MIS: Midterm 1 Study (Ch 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Gigabyte

1 billion bytes

Megabyte

1 million bytes

Petabyte

1 quadrillion bytes

Exabyte

1 quintillion bytes

Terabyte

1 trillion bytes

Many say we are currently in the sixth wave of computing can be considered the era of pervasive computing, where technology is fast and so inexpensive that it is becoming ubiquitously woven into products. True or False?

True

Modern supercomputing is typically done via a technique called massively parallel processing. True or False?

True

Moore's Law will likely come to an end during your lifetime. True of False?

True

Rapid obsolescence of technology products contributes to the growing problem of e-waste management. True or False?

True

ARM chips are generally not as powerful as desktop chips, however, Moore's law is making these chips powerful enough for server tasks, bringing with them the added benefit of requiring less energy to operate. True or False?

True ARM chips (once computational weaklings) are now fast enough to invade the established market for laptop and server chips. ARM designs are especially attractive to smartphone manufacturers because they are far more power-efficient than the chips Intel sells for PCs, laptops, and servers. The Intel chips were never designed for power efficiency; they evolved from markets where computers were always plugged in.

The advancing price/performance curve of technology is empowering the planet. Underscoring this, economist Jeffrey Sachs has stated that "____________ is the single most transformative technology for world economic development." - cloud computing - Esoko - big data - M-Pesa - the cell phone

the cell phone

Moore's Law occurs because: - prices of chips halve every eighteen months. - better cooling technologies are becoming available. - the demand for computers is increasing. - it is possible to reduce the number of chips per silicon wafer. - the distance between pathways inside silicon chips is getting smaller.

the distance between pathways inside silicon chips is getting smaller.

super computers

the fastest computers in the world, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data.

overclocking

the speed and efficiency of chips

The acronym VoIP is considered by many to be a disruptive innovation. It refers to:

the technology used in internet telephony.

Much of the e-waste ends up in China, Southeast Asia, or Africa, where it is processed in dreadful conditions. True or False?

true

One yet-to-be-proven technology that could blow the lid off what's possible today is quantum computing. True or False?

true

e-waste

Discarded, often obsolete technology; aka electronic waste.

Bits

Either one or zero

________ left WebEx Cisco division to eventually create ______—the multibillion-dollar firm that would win video calling in the midst of the pandemic.

Eric Yuan; Zoom

Multicore processors have been a boon to technology firms, since any software executing on a multi-core system runs faster by a multiple of the number of cores (e.g. quad core chips run traditional software 4 times as fast). True or False?

False

Intuit has shifted from the disruption caused by the emergence of cloud computing by shifting to markets for packaged software. True or False?

False Intuit has been a leader in several packaged software categories, including personal finance (Quicken), small business (QuickBooks), and tax prep (TurboTax) software, but has effectively shifted to cloud-based offerings, some of which are initially free.

Most of the security concerns for bitcoin have been dealt with and eliminated. True or False?

False Security concerns also pose a problem. While bitcoin software is considered to be solid, it's not a guarantee that other entities are as secure. The wallets that hold your private key are also potentially vulnerable. If your computer is wiped out by a virus and you haven't written down your password or saved a backup copy in another secure and accessible location, you're hosed; it's like money burned up in a fire.

Firms that listen to their customers are more likely to be able to counteract the onslaught of potentially disruptive technologies. True or False?

False The majority of a firm's current customers don't want the initially poor-performing new technology.

Disruptive innovations are often so damaging because the new technology has better margins than the incumbent technology being displaced. True or False?

False The most disruptive technologies also often have worse margins than the initially dominant incumbent offerings. Since these markets don't look attractive, big firms don't dedicate resources to developing the potential technology or nurturing the needs of a new customer base.

ARM has been so successful because its chip designs can run any software originally designed to run on Intel chips. True or False?

