IT Course Specification 2024/2025 - Mansoura University
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Mansoura University
2024
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Summary
This document is a course specification for English and Information Technology at Mansoura University for the 2024/2025 academic year. It outlines the course aims, learning outcomes, topics, and assessment methods, with a focus on the practical use of English in the information technology field. The course aims to equip students with the necessary English language skills for working in the IT industry.
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2024 / 2025 University: Mansoura University Faculty: Faculty of Arts Department: Dept. of English/ Specialized English Program Course specification: Course data Course title: English and Information Technology Leve...
2024 / 2025 University: Mansoura University Faculty: Faculty of Arts Department: Dept. of English/ Specialized English Program Course specification: Course data Course title: English and Information Technology Level: Second Meeting Days: Thursday Location: The first circular auditorium Time: 2 p.m. Office Hours: Tuesday 11:1 Course aims Overall aims of course: 1.Recognizing the most important uses of English in the world of information technology. 2.Recognizing the history of information technology. 3. Learning IT terminology in English i.e., acquiring professional vocabulary, linguistic means for expressing different language functions and developing language skills necessary for effective communication with colleagues, business partners and institutions in the competitive international environment of the information and communication sector. 5. Providing students with the required skills that enable them to work for IT companies. 6. providing students with a foundation of English language to be used for talking about some topics related to IT such as the basic computer hardware and software operations, etc. Intended Learning Outcomes of Course (ILOs) a-Knowledge and understanding: By the end of this course the student should be able to: a1. understand the concept of information technology. a2. recognize the difference between IT and ICT. a3. learn IT vocabulary, terms, and abbreviations in English. a.4 understand different commands related to IT in English. b-Intellectual skills: By the end of this course the student should be able to: b1. critically analyze some long texts and reports on different topics related to Information Technology to extract specific information. b2. analyze, speak, and write the words required to function in an English speaking IT job. b3. apply the acquired skills of English language in Information and Communication Technology. C-Professional and practical skills: By the end of this course the student should be able to: c1. use the English language for giving instructions for using some IT processes, such as GUI (Graphical User Interface which is the windows, buttons, icons, menus and other elements which most programs use to communicate with users and accept input from them). c2. employ the IT knowledge to be ready to answer any questions in any IT job interview. d-General and transferable skills: By the end of this course the student should be able to: d1. engage in collaborative work and master the skills of team leadership. d2. collect and present information in an appropriate manner d3. express ideas precisely and concisely Topics and contents No. Topic 1 Introduction to Information Technology- Significance of studying IT and ICT vocabulary, Types of Information Technology. 2 A Career in Information Technology- living with computer- A typical PC. 3 Personal Computer and Types of Computers- Types of computer Systems. 4 Motherboard 5 Input Devices 6 Output Devices 7 Storage Devices 8 Software- Processing- Disks and drivers 9 Windows Basics- Health and safety- Operating system and the GUI- 10 Computer Networks and Internet Access- Multimedia- 11 World Wide Web-E-mail- Web design- 12 Internet Safety- 13 Chatting and video conference- Internet security- E-commerce- Online banking- Mobile phones. 14 Prefix- suffix- compounds- collocations. 15 Typical language functions in ICT English Teaching and learning methods 1- Interactive Lectures 2. Presentations- Discussions 3. Assignments Student assessment Assessment schedules/semester: Method Week(s) Assignments All weeks Mid-Term Exam The fifth week Final Exam at the end of semester Links to References Links to 1. https://www.interbusiness.edu.ge/storage/books/82488578a07419 References 8b76d93885d970dcb3.pdf 2. https://www.english4it.com/ Links to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Co- introductory Vq0nY6zlYXB2UYO_FGXi30K_9uf_G/view?usp=sharing Lecture: Content Page Part One 2 Part Two 10 Part Three 138 Part One 1 Why Study IT (Information Technology) and ICT (Information Communication) Technology) Vocabulary? Over the past few years, there has been a consistent growth in interest in information technology. The IT sector is practically one of the most promising in terms of career prospects and economic impact in almost every developed country. In this field, knowledge of technical English is essential. There are social , linguistic and educational reasons for studying this type of language. Just read the technical specification of your PC or explore a few websites and you will soon realize that English is the language of computers and the internet. For example, lots of professionals, from engineers to desktop publishers, have to read technical documentation in English. In fact, in many companies English has become essential for working with computers. Beside, ICT English offers peculiar vocabulary, syntax and discourse functions that can be beneficial for developing your linguistic competence. Computer technologies continue