UNIT 5
I. Look up in the dictionary how to pronounce the following words. Write them down in the dictionary.
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regardless to enter a routing to direct a property to modify solely |
to monitor a hardware peripheral a variety an occurrence to afford to confine |
to fit representative available to purchase a competitor incredibly to convince |
II. Read the text and do the exercises that follow it.
Kinds of Computers
All computer systems, regardless of their size, have the same four hardware components:
1. A processor or CPU, where the data input is processed according to the program.
2. Input/output devices or peripherals such as the keyboard and printer, which receive data from people and enter it into the computer for processing, then send it back to people so it can be used.
3. Storage components such as disk drives or tape drives keep data for later use.
4. Routing and control components, which direct the instructions and/or data from one component to the next making sure each does its task properly.
Computers are generally classified as general-purpose or specialpurpose machine. A general-purpose computer is one used for a variety of tasks without the need to modify or change it as the tasks change. A common example is a computer used in business that runs many different application.
A special-purpose computer is designed and used solely for one application. The machine may need to be redesigned and certainly reprogrammed, if, it is to perform another task. Special-purpose computers can be used in a factory to monitor a manufacturing process; in research to monitor seismological, meteorological and other natural occurrences; and in the office.
So all computers have in common, but certain computers differ from one another. These differences often have to do with the way a particular computer is used. That is why we can say there are different types of computers that are suited for different kinds of work or problem solving.
Personal computer is a computer system that fits on a desktop, that an individual can afford to buy for personal use, and that is intended for a single use.
Personal computers include desktops, laptops and workstation. Each type of a personal computer shares many characteristics in common with its counterparts, but people use them in different ways.
The Desktop Personal computer is a computer that:
-fits on a desktop
-is designed for a single user
-is affordable for an individual to buy for personal use.
Desktop personal computers are used for education, running a small business, or in large corporation, to help office workers be more productive. There are some common desktop personal computers:
-The IBM PC and PC-compatible
-The Compaq Deskpro 386
-The IBM PS/2
-The Apple Macintosh
The Laptop Personal Computer is a computer that people can take with them, laptop is used by a single individual but can be used in many different places, it is not confined by its size or weight to a desktop. It has the same components as a desktop machine but in most cases the monitor is built in. The printer is usually separate.
Laptops fall into the same general categories as desktop personal computers:
-PC-compatibles
-ABM PC/2
-Apple Macintosh portable
Managers and employees who travel frequently use laptops to keep in touch with their office. Sales representatives keep company information on their laptops to show prospective clients, and send electronic orders into the company computers. Writers use laptops so they can work on their manuscript no matter where they are.
There are many portables available today, some weigh as much as 15 pounds, while others weigh as little as 3 pounds. There are laptops so small they fit in the palm of your hand. There are laptops that fit in a briefcase, called notebook computers.
The Workstation is a computer that fits on a desktop, but is more powerful than a desktop computer. The workstation has a more powerful microprocessor, is able to service more than one user, has an easy to use interface and is capable of multitasking. While these three characteristics used to be unique to workstation, they are being adapted to the more powerful 386 and 486 personal computers over time.
Workstations are designed for three major tasks: scientific and engineering, office automation and education.
The Minicomputer, or mini, is a versatile special or general-purpose computer designed so that many people can use it at the same time. Minis operate in ordinary indoor environments; some require air conditioning while others do not. Minis also can operate in less hospitable places such as on ships and planes.
Like all computers, the minicomputer is designed as a system. CPUs, terminals, printers and storage devices can be purchased separately. Mini systems are more mobile, easier to set up and install. A minicomputer system combined with specialized equipment and peripherals is designed to perform a specific task. A popular minicomputer is the Digital VAX Computer.
Mainframe is the largest general-purpose computer. It is designed to be used by hundreds even thousands of people. A mainframe uses the same basic building blocks of a computer system: the CPU, various I/O devices and external memory.
Most mainframe computers are general-purpose machines. In 1964 introduced the System/360 mainframe computer. It became the most popular mainframe in the computer history.
A Supercomputer is a very fast special-purpose computer designed to perform highly sophisticated or complex scientific calculations. For example calculating a prime number (one that is divisible only by 1 and itself),or the distance between planets. But computers permit turning many other problems into numbers, such as molecular modeling, geographic modeling and image processing.
Cray is a leading supercomputer maker, with IBM and Fujistsy as major competitors.
A Cray X-MP Supercomputer was used to help to make a movie called ‘The last starfighter’ Computer animation isn’t new but using the X-MP added a whole new dimension of sophistication. Its most remarkable accomplishment was creating the entire bridge of the alien’s starship, complete with animated aliens walking around next to real actors. Because the Cray could process the image in incredibly fine detail, the average viewer would think it looked absolutely real. The X-MP allowed animators to make illusion as convincing as reality itself.
