Английский язык. Учебное пособие для СПО

Английский язык - 3

Plans for Broadband Across the US

1.Vocabulary

2.Read the text

Plans for Broadband Across the US

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report written by Mario Ritter. March 10, 2010

A newly released proposal calls for almost everyone in the United States to have high-speed Internet service at home within ten years. The Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) sent its National Broadband Plan to Congress.

The F.C.C. wants one hundred million homes to have inexpensive Internet service at ten times current speeds. Another goal for twenty twenty is to have the fastest and most extensive wireless network of any nation.

The United States invented the Internet. Yet a recent study placed it sixteenth in broadband access. F.C.C. Chairman Julius Genachowski says the service available is slow and costly compared with other developed countries.

Currently, about two-thirds of Americans have broadband at home. But almost one hundred million do not. The government says fourteen million of them cannot get broadband even if they wanted it.

The United States built a national highway system to expand transportation. Now President Obama says a similar effort is needed to expand broadband networks.

His administration says expanding access is an economic development issue. Fast connections, it says, are important to business and job creation, and to other areas like education and health care. The government proposes to spend up to sixteen billion dollars on a wireless network for public safety agencies.

Most Americans get broadband service through their cable television provider or telephone company. There are rules for companies that supply utilities like

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electricity and water to let competitors use their wires or pipes. But some experts point out the lack of such "open access" rules for telephone and cable companies. This is unlike some other countries with better broadband access.

Expanding service to some areas of the country will require wireless transmission. But there is a limited amount of radio frequency spectrum available.

To help pay for the plan, the F.C.C. wants to sell five hundred megahertz of spectrum. But it says the plan will require ten times more unused spectrum than it can now offer. TV stations are worried that they will be forced to give up some of their frequencies.

Some members of Congress have questioned the costs of the F.C.C. plan and how it may affect competition. At the same time, a court case has raised questions about the agency's legal powers to regulate broadband service.

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How Computer Memory Works

1. Read the text

How Computer Memory Works

Although memory is technically any form of electronic storage, it is used most often to identify fast, temporary forms of storage.

Whether it comes from permanent storage (the hard drive) or input (the keyboard), most data goes in random access memory (RAM) first. The CPU then stores pieces of data it will need to access, often in a cache, and maintains certain special instructions in the register.

From the moment you turn your computer on until the time you shut it down, your CPU is constantly using memory:

You turn the computer on.

The computer loads data from read-only memory (ROM) and performs a power-on self-test (POST) to make sure all the major components are functioning properly. As part of this test, the memory controller checks all of the memory addresses with a quick read/write operation to ensure that there are no errors in the memory chips. Read/write means that data is written to a bit and then read from that bit.

The computer loads the basic input/output system (BIOS) from ROM. The BIOS provides the most basic information about storage devices, boot sequence, security, Plug and Play (auto device recognition) capability and a few other items.

The computer loads the operating system (OS) from the hard drive into the system's RAM. Generally, the critical parts of the operating system are maintained in RAM as long as the computer is on. This allows the CPU to have immediate access to the operating system, which enhances the performance and functionality of the overall system.

When you open an application, it is loaded into RAM.

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After an application is loaded, any files that are opened for use in that application are loaded into RAM.

When you save a file and close the application, the file is written to the specified storage device, and then it and the application are purged from RAM.

In the list above, every time something is loaded or opened, it is placed into RAM. This simply means that it has been put in the computer's temporary storage area so that the CPU can access that information more easily. The CPU requests the data it needs from RAM, processes it and writes new data back to RAM in a continuous cycle. In most computers, this shuffling of data between the CPU and RAM happens millions of times every second. When an application is closed, it and any accompanying files are usually deleted from RAM to make room for new data. If the changed files are not saved to a permanent storage device before being purged, they are lost.

Fast, powerful CPUs need quick and easy access to large amounts of data in order to maximize their performance. Modern CPUs running at speeds of about 1 gigahertz can consume massive amounts of data -- potentially billions of bytes per second. The problem that computer designers face is that memory that can keep up with a 1-gigahertz CPU is extremely expensive -- much more expensive than anyone can afford in large quantities.

Computer designers have solved the cost problem by using expensive memory in small quantities and then backing it up with larger quantities of less expensive memory.

The cheapest form of read/write memory in wide use today is the hard disk. Hard disks provide large quantities of inexpensive, permanent storage.

The next level of the hierarchy is RAM. The bit size of a CPU tells you how many bytes of information it can access from RAM at the same time. For example, a 16-bit CPU can process 2 bytes at a time (1 byte = 8 bits, so 16 bits = 2 bytes), and a 64-bit CPU can process 8 bytes at a time. A computer's system RAM alone is not fast enough to match the speed of the CPU. That is why you need a cache.

Caches are designed to make the data used most often by the CPU instantly available. This is accomplished by building a small amount of memory, known as

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primary or level 1 cache, right into the CPU. Level 1 cache is very small, normally ranging between 2 kilobytes (KB) and 64 KB. The secondary or level 2 cache typically resides on a memory card located near the CPU. The level 2 cache has a direct connection to the CPU. In most systems, data needed by the CPU is accessed from the cache approximately 95 percent of the time, greatly reducing the overhead needed when the CPU has to wait for data from the main memory.

Memory can be split into two main categories: volatile and nonvolatile. Volatile memory loses any data as soon as the system is turned off; it requires constant power to remain viable. Most types of RAM fall into this category.