to actively evolve, with new innovations emerging every year. International companies are constantly on the lookout for professionals who can become top-notch developers and elevate the company to new heights. Proficiency in the English language undoubtedly influences career growth and, in general, employment. The significance of technical English for IT professionals is becoming increasingly prominent. Professions that require knowledge of IT English: Software Developer Systems Analyst UI/UX Designer Web Developer Network Architect System Administrator Database Administrator Software Tester Technical Writer DevOps Engineer Recruiter HR Specialist What is information technology? Information technology (IT) is the use of computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. Typically, IT is used in the context of business operations, as opposed to the technology used for personal or entertainment purposes. The commercial use of IT encompasses both computer technology and telecommunications. 2 Harvard Business Review coined the term information technology in 1958 to distinguish between purpose-built machines designed to perform a limited scope of functions and general-purpose computing machines that could be programmed for various tasks. As the IT industry evolved from the mid-20th century, computing capability increased, while device cost and energy consumption decreased, a cycle that continues today when new technologies emerge. Types of information technology Information technology encompasses a wide range of technologies and systems that are used to store, retrieve, process and transmit data for specific use cases. Common information technology types include the following: Internet and web technologies. This includes the tools and protocols used to access, navigate and interact with information on the internet. Examples include web browsers, websites, web servers, Hypertext Markup Language, cascading style sheets, JavaScript, HTTP and other internet-related technologies. Cloud computing. This involves the delivery of computing resources and services over the internet on a pay-per-use basis. This can include infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, software as a service and cloud storage options. Databases. This includes IT systems and software used to store, organize and retrieve data. Examples include MySQL, NoSQL, relational database management systems and MongoDB. Artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI and ML-based IT technologies use algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Examples include speech recognition, image recognition and natural language processing. Cybersecurity. This type of IT includes technologies and best practices designed to protect IT systems, networks and data from unauthorized access, cyber attacks and other security threats. Cybersecurity can be enforced through firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, intrusion detection systems and security policies. Internet of things. This includes the network of interconnected devices and sensors that collect, exchange and analyze data. IoT technologies enable the integration of physical objects into computer systems, providing automation, monitoring and control in various domains. IT governance. This involves making policies and rules for the organization to ensure effective operation. Data analytics and business intelligence. BI focuses on tools and techniques for extracting insights from large data sets to support decision-making and business operations. This can include data mining, statistical analysis, data visualization and predictive modeling. 3 What does information technology encompass? The IT department ensures that the organization's systems, networks, applications, data and information all connect and function properly. The IT team handles the following three major areas: 1.Deploying and maintaining business applications, services and infrastructure -- including servers, networks and storage. 2.Monitoring, optimizing and troubleshooting the performance of applications, services and infrastructure. 3.Overseeing the security and governance of applications, services and infrastructure. Why is information technology important? Information Technology (IT) plays a vital role in today’s personal, commercial, and not-for- profit uses. In its simplest terms, IT is the application of computers and other electronic equipment to receive, store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data. This data becomes information when it is put into intelligible and useful forms for communication. The importance of IT is sometimes taken for granted because its applications are so widespread worldwide. We depend on it in our personal lives for communication, banking, social media, investments, research, and so much more. Organizations cannot exist today and expect to stay competitive without adequate Information Technology systems. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, home, and business security blockchain, drones, and IoT are some of the developing trends today that are revolutionizing the industry. IT is an ever-changing industry and those who want to stay at the forefront must adapt these innovations to their uses whether personal or otherwise. It's been said that data is what powers industries worldwide. Data processing plays a significant role in the following core business practices: Product development and design. Marketing and market research. Sales and invoicing. Data analysis and decision-making. Customer development and retention. 4 Accounting and taxes. Human resources and payroll. Regulatory compliance. Information technology plays a vital role for businesses in the following ways: 1.Facilitates communication and collaboration. IT enables seamless communication and collaboration across different locations and time zones. For example, global corporations that are spread across continents can use video conferencing, instant messaging and content collaboration tools to bridge geographical distances and communicate effectively. 