Theme: computerization Lesson 1 application of computers

Computers are getting deeper and deeper into our life. They are indispensable in space research. communication, medicine, metallurgy, light industry, information, technology and many other branches of industry. Many countries have introduced computers into agriculture, education, transport and many other, spheres. Computers provide security and safety of various processes, diagnose numerous cases and do a lot in monitoring different developments. In short they help to carry out increasingly complex tasks and their • application sometimes help to prevent disasters, tragedies and accidents.

Many people have a high degree of computer literacy. Computer games are also now very popular with children, young men and grown-ups.

Here is a short curious-newspaper item about rather unexpected application of computers:

Telltale com paters

The management of some American schools have found

an original application for computers.

Now teachers simply feed into the memory of the machine

names of the absentees and it begins to phone their parents

and warn that their children have missed lessons.

The teachers and parents like the new system and only

pupils fall out of favour with it.

Дли самостійного опрацювання з цієї теми потрібно виконати наступні завдання:

I- Complete as in the text:

1. Computers are getting deeper and ...

2. They are indispensable in ...

3. Many countries have introduced computers into agriculture ...

4. Computers provide security ..diagnose ... and do a lot in monitoring ...

5. In short they help to carry out... and their application sometimes helps to ...

6. Many people have a high degree ...

7. Computer games ...

   2. Sum up what the text said about the application of computers.

   3. Answer the following questions:

      1. Did you find the information of the newspaper rather curious?

      2. Whose idea was it to use computers in this way?

      3. Who liked and who disliked this idea?

      4. Could you offer a better idea?

   4. Retell this newspaper item, imaging you are speaking to a foreigner who has not read it. You may start like this:

I remember I once read a very curious piece of information in a newspaper. Can you imagine they are using computers ...

Lesson 2 computer makers

Computer making industry is developing rapidly, and new or improved and modified types of computers (hardware) as well as new programs (software) come into wide usage. The end users make this industry move forward all the time. The competition is very strong on the world market. ; . -

Here is a newspaper article speaking about the computer market in European countries which are on the way to United Europe with headquarters in Brussels: •

European Computer Makers Seek Support from Brussels

At the conference which started in Venice yesterday leaders of Europe's ailing computer manufacturing companies called for action from Brussels. The companies wanted Brussels to ensure the survival of ,a significant European information technology industry.

The chief executives of Groupe Bull de France. Olivetti of Italy and Siemens-Nixford of Germany complained they were at a disadvantage compared with their U.S. and Japanese competitors.

These U.S. and Japanese companies, they said, enjoyed the benefits of a strong home market and cooperation between the public sector and the computer industry. In these countries, they added, more than 90 per cent of public contracts went to domestic companies. In Europe European-owned companies had only a 30 per cent share of the market for public sector computer projects. The other 70 per cent of contracts went to foreign countries and foreign-owned companies of Europe. The European computer companies stresses that a more sympathetic relationship with the public authorities should be built in Europe.

Mr. Francis Lawrentz, chairman of Groupe Bull, said he was not seeking protection or fortifications around Europe, but a coherent policy from Brussels leaving no doubt as to the importance of the industry.

Among other measures, they asked for involvement at an early stage in the planning of Europe-wide information technology projects. It would give them a good chance of securing final contracts.

Для самостійного опрацювання з цієї темя потрібно виконати наступні завдання:

1. Translate into Ukrainian:

hardware software end user

computer company

computer manufacturing company

computer industry computer project public sector computer project information technology industry information technology project

II. Find the sentences in the introduction which mean that:

1. Computer hardware and software are constantly improved.

2. The requirements of the buyers make the producers improve and modify the production.

3. There are many computers on the market.

III. Answer the following questions:

1. About what computer market does the article speak?

2. What conference discussed die problems of this market?

3. What countries and companies complained of their poor position?

4. What companies had a much better position?

5. Did they have many contracts coming from the government or public sector? What words of the article prove that?

6. What words of the article illustrate the poor position of European-owned computer manufacturing countries?

7. What help did they want to have from Brussels?

8. Why did they turn to Brussels?

Lesson 3

COMPUTERS ADVERTIZED

Newspapers, journals, radio commercials and many other means of advertising regularly popularize computers, printers and various computerized equipment.

here is one of many ads:

Personal computer

Olympia, Germany, introduces its "people 16-bit professional microcomputer" that can serve as a personal computer to perform applications such as word and data processing, financial planning and modeling, database management and statistical analysis.

Software packages include Wordstar, supercals and database 2.

It includes cpu* with built-in disc drives, intel microprocessor, 128-512 kb memory, two floppy-disc drives with 1.3 Mb capacity, and parallel and serial RS* interfaces.

Unit has 91-key, free-standing key-board that can be positioned for operator comfort that offers 12 programmable function keys. Non-glare 30.5 cm green display can be swiveled and tilted. Users can select anyone of the three operating systems.

Graphic software is available.' -

Colour monitor with eight-colour palette is optional.

*cpu - central processor unit

*RS - record separator

Для самостійного опрацювання з цієї тема потрібно виконати наступні

завдання:

1. 2.

IL

I. Answer the following questions:

What means of advertising computers and equipment are widely used?

What does the quoted ad popularize?

When do you think this ad was published?

What makes you think so?

In what newspaper do you think it was published?

Translate into Ukrainian:

Personal computer

People 16-bit professional microcomputer

Intel microprocessor

Built-in disc drive

Floppy-disc drive

Parallel interface

Serial RS interface

Free-standing key-board

No-glare green display

Colour monitor

Eight-colour palette

128-512 kb memory

1.3 Mb capacity

91-key key-board

12 programmable function keys

30.5 cm display

3 operating systems

word processing

data processing

data base management

3. Say which of the above terms were familiar to von.

4. Translate the ad into Ukrainian.

V. Repeat what the ad said about:

This personal computer's application Its hardware Its software