Before you read the passage, talk about these questions

1 How is Linux® different from other operating systems?

2 Why would a business use Linux®?

Reading.

Read the email from an IT employee to a manager. Then, choose the correct answers.

1 What is the email mainly about?

A the benefits of changing operating systems

В how to enter command lines into a terminal

С which Linux® distribution is right for the company

D differences between OpenOffice® and Microsoft Office®

2 What is the benefit of Samba®?

A It creates a graphical interface.

В It improves printers' efficiency.

С It is similar to Microsoft Office®.

D It lets different operating systems interact.

3 What can you infer about Brandon Peters?

A He uses Linux® on his computer.

В Не expects Linux® to increase costs.

С Не has only mentioned Linux® to Shirley.

D He thinks Linux® has fewer virus threats.

Vocabulary

Match the words (1-7) with the definitions

1 _ Ubuntu®

2 _ OpenOffice®

3 _vendor

4 _terminal

5_ open source

6 _ Samba®

7 _interface

A has word processing and spreadsheet programs

В Linux-based operating system

С how users communicate with a computer

D allows Linux® computers to connect to networks

E able to be modified by the user

F distributes products and software

G used to input command lines

Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases from the word bank.

Linux® Linux® distribution       Linux® distribution

command line      TCP/IP protocol              Microsoft Office®

1 You have to enter a __________ to make the system do anything.

2 I can't decide which _________ will work best for me.

3 You need to reconfigure the computer's ________ to get online.

4 This program has a, so anyone can use it.

5 _________ has an excellent word processing program.

6 I hate my current OS so I'm switching to __________.

Listen and read the email from an IT employee to a manager again. What two problems does the employee think the operating systems has?

Listening

Listen to a conversation between an IT worker and a manager. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ Open source software has an increased threat of viruses.

2 _ Samba® automatically reconfigures TCP/IP protocols.

3 _The manager does not approve the man's proposal.

Listen again and complete the conversation.

Manager: I assume we'd still have to buy antivirus software that 1 _______ _______ Linux.

IT Worker: 2 ______ ______ ________ - even the security software is free.

Manager: I see. Still, I'm not comfortable 3_______ ______ _______.

IT Worker: We don't have to. OpenOffice® is 4 _______ _______ with Office® and other programs.

Manager: My other concern is printer trouble. I don't want to install Linux® and have our equipment suddenly stop working.

IT Worker: That’s why we'll get 5 ________ ________ ________. The print server will act as if nothing changed.

Manager: That sounds too easy. Surely there's something else to it.

IT Worker: Actually, I'll have to 6 ______ _____ _____ ______, but that's a small task.

 

Speaking

With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

I want to talk about that Linux0 idea.

Even the security software is free.

OpenOffice® is actually compatible.

Student A: An employee has suggested switching to Linux. Ask Student В questions to find out about:

• antivirus software

• compatible programs

• printing problems

Student B: You are an employee. Answer Student A's questions.

Writing

Imagine that you are a manager. You have decided to switch to Linux0. Use the email and the conversation from Task 8 to write an email to the staff of the company that explains your decision (120-150 words). Talk about:

• The switch to Linux0

• The benefits of the switch

• Programs that will be replaced

• Necessary changes

 

 

           3 Connecting to clients and employees

1) FAQs

2) Multimedia

3) Electronic bulletin board

4) CAD

5) Anchor

All,

The owner of Dartmouth Enterprises signed a contract today to secure our web design services. His company specializes in CAD for manufacturing facilities. He'll be sending us the information he wants included in the website soon. In the meantime, he's told us what his requirements are for this project. First, he stressed a very professional appearance, so that means no applets. He doesn't want small applications cluttering up his page. It also means no anchors, so all navigation should be done through the menus.

Second, he wants separate sections for employees and clients. For his employees, he'd like an electronic bulletin board to streamline communication and a CBT section to keep his employees up-to-date with new training requirements. For his clients, all he requires are a helpful FAQs section and a multimedia section with a media player showcasing his company's capabilities. He'll send us a DVD with the footage and images he wants included. We'll need to convert it to an MPEG. He doesn't want us using a Flash18 player because he doesn't think the quality is good enough. The rest is up to you, but remember our emphasis on reliability.

Frank Davidson

Davidson Web Design

Get ready!