FAQ is an abbreviation for "Frequently Asked Question(s)". The term refers to listed questions and answers, all supposed to be frequently asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. Since the acronym originated in textual media, its pronunciation varies; both "fak" and "F.A.Q." are commonly heard (and therefore, when used with an indefinite article, it is either "a FAQ" or "an FAQ"). Depending on usage, the term may refer specifically to a single frequently-asked question, or to an assembled list of many questions and their answers. An alternative suggestion is that FAQ is actually a clumsily-constructed three letter acronym purported to have come from computer IT specialists, frustrated with answering over and over again the same, perceived stupid questions from computer users, and which secretly stands for the pronunciation "fah-queue". For example: "Please read the FAQ list to ensure your question has not already been answered before bothering the overworked IT department".

Origins

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While the name may be recent, the FAQ format itself is quite old. For instance, Matthew Hopkins wrote The Discovery of Witches in 1647 in FAQ format. He introduces it as "Certaine Queries answered," ... Many old catechisms are in a question and answer format.

More on [ FAQ ]

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Dell Consumer Investments Hinder Quarterly Earnings
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:34:35 -0400
Dell invested heavily to expand its nonenterprise market share in Europe and in various IT sectors and may have overextended itself in trying to set up retail outlets and woo consumers over to its laptops, desktops and peripherals. Dell revealed in its quarterly report that its fiscal second-quarter earnings fell a full 17 percent from a year ago. - Dell, in its zeal to expand its nonenterprise market share in Europe and in various IT sectors, may have expended too much marketing energy and cash trying to set up retail outlets and woo consumers over to its laptops, desktops and peripherals. Dell revealed in its quarterly report on Aug. ...
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 Privacy Features Win User Support
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:17:43 -0400
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 includes a number of security and privacy features that allow it to keep pace with competing browsers such as Firefox and Safari. Many users of Internet Explorer seem to appreciate Microsoft's privacy protections, which are designed to protect users' browsing information. The most talked-about features are InPrivate Browsing and InPrivate Blocking. - Much has been made of the new security features in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2. As users and testers bang on the beta version of the browser, Microsoft appears to have gotten a lot right when it comes to privacy. In the Beta 2 version of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft has added a num...
HP Wins Inkjet Printer Cartridge Patent Suit Against Pelikan Hardcopy
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:26:23 -0400
Hewlett-Packard says a German court has found Pelikan Hardcopy to be in violation of laws on unfair competition. Earlier in August, the court ordered Pelikan, a provider of printing supplies, to stop importing and distributing inkjet cartridges that infringed on HP's patents. - NEW YORK (Reuters) Hewlett-Packard Co said on Thursday a German court has found Pelikan Hardcopy to be in violation of laws on unfair competition. Earlier this month, the court ordered Pelikan, a provider of printing supplies, to stop importing and distributing inkjet cartridges that infringed on...
KDE Momentum Continues with New Updates, Features
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:12:58 -0400
The KDE community has released KDE 3.5.10, a maintenance release for the KDE 3.5 series of the popular Linux desktop. Meanwhile, KDE developers continue work on bringing service-oriented computing to KDE, as well as a new Amarok media player and enhanced Qt support. KDE also has adopted the Free Software Foundation Europe's Fiduciary License Agreement. - The KDE Community has announced the availability of KDE 3.5.10, a maintenance release of KDE, the free desktop for GNU Linux and other Unix flavors. The KDE desktop is the system of choice for a broad array of Linux users. And although the KDE community released KDE 4.1 at the end of July, K...
ITC Trade Panel Agrees to Take Up Microsoft Patent Case Against Primax
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:01:25 -0400
Microsoft accused Primax Electronics of Taiwan of infringing on its patents for peripheral devices like keyboards and mice. The International Trade Commission has agreed to hear Microsoft's case against Primax Electronics. The complainant requests that the ITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order. - WASHINGTON (Reuters) A trade panel has agreed to investigate Microsoft Corp's accusation that Primax Electronics of Taiwan has infringed its patents for peripheral devices like keyboards and mice, the International Trade Commission said on Thursday. The complaint was filed on July 30, 2008. The ...
Dell Earnings Disappoint, Tech Spending Seen Weak
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:55:01 -0400
Dell, the top maker of desktop, notebook and laptop computers, posts a surprisingly steep drop in quarterly earnings and says companies around the world are cutting back on technology spending, sending its shares tumbling and sparking fears of weakness in the whole tech sector. Dell's outlook is for slower spending especially in Asia and Western Europe. Dell has cut 8,500 jobs so far based on a plan to slash 8,900, and at least one analyst says the results could presage further cutbacks. - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) Dell Inc. posted a surprisingly steep drop in quarterly earnings and said companies around the world are cutting back on technology spending, sending its shares tumbling and sparking fears of weakness in the whole tech sector. quot;They're saying lower IT (information te...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Boeing raises its contract offer to Machinists
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Boeing delivered its "best-and-final" offer to Machinists union officials, raising its proposed wage increase to 11 percent over three years.
Jobs with real authority: working on Microsoft's spell-checker
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:06:05 -0700
In the last two years, few names have become as recognizable as Barack Obama's, a rise that continues tonight as he accepts the Democratic...
Fannie Mae replaces 3 top managers
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:24:30 -0700
Fannie Mae Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mudd replaced three top managers at the beleaguered mortgage-finance provider as the company struggles...

