Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) is fast, expensive memory that uses small latches called “flip-flops” to store bits. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) stores bits in small capacitors (like small batteries), and is slower and cheaper than SRAM.

The capacitors used by DRAM leak charge, and must be continually refreshed to maintain integrity, typically every few to a few hundred milliseconds, depending on the type of DRAM. Refreshing reads and writes the bits back to memory. SRAM does not require refreshing, and maintains integrity as long as power is supplied

Firmware stores small programs that do not change frequently, such as a computer’s BIOS (discussed below), or a router’s operating system and saved configuration. Various types of ROM chips may store firmware, including PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.

PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) can be written to once, typically at the factory. EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) may be “flashed,” or erased and written to multiple times.

The term “flashing” derives from the use of EPROMs: flashing ultraviolet light on a small window on the chip erased the EPROM. The window was usually covered with foil to avoid accidental erasure due to exposure to light. EEPROMs are the modern type of ROM, electrically erasable via the use of flashing programs.

A Programmable Logic Device (PLD) is a field-programmable device, which means it is programmed after it leaves the factory. EPROMs, EEPROMS, and Flash Memory are examples of PLDs.

Flash Memory - Flash memory (such as USB thumb drives) is a specific type of EEPROM, used for small portable disk drives. The difference is any byte of an EEPROM may be written, while flash drives are written by (larger) sectors. This makes flash memory faster than EEPROMs, but still slower than magnetic disks.

The awful thing, as a kid reading, was that you came to the end of the story, and that was it. I mean, it would be heartbreaking that there was no more of it.

If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.

I have about 50 guitars around the house. I can't take more than a few steps without finding one to pick up.

I don't think I have been loved by my troops, but I think I have been respected.

Before you are interviewed for the job you want, try on the complete outfit you intend to wear.

I am so excited to extend myself behind the scenes as a designer and to - as my father puts it - finally have a real job.

I always ask myself the question, do you like to win, or do you hate to lose?

Of course, it's no fun getting old and getting sick and dying; we all know that's coming, and it's a bore.

If light is in your heart, you will find your way home.

People have really strong images of what church is, and it's almost certainly not the same as mine.

Liberalism is the wolf on the sled dog team.

Religion, in any form, is always interesting to me because of how powerful it is. Not even the religion itself, but to the people that follow it... The effect that it has had on people's minds.

You can't make money on advertising; you just have to seed the clouds. What you're after is word of mouth.

Knowledge is power. Most of us agree that something has to be done to strengthen Social Security, and I believe it's irresponsible to arbitrarily dismiss any idea, Republican nor Democrat, without giving it a hard look.

Marrakech in May is unseasonably tagine-hot.

How come liberals never admit that they're liberal? They've now come up with a new word called 'progressive,' which I thought was an insurance company but apparently it's a label.

The minute I ever start thinking about what a character would do is the minute I bring my ego into play. It's the minute I'm putting a judgment on something.

Every well-dressed gentleman must have an all-cotton oxford cloth button-down shirt from Brooks Brothers.

Elves live in harmony with the world, and I try to do that.

Rita Hayworth in Gilda... there's not a shot of her in that movie that isn't gorgeous.

Most bosses know instinctively that their power depends more on employees compliance than on threats or sanctions.

They've just gone over the line in my opinion, and again, there's a proper time for a pat down, there's a proper time for an advanced technology body search, but it has to be done with some thought.

But we are not going to be able to survive on this limited planet if the population keeps on growing: there isn't going to be anything left.

If the cosmos isn't finite, then far, far away, floating duplicates of your brain - with all its experiences, thoughts, and emotions - are occasionally (and temporarily) thrown together by the random combining of atoms. Such 'Boltzmann brains,' as they're called, are a disturbing consequence of an unlimited universe.