Unit 3

Text Study:  Personal Computers.

Additional Text: Application of Personal Computers.

Grammar: Participle.

Text Study

I. Pre-reading Exercises

1. Repeat the words in chorus:

Durations, occupied, generally, onslaught, distinguishing, origi­nally.

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

Interactive, hobbyists, technicians, productivity, company, microprocessor.

3. Pay attention to some grammatical points:

 1) Personal computers are supposed to appear in the late 1970s. 2) Although these systems would still have been too expensive to be owned by a single individual. 3) During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and competitive oper­ating systems seemed to appear daily. 4) In less than a   decade the microcomputer has been transformed from a calcula­tor and hobbyist's toy into a personal computer for almost everyone. 5) Regardless of the purpose for which it is used, either for leisure activities in the home or for business applications in the office, we can consider it to be a personal computer.

II. Reading

 Read, translate the text and point out the main characteristics of PC.

 Personal Computers

Personal computers are supposed to appear in the late 1970s. The capabilities of a personal computer have changed greatly since the introduction of electronic computers. By the early 1970s, people in academic or research institutions had the opportunity for single person use of a computer system in interactive mode for extended du­rations, although these systems would still have been too expensive to be owned by a single individual. The introduction of the microproces­sor, a single chip with all the circuitry that formerly occupied large cabinets, lead to the proliferation of personal computers after 1975.

Early personal computers generally called microcomputers, sold often in kit form and in limited volumes and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians. By the late 1970s, mass-market pre-assembled computers allowed a wider range of people to use com­puters, focusing more on software applications and less on develop­ment of the processor hardware. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, home computers were developed for household use, offering some personal productivity, programming and games, while somewhat larger and more expensive systems (although still low-cost compared with minicom­puters and mainframes) were aimed for office and small business use.

One of the first and most popular personal computers was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and competitive oper­ating systems seemed to appear daily. Then, in 1981, IBM en­tered the fray with its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. The IBM PC quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most other personal computer manufacturers fell by the way-side. One of the few companies to survive IBM's onslaught was Apple Computer, which is sure to remain a major player in the personal computer marketplace. In less than a   decade the microcomputer has been transformed from a calcula­tor and hobbyist's toy into a personal computer for almost everyone.

What is a personal computer? How can this device be char­acterized?

— First, a personal computer being microprocessor-based, its central processing unit, called a microprocessor unit, or MPU, is concentrated on a single silicon chip.

— Second, a PC has a memory and word size that are small­er than those of minicomputers and large computers. Typical word sizes are 8 or 16 bits, and main memories range in size from 16 К to 512 K.

— Third, a personal computer uses smaller, less expensive, less powerful input, output and storage components than do large computer systems. Most often, input is by means of a keyboard, soft-copy output being displayed on a screen. Hard-copy output is produced on a printer.

A PC employs disks and USB flash drive as the principal online and offline storage devices and also as input and output media.

— Finally, a PC is a general-purpose, stand-alone system that can begin to work when plugged in and be moved from place to place.

Probably the most distinguishing feature of a personal com­puter is that it is used by an individual, usually in an interactive mode. Eventually the market segments lost any technical distinction; busi­ness computers acquired color graphics capacity and sound, and home computers and game systems used the same processors and operating systems as office-bound computers. Even local area networking, origi­nally a way to allow business computers to share expensive mass storage and peripherals, became a standard feature of a home computer.

Regardless of the purpose for which it is used, either for leisure activities in the home or for business applications in the office, we can consider it to be a personal computer.

