Aerospace
Space comprising the earth's atmosphere and the space beyond.
Application (computer)
A program that performs one of the tasks for which a computer
is used, such as word processing or numerical computations.
Behemoth
Something enormous in size or power.
Bonus
A payment in addition to the amount contracted for.
Charter
A document issued by a legislature or authority to create
a public or private corporation.
Corporation
Form of business organization requiring a government charter
granting the company specific powers separate from the individuals
that own the firm. The corporation as the right to sue and to
issue stock and can itself be sued.
Data General Corporation
U.S. computer manufacturer that introduced the Nova minicomputer
sometime before 1978.
Data processing
Conversion of raw data into machine-readable form and subsequent
processing of the data by a computer.
Defense contractor
A business or individual that develops and manufactures
goods and services that are sold to a government to be used
for national defense purposes.
Digital
Of, relating to, or using calculations by numerical methods
or by discrete units. Also, a device that can read, write, or
store information that is represented in numerical form.
Electrical engineering
Training in the practical applications of the theory of
electricity.
Engineer
Person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical
problems.
Honeywell
Early U.S. computer manufacturer. In 1957, Honeywell jointly
introduced with Raytheon the Datamatic 1000, one of the first
computers in the United States. Honeywell's 800 and 400 models
earned a solid reputation for advanced features.
IBM
The best known American computer manufacturer. Founded by
Thomas J. Watson in 1911, IBM today makes both mainframes and
personal computers.
Innovation
The act of introducing something new and significantly different.
Inventory
The stock of goods that a business has for sale.
Mainframe
A large, powerful computer serving many connected terminals
and usually used by large, complex organizations.
Minicomputer
Computers built between 1963 and 1987 that were smaller
and less powerful than mainframe computers, the prevailing computer
before the minicomputer. Minicomputers were characterized by
short word lengths (8 to 32 bits) and limited software facilities.
Their low cost made them suitable for a wide variety of applications.
PDP-8
Minicomputer introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation
in 1965 that sold for $18,000 and triggered the minicomputer
industry. It was the first parallel general-purpose digital
computer sold in a tabletop configuration. The PDP-8 carried
DEC from a small, unknown technical company into the ranks of
the major computer makers.
Pent-up demand
When demand for a product is exceptionally strong, perhaps
because the demand built up during a recession when people could
not afford to buy the product or because the product was temporarily
not available to be sold.
Personal computer
A computer built for use by one individual at a time in
an office or at home or school.
Profit margin
The difference between the selling price of a product and
the costs associated with its production and sale.
Programmable
Capable of handling a set of coded working instructions
&##8212; said of computers.
Real estate
Land including all the natural resources and permanent buildings
on it.
Specialized technician
A person with the knowledge and skill needed to carry out
a specific technical procedure.
Synthesizer
An electronic instrument often played with a keyboard and
producing complex sounds, such as those of various other instruments.
Word processing
The creation, input, editing, and production of words in
documents and texts by means of a computer system.
