs shocked many when he:

a) announced that Apple would invest in Microsoft.
b) announced that Microsoft would invest in Apple.
c) announced that Apple overpaid for its purchase of NeXT.
d) appeared in public wearing a tie. 

9. Last November, Hewlett-Packard announced a plan to appeal to home technology consumers by:

a) adopting a common consumer marketing approach for 15 divisions.
b) eliminating the Packard confusion and merging with NEC Packard Bell.
c) auctioning laser printers on its Web site.
d) developing an ink-jet printer that uses an everlasting ink cartridge.

10. One of the most interesting moments of the Fall Comdex computer show in Las Vegas came when:

a) former basketball star Kareem Abdul Jabaar helped Bill Gates use Microsoft's Web site.
b) a Bill Gates clone was expelled from the show floor for promoting a Windblows 98 CD by Microshaft Corp.
c) Microsoft executive vice-president Steve Ballmer said he used a Network Computer to write his memos.
d) Bill Gates admitted that Windows 98 would not ship until 1999.

Answers

1. d) Microsoft's San Francisco-based BARC (Bay Area Research Center) handles research in telepresence, disconnected communications that let you be there without really being there.

2. d) 

3. b)

4. a) The Network Computer does not run MS Windows applications.

5. a) The other products were introduced by Compaq in prior years and subsequently discontinued.

6. b) Compaq Canada. (Apple Canada eliminated the president's position.)

7. c).

8. b).

9  a).

10 b) The stunt promoted a new CD-ROM parody of Microsoft due out later this month from Palladium Interactive. CW

Richard Morochove, FCA, is a Toronto-based computer consultant.

Copyright ©1998 by Morochove & Associates Inc. All rights reserved. This work may not be copied or distributed by any means without our prior written permission.

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