2.Advances pervasive computing. Computing has penetrated practically every part of business and much of our personal lives. The ubiquity of computing -- also referred to as pervasive computing -- is another reason why IT is critical. Computing devices have evolved well beyond PCs and servers. Today, all businesses and most people have and use multiple computing devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, game consoles and even doorbells, thermostats, vacuums and many kitchen appliances. 3.Enhances efficiency and productivity. IT systems and tools streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks and provide access to real-time data, thereby improving the overall efficiency and productivity of businesses. For example, a retail company with an integrated IT system can use an automated inventory management tool to track stock levels in real time and replenish them through automatic reordering. 4.Enables access to information. IT provides access to vast amounts of information and knowledge in databases and online libraries, empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions and stay updated with the latest developments. 5.Supports innovation and creativity. IT fosters innovation by providing platforms for creative expression, experimentation and problem-solving. For example, consider a software development company utilizing IT platforms for innovation. Its developers can collaborate in virtual environments, experiment with new coding techniques and technologies and create groundbreaking software through iterative testing, feedback loops and problem-solving. 6.Supports critical business operations. IT is essential for the smooth functioning of modern businesses, from managing operations and finances to marketing and customer service. For example, most customer service teams use IT systems for efficient communication, issue resolution and feedback collection to ensure a positive user experience. 5 7.Helps with education and research. IT plays a vital role in education, providing access to educational resources, facilitating distance learning and supporting research endeavors. Remote learning technologies enable access to education from anywhere, bridging geographical barriers and providing opportunities for lifelong learning. 8.Provides cost savings. IT reduces costs associated with paper-based processes, manual labor and physical infrastructure, leading to significant savings for both businesses and individuals. 9.Provides connectivity to the internet. Virtually all IT devices, many of which are part of the IoT, tap into the internet, which interconnects billions of devices worldwide. Software vs. hardware When it comes to IT systems, both software and hardware are integral and interdependent components of computer systems. The following are some main differences between the two: Software: Software refers to a set of instructions that enable the hardware to perform specific tasks. It includes system software, application software and other programs that run on the computer. There are two categories of software: system software and applications. System software encompasses the computer programs that manage the basic computing functions. They include the following: Operating systems (OSes), BIOSes, Boot programs, Assemblers, Device drivers. Examples of business applications include the following: Databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Email servers, such as Microsoft Exchange, Web servers, such as Apache and Microsoft's Internet Information Services, etc. These applications use programmed instructions to manipulate, consolidate, disperse and otherwise work with data for a business purpose. Mobile applications that run on smartphones, tablets and other portable devices typically connect with cloud or data center applications over the internet. These applications have expanded the scope of computing and created a new category of software and telecommunications that requires special expertise to maintain. Hardware: Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer that come in many different forms, including the monitor, servers, central processing unit, keyboard and mouse. Computer servers run business applications. Servers interact with client devices in the client-server model. They also communicate with other servers across computer networks, which typically link to the internet. Storage is another type of hardware. It's any technology that holds information as data. Storage can be local on a specific server or shared among many servers, and it could be installed on-premises or accessed via a cloud service. Information that is stored can take 6 many forms, including file, multimedia, telephony, and web and sensor data. Storage hardware includes volatile RAM (random-access memory) as well as non-volatile tape, hard disk drives and solid-state drives. Telecom equipment -- comprising network interface cards, cabling, wireless communications and switching devices -- connects the hardware elements together and to external networks. Information technology vs. computer science When researching careers in IT, one is likely to come across the term computer science. While there's an overlap between IT and computer science, the two disciplines are distinct and require different courses of study to prepare for careers. IT is generally associated with the application of technology to deal with business issues. As such, the IT workforce is oriented toward developed technologies such as hardware systems, OSes and application software. Proficiency in IT is required to identify the hardware and software components