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ENGLISH FOR ICT STUDENTS | |||
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А.Д. Музафарова а.Г. Ковалева
ENGLISH FOR ICT STUDENTS
Учебное пособие
по английскому языку
для студентов направления
«Информатика и вычислительная техника»
часть 1
Екатеринбург
2009
CONTENTS
PEOPLE AND COMPUTERS: INFORMATION SOCIETY……….………………………………4
INPUT DEVICES…………………………………………………………………………………..29
DATA PROCESSING………………………………………………………………………………48
OUTPUT DEVICES…………………………………………………..……………………………63
DATA STORAGE…………………………………………………………………………………..84
OPERATING SYSTEMS……………………………………..…………………………………..104
EXTRA HUMOUR SECTION…………………………….………….…………………………..122
СПИСОК ИСПОЛЬЗОВАННОЙ ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ…………………………..…………………137
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PEOPLE AND COMPUTERS: INFORMATION SOCIETY |
KEY INFORMATION SECTION 1
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At present many people in most countries are engaged in working with information. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)is concerned with the use ofcomputer technologyin managing and processing information. The computer now has a role in almost every aspect of modern life, and it has radically affected the way people live. People who have grown up with PCs andmicrochipsare often called thedigital generation.
Informed citizens of our information-dependent societyshould becomputer-literate, which means that they should be able to use computers as everyday problem-solving devices without
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being experts on the design of computers or programming. A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that has many remarkable powers. The first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th century. These were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers. Modern computers based on integrated circuitsare millions to billions of times more capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction of the space. PCs in their various forms have become icons of theInformation Age. Theembedded computersare found in |
An early computer |
many devices from MP3 players to aircraft and from toys to industrial robots.
Each time you turn this miraculous device on, it is a tabula rasa that, with appropriate hardware and software, is capable of doing anything you ask. A computer can solve a series of problems and make thousands of logical decisions almost instantaneously without becoming tired. It can replace people in dull, routine tasks. There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical 'brain', but its achievements are limited by the minds of human beings as it only works according to the given instructions. It is a calculating machinethat speeds up financial calculations; it is anelectronic filing cabinetwhich manages large collections of data such as customers' lists, accounts, or inventories. It is a magicaltypewriterthat allows you to type and print any kind of document — letters, memos or legal documents. It is apersonal communicatorthat enables you to interact with other computers and with people around the world. If you likegadgetsandelectronic entertainment, you can even use your PC to relax with computer games.
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Computers are general purpose machines. By changing the program instructions, they can be used to process information in different ways. For example, aword processorprogram allows the computer to process text, aspreadsheetenables it to perform calculations, adatabase programis used |
for searching and sorting records, and a browser programis designed to look at Internet pages.
Computers are used in almost every type of work and can be found everywhere. Computer-controlled robots are able to improve the quality of manufactured products and to increase the productivity of industry. Computers can control the work of power stations, plants and docks. The work of banks depends upon computer terminals for millions of daily operations. Computers form a
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part of many military systems including communication and fire control. Space exploration depends on computers for guidance, on-board environment and research. Computers are widely used in medicine as valuable diagnostic tools. Air traffic control is impossible without them. |
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In libraries and bookshops, they can help to find books as quickly as possible. Most television advertisements and many films use graphics, produced by a computer. Personal computers influence education, affecting both the learner and the teacher. The list of applications of PCs is
almost endless and many other uses of computers that we cannot imagine at present will become commonplace in future.
But such omnipresence of computers in our lives has its darker side.
Our society has developed technological dependence. When computers are down, our way of life breaks down: planes stop flying, telephones don't work, banks have to close.
Computers produce electronic waste, plastic cases and microchips that are not biodegradable and have to be recycled or just thrown away.
They are responsible for health problems, e.g. computer addiction, an inappropriate and excessive use of computers.
Cybercrime, crime committed with the help of computers, is creating serious problems.
Citizens may feel a loss of privacybecause of unauthorized use of personal data or receiving unwanted electronic messages.