Язык информационных технологий. Учебное пособие

UNIT 7. The Internet

Some sites are much more specialized, such as the photosharing site Flickr. There, people not only share photos but also take the time to attach tags to their pictures, which help everyone else find photos of, for example, Florence, Italy. Another successful example of a site based on user-generated content is YouTube, which allows users to upload, view and share movie clips and music videos, as well as amateur videoblogs. Another example of the collective power of the Internet is the Google search engine. Its mathematical formulas surf the combined judgements of millions of people whose websites link to other sites. When you type Justin Timberlake into Google's search box and go to the star's official website, the site is listed first because more people are telling you it's the most relevant Justin Timberlake site – which it probably is.

Skype on the surface looks like software that lets you make free phone calls over the Internet – which it does. But the way it works is extremely clever. By using Skype, you're automatically contributing some of your PC's computing power and Internet connection to route other people's calls. It's an extension of the peer-to-peer network software such as BitTorrent that allow you to swap songs – at your own risk if those songs are under copyright. BitTorrent is a protocol for transferring music, films, games and podcasts. A podcast is an audio recording posted online. Podcasting derives from the words iPod and broadcasting. You can find podcasts about almost any topic – sports, music, politics, etc.They are distributed through RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds which allow you to receive up-to-date information without having to check the site for updates. BitTorrent breaks the files into small pieces, known as chunks, and distributes them among a large number of users; when you download a torrent, you are also uploading it to another user.

Exercise 6. Read the article again and find websites for the following tasks.

1.to search for information on the Web

2.to buy books and DVDs

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Язык информационных технологий

3.to participate in political campaigns

4.to view and exchange video clips

5.to manage and share personal photos using tags

6.to buy and sell personal items in online auctions

7.to download music and movies, sometimes illegally

Exercise 7. Read the article again and match the sentence beginnings (1-5) with the correct endings (a-e).

1. A weblog , or blog, is an electronic journal

2.A peer-to-peer system allows

3.You can use a search engine to find

4.BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer protocol used

5.RSS keeps you constantly informed

a.web pages on a particular subject.

b.for downloading files over the Internet.

c.users to share files on their computers.

d.about fresh, new content on your favourite websites.

e.that displays in chronological order the postings of one or more people.

Exercise 8. Find words in the article with the following meanings.

1.open-source, editable web pages

2.the same as electronic retailer, or online store

3.a blog that includes video

4.a program that allows you to make voice and video calls from a computer

5.an audio broadcast distributed over the Internet

Exercise 9. In pairs, discuss these questions. Give reasons for your answers.

1.What is your favourite search engine to find information on the Web? Why?

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UNIT 7. The Internet

2.Do you download music or video clips from the Web? Do you pay for them?

3.Do you buy things online? Is it better to buy online or go to a shop?

4.Have you ever listened to the radio or watched TV online?

5.Do you use the Web to do school/university assignments or projects? How?

Exercise 10. Write a short article (80-120 words) for your school/university/work newsletter about the latest internet phenomena (MySpace, eBay, etc.). Talk about any other sites you think are important or will be important in the future.

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Audio scripts

Unit 2 Exercise 6, Exercise 7.

…as I'll explain to you now, computers can be divided into five main types, depending on their size and power. These are: mainframes, desktop PCs, laptops, tablet PCs and personal digital assistants, or PDAs.

Mainframes are the largest and most powerful computers. The basic configuration of a mainframe consists of a central system which processes immense amounts of data very quickly. This central system provides information and computing facilities for hundreds of terminals connected together in a network. Mainframes are used for large-scale computing purposes in banks, universities and big companies.

PCs, or personal computers, carry out their processing on a single microchip. They are usually classified by size and portability. A desktop PC is designed to be placed on your desk. It is used as a home computer or as a workstation for group work. Typical examples are the IBM PC and the Apple Macintosh.

A laptop is a portable computer that has a flat LCD screen and uses batteries for mobile use. Small laptops are also called notebooks. The latest models can run as fast as similar desktop computers and have similar configurations. They are ideal for business executives who travel a lot.

A tablet PC is a type of notebook computer that has an LCD screen on which you can write with a stylus or digital pen. Your handwriting is recognized and converted into editable text. You can also input text by using speech recognition or a small keyboard. You can fold and rotate the screen easily.

