Page 207 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 3

FIGURE 8-4 Microprocessors composed of chips on integrated circuits
are constantly being developed by Intel Corporation and other firms
to process data at faster speeds.

The Development of Microprocessors
MICROPROCESSOR TRANSISTORS TOP SPEED YEAR

8086 29,000 10 Megahertz 1978

80386DX 275,000 16 Megahertz 1985

Pentium 1,200,000 25 Megahertz 1993

Pentium III 9,500,000 733 Megahertz 1999

64-bit Dual Processors 233,000,000 3 Gigahertz 2006

Source: Modified from Business Week, November 15, 1999; 2006 data retrieved
from www.amd.com August 10, 2006.

facts & The Internet

figures Advances in computer technology invited the entrance of another electronic
wonder—the Internet. The Internet, or Net, is a worldwide network of linked
computers that allows users to transfer data and information from one com-
Businesses involved in puter to another anywhere in the world. People can use the Net to send e-mail,
e-commerce are advised to visit Web sites, and participate in discussion groups.
have a privacy policy, post it on The Internet permits businesses to work together electronically and for employ-
their Web site, and make it well ees to communicate with other employees at any distance. Even consumers can buy
known. Companies should: give online from businesses or sell personal products. Two individuals with common
notice about what personal interests can chat or join a discussion group, seek information from electronic
information is collected and libraries, or compare products. The Internet is also used as a substitute for phoning
how it is used; give consumers and to download music and update computer software. Internet uses are virtually
the choice of whether and how unlimited.
their information can be used;
establish adequate security
measures to protect data; and WORLD WIDE WEB
allow consumers to access data Creation of the World Wide Web, WWW, or Web made the Internet accessible to
about them so they can confirm the average person. Previously, the Internet allowed computer users to share only
its accuracy and make changes printed text and required sophisticated technical knowledge to use. Therefore, at
if necessary. first, researchers and the military were the main users. Now the Web permits text
plus photographs, videos, and sound to be transmitted over the Net, all with just
a minimal amount of computer savvy. This Internet access tool for the general
public has enabled the Net to grow rapidly during the last decade. Now, for most
of us, the Web is synonymous with the Internet.
The Web uses links, called hyperlinks, for navigating easily among its pages.
A hyperlink is a Web page address embedded in a word, phrase, or graphic that,
when clicked, transports users to that address. Web pages usually contain hyper-
links to other sites on the Web that contain information of interest to site visitors.

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