<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <rss
version="0.92"> <channel><title>Trivial Net - Computer and Tech Trivia for Geeks</title><link>http://trivial.net</link> <description>Computer and Tech Trivia for Geeks</description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:00:36 +0000</lastBuildDate> <docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss092</docs> <language>en</language> <item><title>Encom 511</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The Encom 511 was the computer in what movie?Hackers
Lawnmower Man II
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
TronAnswer:  Tron
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/30/encom-511/</link> </item> <item><title>XP</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  Windows XP has a default background screen that looks more like the  set of what kid&#39;s TV show than anything else?Leave it to Beaver
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Bozo the Clown
The TeletubbiesAnswer:  The Teletubbies
And we do have to wonder what that says about the graphic designers  busily at work inside Microsoft!
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/29/xp/</link> </item> <item><title>Universal solution</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  True or false: the &#34;Universal Computer&#34; designed by Alan Turing could solve any mathematical problem.True
FalseAnswer:  False
Turing proved that a fixed, definite process on an automatic machine cannot solve every mathematical problem.
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/28/universal-solution/</link> </item> <item><title>Astronomy</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The application of computers to astronomy was revolutionary. Ephemeris data calculated by Wallace Eckert in 1951 was the basis for many NASA missions. Which of these bodies was in Eckert&#39;s data?Jupiter
Mercury
Earth
BardotAnswer:  Jupiter
Ephemeris data on Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Pluto from 1652 to 2060 was generated.
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/27/astronomy/</link> </item> <item><title>Counting</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  Herman Hollerith organized the Tabulating Machine Corporation which grew into IBM. His punched cards were first used by which government agency?Federal Bureau of Investigation
Census Bureau
Internal Revenue Service
Department of DefenseAnswer:  Census Bureau
Use of punched cards cut the time required for the 1890 census to one-third that of the previous one.
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/26/counting/</link> </item> <item><title>Adding Machine</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The American Arithmometer Company patented the first practical recording adding machine in 1892. It later changed its name to that of the inventor.  What was his name?Burroughs
Honeywell
Sperry Rand
NCRAnswer:  Burroughs
The Burroughs Adding Machine Company came into being in 1905.
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/25/adding-machine/</link> </item> <item><title>Comptometer</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The first wholly key-operated calculating machine was the Comptometer, a practical adding and listing machine. Who invented it?Leo Evans
Norbert Dodge
Francis Galton
Dorr FeltAnswer:  Dorr Felt
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/24/comptometer/</link> </item> <item><title>Cost overruns</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The government funded development of a computing machine, but cost  overruns of more than ten times the original estimates caused the administration to withdraw in alarm. An oft-repeated story, but who was the developer the first time it happened?W. Burroughs
N. Dodge
C. Babbage
G. BooleAnswer:  C. Babbage
Charles Babbage allowed the cost of his [...]]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/23/cost-overruns/</link> </item> <item><title>Not enough fingers</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  Before the digital computer age, astronomers had to calculate orbits of astronomical bodies by hand. What was the typical precision of these orbital calculations?2 places
6 places
9 places
100 placesAnswer:  9 places
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/22/not-enough-fingers/</link> </item> <item><title>Floating-point</title> <description><![CDATA[Question:  The use of algorithms is fundamental to developing computer programs.  When was the first known use of the floating-point algorithm, which included conditional branches and iterations?before 1940
1940-1945
1945-1948
after 1948Answer:  before 1940
The Babylonians during Hammurabi&#39;s dynasty (1800-1600 B.C.) developed such algorithms for excavations, linear equations, and geometric problems.
]]></description><link>http://trivial.net/2008/11/21/floating-point/</link> </item> </channel> </rss>
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