Task. Read, translate and retell the text.

The piece of equipment that allows a computer to commu­nicate with other computers over telephone lines is called a modem. The modem allows the individual to access informa­tion from all over the world and use that information in every­day life. Connecting with banks, Automatic Teller Machines, cash registers to read credit cards, access travel agents, buy prod­ucts, e-mail, access databases, and teleconferencing, the mo­dems provide easy access to many services. Files can be trans­ferred easily, by uploading to another machine, or downloading to your own machine within a matter of minutes. The comput­er modem can be used as a telephone answering system, and documents can be faxed from one computer to another assur­ing fast and easy access to important documents.

A modem takes computer information and changes it into a signal that can be sent over telephone lines. The modem is a bridge between digital and analog signals. The computer is of the digital type, and the telephone using analog technology. The modem converts the "0"s and "l"s of the computer (off-on switches) into an analog signals modulating the frequency of the electronic wave or signal. The modem does just the opposite and demodulate the signal back into digital code. The modem gets its name from MOdulate and the DEModulate.

Most people believe that you need a separate phone line for a modem, but that is not true.Your modem and telephone can share one line, the problem arises when someone else needs to use the telephone while the modem is in use. Also disable call waiting, it could disrupt your modem connection while the modem is in use.

There are three kinds of modems — internal, external, and fax. All modems do the same thing, they allow computers to communicate through telephone lines. This lets computers ex­change information everywhere. Internal Modem is a circuit board that plugs into one of the expansion slots of the comput­er. Internal modems usually are cheaper than external modems, but when problems occur, fixing and troubleshooting the mo­dem can sometimes prove to be quite difficult. External Modem attaches to the back of the computer by way of a cable that plugs into the modem port. It is usually less expensive and very por­table. It can be used with other computers very easily by unplug­ging it and plugging it into another computer. Fax Modem can be hooked up to your telephone and used to send information to your computer. Your computer can also send information to a fax machine. Most computer modems are modems with fax­ing capabilities.

 

 

Tests.

Test 1.

 

1. A personal computer is a small relatively inexpensive device designed for an individual.

a) person; b) producer; c) user.

2. One of the first and most popular personal computer was … in 1977.

a) interpreted; b) introduced; c) integrated.

3. All personal computers are based on________ technology, its CPU being called MPU.

a) microscopy; b) microprocessor; c) microelement.

4. Very soon a microcomputer was________ from a calculator into a PC for everyone.

a) transformed; b) transferred; c) transported.

5. Input in PC is usually performed by means of a________.

a) mouse; b) scanner; c) keyboard.

6. A personal computer uses_______ disks as input and out-put media.

a) hard; b) fixed; c) floppy.

7. Personal computers have a lot of_____________________________, scientific, en­gineering, educational being among them.

a) multiplication; b) application; c) investigation.

8. Personal computers have a great educators, accountants, stock brokers and who not

. a) influence; b) information; c) environment.

9. A word processing program called application enables you to modify any document in a manner you wish.

a) hardware; b) software; c) firmware.

10. Using a display you can__________________ mistakes,______ words and replace sentences.

a) delete; b) dial; c) correct.

 

 

Test 2.

Personal computers.

The personal computer can serve as a work station for the individual today. Moreover, as it has become financially feasi­ble to provide a computer for the individual worker, so also tech­nical developments have made the interface between man and machine increasingly “friendly”, so that a wide array of com­puter functions are now accessible to people with no technical background.

A personal computer is a small computer based on a micro­processor; it is a microcomputer. Not all computers, however, are personal computers. A microcomputer can be dedicated to a single task such as controlling a machine tool or metering the injection of fuel into an automobile engine; it can be a word processor, a video game or a “pocket computer” that is not quite a computer. A personal computer is something different: a stand­alone computer that puts a wide array of capabilities at the dis­posal of an individual.

The first generation of true personal computers, which came on the market between 1977 and 1981, had eight-bit micropro­cessors; later introduced systems had 16-bits ones. Now 32-bit microprocessor chips are available, and soon they will be include­d in complete computer systems.

3. a) Performance of a wide array of computer functions;

b) Accessibility of PC for not professionals.

c) Friendly interface of a personal computer.

3. a) A microprocessor-based PC;

b) PC — a pocket computer;

c) Comparison of a microcomputer and a PC.

3. a) Microprocessor’s capacity;

b) The growth of MPC’s capacity;

c) The first generation of personal computers.

 

Unit XI.

Programming.

Text 1.

Computer programming.