It's difficult to overestimate the role of science and technology in our life. They accelerate the development of civilization and help us in our co-operation with nature. Scientists investigate the laws of the universe, discover the secrets of nature, and apply their knowledge in practice improving the life of people.
Let's compare our life nowadays with the life of people at the 'beginning of the 20th century. It has changed beyond recognition. Our ancestors hadn't the slightest idea of the trivial things created by the scientific progress that we use in our every day life. I mean refrigerators, TV sets, computers, microwave ovens, radio telephones, what not. They would seem miracle to them that made our life easy, comfortable and pleasant. On the other hand, the great inventions of the beginning of the 20th century, I mean radio, aeroplanes, combustion and jet engines have become usual things and we can't imagine our life without them.
A century is a long period for scientific and technological progress, as it's rather rapid. Millions of investigations, the endless number of outstanding discoveries have been made. Our century has had several names that were connected with a certain era in science and technology. At first it was called the atomic age due to the discovery of the splitting of the atom. Then it became the age of the conquest of space when for the first time in the history of mankind a man overcame the gravity and entered the Universe. And now we live in the information era when the computer network embraces the globe and connects not only the countries and space stations but a lot of people all over the world. All these things prove the power and the greatest progressive role of science in our life.
But every medal has its reverse. And the rapid scientific progress has aroused a number of problems that are a matter of our great concern. These are ecological problems, the safety of nuclear power stations, the nuclear war threat, and the responsibility of a scientist.
But still we are grateful to the outstanding men of the past and the present who have courage and patience to disclose the secrets of the Universe.
III. Give the English equivalents for:
Ускорять развитие цивилизации, исследовать законы вселенной, изменяться до неузнавания, казаться чудом, век завоевании космоса, впервые в истории человечества, выходить во вселенную, пробуждать большое количество проблем, причина интереса, иметь храбрость и терпение, обнаружить секреты.
IV. Answer the questions:
1. What accelerates the development of civilization and helps us in our cooperation with nature?
2. How did our life change from the beginning of the 20th century?
3. What names has our century?
4. What outstanding discoveries in our century do you know?
5. What problems has the rapid scientific progress?
UNIT 5.
I. Learn the following words and expressions:
available - доступный
bar - штрих
basic - основной
cause - причина
choice - выбор
clipboard – буферобмена
compatible - совместимый
cursor - курсор
date - дата
dialogbox – диалоговоеокно
interaction - взаимодействие
interactive - интерактивный
item – пункт, вопрос
list - список
pointer - указатель
pressure - давление
relation - отношение
relative - относительный
resident – резидентный, постоянно находящийся
scrollbar – линейкапрокрутки
search - поиск
step - шаг
taskbar - панельзадач
titlebar – строказаголовка
to base on/upon–базироватьсяна
to cause - вызывать
tochoose - выбирать
tocut – обрезать, вырезать
tohover - колебаться
toinsert - вставлять
tointeract - взаимодействовать
tolist – составлятьсписок
to paste - вставка
topoint - указывать
topress - нажимать
torelate – относиться, иметь отношение
torelease – избавлять, освобождать
torepresent - представлять
toreverse – менять на противоположное
tosearch - искать
to select - выбирать
totouch - прикасаться
touchpad – сенсорнаяпанель
touchscreen – сенсорныйэкран
userinterface – пользовательскийинтерфейс
II. Read the article below and decide which of the expressions in the box best describe a graphical user interface (GUI):
| user-friendly slow attractive text-based complex graphics-based |
GUIs
The term user interface refers to the standard procedures the user follows to interact with a particular computer. A few years ago, the way in which users had access to a computer system was quite complex. They had to memorize and type a lot of commands just to see the content of a disk, to copy files or to respond to a single prompt. In fact, only experts used computers, so there was no need for a user-friendly interface. Now, however, computers are used by all kinds of people and as a result there is a growing emphasis on the user interface.
A good user interface is important because when you buy a program you want to use it easily. Moreover, a graphical user interface saves a lot of time: you don’t need to memorize commands in order to execute an application; you only have to point and click so that its content appears on the screen.
