1. In a recent (AUGIE 2002) survey ofindependent insurance agencies, what was identified as the biggestautomation time waster?

Duplicate data entrywhat a surprise. The second biggestcomplaint was having to use different proprietary systems. Can yousay SEMCI? Maybe its time we learn how to make it easier for thenon-captive sales force to do its job.

2. What is the difference between 802.11A and802.11B?

They are two different specifications for wireless datatransmission. 802.11B was the first available and thus has a muchbroader market penetration. 802.11A has a less crowded frequencyspectrum, can transmit with greater power, and has higher potentialtransmission rates. The A standard also allows for multiplecarriers per channel. The bottom line: For business, I might use802.11B for an internal conference room if I had a need for an adhoc network. For any regular networked use, wireless is simply notsecure enough for my taste.

3. What is the first golden rule of good dataprocessing?

Dont try to fix something that is already working. Suppose aprogrammer comes to you and says: I learned this really cool thingon Slashdot. If we simultaneously change seven 4^th levelregistry keys from hex to octal, we can improve processorperformance by 1.2 percent without making any BIOS changes. Learnto say no! More systems are brought down by techies tweaking aworking system than malicious hackers. We are in the insurancebusinesswe dont need screaming systems, we need reliablesystems.

4. Why are there only 13 root DNS servers on the Internet (as inthe recent DDoS attack on the same)?

a. Most hackers are thought to have triskaidekaphobia, so thePowers That Be created a network with 13 root servers in an attemptto exploit that weakness and scare them off.

b. They really wanted 16 (hexadecimal, you know) but couldntfind anyone willing to host the other three.

c. There really are 16, but the other three are waiting forRoadRunner to come to their area.

d. Just because.

5. What is a packet sniffer?

a. A rude dog.

b. A Bauhaus design for a cognac glass.

c. A small river or coastal steamboat.

d. A tool used to eavesdrop on network traffic.

Useless trivia: The wordsniffer is a registered trademark by Network Associatesreferring to the Sniffer Network Analyzer.

6. Tell me about ebXML. Part 2Why do Icare?

ebXML is a joint initiative of the United Nations (UN/CEFACT)and OASIS. The fundamental goal of ebXML is to create a singleglobal electronic market.

Part 2You care because the time is rapidly approaching when wewill all be forced to implement some form of electronic commerceusing internationally recognized standards. ebXML may not be thefinal solution, but it does provide support for many industryverticals (including insurance).

7. What is the minimum number of assembly language instructionsthat a processor must support so that fully functional computingsystems can be built for it?

Threemove, add, and branch if equal. Think about it. (Note:Adding a branch if greater [or lesser] would really improve ease ofprogramming and performance, but it isnt essential.)

Mull over that last one its certainly open to discussionnot.Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts ([email protected]).Seeya in a couple of months (if you still have a job or, for thatmatter, if I still have a job).