Finally, a PDA is a lightweight, hand held computer. The letters stand for personal digital assistant. The term refers to a wide variety of hand held devices, including palmtops and pocket PCs. For input, you type using a small keyboard or you use a stylus – a

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Audio scripts

special pen to select items on the screen. PDAs can be used as mobile phones, personal organizers or media players. They also let you access the Internet via Wi-Fi networks, and some include a GPS navigation system.

Unit 4 Exercise 2, Exercise 3.

1

This device is used to enter information into the computer. As well as having normal typewriter keys for characters and a numeric keypad, it may also have function keys and editing keys for special purposes.

2

This is a device for controlling the cursor and selecting items on the screen. The ball underneath is rolled in any direction across the surface of a desk to move the cursor on the screen. It may have an optical sensor instead of a ball. It usually features two buttons and a wheel. By clicking a button, the user can activate icons or select items and text. A wireless version works without cables.

3

In shape, this input device is similar to an ordinary pen. It works by detecting light from the computer screen and is used by pointing it directly at the screen display. It allows the user to answer multiple-choice questions and to draw diagrams or graphics.

Unit 5 Exercise 3.

Student: What sort of technology is used in scanners?

Vicky: Well, a scanner is a bit like a photocopier. You put the image you want to copy face down on the glass plate of the scanner, start the program, and a laser beam reads the image in horizontal lines. This image is then sent to the computer where you can see it, and then manipulate it as you want.

Student: What about text? Can you scan text?

Vicky: Yes, you can, but you need special software called OCRoptical character recognition. This interprets the text letter by letter and enables the computer to recognize the characters.

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Язык информационных технологий

Student: Why do people need to scan text?

Vicky: Well, text that's been scanned can be stored as data in data bases, or edited with a word processor.

Student: Um, OK. What types of scanner are there?

Vicky: Well, there are three basic types: flatbed scanners, slide scanners and hand held scanners. Flatbed scanners are built like a photocopier and are for use on a desktop. They can scan text, colour pictures and even small three-dimensional objects. They're very convenient and versatile. Slide scanners are used to scan 35mm slides or film negatives. They work at very high resolution, so they're more expensive than flatbeds. Handheld scanners are small, compact and T-shaped. The scanning head isn't as wide as the one in a flatbed – they can only copy images up to about four inches wide. They're used for capturing small pictures and logos.

Unit 6 Exercise 6.

Miranda: In the studio with me is John Kelly, from TextPrint. Mr. Kelly, what exactly is a multi-function printer?

Mr. Kelly: Well, essentially it's an 'all-in-one' device that can work as a scanner, a fax and a photocopier, as well as a printer.

Miranda: These devices are becoming very popular. What are the factors behind their success?

Mr. Kelly: Basically, they're cheaper and more versatile than standalone products. The printing and scanning components are well integrated and they come with an LCD screen, slots for memory cards, and PictBridge connections.

Miranda: What's PictBridge, exactly?

Mr. Kelly: It's a technology developed by Canon that lets you send images from a memory card in a digital camera or a camera phone directly to a printer. No computer is necessary. All you have to do is take pictures with your camera and connect it to a printer via a USB cable.

Miranda: And what kind of things can multi-function printers print? Can they just print sheets of paper or do they print other things as well?

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Audio scripts

Mr. Kelly: Oh, yes, they can print envelopes, labels and even transparencies.

Miranda: Do multi-function printers have any downsides, or disadvantages?

Mr. Kelly: Yes. There are a lot of components in one machine, so if it breaks down, you may lose all of its functions at the same time. Also, they can only do one thing at a time. For example, you can't print a document and receive a fax simultaneously.

Miranda: And what about software? Should I get any photo editing software if I buy a multi-function printer?

Mr. Kelly: Well, they usually include a CD with the printer drivers, OCR, and photo and image software. You can do some basic editing, like adjusting brightness and removing red eyes. However, if you want better results, you'll need specialized software.

Miranda: What would your advice be to someone thinking about buying one of these devices?

Mr. Kelly: Only a couple of things, really. Bear in mind that companies don't make money from the printer, but from the ink. If you print a lot, you'll spend a lot of money on cartridges. So consider buying printers with cheap ink cartridges. Finally, if you are a home user, you should go for an inkjet-based model. But for groupworks and businesses that need high-quality, low-cost-per- page output at large quantities, I'd recommend a laser unit.