NYT > Technology

AT&T’s Rivals Are Happy to Attack Over iPhone’s Network Woes
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:13:33 -0000
The debut of Apple’s iPhone 3G cellphones has been a public relations headache for AT&T, after complaints of dropped calls and poor network connections.
Bits: Does Silicon Valley Face an Innovation Crisis?
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:33:16 -0000
Judy Estrin, a serial technology entrepreneur, says in a new book that Silicon Valley — and the country — are facing a crisis of innovation.
Results at Novell Are Better Than Expected
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:08:42 -0000
The business software maker Novell posted a quarterly loss but its results were better than expected, helped by an increase in sales of Linux software.

CNN.com - Technology

Web surfing without leaving a trace
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:22:18 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
'Junk raft' ends dangerous voyage
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:58:07 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Dead Sea Scrolls go digital
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:24:41 -0400
More than 2,000 years after they were written, the Dead Sea Scrolls are getting high-tech treatment as part of an effort to better preserve the ancient texts and let more people see them than ever before.

NPR Topics: Technology

Obama Uses Text Messaging With Eye On Nov. 4
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:22:00 -0400
The Obama campaign has used text messaging to communicate with its supporters. Andrew Rasiej, founder of TechPresident, a blog that focuses on technology and the presidential campaigns, says the cell phone numbers can be used to get out the vote on Nov. 4.
'Marketplace' Report: Relief For Porn Addicts
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
In the newest test version of Microsoft's forthcoming Internet Explorer, consumers will have the option to surf without a "history." There are benefits to this feature beyond just prolonging marriages.
FCC Spreads The Word On Digital TV Switchover
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:04:00 -0400
In February, people who use an antenna to get television signals will have to begin using conversion boxes to watch their favorite programs. The Federal Communications Commission will start an 80-city tour this week to talk about the changes.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

Hackers prepare supermarket sweep
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:06:37 -0000
Cyber thieves are hatching a plan to steal US funds through British supermarkets, the BBC learns.
McKinnon loses extradition appeal
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:31:36 -0000
A Briton accused of hacking into secret Nasa military computers loses his appeal against extradition to the US.
Internet Explorer gets makeover
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:01:45 -0000
The next version of Internet Explorer has features to make browsing and searching easier and more secure.

Reuters Video: Technology

Reuters Technology Week
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:42:18 -0400
Aug. 28 - The latest in food-fuel and new technology helps decipher the Dead Sea scrolls.
Seals star on own web site
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:37:09 -0400
Aug. 26 - New technology is giving scientists and wildlife fans the chance to observe one of Lake Baikal's shyest inhabitants, the 'nerpa' seal as it is known locally.
Robotic suit helps paraplegics walk
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:53:35 -0400
Aug 26 - Israeli company develops remote-controlled suit that enables paraplegics to walk.

AP Top Technology News At 6:22 p.m. EDT

Even critics give Apple a pass on iPhone 3G woes
By JESSICA MINTZ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:29:18 -0000
First an iPhone price cut left early buyers feeling foolish, and then came reports that some iPods were spitting sparks. Now the new iPhone 3G has been marred by bugs, spotty service, disappearing programs for the device and a veil of secrecy over software developers trying to broaden its appeal....
Small GPS devices help prosecutors win convictions
By MITCH STACY Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:16:55 -0000
Like millions of motorists, Eric Hanson used a GPS unit in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer to find his way around. He probably didn't expect that prosecutors would eventually use it too - to help convict him of killing four family members....
Dell 2Q profit drops 17 percent and stock plunges
By JESSICA MINTZ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:39:16 -0000
Slashing computer prices helped Dell Inc. boost sales in its fiscal second quarter, but the No. 2 PC maker's bottom line took a hit when efforts to cut costs failed to make up the difference....

CNET News.com

Vote for me, Obama says, through text messages
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:53:00 -0700
Delegates and other convention goers are asked to show support for Barack Obama by sending text messages, which will be scored based on what state they're from.
IE 8 Beta 2 not without its faults
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:53:00 -0700
While hiccups are expected from beta software, some of the affected services are Microsoft's own.
Whoops! Obama's VP text-messaging idea didn't work out so well
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:50:00 -0700
Keynote Systems reports that 40 percent to 50 percent of the text messages sent by the Obama campaign regarding the candidate's VP choice were late or never received.

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