Local area network for a small company

Such network consists of a central computer with a number of other computers, laser printers, and other machines, such as might be used in a modern office. Each computer that is linked to the network is reffered to as a terminal or a workstation. The central computer is reffered to as a network server. As each workstation has access to the files held on the hard disk system of the server, information held there can be obtained by any of the workstations, subject to the right password. Thus the accounts manager can obtain historical data about sales, for example, and use his workstation to produce his statistics.

Wide area networks link offices in different parts of the country or of the world by special communication lines. Wide area networks link the same kinds of machine as local area networks, but you may find a facsimile machine at each end of the long-distance link. The facsimile machine can scan any document or photograph and transmit a copy of it to the machine at the other end of the link.

It is possible to transmit information over the normal ‘speech’ telephone lines, using a device called a modem. The output of the computer is converted into an audible signal, and sent down the telephone lines. A modem at the other end translates the signal for the receiving computer. Because telephone lines are intended for speech, they are not ideal for data. The speed of transmission is only a fraction of what can be obtained using proper data lines, and the reliability is not as good. The advantage is its cheapness.

Ex. 11. Match the English words from Set A with their Ukrainian equivalents from

Set B:

	network	a)	робоча станція
	audible signal	b)	мережа
	wide area networks	c)	локальна мережа
	workstation	d)	доля, частина
	local area networks	e)	доступ до файлів
	fraction	f)	пароль
	password	g)	звуковий сигнал
	access to the files	h)	глобальна мережа

Unit III

Ex. 1. Read an introduction to a company. Answer the questions.

What are the purposes of:

1. a Web site?

2. an Internet address?

What is Intra?

Intra is a Swedish market communications agency. It works with traditional and interactive media to create a client's image. These allow two-way communication between the client and customers. While the choice of media depends on a company's aims, budget and target, Managing Director of Intra, believes that at least one medium should be interactive.

There are many advantages to Web sites from a company's point of ' view, so creating them is an important part of Intra's work. Despite being in the far north of Europe, Swedish companies can reach a global audience, particularly if their sites are in English. They know how many people visit their sites, and information can be updated quickly and cheaply.

Of course, companies need to advertise their Internet address in more traditional ways. The Swedish dairy company Aria, for example, advertised its new site on its milk cartons. The Aria Web site is one that Intra helped to create. The site is extremely popular and includes activities and educational material for children.

Ex. 2. Make up questions to get these answers.

1. Intra is a Swedish market communications agency.

2. The choice of media depends on a company's aims, budget and target.

3. Despite being in the far north of Europe, Swedish companies can reach a global audience.

Ex. 3. Explain in not more than 20 words what Intra does.

Ex. 4. Jacob Bergstrom is a graphic designer who works for Intra. Read his interview and say in what way he uses the Internet as a "tool".

Fill in a, an or the where necessary.

I don't actually work with ...... interactive media at ......Intra, although I have the skills. I work on the design of print materials like brochures. I use ...... Internet a lot, though, and of course I need ......English for that. I look for well-designed Web sites and study the typefaces and so on - that's ...... professional interest. Then I shop on ...... Internet, read about music, and look for ......particular information. There's ......frightening amount of information out there, and like all media you can't believe everything you read, but as far as I'm concerned ...... Internet is ...... tool, ...... quick way of finding something I need.

Ex. 5. Sara Lack designs Web sites for her own company. Read the interview and answer the questions.

1. What three main objectives does she mention for a web site?

2. How can a company encourage people to visit a web site more than once?

3. What does Sara think a web site should contain?

S = Sara, I = interviewer

S: For a company trying to do business on the Internet, the design of its Web site is extremely important. And when I talk about design I don't just mean producing something that looks nice. A site is well-designed if it works. There are three key things which are very important. First of all it should attract people to look at it - without that you've failed. The second is that it should keep the viewer interested, keep them coming back for more visits. And finally, the purpose of all company Web sites is that it must help you sell your product or your service. All company Web sites try to achieve these three aims.

I: So how can you design a Web site so that people want to keep visiting it?

S: Well, the introductory page is important. So many companies just put pages on the Web and leave them there. If you look at it in December you find it hasn't changed at all since six months earlier. You must maintain a Web site, and one of the best ways of encouraging repeat visits is to keep changing the introductory page - provide up-to-date information, focus on different products, give visitors something new to see and do. I mean, it's a bit like a newspaper - when you've read a newspaper once you don't go back and have another look at it the following week, do you? We want to read about something different. It's the same with a Web site.

I: What about the content of a Web site? What general advice can you give to someone setting up a Web site for the first time?

S: Good Web sites are separated into different pages. Every page should, of course, contain the company name and a way of contacting them. It should also provide a list of what is available on the other pages and an easy way of moving from one page to another ... maybe some sort of map of the site where you can click on the other pages.

I: OK, but what about the actual information on the site?

S: Well, let's take an example. A record company, for instance. It will have information about the company's products - a catalogue of some sort. It may have a group of pages that provides background information on its artists. It may allow you to listen to particular pieces of music and perhaps see video clips. It will certainly have a contact page, which allows you to e-mail the company and perhaps order its products. They may even have a chatline, a forum that allows you to ask questions to your favourite star and perhaps even get replies. There could be quizzes, competitions, special offers. There's no limit, really.

Ex. 6. Answer the following questions. Try to use some of the following speech patterns: In my opinion; To my mind; It seems to me; I consider (think); As far as I remember (understand, know).

1. Do you think interactive media is important for any company?

2. What does a well-designed Web site mean?

3. How can you make people to visit your Web site more often?

Ex. 7. Read the information in ex.1 and 4 again, then say a few words about the importance of interactive media to create a client's image. Try to use these speech patterns as often as possible: In my opinion, It seems to me, As far as I remember know, As a matter of fact, I can’t but mention that, It is interesting to (necessary to, important to), As for me I think, It’s common knowledge, To tell the truth I am sure. In addition I’d like to mention, In conclusion I want to say that.

Ex. 8. Read the text and define the following:

1. Internet

2. World Wide Web

3. Web browser

4. Internet provider

5. Hyperlinks