4 Transfer

PA1RWORK

Student B: Turn to Key Section

Student A: You represent a modem manufacturer. Below are the specifications for one : your products:

One of your customers is having problems with his modem. Ask him how he is using it at present: e.g. What speed are you using? Then tell them what the specification is:

e.g. It works at 1200 bits per second It is designed to work ...

5 Word Check

to link up — to connect

to transmit — to send

to corrupt — to change, add or delete (data)

to subscribe — to pay a monthly/yearly amount to be a member

a subscription configuration — system design/organisation

software package — software program(s) produced for general sale

call charge — fixed amount of money for a telephone call (depends on time and distance)

the weak link — the part of a system which will break down, cause problems

unit 11 Information Retrieval

(tenses - present and future)

Introduction

This unit deals with retrieving (getting back) information from a microfilm library. To create a microfilm library, documents are photographed and then miniaturized (made very small). A microfilm reader is a device for looking at microfilm records. The operator can search for the document quickly and then look at a magnified picture of the microfilm.

1 Listening

You are going to hear a presentation about a new information retrieval system. The system is based on microfilm. As you listen, label the system diagram below:

2 Presentation

The presenter t.alked about the information system from 4 points of view:

A. Present State

He used the Present Simple:

e.g. The clerk inserts the microfilm index.

He searches for the document.

B. Future State

He used will:

e.g. It'll consist of a terminal . . (Note contraction: will becomes 'll)

The image will be scanned.

C. Current/Present Work

He used the Present Continuous:

e.g. We're doing a trial.

D. Future Plans

He used going to, plan to, expect to

e.g. We're going to instal work stations.

We plan to instal it . .. .

We expect it to come on line ....

3 Controlled Practice

Complete these sentences. If necessary, listen again to the tape:

1. The operator__________down to the microfilm library.

2. He__________the microfilm index into the microfilm reader.

3. He__________the relevant microfilm.

4. He__________in the reader for the document.

5. If he__________, he can take a thermal copy of the document.

6. The operator_____________________up the index on his terminal.

7. The index_____________________on disc in a central computer.

8. The autoloader_____________________the right microfilm from the library.

9. The image_____________________electronically__________and then transmitted to

the terminal.

10. The operator_____________________the document on his terminal screen.

11. At the moment we_____________________a trial on the autoloader.

12. We_____________________on some new software.

13. We___________________________________________the work stations by the end of

the year.

14. We________________________________the autoloader at the beginning of next year.

15. We__________the whole system__________________________________________in

the spring next year.