Exercise 5. Link each statement (1-) with a purpose (a-j).

1. Application programs are designed for general use

2. Custom programs are written for the user

3. A program library is often kept in backing store

4. A word processor justifies each line of text

5. A high resolution monitor is used

6. A graphics terminal includes a lightpen

7. A computer is often leased rather than bought

8. The functions of programmers are

9. The keyboard of a computer is used

10. Dual-density characters are introduced

1. to produce detailed graphics.

2. to provide easy access to a range of programs.

3. so user can ‘draw’ on the screen.

4. to prepare, test and document computer programs.

5. so they can be used in many different situations.

6. as an economy measure.

7. to distinguish diverse values or features.

8. to suit a particular situation.

9. to input data.

10. to form a straight edge.

Exercise 6. Match the words from the box with their definitions.

byte spreadsheet floppy

chip algorithm track

flowcharts on-line user

cursor bugs screen

off-line digital access

1. Very light, flexible, plastic diskettes usually used with microcomputers.

2. The channels of a magnetic tape on which information is recorded.

3. Another word for program errors.

4. A sequence of steps or instructions used to solve a problem, as in a program.

5. This is the individual operating the computer.

6. When the computer system operates independently of the central processing unit.

7. A group of eighty binary digits considered as a single unit. In other words, eight bits make one of these.

8. This type of computer works by counting, and data is represented by combinations of discrete electronic pulses.

9. This is the display unit on which the data and/or graphics appear.

10. To retrieve information which is on tape or disk.

11. A piece of silicon on which several layers of an integrated circuit have been etched.

12. An arrow or similar marker to show where the next character will go if you enter data.

13. These are diagrams used to sort out the procedural steps in a program and as an aid to program construction.

14. When the computer system is connected to the central processing unit.

15. A package used extensively in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and other financial modelling.

Exercise 7. Predicting the future.

Read the following text and decide whether you agree with the given predictions or not. Give reasons.

The future? We’re virtually there!

1949

A computer was as big as a room.

1999

There were 100 million Internet users. A $1,000 computer could do 450 calculations a second.

2019

A $1,000 computer will be able to do a million million calculations a second. People will still have to use books and paper for some things, but most books will have been scanned into computers. You will be able to use translating telephones (where you speak in English and your Japanese friend hears you in Japanese). Lots of everyday things will have changed. However, people will still be living in normal houses. Sophisticated forms of art and music may be created by computers.

2029

A $1,000 computer will be as powerful as the human brain. Books will have almost completely disappeared. Teachers and schools will also have vanished but you will be able to learn everything you need from computers. Robots (machines which look and behave like people) will be doing all the housework. However, they won't be able to have a conversation with you! You won't be able to drive your car yourself – a robot will do this for you. Computers will be able to understand human language and respond to it. People will usually be able to live to over 100.

2039

A $1,000 computer will be able to do the work of approximately 1,000 human

brains. People will no longer have to make robots because smart robots will be able to make themselves. Everyone will have lots of free time and be able to do whatever they want. However, many people will prefer talking to and working with robots to being with other humans. Robots will be more intelligent than humans.

Now give your own predictions about computers in the future. Will computers be able to “think” creatively like human beings?

Contents

Unit 1 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 4

UNIT 2 COMPUTER ESSENTIALS 9

UNIT 3 INSIDE THE SYSTEM 13

UNIT 4 BITS AND BITES 19

UNIT 5 MAGNETIC DRIVERS 28

Unit 6 OPTICAL BREAKTHROUGH 34

Unit 7 INPUT / OUTPUT DEVICES 38

UNIT 8 CAPTURE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE 42

UNIT 9 VIEWING THE OUTPUT 44

UNIT 10 CHOOSING A PRINTER 50

Unit 11 OPERATING SYSTEMS 55

Unit 12 THE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE 61

UNIT 13 A WALK THROUGH WORD PROCESSING 65

UNIT 14 SPREADSHEETS 73

UNIT 15 DATABASES 76

UNIT 16 FACES OF THE INTERNET 84

UNIT 17 PROGRAMMING AND LANGUAGES 92

UNIT 18 COMPUTER NETWORKS 101

UNIT 19 COMPUTER VIRUSES 109

UNIT 20 COMPUTERS IN THE OFFICE 115

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