Computer network device MODEM - what does it stands for and what is its use?

MODEM (Modulator/Demodulator)
A device that serves as a bridge between your digital computer and some form of analog line used to transmit data, such as a phone line (standard modem) or analog cable connection (cable modem). The modem can receive the analog signals from the line and turn them digital, or transmit your digital signals into analog signals that are capable of being decoded digitally.

IDE and SCSI or skuzzy connection what is the difference them. Explain the significance with respect to hard drives

Integrated Device Electronics (IDE)
IDE is the standard hard drive interface for PCs. You can connect a maximum of two hard drives to an IDE connection or channel. IDE hard drives are cheaper than SCSI drives, but IDE is generally slower than SCSI and does not support sector re-mapping.

Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)
Pronounced “skuzzy,” this is a standard data pathway used mostly for hard drives and CD-ROM drives; but it was also a common interface for scanners and even printers at one point. It is the fastest (and the most flexible) method of interfacing with hard drives. It comes in numerous varieties, and is mainly used in servers and high-end workstations. SCSI drives are much more expensive than IDE drives, but SCSI drives can have features, like 15,000 RPM spin speeds and 5-year warranties, that IDE drives currently do not.

Explain what do we mean by the term "Intellectual Property". Discuss the term with a software company as an example.

Intellectual Property (IP)
Any base of knowledge that was developed for a particular company or entity. Usually, if you work for a technical company you have to sign some sort of agreement that states that any work you do or ideas you have while on company time are that company’s intellectual property. As you can imagine, the possession and retention of intellectual property is a lawsuit-laden endeavor. For example, the intellectual property of a software company is not only its software, but also the ideas behind the software, and the methods used to program the software, and just about anything you can imagine about the software.

Generally confused technical words - how to differentiate between internet and intranet?

Internet
The global network of computers constantly connected to each other using standardized communications protocols, specifically TCP/IP.

Intranet
A local network of computers using TCP/IP as the standard communications protocol. Usually an intranet features some sort of HTML content that you can use a browser to look at. Think of it as a mini, private Internet. Many companies have intranets that contain information only of use to their employees.

Commonly confused technology terms - GPS, GPRS & GIS what is the use and difference between these acronyms.

GPS (Global Positioning System)
A system of satellites around the Earth that broadcast the time via radio signals based on an internal atomic clock. GPS devices can receive the signals from multiple satellites, and by measuring the time it took the signal to arrive they can determine your current position on the Earth.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
A mobile phone 2.5G technology that allows short bursts of data between a phone and a network such as the Internet. The short transmissions allow for less costly connectivity than a constant connection, but work best with specialized services designed for such types of communication.

GIS (Geographic Information System)
A system for capturing and manipulating data relating to the Earth. A common use of GIS is to overlay several types of maps (for example, train routes, elevation data, street maps) to determine useful data about a given geographic area.

Explain what does the acronym FPS stands for? What is its significance regarding display technology and computer gaming industry

Frames Per Second (FPS)
This term relates to video or 3D games, and is the amount of single full screen (or full window) pictures (or frames) that are displayed each second to generate what appears to be a moving image. Typical digital video displays at around 30 FPS. Higher frame rates are not really necessary, as the human eye cannot typically handle more than about 30 FPS. Some games will average 30 FPS or higher and look choppy. Usually this is due to intense scenes that cause the action to dip below 30 FPS for short periods of time. Rates of over 100 FPS in games are common nowadays with less complex 3D action games, but do not necessarily add to the experience of playing a game.

First Person Shooter (FPS)
This describes a video game that is played from the first person perspective, i.e., looking out of the eyes of the main character. As well, to achieve the “shooter” aspect, the main character usually has some type of weapon, and to achieve your goals you must kill off enemies. The first meaningful game of this genre was Castle Wolfenstein 3D, and other popular examples include the Doom, Quake, and Unreal series.

Shareware, Nagware, Freeware, Open Source - How to differentiate between these computer software industry related terms.

Shareware
Software that can be installed and distributed freely. Some shareware is free but requires fees to be paid to the author before all features are available. Other shareware is full-featured, but “nags” you to pay the fee with extra screens that must be bypassed. Most shareware requires you to pay for it within 30 days.

Nagware
This is shareware that has screens that pop up and require you to press a button or wait an amount of time. These nag screens go away after you pay for the software and enter a registration code.

Freeware
Software that is free for use and does not require a fee to be paid to access its full functionality.

Open Source
Software that can be freely distributed, and must be distributed along with its source code. Thus the source can be changed easily, and the program can be altered to fix bugs or add features. Depending on the Open Source license, you may be unable to redistribute altered code or charge money for the distribution of the software. Some popular examples of Open Source software are Linux and Mozilla.

Slang related to financial & equity markets - what is the meaning of the phrase belly up?

Belly Up
A slang term used to describe the complete and abject failure of an individual, corporation, bank, development project, etc. The term belly up is often used to describe a financial institution that has failed and been closed by regulators.

Interest rates, equity indexes and the yield of a fixed-income security related jargon - What does BPS stands for?

Basis Point (BPS)
A unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1%, and is used to denote the change in a financial instrument. The basis point is commonly used for calculating changes in interest rates, equity indexes and the yield of a fixed-income security.

The relationship between percentage changes and basis points can be summarized as follows: 1% change = 100 basis points, and  0.01% = 1 basis point.

So, a bond whose yield increases from 5% to 5.5% is said to increase by 50 basis points; or interest rates that have risen 1% are said to have increased by 100 basis points.

Accounting, balance sheet, economic term - what do you mean by Base Period or reference period

Base Period
A particular time period for which data is gathered and used as a benchmark against which economic data from other periods is measured.

Also referred to as "reference period."

Think of this as a yardstick for economic data. For example, if a price index has a base year of 1990, current prices are being compared to prices in that time period.