Post-reading Activity

Task 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What are applications programs? 2. What is referred to as a package (or suite)? 3. What applications programs do you know? 4. What programs are commonly referred to as office programs? Give an example of an office package. 5. What is a useful feature of most office suites? 6. What computer hardware is usually used in the doctors’ practice? 7. What is the Patient Browser program? 8. How do you search for patient records? 9. What is a default button? 10. What do you know about games consoles? 11. What simulation programs do you know? Give an example of such a program. How does it work? 12. What does the ASP provide? 13. What is the role of remote access? 14. What are advantages and disadvantages of this system?

Task 2. Find the English equivalents for the following Russian word combinations.

1. подготовка стандартных писем; 2. платежная ведомость; 3. база данных; 4. пересылать по линии связи; 5. пакет программ делопроиз­водства; 6. программа представления данных; 7. критерии поиска; 8. программа моделирования (имитации); 9. типовые прикладные програм­мы; 10. удаленный доступ; 11. выделенная линия; 12. пакет прикладных программ; 13. элементы данных для подкачки.

Task 3. Fill in the blanks with the words or word combinations from the box.

an ASP, flexibility, a leased line, default button, Microsoft office, office packages, electronic commerce package, search criteria, package

1. A set of related applications programs is referred to as ... . 2. ... are sets of interrelated office programs. 3. This gives the user more ... and saves them having to install and maintain programs. 4. ... a cable connection that is rented for use in a communication system. 5. ... – buying and selling on the Internet. 6. The ... is the option that is selected automatically. 7. The ... are the details of what you are working for. 8. ... are sets of interrelated office programs. 9. ... rents applications to users, i.e. instead of buying software.

Task 4. March the terms in Table A with the statements in Table B.

Table a Table b

wordprocessor mailmerge tab (key) package (software) download icon upgrade simulation payroll package

an application program or collection of programs that can be used in different ways to copy a file from a server to a client computer in a network a small picture used in a WIMP system to re­present a program folder or file or performance of a system a change that improves the features a type of computer application program used for typing and editing text documents the computer keyboard key that is used to move the cursor to the next tabulation point in a wordprocessor program so that data can be spaced evenly on the screen a wordprocessing facility that causes a mailing list to be automatically combined with a standard letter to produce a separate copy of the letter addressed to each person on the mailing list a set of computer programs used for calculating pay cheques a programmed virtual environment that imitates a real or planned system

Task 5. Mark the following as True or False.

1. The advantages of this system include: the need for a broadband network connection or a leased line. 2. Sim City is a simulation program in which the user has to develop a city by building roads and 3D (three-dimensional) buildings, setting taxes, etc. 3. Tomb Raider is a popular adventure game that appeared only in one version. 4. Applications programs are programs that allow the user to do various types of work on a computer e.g. wordprocessors, databases. 5. A set of related applications programs is referred to as database. 6. Tomb Raider is a popular office package. 7. Mailmerging is a useful feature found in most office suites. 8. The default button is the option that is selected automatically. 9. The Patient Browser Program is a type of adventure game that has appeared in various versions.

Task 6. Problem-Solving. Study these versions of OfficeSuite and which version provides the best for the following users. The versions are listed from cheapest to most expensive.

OfficeSuite Standard wordprocessor spreadsheet presentation program email PIM		OfficeSuite Small Business Edition wordprocessor spreadsheet DTP email PIM small business tools		OfficeSuite Professional wordprocessor spreadsheet database DTP presentation program email small business tools
	OfficeSuite Premium wordprocessor spreadsheet database DTP presentation program email PIM small business tools website editor image editor		OfficeSuite Developer wordprocessor spreadsheet database DTP presentation program email PIM small business tools website editor image editor developer tools

1. A salesperson who wants to make presentations at conferences. 2. An administrative assistant who needs to write office correspondence and send and receive emails. 3. A programmer who wants to develop applications tailo­red to a company's needs. 4. A company wanting to produce its own in-house newsletter. 5. A company wishing to develop its own website. 6. A company which wants to analyse all its sales records. 7. A promotions person who wants to be able to edit complex graphics and incorporate them in brochures. 8. A company which wants to share documents on a local area network.

Task 7. Topics for writing.

1. Applications programs, their aims and functions.

2. What popular adventure games do you know? Write a short description.

3. ASP and its functions.

4. Advantages and disadvantages of ASP.

Task 8. Read the text below to find the answers to the following questions.

1. How do you pay for the applications provided by an ASP? (a. no charge; b. charged according to use; c. single payment) 2. What two main services does an ASP provide? 3. How does an ASP ensure that they have enough storage space for the changing needs of customers? 4. What types of applications are available from ASPs? 5. Why types of applications are available from ASPs? 6. What is one of the best established areas of ASP use?