Can you remember what these symbols mean?

1. 3. 5. 7.

2. 4. 6.

 

Complete the text with the words in the box.

systems memory task terminals desktop CAD applications

The first microcomputers, also known as (1) ………………… PC’s, were for single user only, and this clearly distinguished them from minicomputers. Another important difference was that ‘minis’ were much more powerful than ‘micros’: they could execute more than one (2) ………………… simultaneously and were used as file servers for (3) …………………… and workstations. However, modern microcomputers have operating (4) ……………………. and network facilities that can support many simultaneous users. Today, most personal computers have enough (5) ……………………… to be used for word processing and business (6) ………………………. Some PCs can even handle multitasking and (7) ………………….. applications. As a result, the division between ‘minis’ and ‘micros’ is now disappearing.

Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Інформація у вигляді даних і програм відома як “програмне забезпечення”, а електронні та механічні частини, що утворюють комп’ютерну систему, називаються “апаратне забезпечення”.

2. Студентів нашого факультету навчають працювати з комп’ютером, складати програми та інтегральні схеми.

3. Робота з комп’ютером підвищує цікавість студентів до навчання.

4. Ноутбук може слугувати студентові як бібліотекарем, так і консультантом.

5. Усю інформацію можна отримати у вигляді роздруковки.

6. Джек зберіг свою доповідь у комп’ютері та зробив додаткову копію на диску.

7. На сьогодні багато комп’ютерних програм легкі у використанні.

8. Інтернет значно впливає на наше повсякденне життя.

Read, smile and find in the Internet similar computer jokes either in English or in Ukrainian.

BLOCK II

Read the following dialogue.

Hooking Up My Computer

Peter: Hi Jack. Can you give me a hand?

Jack: Sure. What’s up?

Peter: I’ve just bought a new computer and I’m having some problems hooking everything up.

Jack:... and I’m a geek. Yeah, I know. I'd be happy to help.

Peter: Thanks! I’ve connected all the cables from my monitor, mouse and keyboard, and I’ve plugged it in.

Jack: Have you installed the software yet?

Peter: No, I haven’t. Do I need to?

Jack: Not always, but it’s best to install drivers for your keyboard and mouse, as well as your printer.

Peter: Will the computer boot up without those?

Jack: Of course. Boot up the computer and then we can update the drives.

Peter: OK. What’s that thing (points to a computer component)

Jack: Oh, that’s a memory reader. You can insert things like SD cards from your camera and mp3 players into it.

Peter: That’s handy.

Jack: You’ve bought a nice system. How big is the hard drive?

Peter: I think it’s 750 gigabyte.

Jack: Good... The computer’s booted up. Let’s install those drivers.

Peter: Before we do that, can I get online?

Jack: Do you have a modem?

Peter: Yes, I do. I think I have a cable modem.

Jack: Hmmm... yes you do. Is the Ethernet cable plugged in?

Peter: What’s that?

Jack: It’s the cable that connects your modem to your computer.

Peter: Let’s surf the Internet!

Jack: Just a moment... First we need to launch the browser.

Peter: The browser?

Jack: It’s the program that allows you to surf the Internet.

Peter: Oh... I’ve got a lot to learn.

Jack: Yes, you do. I can see I’m going to be here all day...

Read the dialogue and fill in the missing words. The first letter of each missing word is given.

Interviewer:Can you explain how a (1) p ………………. computer works?

Tom Bryant: Sure. A pen computer usually (2) r ……………. on rechargeable batteries. You hold the computer with one hand and with the other you use an electronic (3) s ………… to write, draw and make selections on a flat LCD (4) s………….

Interviewer:That means it doesn’t have a keyboard.

Tom Bryant: That’s right. You write (5) i …………….. with the stylus like a pen.

Interviewer: And how does the computer (6) r ……………… what you write?

Tom Bryant: It reads the (7) p ……………. of the pen and sends signals to the screen. The computer then translates the movement of the pen into characters or performs the functions like ‘delete’. The operating system recognizes specific gestures like drawing a circle or crossing out a (8) w ……………..

Interviewer: Can these operating systems really recognize (9) h ………………?

Tom Bryant: Yes, they can be trained to recognize (10) c …………………. written in your own handwriting. A lot of hand-held computers use Microsoft Windows CE or the Palm OS from Palm Computing.