Trivial Net - Computer and Tech Trivia for Geeks

Someday

Question: In predicting the way things will soon be in the computing world, who said: "You turn on your network computer, [the software] shows up. There is no store to go to. There is no installation."

• Larry Ellison
• Bill Gates
• Gil Amilio
• Steve Wozniak

Answer: Larry Ellison

July 19th, 2008

Super-Nerd

Question: A 1995 poll asked engineers to vote for their favorite movies that have engineers as lead characters, or that have substantial engineering related content. Of the following four movies, which was top-rated by the engineers?

• Star Trek: Generations
• Jurassic Park
• The China Syndrome
• Apollo 13

Answer: Apollo 13

July 18th, 2008

Have you seen my luggage?

Question: What was the first airline to let travelers make reservations directly on the Internet?

• Hawaii Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines

Answer: Alaska Airlines

July 17th, 2008

It's all Greek

Question: Who said the following: [In the beginning] DOS to me was worse than the most difficult foreign language, and though I wanted to learn it, I just couldn't hack it… Then I bought an Apple computer. [Today] I am a convert to the computer. It has become a magnificent worldwide communications tool.

• Martha Stewart
• Donald Trump
• Elizabeth Dole
• Oprah Winfrey

Answer: Martha Stewart

July 16th, 2008

Not a free sample

Question: In CVAX, the microprocessor chip used in DEC's Micro VAX II, a message appeared inscribed in the uppermost metal layer of the silicon saying "VAX, when you care enough to steal the very best." In what language was it written?

• Chinese
• Russian
• German
• Greek

Answer: Russian

There was a suspicion at the time that the Russians were stealing VAXes.

July 15th, 2008

That's a switch

Question: In what year did Claude Shannon first show that electronic switching circuits can perform logical operations?

• 1932
• 1936
• 1938
• 1942

Answer: 1938

July 14th, 2008

LOL

Question: In e-mail shorthand, what does F2F stand for?


Answer: face-to-face

a personal meeting

July 13th, 2008

Kiss it goodbye

Question: What computer luminary once built a kiss-measuring machine, or osculometer?

• J. Presper Eckert
• Steve Jobs
• Charles Babbage?
• Bill Gates

Answer: J. Presper Eckert

July 12th, 2008

Can you hear me now?

Question: Today's cellular phones give computer users wireless access to online services. The first cellular phone service began in Chicago in what year?

• 1978
• 1981
• 1983
• 1985

Answer: 1983

October 1983

July 11th, 2008

I, Robot

Question: In 1954 George Devol patented something that eventually gave rise to the industrial robot. What?

• a robot arm
• a robot head with electronic eyes
• a robot that could play checkers
• a small vacuum cleaner

Answer: a robot arm

July 10th, 2008