Vocabulary Notes

circuitry ['sWkItrI] — схеми

competitive operating systems —   конкуруючі операційні системи

IBM (International Business Machine) — фірма, яка виробляє комп’ютери

to enter the fray — встрянути у бійку

computer of choice — кращий комп’ютер

to fall by the wayside — залишитись збоку, уступити дорогу

to survive onslaught [sq'vaIv 'OnslLt] — витримати конкуренцію

word size — розмір слова

soft-copy output — недокументальні вихідні дані (зображені на екрані)

hard-copy output —друковані копії вихідних даних

online storage ['stLrIdZ] — неавтономне зберігання даних

offline storage — автономне зберігання даних окремо від комп’ютера

input media — носій для вхідних даних

output media — носій для вихідних даних

to employ[Im'plOI] — використовувати

general-purpose — універсальний, загального призначення

stand-alone — автономний

to plug in [plAg  In] — підключати; під’єднувати

office-bound ['OfIs baund] computer — комп’ютер призначений лише для офісної роботи

Comprehension

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

1) The capabilities of a personal computer have changed greatly since the introduction of electronic computers. 2) Then, in 1981, IBM en­tered the fray with its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. 3) Third, a personal computer uses smaller, less expensive, less powerful input, output and storage components than do large computer systems. 4)  Eventually the market segments lost any technical distinction.

2. Choose the right answer:

1) Personal computers are supposed to appear in … .

a) the early 1970s;

b) the late 1970s;

c) 1990.

2) The introduction of the … lead to the proliferation of personal computers after 1975.

a) laptop;

b) computers;

c) microproces­sor.

3) Early personal computers is generally called … .

a) computer;

b) microcomputers;

c) mainframe.

4)  By the late 1970s, … pre-assembled computers allowed a wider range of people to use com­puters.

a) mass-market;

b) special;

c) general.

5) One of the first and most popular personal computers was … .

a) the Apple;

b) the Apple I;

c) the Apple II.

6) IBM en­tered the fray with its first personal computer, known as … .

a) the IBM PC;

b) software;

c) firmware.

7) A microprocessor unit, or MPU, is concentrated on … .

a) disk;

b) a single silicon chip;

c) CD.

8)  Most often, input is by means of … .

a) a keyboard;

b) a printer;

c) a monitor.

9) A PC employs … as the principal online and offline storage devices

a) CD;

b) diskettes;

c) disks and USB flash drive.

3. Complete the sentences:

1) The capabilities of a personal computer have changed greatly since … . 2) By the early 1970s, people in academic or research institutions had the opportunity for single person use of a computer system in … . 3) Early personal computers generally called microcomputers, sold often in … . 4) By the late 1970s, mass-market pre-assembled computers allowed a wider range of people to use com­puters, focusing more on … . 5) During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new … and competitive … seemed to appear daily. 6) First, a personal computer being … . 7) Second, a PC has … . 8) Third, a personal computer uses … . 9) Finally, a PC is a … , … system that can begin to work when plugged in and be moved from place to place. 10) Probably the most distinguishing feature of a personal com­puter is … .

4. Answer following questions.

1) When have the capabilities of a personal computer changed greatly? 2) What opportunity had people in academic or research institutions? 3) What leads to the proliferation of personal computers after 1975? 4) What were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians? 5) What allowed a wider range of people to use com­puters? 6) What did home computers offer? 7) What was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer? 8) What did IBM en­tered the fray with? 9) What are the main characteristics of a PC? 10) What is  the most distinguishing feature of a personal com­puter?

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

• the appearance of PC in the early 1970 s;
• the first and most popular personal computers;
• the main characteristics of a PC.

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

 

Word Study

1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.

The introduction of electronic computers, academic or research institutions, in interactive mode, for extended du­rations, to lead to the proliferation of personal computers, in kit form and in limited volumes, to be aimed for office, to remain a major player in the personal computer marketplace, microprocessor-based, a single silicon chip, to range in size, local area networking, to share expensive mass storage and peripherals, regardless of the purpose.

2. Give English equivalents of the following.

Незважаючи на мету, протягом тривалого часу, поява електронних комп’ютерів, вести до збільшення персональних комп’ютерів, сягати у розмірі, у вигляді комплекту та в обмеженій кількості,  інтерактивному режимі, використовувати масивну пам'ять та периферійні засоби, наукові чи дослідницькі інститути, бути призначеним для офісу, мікропроцесорний, локальна мережа, цілісний кристал з кремнію, залишатися головним постачальником на комп’ютерному ринку.

