Jobs in computing

The demand for IT specialists is growing rapidly in today’s age of technology. Here are just some of the many fields that are out there for people with IT skills.

• Networking & Internetworking

• Database Development & Administration

• Programming – Development tools, languages

• Technical writing

• Software design & engineering

• Graphic design and animation

• Web/ e-commerce development

Professional, scientific and technical services (research and development, database development and administration etc.) have the greatest and broadest demand for IT skills, followed by Financial services (accounting, asset management), Infrastructure (such as public utilities), Distribution (shipping and transportation) and Public Sector (government). Manufacturing has less demand for IT 1) … overall. Large organizations lead the demand for skilled workers.

Most ICT-related jobs have developed to meet the need to 2) …, design, develop, manage or support computer software, hardware or 3) … .

All the people involved in the different stages of development of a computer project, i.e. analysts, programmers, support specialists, etc. are controlled by a project manager.

A database 4) … is in charge of the research and development of databases; network analysts study the network requirements and recommend the most suitable type of network; 5) … analysts decide what ICT system will cater for the requirements of a specific institution.

Web designers, also called webmasters, create and 6) … web pages and web applications for websites. Software engineers, either application programmers or systems programmers, plan, design, and 7) … computer programs. Hardware engineers design and develop ICT devices. 8) … specialists specialize in the design of software and hardware to protect information from 9) … : viruses, spyware, etc.

Network or computer systems administrators install and maintain networks. Database administrators manage the accuracy and efficiency of databases.

Computer operators control computer data processing. Help desk technicians are in charge of 10) …, the solution of technical problems. Computer training instructors or trainers teach people how to use hardware and software. Technical writers write the instructions for ICT systems.

Variant 3. Read the text and decide whether these statements are true or false.

“SMART” HOMES NOT FAR AWAY

A smart home or building is a home or building, usually a new one, that is equipped with special structured wiring to enable occupants to remotely control or program an array of automated home electronic devices by entering a single command. For example, a homeowner on vacation can use a Touchtone phone to arm a home security system, control temperature gauges, switch appliances on or off, control lighting, program a home theater or entertainment system, and perform many other tasks.

The field of home automation is expanding rapidly as electronic technologies converge. The home network encompasses communications, entertainment, security, convenience, and information systems.

A technology known as Powerline Carrier Systems (PCS) is used to send coded signals along a home's existing electric wiring to programmable switches, or outlets. These signals convey commands that correspond to "addresses" or locations of specific devices, and that control how and when those devices operate. A PCS transmitter, for instance, can send a signal along a home's wiring, and a receiver plugged into any electric outlet in the home could receive that signal and operate the appliance to which it is attached.

Picture the scenario: it is a Friday night in the middle of winter and you are driving to your holiday home in the mountains for the weekend. On your way there, you send your second residence a text message which will activate the heating, so the place is nice and warm by the time you arrive. Your main residence, meanwhile, may be vacant, but you can send it an SMS to turn the lights on and off a few times, giving the impression to potential burglars that someone is there. You can also monitor what is happening inside the house on your mobile phone – cameras inside the house will send real-time images direct to your phone. If disaster strikes, and the washing machine leaks while you are not there, your house is so clever that it will automatically turn off the water at the mains and alert you that a plumber may need calling. Sounds far-fetched? For one family of four, these are the capabilities their home already has. They are living in an Eneo Labs show home outside Barcelona, trying out the company’s smart home concept. Javier Zamora, manager of Eneo Labs, says that in as little as two years many of us will be enjoying these features. He explains that smart homes have two main components: an “information network”, which is like a human body’s nervous system in that all devices inside the house are connected to it; and a “brain”, which coordinates what is inside the home and connects it to what goes on outside. He says that in the future the house will respond to voice commands.

1. Touchtone phone can be used by a homeowner on vacation to control temperature gauges, for instance.

2. The electronic technologies development has decreased since the previous decade.

3. A receiver plugged into any electric outlet could receive a signal from PCS transmitter.

4. Security and information systems are substantial part of the home network.

5. You can send a message from your holiday home that will activate the heating.

6. In order to give the impression to potential burglars that someone is there you can send regular text messages to your main residence.

7. You can also monitor what is happening inside the house on your camera.

8. If the washing machine leaks while you are not at home your house will call a plumber.

9. One family is trying out the company’s smart home concept.

10. In the future the smart house will respond to voice commands.

Variant 4. Read the text and insert the missing words from the box:

a) fraud	b) propagation	c) spyware	d) theft	e) cyberstalking
f) self-copying	g) phishing	h) harassment	i) scam		j) piracy