Windows 7

Go to this link and read the following article:

• Windows 7 May Raise PC Prices

What positives and negatives for the PC market's consumers and retailers does this article describe?

Post your answer in the blog comments or write the answer on paper. Minimum: one paragraph, complete sentences, proofread.

Assembling a Computer

Computer Components Quiz

Their will be a quiz on computer components on Friday. Besides your power point and the links in the last post, here is another link to help prepare you:

• Computer Components and PC Building

Building a PC

Visit this Google Docs Presentation. Save it to your Google Docs account and fill out each pre-made slide with a definition for that computer component and paste in a picture of that component. Below are some helpful links. You are not limited to these links.

• How Stuff Works: PC
• How Stuff Works: Computer Hardware Pictures
• Step by Step Instructions for an average budget machine with an AMD processor.
• Basic PC Builder Glossary
• 75 PC-Building Tips

Apple vs. PC

Below is the classic 1984 Apple Computer commercial and a current Mac commercial. Watch them and answer the questions below.

1. What is the common theme?
2. How is the "IBM/Windows" based PC portrayed?
3. According to the commercials, what type of person would buy an Apple? Who would buy a PC?

Triumph of the Nerds - Part III

Part III: Segment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Answer these questions via the class blog:

1. Why do you suppose this segment is entitled "Great Artists Steal."
2. What is a GUI? Examples?
3. What was the significance of Windows 3?
4. Why did Apple sue Microsoft?
5. What did Bill Gates hope to accomplish with Windows 95?
6. What impact did the Internet have on the software and hardware industries?
   
   

Triumph of the Nerds Review

The Quiz on Triumph of the Nerds will be on Thursday, October 8, 2009. The quiz will be composed of multiple choice, matching, Thinking Map/written piece. As seniors (and one junior), it is your responsibility to self-advocate for assistance studying for this exam.

• Triumph of the Nerds Smart Board Review (7 mb, so give it a moment to load)

Triumph of the Nerds - Reflection

After watching Triumph of the Nerds, reflect on what you saw. Write a one to two page essay, complete with an introduction and conclusion, in which you discuss:

• The individual qualities of the early computer innovators.
• What ethical dilemmas/problems arose in the early PC market.
• How these problems were resolved/not resolved.
• What lessons can modern hardware/software makers learn from them?

-- or --

• Develop a business plan for a new computer "killer application."
• What will the application do?
• What resources will you need? Where? Working environment?
• How will you test it?
• How will you market it?
• What expectations do you have for the application's performance? Problems? Successes?

Due: Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Late assignments = zero credit.