It is interesting to know that ...
PCs and PC-compatibles are used in organization of all sizes. PCs are an office time saver, allowing the staff to write press releases and legislative testimony, performs accounting tasks, and prepares mailing lists more quickly. It is also paves the way for organization to complete more effectively with other public interest groups. Today, over 80 percent of Public Citizen’s employees use PC-compatibles. Word processing has replaced typewriters, hard disk drive storage has reduced the amount of paper kept in filing cabinets, and laser printing has cut their outside printing costs dramatically.
Banks have traditionally used the latest computer technology to automate their own operations, but First Banks for Business found a way to use personal computers to improve customer service. In the past, when a customer wanted to cash a check, the signature card had to be compared to verify identity. That meant looking through a card file or containing central book-keeping, which could take as long as 30 minutes.
Now Banks for Business installed PC-2s with special graphics capabilities and software called Signet to perform the task. When the letters retrieve customer account information from the computer, they see the authorized signatures appear right on the screen. The system also tells them what other signatories are permitted on the account or if two signatures are required to cash a check. The banks say the main reason customers change banks is due to bad service. Using the powerful PS-2s signet, they can cash a customer’s cheek in a minute or less.
People use laptops for many of the same tasks that they use desktops and more.
Astrophysicists use Sun Microsystems workstations for their engineering work. They routinely sketch graphs and diagrams on the screen using computer-aided drafting software, as well as sophisticated calculation software to test mathematical equations. They also exchange ideas and information with each other in electronic messages. One project they have worked on in cooperation with NASA is the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysic Facility. It is an observatory in space that will measure cosmic Xrays, which are invisible an earth. The astrophysicists hope that the information provided will help them understand better how the universe was formed and what is eventual fate will be.
The Sun workstation performed an additionally important task: helping gather visual and textual information into a comprehensive report for NASA to explain how an X-ray telescope would function abroad the observatory. Using electronic publishing software, they combined graphics screens, mathematical equations, and textual explanations into a document that took just six hours to prepare. Previously, it would have taken two days.
III. Fill in the necessary words:
1. ..... are generally classified as general – or special-purpose machine.
2. A special-purpose computer is designed and used ..... for one application.
3. Personal computer ..... on a desktop.
4. Each type of a personal computer ..... many characteristics in common with their counterparts.
5. There are many portables ..... today.
6. CPUs, terminals, printers and storage devices can be ..... separately.
IV. Agree or disagree with the following statements:
1. All computer systems have the same five hardware components.
2. Input/output devices receive data, enter it into the computer for processing, then send it back to people so it can be used.
3. Storage components don’t keep data for later use.
4. Computers are general-purpose machines.
5. The machine may need to be redesigned and certainly reprogrammed.
6. We can’t say, that there are different types of computers.
V. Ask questions to which the following statements might be the answer:
1. Desktop personal computers are used for education, running a small business or in large corporation to help office workers be more productive.
2. Laptops fall into the same general categories as desktop personal computers.
3. The workstation is a computer that fits on a desktop.
4. Workstations are designed for three major tasks.
5. A minicomputer system combined with specialized equipment and peripherals is designed to perform a specific task.
6. A mainframe uses the same basic building blocks of a computer system: the CPU, I/O devices and external memory.
VI. Answer the following questions:
1. What have all computers in common?
2. How can we classify computers?
3. What are general /special-purpose computers used for?
4. What are three primary types of personal computers?
5. What is the primary difference between personal computer and workstation?
6. What are major tasks of a workstation?
7. What is minicomputer used for?
8. What does the supercomputer differ from the general-purpose mainframe computer?
9. What are two main characteristics of the supercomputer?
VII. Find the synonyms to the following words:
VIII. Find the antonyms to the following words:
IX. Match the words of the first column with those of the second one:
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1. regardless 2. to enter 3. a routing 4. to direct 5. to modify 6. to purchase 7. to convince 8. solely 9. to monitor 10. occurrence 11. to afford 12. to confine 13. a palm |
1. убеждать 2. проверять 3. покупать 4. ограничиваться 5. входить 6. видоизменять 7. программа 8. не обращая внимание 9. ладонь 10. представлять/ быть в состоянии 11. исключительно 12. управлять 13. случай |
X. Give the definitions to the following terms:
1. computer
2. supercomputer
3. special-purpose computer
4. general-purpose computer
5. personal computer
6. minicomputer
7. mainframe
8. workstation
XI. Retell the text.