False Unlike Intel-compatible rival AMD, ARM chips can't run software that conforms to the Intel x86 standard used in most PCs and servers, so all of a firm's old code would need to be rewritten and compiled (turned into patterns of ones and zeros that can be executed by a chip's instruction set) to work on any ARM-powered servers, laptops, or desktops (a potentially big switching cost).

_______ are measurable values defined by a firm to demonstrate progress toward a given goal.

KPIs

KPIs

Key Performance Indicators—measurable values defined by a firm to demonstrate progress toward a given goal. Examples are quite broad and could include customer acquisition, cost reduction, or improvement in the ROI of online ad campaigns.

Microprocessor

The part of the computer that executes the instructions of a computer program. (brain)

Which of the following facts is true with respect to the current electronic waste scenario? - There is more gold in one pound of electronic waste than in one pound of mined ore. - Trade in e-waste is transparent and strictly monitored by environmental agencies worldwide. - Harvesting value in electronic waste is a skill-intensive process and requires specialization. - E-waste management is not too difficult to monitor and track. - Sending e-waste abroad can be costlier than dealing with it at home.

There is more gold in one pound of electronic waste than in one pound of mined ore.

1970s

minicomputers

Kilobyte

1000 bytes

Byte

8 bits

How many bits form 1 byte?

8 bits

Supercomputers

Computers that are among the fastest of any in the world at the time of their introduction.

Cryptocurrencies

A digital asset where a secure form of mathematics (cryptography) is used to handle transactions, control the creation of additional units, and verify the transfer of assets. Cryptocurrencies usually take advantage of a technology known as a blockchain.

blockchain

A distributed and decentralized ledger that records and verifies transactions and ownership, making it difficult to tamper with or shut down.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

A form of cloud computing where a firm subscribes to a third-party software and receives a service that is delivered online.

optical fiber line

A high-speed glass or plastic-lined networking cable used in telecommunications.

Server Farms

A massive network of computer servers running software to coordinate their collective use. Server farms provide the infrastructure backbone to SaaS and hardware cloud efforts, as well as many large-scale Internet services.

coherent value network

A network in which suppliers, distributors and customers are better off when the disruptive technology prospers.

what is a NFT?

A non-fungible token (has a digital signature to prove its authenticity through a blockchain that records this info)

HPC - High Performance Computing

A term for massively parallel computers specifically designed to deliver significantly more calculating power than conventional off-the-shelf computing technologies. The term is often used interchangeably with supercomputing.

Silicon Wafer

A thin, circular slice of material used to create semiconductor devices.

Grid Computing

A type of computing that uses special software to enable several computers to work together on ONE COMMON PROBLEM, as if they were a massively parallel supercomputer. *several computers (devices) each does a piece of the calculation and sends one solution to the master computer

Internet of Things (IoT)

A vision where low-cost sensors, processors, and communication are embedded into a wide array of products and our environment, allowing a vast network to collect data, analyze input, and automatically coordinate collective action.

This firm's processor designs power the majority of smart phones on the planet.

ARM Chips based on Intel rival ARM power nearly all of the smartphones on the planet. Samsung, Apple, Motorola, and Xiaomi all use chips with ARM smarts.

Cluster Computing

Connecting server computers via software and networking so that their resources can be used to collectively solve computing tasks. *Identical servers (computers stacked together) work as a single computer on MULTIPLE TASKS.

bitcoin

An open source, decentralized payment system (sometimes controversially referred to as a digital, virtual, or cryptocurrency) that operates in a peer-to-peer environment, without bank or central authority.

Moore's Law

Chip performance per dollar doubles every eighteen months. - typically applies to microprocessors and chip-based storage

_____ refers to replacing computing hardware that a firm might otherwise purchase with a service delivered online.

Cloud Computing

Massively Parallel

Computers designed with many microprocessors that work together, simultaneously, to solve problems.

FPGAs

Field programmable gate arrays can have their on-chip logic re-routed according to upgradable software to get better performance

What are the two characteristics of disruptive innovations (sometimes referred to as disruptive technologies)?

First, they come to market with a set of performance attributes that existing customers don't value. Second, over time the performance attributes improve to the point where they invade established markets.

