Check the transcription in the dictionary and read the words listed below.

Verbs

solve, store, require, distribute, access, deal with, stream

Adjectives

substantial, financial, solid, conventional

Adverbs

collectively, originally, directly, economically, automatically

Text 4

Lead-in:

Answer the questions

1) What is a LAN?

2) What is a WAN?

3) What is distributed system?

Before reading the text opposite, match these words and phrases with their definitions.

1. protocol	a) analyse the syntax of a string of input symbols
2. bulletin board	b) a teleconferencing system allowing users to read messages left by others users
3. user interface	c) agreement governing the procedures used to exchange information between co-operating computers
4. make a query	d) means of communication between a human user and a computer system
5. parse	e) taking place at exactly the same time as something else
6. synchronous	f) request a search

3. Read the text:

Computer networks

Computer networks link computers by communication lines and software protocols, allowing data to be exchanged rapidly and reliably. Traditionally, networks have been split between wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs). A WAN is a network connected over long distance telephone lines, and a LAN is a localized network usually in one building or a group of buildings close together. The distinction, however, is becoming blurred. It is now possible to connect up LANs remotely over telephone links so that they look as though they are a single LAN.

Originally, networks were used to provide terminal access to central database. The PC passes the query, written in a special language (e.g. Structured Query Language - SQL), to the mainframe, which then parses the query, returning to the user only the data requested. The user might then use his PC to draw graphs based on the data. By passing back to the user's PC only the specific information requested, network traffic is reduced. If the whole file were transmitted, the PC would then have to perform the query itself, reducing the efficiency of both network and PC.

In the 1980s, at least 100,000 LANs were set up in laboratories and offices around the world. During the early part of this connect up LANs remotely over telephone links so that they look as though they are a single LAN. Originally, networks were used to provide terminal access to another computer and to transfer files between computers. Today, networks carry e-mail, provide access to public databases and bulletin boards, and are beginning to be used for distributed systems. Networks also allow users in one locality to share expensive resources, such as printers and disk-systems.

Distributed computer systems are built using networked computers that co-operate to perform tasks. In this environment each part of the networked system does what it is best at. The high-quality bitmapped graphics screen of a personal computer or workstation provides a good user interface. The mainframe, on the other hand, can handle large numbers of queries and return the results to the users. In a distributed environment, a user might use his PC to make a query against a network and PC.

In the 1980s, at least 100.000 LANs were set up in laboratories and offices around the world. During the early part of this decade, synchronous orbit satellites lowered the price of long-distance telephone calls, enabling computer data and television signals to be distributed more cheaply around the world. Since then, fibre-optic cable has been installed on a large scale, enabling vast amounts of data to be ransmitted at a very high speed using light so signals.

The impact of fibre optics will be considerably to reduce the price of network access. Global communication and computer networks will become more and more a part of professional and personal lives as the price of microcomputers and network access drops. At the same time, distributed computer networks should improve our work environments and technical abilities.

Tasks:

Read quickly through the text, then match each paragraph with the appropriate summary.

1. Network uses, past and present

2. How distributed systems work

3. Networks and the future

4. What networks are and how they operate

5. The growth of networks, past and present

Read this summary of the text and fill in the gaps using the list of the words below

Computer networks link computers locally or by external communication lines and software …allowing data to be exchanged rapidly and reliably. The…between local area and wide area networks is, however, becoming unclear. Networks are being used to perform increasingly diverse tasks, such as carrying e-mail, providing access to public databases, and for…. Networks also allow users in one locally to share resources.

Distributed systems use networked computers. PCs or…provide the user…. Main frames process…and return the results to the users. A user at his PC might make a query against a central database. The PC passes the query, written in a special language, to mainframe, which then …the query, returning to the user only the data requested. This allows both the network and the individual PC to operate efficiently.

In the 1980s, at least 100,000…were set up world-wide. As …orbit satellites have lowered the price of long-distance telephone, data can be transmitted more cheaply. In addition,... cable has been installed on a large scale, enabling vast amounts of data to be transmitted at a very high speed uing light signals. This will considerably reduce the price of networks access, making global networks more a part of our professional and personal lives. Networks should also improve our work…and technical abilities.

Words:

distinction, distributed systems, environments, fibre-optic, LANs, parses, protocols, queries, screen handling, synchronous, workstations.

3. Now look back in the text and find words that have opposite meaning to:

1. disparate

2. conflict

3. preventing

4. tiny

5. increase

Text 5

Lean in:

1. Before reading the text, try to decide which of the following definitions best describes a management information system:

a. a system for supplying information to management

b. a system for managing information

c. a system which supplies information about management

Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F), then read the passage to check your answers.

1. All businesses are interester in more or less the same information, regerdless of the nature of their operation.

2. The managing director of a company needs a lot more detailed information about the day-to-day operations than his executives do.

3. Funtional management require up-to-the minute information so that they can take action to control events as they happen.

4. Information system are usually computerized.

5. Transaction processing are usually the first system to be installed.

3. Read the text:

Information systems

The objective of information systems is to provide information to all levels of management at the most relevant time, at an acceptable level of accuracy, and at an economical cost.

Individual businesses require information according to the nature of their operations. A car manufacturer is particularly interested in the extent competition from overseas manufacturers in the home market and competition from other home-based manufacturers. A tour operator is concerned about purchasing power and its effect on holiday bookings and the political situation prevailing in the various countries.

As a general guide, the detail contained in reports containing information varies according to the position of the recipient in the hierarchical management structure. The chairman and managing director of a company require details of operations which arc broad in scope and which concentrate on key factors pinpointing economic and financial trends.

Functional management require information relating to the departments they are responsible for in sufficient detail to enable them to apply whatever measures are required to bring situations into line with requirements. They require information relating to events as they occur so that appropriate action can be taken to control them.

Information systems are often computerized because of the need to respond quickly and flexibly to queries. At the bottom level in the information hierarchy are the transaction processing systems, which capture and process internal information, such as sales, production, and stock data. These produce the working documents of the business, such as invoices and statements. Typically, these are the first systems which a company will install.. Above the transaction-level systems are the decision support systems. These take external information - market trends and other external financial data - and processed internal information, such as sales trends, to produce strategic plans, forecasts, and budgets. Often such systems are put together with PC spreadsheets and other unconnected tools. Management information systems lie at the top of the hierarchy of information needs. The MIS takes the plans and information from the transaction-level systems to monitor the performance of the business as a whole. This provides feedback to aid strategic planning, forecasting, and/or budgeting, which in turn affects what happens at the transactional level.

Tasks:

1. Draw a diagram to show how information is processed by information systems, as described in the last paragraph. Your diagram should show the hierarchy of systems and should include examples of the kind of information involved at each stage in the process. Use arrows (-►) to indicate the flow of information.