1. Complete the following sentences using words and expressions given below.

1. Virtual reality relies on ... input-output devices.

1. The use of virtual reality is limited by the performance and cost of its ... .

2. Virtual reality allows you ... computer-simulated objects, entities and environments as if they actually exist.

3. A VR system consisting of a ... with goggles and headphones, a fiberoptic data glove, motion-sensing devices and a powerfull engineering workstation.

4. VR designers are creating everything from virtual weather ... and virtual wind tunnels to virtual cities and virtual securities markets.

technology headset patterns to interact with multisensory

2. Fill in the prepositions if necessary.

Many science fiction books and movies have imagined characters being "trapped ... virtual reality". The science fiction books have promoted the idea ... virtual reality as a partial, but not total, substitution ... the misery of reality (in the sense that a pauper in the real world can be a prince in VR), or have touted it as a method for creating breathtaking virtual worlds in which one may escape ... Earth's now toxic atmosphere. They are not aware ... this, because their minds exist... a shared, idealized virtual world known as Dream Earth, where they grow..., live, and die, never knowing the world they live ... is but a dream.

3. Answer the questions.

1. What is VR?

2. What are its origins?

3. What multisensory devises do you know?

4. Why VR is called a telepresence?

5. What does VR allow you to do?

6. What do current applications of VR include?

7. What is the most widely used industrial VR application?

8. What are VR designers creating?

9. What do applications in IT include?

10. Does VR becomes telepresence when VR systems are used at a remote site?

11. Are there any limitations of VR?

1.15. Read and translate the text personal digital assistant (pda)

Nowadays people are in pursuit of high efficiency, causing them to change from conventional diaries, personal computers and notebook computers to more portable computer devices. One of such devices is a personal digital assistant (PDA)

PDA is a palm-sized computer that works as a digital personal assistant. A personal digital assistant generally consists of a microprocessor or microcontroller, a data storage memory area, and an input/output device such as a keyboard and a touchscreen or a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen on which symbols, text or icons are displayed and, into which signals can be input and detected thereby providing a two way communications capability by which information can be stored in and retrieved from memory which is a part of the personal digital assistant computer.

Personal digital assistants can be used to store, display, and/or manipulate various personal information. Most personal digital assistants have electronic clocks and calendars by which a user can keep track of scheduled events or appointments, descriptions and/or dates or other information. A PDA is a compact device that can serve various functions of a cellular phone, facsimile transmitter, and personal organizer. PDAs can be used for sending and retrieving e-mail, web browsing, and data- sharing applications over the Internet, intranet or corporate networks. Data communication, including Internet connection, PSTN connection to an information media like UNITEL, and fax communication has recently become the most significant function of the PDA. In addition, many PDAs are capable of running a variety of application software packages. A personal digital assistant may also be used to store and display calendars, addresses and telephone numbers, to-do lists, and other electronic information.

By an appropriate input signal to a button, a soft key, or a particular key stroke entered into the PDA input screen, information can be retrieved for display by the user. The touch-sensitive screen of a PDA may be activated by a separate handheld stylus. The stylus can be used to input information for the purposes of sending electronic mail or entering data related to the stored and displayed information.

Personal digital assistant (PDA) has become the most popular apparatus with the majority of consumers because of its small size, multi-function data processing, large storing capacity, etc. Personal digital assistants are compact computers designed to be carried easily in a purse, brief case or pocket. In recent years, they have become an essential item for both business and non-business users. This is because the PDA is lightweight, easy to start, highly expandable and has a complete range of accessories allowing the users to install various kinds of application software to meet their needs. By virtue of their size, palmtop computer systems are also lightweight and so are exceptionally portable and convenient. Owing to their compact size, personal digital assistants are easily carried and transported by their users, allowing information to be entered and retrieved from a large number of settings and environments not normally accessible by traditional desktop computing units.

A PDA can transfer its stored information to a host computer and receive information from the host computer by using a portable information terminal. Many existing PDAs offer the ability to wirelessly transmit and receive electronic-mail messages, browse shares-related information, record revenue and expenditure, browse e-books, games, spreadsheets, databases, information about daily life and wireless communication, etc.

A personal digital assistant may include a fold down display screen and a control panel. The PDA enables a user to easily access a small and portable terminal using a pen or voice, instead of a conventional keyboard, and provides a graphic user interface (GUI) environment.

PDAs always have several connecting ports for electrically connecting to other peripheral devices. PDA also can electrically connect to other peripheral devices through the add-on card. Some PDAs have built-inwireless communication modules. In addition to being used as beepers, they can also receive real-time information such as stock market news, traffic statuses, weather predictions, and real-time news. The process of loading data into a personal digital assistant or reading information from a PDA is frequently referred to as hot linking.