Macintosh computers – with a user interface based on graphics and intuitive tools – were designed with a single clear aim: to facilitate interaction with the computer. Their interface is called WIMP: Window,Icon,Mouse and Pointer and software products for Macintosh have been designed to take full advantage of its features using this interface. In addition, the ROM chips of a Macintosh contain libraries that provide program developers with routines for generating windows, dialog boxes, icons and pop-up menus. This ensures the creation of applications with a high level of consistency.
Today, the most innovative GUIs are the Macintosh, Microsoft Windows and OS/2’s graphical Presentation Manager. These three platforms include similar features: a desktop with icons, windows and folders, a printer selector, a file finder, a control panel and various desk accessories. Double-clicking a folder opens a window which contains programs, documents or further nested folders. At any time within a folder, you can launch the desired program or document by double-clicking the icon, or you can drag it to another location.
The three platforms differ in other areas such as device installation, network connectivity or compatibility with application program.
These interfaces have been so successful because they are extremely easy to use. It is well known that computers running under an attractive interface stimulate users to be more creative and produce high quality results, which has a major impact on the general public.
III. chose the correct translation:
1)to allow
| a) нажимать | b) позволять | c) отпускать | d) перечислять |
2) to release
| a) нажимать | b) позволять | c) отпускать | d) перечислять |
3) relation
| a) причина | b) отношение | c) поиск | d) список |
4)to represent
| a) касаться | b) представлять | c) указывать | d) вставлять |
5) to press
| a) нажимать | b) позволять | c) отпускать | d) перечислять |
6) cause
| a) причина | b) отношение | c) поиск | d) список |
7) to list
| a) нажимать | b) позволять | c) отпускать | d) перечислять |
8) search
| a) причина | b) отношение | c) поиск | d) список |
9) to point
| a) касаться | b) представлять | c) указывать | d) вставлять |
10)list
| a) причина | b) отношение | c) поиск | d) список |
V. Match the words with their meanings:
| 1) select 2) point 3) choice 4) cut 5) step 6) basic 7) common 8) touch 9) relative 10) cause | a) вырезать b) выбирать c) вызывать d) распространенный e) шаг f) трогать g) точка h) относительный i) основной j) выбор |
VI. Match the words with their definitions:
| 1) button 2) drop-down menu 3) font 4) insert 5) interact 6) locate 7) paste 8) related 9) search 10) scroll bar | a) connected with smb/smth b) a list of possible choices that appears on a computer screen when you click on a title at the top c) to put smth into sth or between two things d) to examine smth carefully because you are looking for smth e) to find the exact position of smb/smth f) a tool on a computer screen that you use to move the text up and down or left and right g) to communicate directly with each other h) a small box that a user clicks, using a mouse, to tell the computer to do smth. i) to copy or move text or graphics into a document from somewhere else j) the particular style of a set of letters that are used in printing |
VII. Make up two-word expressions:
| user dialog scroll tool touch drop-down start compatible task resident | bar program button bar bar box devices interface menu screen |
VIII. Complete the sentences with the words from the box:
| taskbar, buttons,allows, to hover, choosing, represent, resident,user interfaces, touch screen,Start button |
1) A mouse also has left and right ….
2) A bar, known as a …,is displayed along the bottom of the desktop showing what programs, files and folders are currently open.
3) A …allows the user to select icons and commands by touching the display screen with their finger instead of using a mouse.
4) At the far right of the taskbar is a special area called the system traywhere icons are displayed showing what … programs are continuously running in the background e.g. the system clock or a sound volume control.
5) Graphical … were first introduced with the Apple Mac OS.
6) My Briefcase is a program that … the user to exchange files with a portable computer and to synchronise the files on each computer.
7) There is a … at the far left of the taskbar.
8) The user can close down the operating system by … the Shut Downoption on the Start Menu.
9) Icons are pictures which … programs, folders, and files.
10) … is to hold the pointer over an icon.
IX. Read the text and learn the definitions:
Most computers have a Graphical User Interface. The interfaceis the connection between the user and the computer. The most common type of GUI uses a WIMP system. WIMP stands for Window, Icon, Menu (or Mouse), Pointer (or Pull-down/Pop-up menu).