Nonvolatile memory does not lose its data when the system or device is turned off. A number of types of memory fall into this category. The most familiar is ROM, but Flash memory storage devices such as CompactFlash or SmartMedia cards are also forms of nonvolatile memory.

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How to Choose a Computer System?

1.Vocabulary

2.Read the text

How to Choose a Computer System?

By Dr. Michael

Choosing a computer can be difficult. First, you should decide what you are going to use the computer for. Then, you need to mind the configurations and your budget. Last but not the least, you should consider where to buy. We hope the following suggestions will help you make your selections.

Computers are getting really inexpensive these days. Buy the most powerful computer your budget allows.

Computer prices do go down with time. However, that doesn't mean that you should wait forever to use it, to learn from it, and, most of all, enjoy it. Computer is the best investment money can buy now! Why do I say that, knowing that the value of a computer goes down significantly with time? What a computer can help you is limitless.

The most powerful computers these days are for gamers, servers, and rocket scientists. The priority is probably true in that order.

Do not buy a so-called "name-brand" or "major-brand" if upgrading may be on your mind a couple of years down on the road. These brands are specifically designed to hook you on buying only their highly priced components to maximize their 40-60% profit margin. Most "clone" makers are operating only with a 5-25% margin. Go figure where you could save money. Besides, most major PC makers are not really "manufacturers." They are just "box-makers" -putting components togetherlike every body else.

Clone or house-brands are often based on open structures, which means easier and cheaper upgrading, using "universal" components. You pretty much can go

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anywhere to have the computer served, upgraded, or repaired.

Not all clones are equal. Directron.com and its parent company have been distributing the Think-Box branded systems since 1991. We do choose the components carefully with the least failure rates. We offer all our system customers free life-time customer support by e-mail and telephone. Our customer service procedure is easy and fast.

You should consider putting a computer together yourself only if you have some computer knowledge and some spare time. It is not that easy the first time. However, it does get easier once you have started. The satisfaction you get from putting a computer together is difficult to describe with words. Besides, you could sell a few of them and try to become the next Michael Dell. Who knows…

Rule of thumb: It is a better deal to buy a new one instead of upgrading an old one if the old one is more than three years old.

If all you need to do is word processing, spreadsheet, home finance, some basic windows games, e-mails, and browsing the Internet, you are an average user. Nothing really "high end" is needed. Consider a mid-grade computer that includes 350-500MHz microprocessor, 32 or 64 MB of memory, 8MB video, 4-8GB hard drive, 56K Modem, and any sound card. A 15" or larger monitor is recommended.

Servers are a lot more complex than any other computer systems. Normally servers should have as high a CPU speed as possible, preferably Pentium III microprocessor with 512K cache, a minimum of 128MB memory and 9.1GB or higher hard disk drives, often SCSI along with a network adapter. SCSI hard drives are better designed for simultaneous data access and not limited to just four hard drives as their IDE counterpart. Since servers rarely deal with a complex graphics, a 4 or 8MB video card would do the job, unless it is a Terminal Server. Use a large case with tons of cooling. Don't forget an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a tape backup drive to protect your data and investment. Well, the price tag could go up quickly.

Designing a gaming computer is more fun than anything. Currently high-end and hardware-demanding games include QuakeII, QuakeIII, Hexen, StarCraft and Half-Life. These games run well only on intense gaming engines. Go with top of the line processor, such as 500-600MHz, Pentium III or AMD K6-3. Take a minimum of 128MB Memory and at least 8.4GB hard drive. IDE with ultra

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DMA/ATA66 is OK. The deciding factor is the video card for all the 3D actions. You need the best video card your budge allows! Examples are STB Voodoo3 3500, ATI-128, and Matrox G400 with 16-32MB video memory. A DVD drive is a must these days. Depending on how the end-user plans to game you might need a network adapter or a modem. PC gaming is a lot of fun, so be sure design a computer that you can enjoy it for a long time. Do get a nice sound card. For game machines, do not even think about systems with integrated components such as video and audio. You will hate it when the next version of your favorite game is released.

If you are choosing a computer for normal office work, only the mid-range computer is necessary. We actually recommend Intel Celeron for workstations. Celeron is quite more inexpensive with less cache than their Pentium cousins but is almost equally powerful. You really do not need that much cache for word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail. Consider 350-500MHz, 64MB, 4-8GB hard disk drive and 4-8GB video card.

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How VoIP Works

1.Vocabulary

2.Read the text

How VoIP Works

by Robert Valdes and Dave Roos

If you've never heard of VoIP, get ready to change the way you think about longdistance phone calls. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

How is this useful? VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls. The practical upshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you're bypassing the phone company (and its charges) entirely.

VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely rework the world's phone systems. VoIP providers like Vonage have already been around for a while and are growing steadily. Major carriers like AT&T are already setting up VoIP calling plans in several markets around the United States, and the FCC is looking seriously at the potential ramifications of VoIP service.

Above all else, VoIP is basically a clever "reinvention of the wheel." In this article, we'll explore the principles behind VoIP, its applications and the potential of this emerging technology, which will more than likely one day replace the traditional phone system entirely.

The interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way to place a call. There are three different "flavors" of VoIP service in common use today:

* ATA -- The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is

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an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T Call Vantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it's a very straightforward setup.

*IP Phones -- These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call. Wi-Fi phones allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.

*Computer-to-computer -- This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.

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