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Unit 4

Text Study: Microsoft Operating Systems.

Additional Text: Macintosh OS.

Grammar: Revision of the Module II.

Text Study

I. Pre-reading Exercises

1. Repeat the words in chorus:

Unique, significantly, scientific, previous, numerous, enhancements, reliability, major, wireless, awareness, suspicious.

2. While reading the text you will come across a number of new words. Try to guess what Ukrainian words they remind of you:

Menu, dialog, calendar, calculator, card, graphics, strategic, mobile, computing, integrated, cafes, viruses, hackers, debut, music, video.

3. Pay attention to some grammatical points:

1) In 1990, Microsoft announces Windows 3.0, followed shortly by Windows 3.1 in 1992. 2) Windows software is installed with floppy discs bought in large boxes with heavy instruction manuals. 3) Upgrade versions are available for both floppy disk and CD-ROM formats. 4) Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base.

II. Reading

Read the text in order to fill in the table:

The name of OS

Distinctive Features

 

 

Microsoft Operating Systems

MS-DOS. In 1980 Microsoft focuses on a new operating system—the software that manages, or runs, the computer hardware and also serves to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and programs, such as a word processor. It’s the foundation on which computer programs can run. They name their new operating system "MS‑DOS." MS‑DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System.

In 1985 Windows ships Windows 1.0. It is unique software designed for the serious PC users. There are drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons, and dialog boxes that make programs easier to learn and use. Windows 1.0 ships with several programs, including MS‑DOS file management, Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator, and a calendar, card file, and clock to help you manage day-to-day activities. 

In 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory. With improved graphics support, you can now overlap windows, control the screen layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work. Windows 2.0 is designed for the Intel 286 processor.

In 1990, Microsoft announces Windows 3.0, followed shortly by Windows 3.1 in 1992. Windows now has significantly better performance, advanced graphics with 16 colors, and improved icons. Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager arrive in Windows 3.0. Windows software is installed with floppy discs bought in large boxes with heavy instruction manuals. The popularity of Windows 3.0 grows with the release of a new Windows software development kit (SDK), which helps software developers to focus more on writing programs and less on writing device drivers.

Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit operating system, which makes it a strategic business platform that supports high-end programs.

In 1995 Microsoft releases Windows 95. This is the era of fax/modems, e‑mail, the new online world, and dazzling multimedia games and educational software. Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that make it easy to install hardware and software. The 32-bit operating system also offers enhanced multimedia capabilities, more powerful features for mobile computing, and integrated networking. Windows 95 is the upgrade to the previous Windows and MS‑DOS operating systems. Upgrade versions are available for both floppy disk and CD-ROM formats. In the summer of 1995, the first version of Internet Explorer is released. The browser joins those already vieing for space on the World Wide Web.

Released in 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. PCs are common at work and home, and Internet cafes where you can get online are popping up. Other improvements include the ability to open and close programs more quickly, and support for reading DVD discs and universal serial bus (USB) devices. Windows 98 is the last version based on MS‑DOS.

Designed for home computer use, Windows Me offers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements compared to previous versions. Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base.

Windows 2000 Professional is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing. Windows 2000 Professional simplifies hardware installation by adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and infrared devices.

In 2001 Windows XP becomes one of the best-selling products in the coming years. It’s both fast and stable. Awareness of computer viruses and hackers increases, but fears are to a certain extent calmed by the online delivery of security updates. Consumers begin to understand warnings about suspicious attachments and viruses. There’s more emphasis on Help and Support. Windows XP Home Edition offers such enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features. Windows XP has several editions during these years: Windows XP 64-bit Edition (2001), Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002).

Windows Vista is released in 2006 with the strongest security system yet. User Account Control helps to prevent potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer. Windows Vista also features enhancements to Windows Media Player. Here you can watch television, view and send photographs, and edit videos.

By the late 2000s, the wireless world has arrived. When Windows 7 is released in October 2009, laptops are outselling desktop PCs and it’s common to get online at public wireless hotspots like coffee shops. Wireless networks can be created at the office or at home. Windows Touch makes its debut, enabling you to use your fingers to browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders. You can stream music, videos, and photos from your PC to a stereo or TV. Many laptops no longer have a slot for DVDs and some have solid state drives rather than conventional hard disks. Most everything is streamed, saved on flash drives, or saved in the "Cloud"—an online space for sharing files and storage. Windows Live—free programs and services for photos, movies, instant messaging, e‑mail, and social networking—is seamlessly integrated with Windows so that you can keep in touch from your PC, phone, or the web, extending Windows to the Cloud.

