Computer terms in use
Are you sure you really know widely spread computer terms? In the list below some of them are given together with their definitions. Find out Russian equivalents.
If it’s beyond your reach, give Russian explanations at least.
RAM The
abbreviation of RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY, the immediate or «working»
memory, that can be quickly accessed without requiring a search of
storage areas. RAM is also referred to as a main memory, and holds
whatever application program, and associated data, is currently
being used.
ADD-IN Components
like increased memory, that can be added to a computer, generally
onto an already installed printed circuit board.
SLAVE A
device such as printer, under the complete control of another
device.
BACK
UP The
process of making additional copies of data to protect them from
unexpected disaster.
SCRATCH To
erase data.
4. A bit of reading practice
Read and try to understand this sort of advertisement.
Founded in 1998, and despite its recent start, CLR (name of the company) has achieved status within the international PC arena, marking us as one of the fastest growing, most dynamic computer companies in the world. With its headquarters in Miami, Florida the company spans a sales and service network across 20 nations, in which it has established a high level of credibility and recognition.
Our goal is to offer a range of explicit customer services and introduce an interesting combination of rather unique technologies to all of our customers based around the world. To date, we continue our tradition of product excellence and differentiation; the very same principles that placed us on the top list of quality PC, Monitor, and Notebook suppliers in the USA and parts of Europe. Through hard work and absolute dedication to our product development and customers, the international presence of CLR will surely create excitement for many regional players, redefining the market share charts! Our goal is to become a service effective, one-stop shopping center serving all your PC technology needs.
CLR products and procedures yield the most advanced and most comprehensive range of services for all PC users. As our new slogan, ‘Technology Into the Future’, reveals our true intentions towards the PC market of today and our ambitions for the future. Breaking many popular benchmark scores and lauded by the international press, our systems are made to exceed your expectations on what a PC can do for you. The distinct features surpass the PC of today and set the standards towards the technological powerhouse of tomorrow. Innovation, Quality and Aesthetic details are some of the factors focused on while designing the CLR product line, a truly technological triumph of today and a secure investment for the future.
Suppose you’re going to establish your own computer company.
You know an old saying ‘No publicity, no prosperity’.
Make up your own advertisement.
5. Let’s discuss
1
At present even not very experienced people feel that the progress in computer area is advancing stunningly fast. Of course, it’s almost impossible to foresee what will happen even in a year if things will go that way. Nevertheless stir up your imagination and explain what, according to your opinion, kind of hardware and software will be available, let’s say, in ten years. Moot question, isn’t it? But you have all the possibilities to check your prediction. Just wait.
2
If you paid your attention to the quotation at the beginning of this unit, you could not but remember the kernel of it: man’s limbs will atrophy due to the computer progress.
What about human’s brain?
The axiom asserts: computers do much mental work for people; as a consequence, people do not exercise mentally; hence, their brains are atrophying gradually. Is it so? What is your opinion?
It’s a sort of a joke, but try to object. Be so kind as to give full answer.
6. Relax a bit
He who laughs last probably doesn’t understand the joke.
Progress might have been all right once but it has gone on too long.
O. Nash
The cloning of humans is on the most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers.
L. Thomas
Better that girl has a beauty than brains because boys see better than they think.
R. Byrne
Friendship
As a show of love, business partners Tom and Jack decided that whoever died first, the other would put ten thousand bucks cash in his coffin. As it happened, when Tom died Jack was so distressed and absent-minded that he made a check out for fifteen thousand dollars.
Business
‘I do not understand. If you are selling these computers way under cost, how is it you are showing a profit?’ asked an accountant his new Boss. ‘Simple’, answered the Boss, ‘we make our money fixing them’.
Wise Advice
‘Always remember,’ said the successful businessman to his young offspring, ‘there are the only two things that will ensure your success in business.’ ‘What are they?’ asked the son. ‘Honesty and wisdom,’ answered the father. ‘Honesty?!’ asked the son. ‘Absolutely right. No matter how it may be to your detriment, no matter what your colleagues may say, always keep your word if you have given it,’ answered his father. ‘And what about wisdom?’ asked the son. ‘Don’t be a blockhead and give it!’ answered the father.
Cash transaction
The well-dressed businessman was walking down a dark street in New York when he was accosted by a mugger. Ordered to hand over all his money, the businessman did so, placing one hundred dollars in the mugger’s hand. Than he took back two dollars and slipped them into his pocket. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ asked the robber. ‘I always take a two percent discount for cash transactions,’ answered the businessman.
Accost – approach and speak to; blockhead – a very stupid person; fix – repair; mugger – a person who attacks and robs someone in the street; offspring – someone’s child.
Computers
A: Hello, tech support.
B: Hello, sir. I’m having trouble getting my computer to start.
A: Okay, sir. Do you know what may have caused the problem?
B: I installed a new program. And since then Windows won’t come on.
A: Why don’t we try booting into the safe mode. Do you know how to do that?
B: No.
A: Turn the computer on and as it is starting up hit F8. It should give you a menu of start up options.
B: Okay, … no, I didn’t get a menu.
A: Hmm … shut the computer down and try it again.
B: Well, … just a moment. … No, that’s not working; no matter how many times I press the keys.
A: Which keys? I said F8!
B: That’s what I’m pressing – the letter F and the number 8.
Robbery
Judge (looking strictly at the robber): You admit breaking into the dress shop.
Robber: Yes, your honor.
Judge: Why was that?
Robber: Because my wife wanted a dress.
Judge: But you broke in four times in a row!
Robber: Yes, sir. She insisted on exchanging it three times.
The Skeptical Mark Twain
(From Pudd’n’head Wilson’s Calendar)
Adam was but human – this explains it all. He didn’t want the aple for the apple’s sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden. The mistake was in not forbidding the serpent; then he would have eaten the serpent.
Whoever has lived long enough to find out what life is, knows how deep a debt of gratitude we owe to Adam, the first great benefactor of our race. He brought death into the world.
The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? Is it because we are not the person involved?
All say, «How hard it is we have to die» – a strange complaint to come from the mouths of people who have had to live.
When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to a better world, I’am moved to lead a different life.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.
October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous month to speculate in stocks in. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February.
Behold, the fool said, «Put all your eggs in the one basket» – which is but a manner of saying, «Scatter your money and your attention;» but the wise man said, «Put all your eggs in the one busket and – WATCH THAT BUSKET.»
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
U
NIT
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