If you want to have conversations with colleagues, clients, and potential employers, you'll need to speak their language and understand their vocabulary. One term you may hear is ____________________. The phrase is often used to refer to disruptive technology theory and it is also the name of Prof. Clayton Christensen's book (Christensen is considered the father of Disruptive Innovation theory).

Innovator's Dilemma Innovator's Dilemma is the name sometimes is ascribed to disruptive innovation theory, which is the title of one Clayton Christensen's books.

1990s

Internet Computing

What is the "creosote bush effect"?

Managers can act like the rival-killing creosote bush, pulling high-quality engineers off emerging projects if a firm's top offerings need staff or other resources to grow.

multicore microprocessors

Microprocessors with two or more (typically lower power) calculating processor cores on the same piece of silicon.

Flash Memory

Nonvolatile, chip-based storage, often used in mobile phones, cameras, and MP3 players... slower than conventional RAM, but holds data even when the power goes out. also Solid-state memory.

1980s

PCs

cloud computing

Replacing computing resources—either an organization's or individual's hardware or software—with services provided over the Internet.

Cluster computing utilizes a cluster of software and processor resources within individual PCs. True or False?

false

Fabs

Semiconductor fabrication facilities; the multibillion-dollar plants used to manufacture semiconductors. *chip manufacturing factories.

solid state electronics

Semiconductor-based devices... often suffer fewer failures and require less energy than mechanical counterparts because they have no moving parts. RAM, flash memory, and microprocessors are solid state devices. Hard drives are not.

Microcontrollers

Special-purpose computing devices that don't have an operating system and can't do as much as general purpose computers or smartphones. They contain a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip.

Volatile Memory

Storage (such as RAM chips) that is wiped clean when power is cut off from a device.

Nonvolatile Memory

Storage that retains data even when powered down (such as flash memory, hard disc, or DVD storage).

_________________ was once the domain of governments and high-end research labs, performing tasks such as simulating the explosion of nuclear devices, or analyzing large-scale weather and climate phenomena.

Supercomputing

What is fungibility?

The ability of an asset to be exchanged or substituted with similar assets of the same value

price elasticity

The degree to which demand changes to price changes. Goods and services that are highly price elastic (e.g., most consumer electronics) see demand spike as prices drop, whereas goods and services that are less price elastic are less responsive to price change (think heart surgery).

Latency

The delay in networking and data transfer speeds. Low-latency systems are faster systems.

random acess memory (RAM)

The fast, chip-based volatile storage in a computing device.

The packaged software company, Intuit appears to be successfully navigating the rough waters of disruptive innovation. They have done through acquisition of competition and developing cloud-based products. True or False?

True Acquisition of rivals is one way Intuit has dealt with disruption. But the future is in the cloud. The firm's TurboTax now has cloud-based offerings and a free SnapTax app—take a photo of your W2 and the app fills out your taxes for you automatically.

Cryptocurrency has the potential to greatly reduce the costs associated with cross-border financial transfers. True or False?

True Cryptocurrency could be a boon for international commerce, especially for cross-border remittance and in expanding e-commerce in emerging markets. A blockchain-based transfer would be immediate and could theoretically eliminate all transaction fees.

Experts advise firms to hedge against disruptive technology by developing a portfolio of technology options, giving the firm the right (but not the obligation) to continue and increase funding as a technology shows promise. True or False?

True Firms identifying potentially disruptive technologies are wise to create a portfolio of technology options‚ Äîstartups or in-house efforts otherwise isolated from the firm's core business and management distraction. Options give the firm the right (but not the obligation) to continue and increase funding as a technology shows promise.

For most consumers, cryptocurrency is a difficult to understand and often difficult to use technology that offers little benefit. True or False?

True For most, cryptocurrency is a difficult to understand and often difficult to use technology that offers little benefit. Slick apps and firms offering streamlining support services that allow, for example, the easy and quick conversion from dollars (or other currencies) to cryptocurrency and back will help, but unless this offers consumer value beyond the credit card, few will bother to switch from plastic.

