Unit I.

Computer users

Lesson 1. Computer users

Exercise 1. Find the answers to the questions in the text

1. What is a computer?

A computer is a device that processes data according to a set of instructions

known as a program.

2. Give a definition of a program.

The equipment is known as the hardware and the programs and data are the
software. A special set of programs, known as an operating system,
provides the interface for the user and allows applications programs to
cooperate with the hardware.

3. What do you call an operating system?

Operating system is a special set of programs which provides the interface

for the user and allows applications programs to cooperate with the
hardware.

4. What do common applications programs include?

Common applications programs include word processors for creating and

editing the texts, spreadsheets for calculating mathematical formulae and
databases for storing data in a way that allows the data to be sorted and
searched.

5. What are databases for?

Databases for storing data in a way that allows the data to be sorted and
searched.

6. What do you use anti-virus programs for?

Anti-virus programs are used to detect and remove viruses (harmful
programs that can reproduce themselves and attach themselves to other
programs)

7. What is the main device for inputting data?

The main device for inputting the data is typewriter style keyboard

8. What types of computers do you know?

Personal computers (PCs), desktop computers, handheld computers

9. How can electronics be added to desktop computers?

Electronics can be added to desktop computers by plugging in expansion

cards (electronic circuit boards that can be plugged into special sockets
called expansion slots)

11. Do computer have a fixed purpose like other machines?

Unlike most machines computers do not have a fixed purpose. They are
multipurpose tools

12. What do you know about expert systems?

Advanced systems known as expert systems, enable computers to ’think’

like experts. Medical expert systems, for example, can help doctors
diagnose an illness and decide on the best treatment. As computer systems
are developed, they are becoming more common and are gradually being
used for more and more purposes.

13. What are peripheral devices?

Peripheral devices are devices that can be added externally to a computer.

14. Speak about the compatibility of computers. Is it a problem?

Not all computer systems are compatible, i.e. they cannot use the same
programs and data. Connecting computers together to form a network can
provide the ‘connectivity’ required to enable computers and software to
communicate and to share resources.

15. What can a network provide?

An Internet service called FTP is used for transferring data or program files
between the powerful server computers that provide the network services
and the client computers that use these services, e.g. downloading music
files.

16. What protocol is used for transferring data?

File Transfer Protocol

17. What is copying data from the Internet called?

Copying data from a large server system to a client computer is referred to

as downloading and copying from the client to the server is known as
uploading.

18. What Internet services do you know?

Data storage, messaging and data blocks, email and voice mail, organizing
and managing partner dialogue, providing connections, video service.

19. How are search-engines designed?

One of the most popular services available on the Internet is the World Wide
Web (WWW). The Web contains interlinked documents called webpages.

20. Why do people telecommute?

People can use their computers to stay in touch with the office while they are
working at home.

21. What may computer uses include?

 Also computer users may include distance learning and videoconferencing,
electronic classrooms or boardrooms, browsing the Web, selling, using a
website, painting, scanning pictures, storing data, etc

Exercise 2. Translate the following words and expressions into English:

Пристрій, обробляти інформацію, набір інструкцій, апаратне

забезпечення, програмне забезпечення, операційна система, прикладні
програми, текстовий редактор, таблиці, бази даних, антивірусні програми,
шкідливе програмне забезпечення, інтерфейс, призначений для користувача;
КПК, підключати додаткові карти, додатковий роз'єм, освіта і розваги,
експертні системи, периферійні пристрої, введення, висновок, цифрова
камера, сумісний, зв'язок, підключатися до Інтернету, завантаження даних,
передача даних, пошукова система, інформаційна супертраса,
відеоконференція, переглядати веб-сторінки, жорсткий диск.

Device, process information, set of instructions, hardware, software,

operating system, application programs, text editor, spreadsheets, databases,
antivirus programs, malware, user interface; PDA, connect additional cards,
additional connector, education and entertainment, expert systems, peripherals,
input, output, digital camera, compatible, communication, connect to the Internet,
download data, data transfer, search engine, information superhighway, video
conference

Exercise 3. Match the terms in Table A with the terms in Table B.

Table A Table B
1. The user e is setting up a logical system for
storing them on a computer.
2. Configuration c is a critical part of a complete
computer system.
3. Background programs b require no human interaction.
4. Managing files d is changing something about the
system.
5. “Userless” computers а do not need any users input.

Language Work

Collocations

Exercise 4. Match the verbs (1-5) with the nouns (a-e) to make
collocations.

1 give d presentations
2 keep e records
3 access c databases
4 enter b a pin
5 transfer a money

Exercise 5. Use the collocations from exercise 4 to complete the

sentences

1. Thanks to Wi-Fi it is now easy to keep records from cafes, hotels , parks and
many other public places.

2. Online banking lets you transfer money between your accounts easily and
securely.

3. Skype is a technology that enables users keep records to over the Internet for
free.

4. In many universities, students are encouraged to give presentations using

PowerPoint in order to make their talks more visually attractive.

5. The Web has revolutionized the way people keep records -with sites such as
Google and Wikipedia, you can find the information you need in seconds.
6. Cookies allow a website to access databases on a user’s machine and later
retrieve it, when you visit the website again, it remembers your preferences.

7. With the latest mobile phones, you can give presentations with multimedia
attachments – pictures, audio, even video.