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

A                                 B

circuitry                       capability

computer of choice     universal

storage                        circuits

to employ                    the best computer

general-purpose          memory

eventually                   to use  

capacity                      finally

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

General-purpose/to employ/circuitry/self-contained

1) Any modern computer use … . 2) Computers that can do many different jobs are called … computer. 3) The smallest fully functional … personal computers are notebook computers.4) Analog computers are devices that … continuously variable physical phenomena to make computations.

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

1. Комп’ютери компанії IBM стали найкращими, а поступились їм комп’ютери Apple. 2) Усі персональні комп’ютери використовують носії для виводу та вводу даних. 3) Усі друковані документи можна назвати друкованими копіями вихідних даних. 4) Ноутбуки – це є автономні, універсальні ПК. 5) CD диски, флеш карти – це автономне зберігання даних окремо від комп’ютера.

Additional Text

(for individual work)

Read, translate the text and answer the following questions:

·   What are the main spheres of PC application?

·   Do you enjoy computer games?

·   Is it necessary for a person to be an analyst or a programmer to play computer games?

·   What other home and hobby applications, except computer games, can you name?

·   What is "a word processing program"?

·   What pos­sibilities can it give you?

·   Can you correct mistakes while typ­ing any material and how?

·   What other changes in the typed text can you make using a display?

·   Which professions are in great need of computers?

·   How can computers be used in education?

 Application of Personal Computers

Personal computers have a lot of applications, however, there are some major categories of applications: home and hobby, word processing, professional, educational, small business and engineering and scientific.

Home and hobby. Personal computers enjoy great popularity among experimenters and hobbyists. They are an exciting hobby. All hobbyists need not be engineers or programmers. There are many games that use the full capabilities of a computer to provide many hours of exciting leisure-time adventure.

The list of other home and hobby applications of PCs is almost endless, including: checking account management, budgeting, personal finance, planning, investment analyses, tele­phone answering and dialing, home security, home environment and climate control, appliance control, calendar management, maintenance of address and mailing lists and what not.

Word processing. At home or at work, applications software, called a word processing program, enables you to correct or modify any document in any manner you wish before printing it. Using the CRT monitor as a display screen, you are able to view what you have typed to correct mistakes in spelling or grammar, add or delete sentences, move paragraphs around, and replace words. The letter or document can be stored on a dis­kette for future use.

Professional. The category of professional includes persons making extensive use of word processing, whose occupations are particularly suited to the desk-top use of PCs. Examples of other occupations are accountants, financial advisors, stock brokers, tax consultants, lawyers, architects, engineers, educators and all levels of managers. Applications programs that are popular with persons in these occupations include accounting, income tax preparation, statistical analysis, graphics, stock market forecast­ing and computer modeling. The electronic worksheet is, by far, the computer modeling program most widely used by profes­sionals. It can be used for scheduling, planning, and the exam­ination of "what if situations.

Educational. Personal computers are having and will contin­ue to have a profound influence upon the classroom, affecting both the learner and the teacher. Microcomputers are making (heir way into classrooms to an ever-increasing extent, giving impetus to the design of programmed learning materials that can meet the demands of student and teacher.

Two important types of uses for personal computers in edu­cation are computer-managed instruction (CMI), and comput­er-assisted instruction (CAI). CMI software is used to assist the instructor in the management of all classroom-related activities, such as record keeping, work assignments, testing, and grading. Applications of CAI include mathematics, reading, typing, com­puter literacy, programming languages, and simulations of real-world situations.

1. Find in the texts:

a) words similar in meaning:

Verbs: to print; to produce; to convert; to keep; to found; to erase; to name; to change; to use; to start; to switch on; to sup­ply; to give possibility; to involve.

Nouns: rate; analyst; possibilities; use; plays; control; post; mode; profession; consultant; teacher; director; book-keeper; fight; producer; attack; amateur; device; crystal; error; storage; primary (memory); monitor; characteristic; aim.

Adjectives: flexible; thrilling; main; little; general;

b) words opposite in meaning:

Verbs: to finish; to switch on; to take; to delete. Nouns: online; input; work.

Adjectives: cheep; weak; common; general; large; soft; high; easy