A Windowis an area of the computer screen where you can see the contents of a folder, a file, or a program. Some systems allow several windows on the screen at the same time and windows can overlap each other. The window on the top is the one which is 'active', the one in use.
Iconsare small pictures on the screen. They represent programs, folders, or files. For example, the Recycle Bin icon represents aprogram for deleting and restoring files. Most systems have a special area of the screen on which icons appear.
Menus give the user a list of choices. You operate the menu by pressing and releasing one or more buttons on the mouse.
The pointeris the arrow you use to select icons or to choose options from a menu. You move the pointer across the screen with the mouse. Then you click a button on the mouse to use the object selected by the pointer.
X. Find answers to these questions:
1) What does the abbreviation ‘GUI’ stand for?
2) What is the contribution of Macintosh computers to the development of graphic environment?
3) What does the acronym ‘WIMP’ mean?
4) What computing environments based on graphics are mentioned in the text?
5) How do you run a program on a computer with a graphical interface?
6) Can you give two reasons for the importance of user-friendly interfaces?
XI. Solve anagrams:
1) involving direct communication between a computer and the person using it (adjective) ____ACEEIINRTTV
2) a place where smth happens or exists _____ACILNOOT
3) a small arrow on a computer screen that you move by moving the mouse______
EINOPRT
4) a row of symbols (icons), usually below the menu bar, that represent the different commands or tools that a user needs to use a program_____ABLOORT
5) the section of memory that temporarily stores data while it is being copied and pasted _____ ABDILOPRС
6) able to be used, may be obtained ______ AAABEILLV
7) a common boundary (граница) between systems, devices and programs _____ ACEEFINRT
8) the act of looking for data in a computer system _____ ACEHRS
9) to choose smth that is usually on screen _____ CEELST
10) able to work together; meet certain standards _____ ABCEILMOPT
UNIT 6.
I. Learn the following words and expressions:
aid - средство
controlprogram – программа управления
developer - разработчик
equipment - оборудование
general-purpose – универсальный
input - ввод
internal - внутренний
mainboard– системная плата, материнская плата
memorycapacity - емкостьпамяти
merely – только, единственно
output - вывод
peripheral - периферийный
processingprogram – программаобработки
regardless - независимо
security - безопасность
specific - особенный
storagefacilities – средствахранения
supervision – наблюдение
toattach - прикреплять
to boot - загружаться
tocheck - проверять
to complete - завершать
to conduct - проводить
tocontain – содержать, включать
todevelop - разрабатывать
to direct - направлять
togoalong - сопровождаться
to install - устанавливать
to oversee – наблюдать
toproduce – производить
to provide with - обеспечивать
to rely on - полагаться
to require - требовать
toschedule – составлять список
totransfer - передавать
Web-browser - веб-браузер, средство просмотра веб-страниц в сети
III. Study the following text:
Types of Software. Operating systems
A computer to complete a job requires more than just the actual equipment or hardware we see and touch. It requires software — programs for directing the operation of a computer or electronic data.
Software is the final computer system component. These computer programs instruct the hardware how to conduct processing. The computer is merely a general-purpose machine which requires specific software to perform a given task. Computers can input, calculate, compare, and output data as information. Software determines the order in which these operations are performed.
Programs usually fall in one of two categories: system software and applications software.
System software controls standard internal computer activities. An operating system, for example, is a collection of system programs that aid in the operation of a computer regardless of the application software being used. When a computer is first turned on, one of the systems programs is booted or loaded into the computers memory. This software contains information about memory capacity, the model of the processor, the disk drives to be used and more. Once the system software is loaded, the applications software can be brought in.
System programs are designed for the specific pieces of hardware. These programs are called drivers and coordinate peripheral hardware and computer activities. User needs to install a specific driver in order to activate a peripheral device. For example, if you intend to buy a printer or a scanner you need to worry in advance about the driver program which, though, commonly goes along with your device. By installing the driver you «teach» your mainboard to «understand» the newly attached part.
