1. List at least three independent software houses (not associated with a computer vendor) that are major players in the software component of the information systems industry. List any software products that you regularly use and indicate the firm that developed each product.
2. Four categories of computer systems were considered in this chapter: microcomputers, midrange systems, mainframes, and supercomputers. Provide the name of at least one prominent vendor in each of these categories (and you can use IBM only once!).