MIS 320 - WWU - Exam 2 – Califf questions with correct answers

Marginal cost - Answer The costs associated with each additional unit produced. Open source software (OSS) - Answer Software that is free and where anyone can look at and potentially modify the code. Cloud computing - Answer Replacing computing resources--either an organization's or individual's hardware or software--with services provided over the internet. Software as a service (SaaS) - Answer A form of cloud computing where a firm subscribes to a third-party software and receives a service that is delivered online. Virtualization - Answer A type of software that allows a single computer (or cluster of connected computers) to function as if it were several different computers, each running its own operating system and software. Underpins most cloud computing efforts, and can make computing more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. Why is the software business attractive? - Answer Near-zero marginal costs and an opportunity to establish a standard--creating the competitive advantages of network effects and switching costs. What are some new trends in the software industry? - Answer OSS, cloud computing, Saas, virtualization. Linux - Answer An open source software operating system.