Unit 7 Exercise 4.

Assistant: ... so that's £549 including VAT.Is there anything else I can help you with?

Customer: Well, would you mind explaining how I access the Internet with this computer? I don't think I really even understand what the Internet is! Wait a minute, I'm going to write this down.

Assistant: Of course. Well, basically, the Internet is a global network of computer networks, which allows users to share all kinds of information and computer resources. The system is made up of networks interconnected all over the world, from universi-

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Язык информационных технологий

ties and large corporations to commercial online systems and nonprofit organizations.

Customer: OK, that sounds complicated enough! And can I access the Internet automatically with this PC?

Assistant: Well, you need a computer and a modem – a device that connects your PC to the telephone line. You'll also need an account with an Internet Service Provider, or ISPthat's a company that offers connection to the Internet for a monthly fee.

Customer: OK, that sounds easy, but what if we have several computers in different rooms. How can I connect them all to the Internet?

Assistant: In that case, the best choice is a wireless router with a built-in modem. It's a device that links various computers over a network and will connect everyone in your family to the Internet without using cables. New computers include wireless support but if any of the computers are old, you'll need a Wi-Fi wireless adapter.

Customer: I'm sorry, but what does Wi-Fi mean exactly! Assistant: Wi-Fi is short for Wireless Fidelity and refers to a

technology that uses radio waves to communicate data over medium range distances.

Customer: Right. And so that's everything?

Assistant: Not quite. You'll need some software too, specifically internet connection software and a Web browser application, such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

Customer: OK, I think I've got it. And I'll be able to start emailing straight away?

Assistant: You can do more than just email. There's file transfer, newsgroups, real-time chats, instant messaging and looking for information on the Web.

Customer: Wow, this all sounds complicated. I'm not sure I even understand the difference between the Web and the Internet.

Assistant: Well, the Web is a huge collection of 'pages' stored on computers all over the world. Web pages contain all sorts of information in the form of text, pictures, sounds and video. The Internet is the network which connects all the computers.

Customer: OK, I think I've got it.

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Практикум

Практикум

Unit 1

Exercise 1. Study the information below. Write out words/word combinations underlined. Learn them. Do the task below.

Collocations

Verbs and nouns often go together in English to make set phrases, for example access the Internet. These word combinations are called collocations, and they are very common. Learning collocations instead of individual words can help you remember which verb to use with which noun. Here are some examples:

Perform operations, do research, make calls, send texts, display data, store information, complete exercises, carry out transactions.

Exercise 2. Match the verbs (1-5) with the nouns (a-e) to make collocations from the text.

1.give

2.keep

3.access

4.enter

5.transfer

a)money

b)a PIN

c)databases

d)presentations

e)records

Exercise 3. Use collocations from exercises 1 and 2 to complete the sentences.

1.Thanks to Wi-Fi, it is now easy to ………………….. from cafés, hotels, parks and many other public places.

2.Online banking lets you ……………….. between your accounts easily and securely.

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Язык информационных технологий

3.Skype is a technology that enables users to ………………

over the Internet for free.

4.In many universities, students are encouraged to ……………

using PowerPoint in order to make their talks more visually attractive.

5.The Web has revolutionized the way people ………………. – with sites such as Google and Wikipedia, you can find the information you need in seconds.

6.Cookies allow a website to ………………… on a user’s machine and later retrieve it; when you visit the website again, it remembers your preferences.

7.With the latest mobile phones, you can …………………….

with multimedia attachments – pictures, audio, even video.

Unit 2

Exercise 1. Study the information below. Write out words/word combinations underlined. Learn them. Do the tasks below.

Classifying

Classifying means putting things into groups or classes. We

can classify types of computers, parts of a PC, etc. Some typical expressions for classifying are:

... are classified into X types/categories

... are classified by ...

... can be divided into X types/categories

Digital computers can be divided into five main types:

mainframes, desktop PCs, laptops, tablet PCs and handheld PDAs.

... include(s)...

... consist(s) of...

The basic configuration of a mainframe consists of a central

system which processes immense amounts of data very quickly.

There are X types/classes of...

X is a type of...

A tablet PC is a type of notebook computer.

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