Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2007 > October > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTesting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Writing this column is a lot like teaching first grade. I stay away from the complex and technobabble. There’s plenty of that in magazines and on the Web. So, we talk about really basic things, and we come back to them from time to time.
Today, in the spirit of that elementary school classroom, we’ll have a short pop quiz. I’ve covered all this material in the past few months. So let’s see if you’ve paid attention.
Which of these program combinations is most likely to cause problems? A: Two word processors. B: A database program and a personal finance program. C: Two separate anti-virus programs. D: An online game along with a firewall.
What is the likely cause of a desktop computer clock that is frequently wrong? A: Virus B: Adware C: A bad battery D: The clock malfunctioning.
Your friend sends you an attachment. You click on it, nothing happens. A: The attachment was created with a program you do not have. B: The attachment is a virus. C: The attachment has become corrupted in transmission. D: You didn’t click hard enough.
Which of these repairs should not be attempted by the average home computer user? A: Adding memory chips. B: Replacing a video card. C: Putting in a power supply in a monitor. D: Replacing a computer mouse.
Your computer has slowed down. You have not added new devices or programs. The most likely cause is: A: Your processor chip has slowly become defective. B: The hard disk is going out. C: Your computer is clogged with adware and spyware. D: A hacker is using your computer to send out spam.
When your connection to the Internet is lost, the cure to try first is: A: Turning off the modem and turning it back on. B: Replacing the ethernet cable that connects the modem to your computer. C: Using the reset button on the bottom of the modem. D: Reinstalling the operating system.
The primary threat from a buildup of dust inside a computer is: A: Heat build up. B: Short circuit. C: Contamination of memory chip coatings. D: All the above.
When it comes to computing, a UPS is: A: Universal Power Supply. B: Uniform Programming Service. C: Uninterruptable Power Supply. D: Unit Ping Size.
A lightning strike is most likely to enter your computer via: A: The power line. B: The telephone line. C: An open air arc. D: The mouse port.
The original meaning of computer hacker is: A: A person who breaks into computers. B: A computer enthusiast. C: A repair technician. D: A computer criminal.
When your computer makes a beeping noise, the most likely cause is: A: It’s an error code, the number of beeps can help you identify the problem. B: The internal battery needs to be replaced. C: Your Internet connection is bad. D: There are voltage surges.
OK. Now here are the answers. Keep in mind that we are dealing with the most likely answer for each question. 1: C; 2: C; 3: A; 4: C; 5: C; 6: A; 7: A; 8: C; 9: B; 10: B; 11: A
If you got eight answers right, you’re doing fine. If more than half your answers are wrong, you’ll need to repeat the class. If you missed them all - well, you’re my job insurance.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns
Comments
By Duke
October 19, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t the reset button on the modem accomplish the same purpose as cycling the modem off and on? I thought that was what the reset button did.
By Mutt
October 19, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
This life is a test, it is only a test.
If this were a real life, you would have been given instructions on what to do, and directions on where to go. I repeat, this is only a test.
By ITGeek
October 19, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
Regarding #3: If the attachment was created with a program that is not installed on the computer, Windows will prompt you to select the appropriate program to use. So I disagree with the answer being “A” for this question.
On the other hand, if the program is a virus it is very likely you won’t “see” anything happen while the virus launches a process in the background. I think “B” is the better answer for #3.
Duke: The reset button does not necessarily remove power from the device. Powering a device off and then on removes power from the circuit board and is usually more effective at clearing out any issues that exist on the board. Additionally, a recessed reset button usually resets all settings in the device back to factory defaults (usually you have to hold the button down with the tip of a pen for a few seconds) - that could fix your problem, but it could also make things worse!
By Political Foreskin
October 19, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
Like, what happens to your computer’s speed if you habitually click on those pesky pop-up goat porn ads?
By GayGreyGeek
October 22, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
I agree with ITGeek re: #3, and also believe that “B” is the better answer. WinXP (and, I presume, Vista, though I hope to never have to use that OS!) will prompt for what program to use if it sees a file type extension it doesn’t recognize.
By George Eastwood
October 23, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
I recently put a new desk top on line, an Acer, with Works 8 and I am having a problem printing address labels from my data base. The old works (4.0) that I formerly used had a provision for labels in under “TOOLS”. Is there someone that can explain to me where or how to be able to print out my database, it is an important function for me. Thank You
By PatrckB
October 24, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
RE: Debate on Q3. That’s the problem with technical quizzes. There’s always a “right” answer, a “wrong” answer, and the answer for which they are looking. Cisco tests were notorious in the early days for wanting the “Cisco answer.” They have gotten better. The premise of this quiz was knowledge of what had Bill written about over the last few months. That would make Bill’s answer the best answer.
By Duke
October 25, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
George, regarding your problem printing address labels with Works 8, use a google search, or some other search engine. You might have to experiment with key words, but seldom will this method fail. At the very least you will find some online forums whose business is to answer such questions.
By George Eastwood
October 26, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the reply, Duke. I will do that. I have stimbled over a program within works that has the label menu, but haven’t had the time to actually print from my data base.