While no crystal ball exists to identify disruptive technologies with perfect accuracy, firms that have external conversations with innovative external groups, as well as improving internal communication with technologies can help. True or False?

True Having conversations with those outside the firm working on the experimental edge of advancements is key. Top-tier scientific researchers and venture capitalists can be particularly good sources for information on new trends. Increasing conversations across product groups and between managers and technologists can also be helpful.

Facebook requires employees to leave their teams for new assignments at least once every eighteen months. True or False?

True It's common for many firms to regularly rotate staff (both management and engineering) to improve idea sharing and innovation. Facebook, for example, requires employees to leave their teams for new assignments at least once every eighteen months.

Blockchain has the potential for lowering payment transaction fees in a way that would be attractive to retailers. True or False?

True Much of the blockchain's appeal comes from the fact that asset ownership records are transferred from person to person like cash, rather than using an intermediary like banks or credit card companies. Getting rid of card companies cuts out transaction fees, which can top 3 percent.

Volatility makes bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies less useful as dollar-like currencies, limiting its appeal to speculators. True or False?

True Volatility is also an issue. To speculators, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies seem like get-rich-quick schemes or the much smaller legitimate market that is looking for in-and-out transactions such as cross-border payments. Some also worry about a crypto valuation bubble.

Moore's Law is:

a prediction based on past observations

innovative business model

a strategy that targets new consumers that don't buy products in the existing market... Ex: low-end consumers

As disruptive technologies emerge, by definition they will eventually take market share away from a firm's higher-margin incumbent offerings. The result of the transition could: - incur losses. - None of the above - contract corporate revenues. - lower profits. - All of the above

all of the above As disruptive technologies emerge, by definition they will eventually take market share away from a firm's higher-margin incumbent offerings. The result of the transition could contract corporate revenues, lower profits, and incur losses—a tough thing for many shareholders to swallow.

The amount of e-waste discarded in just one year is the equivalent of throwing away __________. - a quarter of the commercial aircraft ever built throughout history - all of the commercial aircraft ever built throughout history - half of the commercial aircraft built this century - all of the commercial aircraft built this century

all of the commercial aircraft ever built throughout history

enabling technology

an innovation that makes the product more affordable and accessible to the wider population

ASICs

application-specific integrated circuits; chips designed to divide up and work tasks very quickly and efficiently

Does telecommunication capacity (bandwidth) use bits per second or bytes per second?

bits per second

The public ledger that records transactions and ownership of bitcoins is known as the:

blockchain

Does storage use bits or bytes?

bytes

Semiconductor

computer chips

While we have some evidence that Moore's Law is slowing, we're also seeing many key areas of computing improve on cost/performance curves at rates far greater than Moore's Law. One area is in how quickly and cost effectively we can use technology to ______________. - keep industries stable - develop AI and machine learning models - develop video games - enable accurate predictions - push the computing of huge, remote brains out to all sorts of "edge" devices

develop AI and machine learning models

Is technology highly or lowly price elastic?

highly price elastic; means that customers are sensitive to price changes in technology, and are more willing to buy at lower prices.

Technology such as the Vitality Corp. GlowCap applies technology to: - lower instances of medical fraud. - enable IBM's Smarter Planet initiative. - improve patient adherence to prescription schedules. - change color based on the weather and other atmospheric indicators. - security technology to ensure products are only used by their owners.

improve patient adherence to prescription schedules.

1960s

mainframe computers

One way to address the problem of densely packed, overheating chip designs is with _____________.

multicore microprocessors

2010s

persevering computing

The multiple-brain approach to solving problems is not suitable for problems: - that are linear. - which use more processing power. - involving huge amounts of data. - which use resources over a network. - that can be split up into smaller pieces.

that are linear

Graphics Card

separate computer (dedicated to screen graphics) inside of computer.

2000s

smartphone

transistors

super tiny on-and-off switches in a chip that work together to calculate or store things in memory