Exam: ECO361N A Spring 08 Name____________________________

1. Briefly comment: Shannon’s information statistic measures the meaning of a message.

2. What is Unicode?

3. What is a transistor?

4. What is the incentive for discovery?

5. What is an expert system?

6. What is XML?

7. Can a robot have economic value with no intelligence? Use an example to discuss.

8. What is a neural network and at what is it efficient?

9. Discuss 5 institutional developments since 1790 that have increases the rate of discovery, invention, and innovation. Which were American innovations?

10. Why are standards necessary for technology and how are they created?

11. What economic (SHORT RUN) and physical (LONG RUN) factors limit the number of electronic components that can be placed on a chip? When might the industry reach the physical limit and what happens then?

12. What three factors define a von Neumann computer. Computer manufacturers are currently switching to what type of processors and computers? Why?

13. Explain. Name and briefly discuss two developments in creating software more efficiently.

14. Define and discuss the economics of EDI. Why move from private networks to the Internet?

15. Why has communication moved from a regulated monopoly towards a competitive market? To what extent is a competitive market possible in local communication? Is competition conservative wishful thinking?

16. Discuss: The best way to improve manufacturing competitiveness is to advance automation as fast as possible just like GM.

Name_____________________________________________________

WRITE THIS QUESTION IN INK OR LOSE 3 POINTS

17. Research question I Outsourcing and the income distribution since 1980

1.What has happened to the growth of incomes:  Keep it simple look at rich (owners of capital) middle class and blue collar working people

2. How much has outsourcing of jobs increased and how much of it is based on improved communication?

3. Is the government subsidizing outsourcing?

4. What is your future projection?