Meanwhile, work is underway for the next version of Windows.

Vocabulary Notes

to focuse on  ['fqukqs]зосереджуватися на

to bridge the gap between – ліквідовувати розрив між

to shipвводити, добавляти

to releaseвипускати у світ

to overlapсуміщати

significantlyбагатозначно

software development kit (SDK) – набір інструментальних засобів для розробки програмного забезпечення (включає бібліотеки, заголовочні файли, файли допомоги, документацію)

built-inвбудований

enhanced  [In'hRnst]вдосконалений, розширений

enhancementмодернізація, вдосконалення, розширення

Plug and Play - стандарт фірм Microsoft, Intel та ін., що мають на меті спрощення підключення комп’ютера: бере на себе розпізнавання та налаштування периферійного обладнання без подальшого встановлення параметрів користувачем.

to vie [vaI]- конкурувати

the upgradeоновлена версія

to pop upвисвітлитися на екрані

wireless - безпровідниковий

stableстійкий, постійний

awareness  [q'wFqnqs]компетентність, знання

an encrypting file system закодована система файлів

to restore – відновлення

to feature – характеризуватися

to streamвідтворювати

seamlessly прямо, безперервно

to keep in touch from -   мати зв'язки, бути в контакті,не відриватися 

meanwhileтим часом

Comprehension

1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.

1) MS‑DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System. 2) Windows 1.0. is unique software designed for the serious mainframe users. 3) In 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory.   4) Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager arrive in Windows 2.0. 5) Windows NT 3.1 is a 16-bit operating system. 6) Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that make it easy to install hardware and software. 7) Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for computer programmers. 8) Windows Me offers numerous educational programs. 9) Windows 2000 Professional is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. 10) In 2001 Windows XP becomes one of the worst-selling products in the coming years.11) Windows Vista is released in 2006 with the weakest security system yet. 12) Windows Touch makes its debut, enabling you to use your fingers to browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders.

2. Choose the right answer:

1) … is the foundation on which computer programs can run.

a) MS-DOS;

b) Internet Explorer;

c) Telnet.

2) … is designed for the Intel 286 processor.

a) MS-DOS;

b) Windows 2.0;

c) Windows Vista.

3) The popularity of grows with the release of a new Windows software development kit (SDK).

a) MS-DOS;

b) Windows 2.0;

c) Windows 3.0.

4) … is the upgrade to the previous Windows and MS‑DOS operating systems.

a) Windows 95;

b) Windows 2.0;

c) Windows 3.0.

5) simplifies hardware installation by adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware. 

a) Windows 95;

b) Windows 2000 Professional;

c) Windows XP.

6) With a fresh visual design, includes features for business and advanced home computing.

a) Windows XP Professional;

b) Windows 2000 Professional;

c) Windows 2000.

7) Using … you can watch television, view and send photographs, and edit videos.

a) Win RAR;

b) Windows Media Player;

c) Acrobat Reader.

8) … can be created at the office or at home.

a) Wireless networks;

b) Wireless beacon;

c) Wireless telegraphy.

9) … is seamlessly integrated with Windows so that you can keep in touch from your PC, phone, or the web.

a) Windows Live;

b) Win RAR;

c) Windows Media Player.

3. Complete the sentences.

1) In 1980 Microsoft focuses on a new operating system which they name … . 2) Windows 1.0 ships with several programs, including … . 3) With improved graphics support in Windows 2.0., you can … . 4) Windows 3.1 has significantly better … . 5) Windows NT 3.1 supports … . 6) Windows 95 also offers … . 7) Windows 98 is the last version … . 8) Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based … . 9) Windows 2000 adds major improvements in … . 10) Windows XP Home Edition offers such enhancements as … . 11) Windows Vista also features enhancements to … . 12) Windows Live—free programs and services for … .

4. Answer the questions to the text:

1)  What serves to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and programs? 2) What are there in Windows 1.0.? 3) What can you overlap in Windows 2.0.? 4) What helps software developers to focus more on writing programs and less on writing device drivers? 5) What kind of OS is Windows NT 3.1.? 6) For what are upgrade versions available? 7) When is the first version of Internet Explore released? 8) Where are PC common in 1998? 9) What kind of awareness increases? And by what are fears calmed to a certain extent? 10) What does Windows XP Professional include? 11) What helps to prevent potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer? 12) What no longer have a slot? And what do they have?

5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:

*6. Try to tell the gist of the text.

