Tech-knowledge-y

Every day, more technology creeps into the business of buying and selling real estate. With all the new software, Web sites, cameras, phones, and PDAs to keep track of, you probably know more about technology than you think. Take this quiz and find out.

The answer follows each question, so scroll slowly if you wish to read a question before revealing the answer.

1. It takes several minutes for your computer to boot up because:
   
   a) the processor has to calibrate the monitor
   b) it’s scanning the hard drive for viruses
   c) the computer needs to reload its operating system
   d) you need a faster modem
   
   
   c. The computer’s operating system is stored in random-access memory (RAM), which, unlike computer disks, is an electric form of memory. Every time the machine is turned off, your PC’s RAM is erased.

 

2. True or false? A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing Internet traffic, checking it for suspicious patterns.
   
   
   True.

 

3. True or false? Web-site "cookies" gather information about your Internet usage and broadcast this data across the Internet.
   
   
   False. A cookie is information that a Web server can store on a user’s hard drive and later retrieve. Cookies enable Web sites to personalize content and remember repeat visitors, among other things.

 

4. How much faster than a 56K dial-up modem does an average high-speed cable modem transfer data to your computer?
   
   a) twice as fast
   b) 10 times as fast
   c) 50 times as fast
   d) 200 times as fast
   
   
   c. Basic levels of cable service average 1 megabyte per second, which is about 50 times faster than a 56 kilobyte-per-second modem.

 

5. Approximately how much data can a CD store?
   a) 100 kilobytes
   b) 1 megabyte
   c) 200 megabytes
   d) 200 megabytes
   
   
   d.

 

6. 6. A reliable source of information about computer viruses is:
   a) your e-mail in-box
   b) the Web site of a company that manufactures virus-protection software
   c) an Internet chat room
   d) none of the above
   
   
   b.

 

7. If you’re going to use your digital camera to produce a film-quality 4"x6" print, what’s the lowest resolution it should have?
   a) 2 megapixels
   b) 3 megapixels
   c) 5 megapixels
   d) 72 dpi
   
   
   a.

 

8. True or false? LCD stands for lithium-created diode.
   
   
   False. LCD stands for liquid crystal display.

 

9. Which of the following Web-site addresses has an invalid suffix:
   a) www.texas.kids
   b) www.texas.museum
   c) www.texas.biz
   d) www.texas.info
   
   
   a.

 

10. True or false? An average cellular tower broadcasts and receives signals over an area of about 10 square miles.
    
    
    True.

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