Today computers are an integral part of our lives, both at work and home. Take the rediff biz quiz and find how much you know about this very essential gadget.
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1. Who invented the first computer mouse? a) Douglas Engelbart b) Jack Kilby c) Robert Noyce
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Wrong! The correct answer is Douglas Engelbart. Invented by Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research Center in 1964, the first prototype computer mouse was made to use with a graphical user interface 'windows'. Engelbart received a patent for the wooden shell with two metal wheels (computer mouse U.S. Patent # 3,541,541) in 1970. It was nicknamed 'the mouse' because the tail came out the end. There is also the cordless mouse, which is not physically connected at all. Instead they rely on infrared or radio waves to communicate with the computer. Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the integrated circuit, which is otherwise known as the chip.
Correct! Invented by Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research Center in 1964, the first prototype computer mouse was made to use with a graphical user interface 'windows'. Engelbart received a patent for the wooden shell with two metal wheels (computer mouse U.S. Patent # 3,541,541) in 1970. It was nicknamed 'the mouse' because the tail came out the end. There is also the cordless mouse, which is not physically connected at all. Instead they rely on infrared or radio waves to communicate with the computer. Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the integrated circuit, which is otherwise known as the chip.
2. Which is the first high-level programming language? a) Fortran b) BASIC c) Algol
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Wrong! The correct answer is Fortran. Fortran or formula translation, the first high level programming language, was invented by John Backus for IBM (International Business Machine), in 1954, and released commercially, in 1957. It is still used today for programming scientific and mathematical applications. FORTRAN began as a digital code interpreter for the IBM 701 and was originally named Speedcoding.
Correct! Fortran or formula translation, the first high level programming language, was invented by John Backus for IBM (International Business Machine), in 1954, and released commercially, in 1957. It is still used today for programming scientific and mathematical applications. FORTRAN began as a digital code interpreter for the IBM 701 and was originally named Speedcoding.
3. Xerox is also associated with the invention of one of these... a) Microprocessor b) Floppy Disk c) Ethernet
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Wrong! The correct answer is Ethernet. The Ethernet, a system for connecting computers within a building using hardware running from machine to machine, was invented by Robert Metcalfe in 1973. He was a member of the research staff for Xerox, at their Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Xerox's motivation for the computer network was that they were also building the world's first laser printer and wanted all of the PARC's computers to be able to print with this printer.
Correct! The Ethernet, a system for connecting computers within a building using hardware running from machine to machine, was invented by Robert Metcalfe in 1973. He was a member of the research staff for Xerox, at their Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Xerox's motivation for the computer network was that they were also building the world's first laser printer and wanted all of the PARC's computers to be able to print with this printer.
4. Which company launched the 1st floppy disk? a) Apple b) IBM c) Intel
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Wrong! The correct answer is IBM. In 1971, IBM introduced the first 'memory disk' or the 'floppy disk'. The first floppy was an 8" plastic disk coated with magnetic iron oxide; data was written to and read from the disk's surface. The nickname "floppy" came from its flexibility. The 'floppy' was invented by IBM engineers led by Alan Shugart.
Correct! In 1971, IBM introduced the first 'memory disk' or the 'floppy disk'. The first floppy was an 8" plastic disk coated with magnetic iron oxide; data was written to and read from the disk's surface. The nickname "floppy" came from its flexibility. The 'floppy' was invented by IBM engineers led by Alan Shugart.
5. Which company launched the first printer? a) HP b) Xerox c) Remington-Rand
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Wrong! The correct answer is Remington-Rand. In 1953, the first high-speed printer was developed by Remington-Rand for use on the Univac computer. In 1938, Chestor Carlson invented a dry printing process called electrophotography commonly called a Xerox. The original laser printer called EARS was developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center beginning in 1971. In 1992, Hewlett-Packard released the popular LaserJet 4, the first 600 by 600 dots per inch resolution laser printer. In 1976, the inkjet printer was invented, but it took until 1988 for the inkjet to become a home consumer item with Hewlett-Parkard's release of the DeskJet inkjet printer, priced at a whopping $1000.
Correct! In 1953, the first high-speed printer was developed by Remington-Rand for use on the Univac computer. In 1938, Chestor Carlson invented a dry printing process called electrophotography commonly called a Xerox. The original laser printer called EARS was developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center beginning in 1971. In 1992, Hewlett-Packard released the popular LaserJet 4, the first 600 by 600 dots per inch resolution laser printer. In 1976, the inkjet printer was invented, but it took until 1988 for the inkjet to become a home consumer item with Hewlett-Parkard's release of the DeskJet inkjet printer, priced at a whopping $1000.