Personal Computer — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What exciting dream did the new Intel chips (like the 8080) spark among hobbyists?

Choices

  1. To make computers that were as big as a room again
  2. To build their own affordable computers ✓
  3. To stop using computers entirely
  4. To only use computers for very complicated science

Answer: To build their own affordable computers

From page 3

What was special about the Altair 8800 computer kit when it debuted?

Choices

  1. It was very expensive and only for big companies.
  2. It was built around the Intel 8080 and sold for a revolutionary 397. ✓
  3. It was designed to be used only by specialists in a lab.
  4. It was a giant computer that filled a whole room.

Answer: It was built around the Intel 8080 and sold for a revolutionary 397.

From page 4

How did people program the Altair 8800, making it difficult to use?

Choices

  1. By talking to it in a special language.
  2. By flipping many switches on the front panel. ✓
  3. By typing on a regular keyboard.
  4. By drawing pictures on a screen.

Answer: By flipping many switches on the front panel.

From page 5

What two important things helped people use the Altair computer better?

Choices

  1. Bigger blinking lights and louder beeping sounds.
  2. The S-100 bus for expansion and Altair BASIC for easier programming. ✓
  3. Fewer switches to flip and a smaller box.
  4. A new way to make it more expensive and exclusive.

Answer: The S-100 bus for expansion and Altair BASIC for easier programming.

From page 6

What made the Apple II easier for regular people to use compared to earlier computers?

Choices

  1. It was much bigger and needed a special room.
  2. It had a keyboard, color graphics, and could plug into a television. ✓
  3. It still required users to flip many switches to program it.
  4. It was only for scientists and engineers.

Answer: It had a keyboard, color graphics, and could plug into a television.

From page 7

What software made the personal computer an important tool for businesses?

Choices

  1. A program for drawing colorful pictures.
  2. VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program. ✓
  3. A program that made loud noises.
  4. A game that only experts could play.

Answer: VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program.

From page 8

What important decision did IBM make with its PC that helped grow personal computing?

Choices

  1. To keep all the designs secret and make everything themselves.
  2. To use only very expensive parts that no one else could use.
  3. To choose an 'open architecture' allowing other companies to build compatible parts and software. ✓
  4. To make their computer very difficult to learn and use.

Answer: To choose an 'open architecture' allowing other companies to build compatible parts and software.

From page 9

What big change did the personal computer bring to the world?

Choices

  1. It made information harder to find.
  2. It made people stop using any kind of technology.
  3. It connected the world and made individuals creators and communicators. ✓
  4. It only allowed a few specialists to use computers.

Answer: It connected the world and made individuals creators and communicators.

From page 10