2) Types of computers

There are many types of computers. These include: microcomputers, mainframe computers, servers, mini computers, super computers etc.

Micro computers are the most common type of computers in existence today, whether at work in school or on the desk at home. These computers include: desktop computers, personal digital assistants (more commonly known as PDA’s), palmtop computers, laptop and notebook computers. The term “microcomputer” was coined at the time when most computers were cabinet sized like Mainframe Computers. Micro computers were the smallest, least powerful and least expensive of the computers of the time. The first microcomputers could only perform one task at a time, while bigger computers ran multi-tasking operating systems, and served multiple users. Referred to as a personal computer or desktop computer, Micro computers are generally meant to service one user (person) at a time.

The term “mainframe computer” was created to distinguish the traditional, large, institutional computer intended to service multiple users from the smaller, single user machines. These computers are capable of handling and processing very large amounts of data easily and quickly. Mainframe often refers to computers compatible with the computer architectures established in the 1960’s.

Server usually refers to a computer that is dedicated to the task of storing and retrieving large amounts of data. In some instances, a computer that was once considered a mainframe, is given the role of Server. This is because the actual data processing is taken over by individual personal computers.

Minicomputers, or workstations, were computers that are one step above the micro or personal computers and a step below mainframe computers. They are intended to serve one user, but contain special hardware enhancements not found on a personal computer.

A super computer is a specified variation of the mainframe. Where a mainframe is intended to perform many tasks, a super computer tends to focus on performing a single program of intense numerical calculations.

1. Copy the underlined words and word-combinations, translate them into Ukrainian and learn them.

2. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What are the main types of computers?

2. What is the most common type of computers in existence today?

3. What computers do microcomputers include?

4. What was the term Mainframe computer created for?

5. What is a specified variation of the mainframe?

3. Find in the text English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations: електронні записники; невеликий портативний комп’ютер; багаточисленні користувачі; один користувач; відрізняти; сумісні комп’ютери; зберігання та відтворення даних; обробка даних; особливий різновид; виконувати багато завдань; зосереджуватися на виконанні однієї програми; цифрові підрахунки.

3) Applications of the Process Industries

The first computer control system went on line in an industrial plant in 1959. Since then, there have been remarkable advances in processing and transmitting information electronically. Developments in the technology of digital hardware, software, basic sensors and all forms of communication offer the potential for industrial control systems that are highly automated and provide improved operating performance.

The earliest applications of computer control were in the process industries. The process industries are those which change the composition of materials to produce metals of higher value. Here automation is in some ways easier, and is fully developed. In process industries instruments are available to monitor the continuous flow of a product and to send the data to the computer, which can then direct changes in the process by adjusting valves and switches.

The elements of a control system are measurement, control, actuation and communication. Measurement refers to the sensing of variables such as flow rate, temperature, pressure, level, and chemical composition, and the transmission of the measurement to the controller. Control is the decision-making operation. It compares the measured statе of the process with the desired conditions and decides how the variables should be manipulated. Actuation is the means by which the operating variables are manipulated. Typical actuators are valves, rheostats, switches and relays. Communication includes the display of information to the plant operators as well as the transmission of important variables to the plant management.

The organization of a plant control system is comprised at different levels. The lowest level is occupied by the control computer that regulates a single process unit holding it to desired operating conditions and moving the unit to a safe condition in emergencies. The next step is a supervisory computer responsible for coordinating several units, for scheduling operations, and for optimizing the plant’s performance. At the top level is the manager control computer, which supplies the manager with current information about manufacturing operations.

Improved communications are making it possible to use systems in which elements of control system are located throughout the plant and communicate with each other through networks. Communication over these networks is by a digital signal.

1. Copy the underlined words and word-combinations, translate them into Ukrainian and learn them.

2. Find in the text English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations: комп’ютерна система контролю; високоавтоматизовані; випускати метали вищої якості; надсилати дані до комп’ютера; показувати інформацію; керівництво підприємства; виробничі операції.

3. Fill in the following tables.

1. Elements of a Control System

element	function
… control element actuation element …	senses the variables and sends the data to the controller … … displays the information to the plant operators and transmits the variables to the plant management

2. Organization of a Plant Control System

computer	function
… … …	regulating the processes and watching for system failures optimizing and scheduling tasks gathering and application of both process and business information for decision making

4) Bill Gates

William Harry Gates ІП was born in Seattle, Washington, on October 28th, 1955. Bill’s father Bill Gates Jr. worked for a Seattle law firm and Bill’s mother Mary taught at school until they started their family. Bill’s parents were married in 1951 and two years later gave birth to their first child, Bill’s older sister, Kristanne. Two years after Bill was born and in 1964 the third and final Gates was born, her name is Libby. As a child Bill enjoyed rocking back and forth, today he still has a habit of rocking when he is thinking about something. Bill was very bored at school and his parents knew it, so they were always trying to supply him with more information to keep him busy. Bill’s parents finally decided to put him in a Private School where he would be challenged more. The Lakeside private school had just bought a new computer when Bill arrived and he was immediately hooked. In a week he knew more about the computer than his teacher at Lakeside. Learning the BASIC programming language was easy for Bill, and he was soon writing his own programmes. Bill’s love for computers and math led him to a new place around his neighbourhood that was renting соmputer time. He made an arrangement with the owners that he would get free computer time if found things that made the computer crash.

During this time Bill met Paul Allen, his business partner for the rest of his life. Together they started a small company called Traf-O-Data, they sold a small computer with their own programme that could count traffic for the city. The соmpany was not a big success, but it earned the two boys some money as well as good business skills. Bill also wrote a schedule programme for his school, which he changed a bit to put little Bill Gates in a class full of the prettiest girls. Bill was considered by his classmates and his teachers as the smartest kid in school.

After graduating from Lakeside Bill entered Harvard University in 1973, one of the best universities in the country. Bill was also bored here so he spent most of his time programming, playing poker and seeing how little work he could do and still get excellent marks. He told his teachers that he would be a millionaire by the time he was thirty. This was one of the few times he underestimated himself, Bill was a billionaire when he was 31.

One of Bill’s teachers said, «He is a great programmer, but he is a very unpleasant human being”. The intense life-style Bill had during his first year in Harvard made him ill for most of the summer of 1974. Bill soon left Harvard for business opportunities in programming which turned him into a multi-billionaire.

Later he met Melinda French, who he married, and they now have 3 children.

It’s very interesting that even with all his money Bill drives himself to work in an average family car. Bill is a keen reader, and enjoys playing golf and bridge.