Word Study

1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.

Drop-down menu, scroll bar, icon, desktop icon, dialog boxes, graphics support, advanced graphics, to control the screen layout, keyboard shortcuts, performance, Program Manager, File Manager, Print Manager, Windows Writer, Notepad, card file, heavy instruction manuals,  high-end program, dial-up networking, Network Setup Wizard, Movie Maker, remote desktop support, user account, Windows Touch, to flip through photos.

2. Give English equivalents of the following.

"Випадаюче меню" (меню, яке висвітлюється при виборі користувачем певного пункту панелі меню); піктограма (значок); комутаційна мережа; значок робочого столу; управляти розміщенням зображення на екрані; покращена графіка; диспетчер файлів; диспетчер програм; адміністратор друку; редактор Windows; картотека; програма професійного класу (з повним набором функціональних можливостей); майстер налаштування мережі; дистанційна підтримка робочого столу; обліковий запис користувача (бюджет користувача); полистати фото; смуга прокрутки (зображення у вікні); діалогове вікно; робоча характеристика; клавіши швидкого набору команд; графічна підтримка; блокнот; складна технологічна інструкція; редактор фільмів; Windows з сенсорним управлінням.

3.  Match the words in A with their synonyms in B:

A                                 B

significantly                steady

built-in                        improvement

enhancement               for the moment

to vie                           to renovate

stable                          extensively

awareness                   fixed

to restore                     to compete

meanwhile                  knowledge

4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.

To focus/to overlap/ enhanced/ to vie/wireless/ awareness/ to restore/to pop up

1) They had … with their rivals.  2) The two versions obviously … . 3) The computer programmers … on a new operating system. 4) This OS has …   Plug and Play. 5) … communication is expended nowadays. 6)  Network … is … on his computer. 7) Data base was … at that moment.

5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes

1) Нова операційна система є оновлена та покращена. 2) Програміст розробив новий набір інструментальних засобів для розробки програмного забезпечення. 3) Операційні системи Windows конкурують з операційними системами компанії Apple. 4) Знання комп’ютерної системи допомагає у його роботі. 5) Завдяки без провідниковому зв’язку ви завжди в контакті з своїм комп’ютером, телефоном чи всесвітньою мережею. 6) Компанія “Microsoft” випустила у світ велику кількість операційних систем.

Grammar in Use

Revision of Module II

Additional Text

(for individual work)

Read, translate the text and be ready to answer the following questions:

Macintosh OS

The Macintosh OS (1984), and things like Windows 3 (late 1980s), represent more modern operating systems, having evolved in the ten to fifteen years after the start of Unix.

The important ideas in the Mac OS (and later systems meant to work in similar style) were developed at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Centre during the 1970s and early 1980s (Apple started the Mac OS by getting a licence to use Xerox's ideas). Starting around 1972, Xerox PARC had had a project that aimed to explore what the "office of the future" would be like. Obviously, the office workers were going to make heavy use of computers. The Xerox researchers realized that the old systems were inappropriate.

The old systems had the computer as sort of oracle, surrounded by priests (the

system's programmers and system's administrators) and neophytes (the computer operators); even the newer Unix systems had to have "system's gurus" to attend them and keep users at bay. In an "office of the future", individual's would have their own computers, and these therefore would have to have operating systems that did not need priestly ministrations from gurus or others. Unlike other developers of that period, the Xerox group realized that the cost of CPU power was going to drop dramatically. Consequently, it wasn't going to be important to keep the CPU efficiently employed, what was going to be important was the efficient use of time of the office workers. So it was going to be worthwhile "wasting" CPU cycles with the computer doing extra work if this would simplify the tasks of the user. Given these premises, the Xerox group focussed on what they thought would be the needs of users; they identified factors such as:

visual displays for "high-bandwidth" communication (show the user what

programs and files are available for use etc);

direct manipulation (use of mouse pointer, selection of object represented visually [as an "icon"], picking a command from a menu – the "point-and click"

interface rather than the "remember-and-type-command" interface of Unix and older systems);

consistency (every program working in a similar manner);

intercommunication (e.g. easy transfer of pictures, text and other data between programs).

Xerox developed a variety of experimental systems embodying the features that they felt would empower users and make computers more useful. However, Xerox never really brought these experimental systems to the level of practical, affordable products.

Steve Jobs and others at Apple in the early 1980s recognized the importance of the Xerox ideas and worked to make them practical. The Mac OS of 1984 was the first system that could really deliver computer power to all users.