Applications software satisfies your specific need. The developers of application software rely mostly on marketing research strategies trying to do their best to attract more users (buyers) to their software. As the productivity of the hardware has increased greatly in recent years, the programmers nowadays tend to include as much as possible in one program to make software interface look more attractive to the user. These class of programs is the most numerous and perspective from the marketing point of view.
Data communication within and between computers systems is handled by system software. Communications software transfers data from one computer system to another. These programs usually provide users with data security and error checking along with physically transferring data between the two computer’s memories. During the past five years the developing electronic network communication has stimulated more and more companies to produce various communication software, such as Web-Browsers for Internet.
An operating system consists of an integrated collection of system programs control the functions of the CPU, input and output, and storage facilities of the system. The functions of an operating system are geared toward attaining maximum efficiency in processing operations. In addition, the operating system performs an accounting function. Another important function performed by the operating system is scheduling jobs on a priority bases. Suppose one program requires one minute of the CPU time and the other four require one hour each. It may be reasonable to process the short program first. Or suppose one program will produce a vital report and the output of the others is less important. The more important program should probably be processed first. A system of priorities can be established basing on considerations as the required processing time and the need for the expected output.
Operating system programs are kept online in a secondary storage device known as the system residence device. The secondary storage media most commonly used are magnetic disk drives (DOS – disk operating system). Two types of programs make up the operating system: control programs and processing programs. Control programs oversee system operations and perform tasks such as input/output, scheduling, handling interrupts, and communicating with the computer operator or programmer. Processing programs are executed under the supervision of control programs and are used by the programmer to aid in the development of application programs. The OS also gives access to networks and allows multitasking: a user can run several programs and do various tasks at a time. Examples are:
1) the Windows family – designed by Microsoft and used on most PCs.
2) MacOS – created by Apple and used on Macintosh computers.
3) Unix – found on mainframes and workstations on corporate installations, as it supports multi users.
4) Linux – can copy its source code, modify and redistribute it. It is used on PCs and in appliances and small devices.
III.Ask and answer the questions:
1.What do you think is more expensive — hardware or software?
2. Has anyone in your group ever purchased software?
3. Why do you think piracy (audio, video, computer software) still exists?
IV. Discuss the following questions in group:
1. What is software?
2. In what two basic groups could software (programs) be divided?
3. What is system software for?
4. What is an operating system — a system software or application software?
5. What is a «driver»?
6. What is application software?
7. What is application software used for?
8. What is the tendency in application software market in recent years?
9.What is the application of communication software?
10. What does an operating system consist of?
11. What is an operating system?
12. What functions do operating system perform? Explain the purpose of each function.
13. Where are operating system programs kept?
14. What is known as the system residence device?
15. What are secondary storage media?
16. Which types of programs make up the operating system? What are their functions?
V. Are the following statements true or false? Prove your answers.
1. Computer programs only instruct hardware how to handle data storage.
2. System software controls internal computer activities.
3. System software is very dependable on the type of application software being used.
4. The information about memory capacity, the model of the processor and disk drives are unavailable for system software.
5. The driver is a special device usually used by car drivers for Floppy-disk driving.
6. It is very reasonable to ask for a driver when you buy a new piece of hardware.
7. Software developers tend to make their products very small and with poor interface to save computer resources.
8. Communication software is in great demand now because of the new advances in communication technologies.
9. Application software is merely a general-purpose instrument.
10. Web-browsers is the class of software for electronic communication through the network.
VI. Find in the text English equivalents for the following word combinations:
Функции операционной системы направлены на достижение наибольшей эффективности; операционная система выполняет счетную функцию; распределение задания по принципу приоритета; предположим, одной программе требуется одна минута времени; жизненно-необходимое сообщение; требуемое время обработки; вспомогательное запоминающее устройство.
VII. Substitute the underlined words for their equivalents from the text:
1. An operating system is made up of an integrated collection of sustem programs.
2. The functions of an operating system are oriented toward attaining maximum efficiency in processing operations.
3. The operating system plays an accounting function.
4. One program will bring out a vital report.
5. The secondary storage media most generally used are magnetic disk drives.
VIII. Define the terms in English:
Storage facilities, storage media, program, operator, accounting function, CPU.