that should be used to enhance a specific business process. IT pros work with a variety of technologies, such as server OSes, communications devices and software and applications. Career examples typically include roles such as database administrator, cybersecurity specialist and network administrator. Computer science focuses on the logic and design of the underpinnings of the components that IT experts use to assemble business systems. A strong mathematics background is required to pursue a computer science career. Much of the work in computer science involves developing the algorithms and logic and writing low-level code that enables computer systems to address business problems. Computer scientists might participate in the hardware and software engineering work required to develop products. They're also likely to delve into more abstract technologies, such as AI and ML. Roles in computer science include software developer, computer systems analyst, computer programmer and computer information research scientist. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a broader term for Information Technology (IT), which refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, computers, software, middleware, video-conferencing, social networking, and other media applications and services enabling users to access, retrieve, store, transmit, and manipulate information in a digital form. ICT and IT are two distinct fields that are easily confused. For those working in the tech industry, these differences are obvious, but for those looking to learn more about information technologies, it may be necessary to unpack these terms a bit. 7 IT (information technology) encompasses the use of computers, networks, computer software and other electronic or digital devices for the management and communication of information. ICT (information communication technology) focuses more on how digital technologies assist users in handling information. In essence, ICT is an extension of IT that focuses more on communication. Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, understand and manipulate information. ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and appliances with them such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICT includes any mode that transmits communication. ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving. It covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, process, transmit, or receive information electronically in a digital form (e.g., personal computers including smartphones, digital television, email, or robots). Skills Framework for the Information Age is one of many models for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals in the 21st century. IT vs. ICT in business While there's no universal definition for ICT, most agree that it has to do with the communication between people. IT, on the other hand, is more about the hardware and software that drives ICT. While IT focuses on the systems and tools that enable the management of digital information, ICT is focused more on the field of telecommunications. Both are essential to business and go hand-in-hand. 8 Part Two 9 CONTENTS Unit 1 Introduction to Information Technology ……………………... 6 Unit 2 A Career in Information Technology ………………………… 11 Unit 3 Personal Computer and Types of Computers ……………… 19 Unit 4 Motherboard …………………………………………................ 29 Review 1 Units 1–4.……………………………………………………….. 41 Unit 5 Input Devices ………………………………………………….... 43 Unit 6 Output Devices …………………………………………………. 52 Unit 7 Storage Devices ………………………………………………... 60 Unit 8 Software …………………………………………………………. 70 Review 2 Units 5–8.………………………………………..…………….... 83 Unit 9 Windows Basics ………………………………………………… 85 Unit 10 Computer Networks and Internet Access ……………........... 97 Unit 11 World Wide Web ……………………………………................. 108 Unit 12 Internet Safety ………………………………………………….. 120 Review 3 Units 9–12 ………………………..……………………………... 130 Extra Activities ……………………………………………………………………. 132 History of a Computer …………………………………………. 132 History of the Internet ………………………………………….. 137 Case Studies ……………………………………………………. 141 Review 4 Mock Credit Test ….……………………………………………. 143 Answer Key ……………………………………………………………………. 145 Audio and Video Transcripts …………………………………………………… 177 List of References …………………………………........................................... 196 List of Figures …………………………………................................................. 197 List of Audio and Video Recordings …………………………………............. 198 10 Unit 1 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY “The digital revolution is far more significant than the invention of writing or even of printing.” Douglas Carl Engelbart Activity 1 Discuss the quote. 2 What does IT deal with? 3 Which industries are associated with IT? 4 How has IT influenced the different areas of life? 5 How do you think developments in IT will affect work, commerce, the relationship between humans and computers and the other areas of life in the next few years? Text Information technology or Information and Communication Technology (hereinafter referred to as IT or just IT) is a broad subject concerned with technology and other aspects of managing and processing information, especially in large organizations. In particular, IT deals with the use of computers and telecommunications equipment to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information. The term IT is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Several industries are associated with information technology, including computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, Internet, telecom equipment, e-commerce and computer services. For that reason, computer professionals are often called IT specialists and the division of a company or university that deals with software technology is often called the IT department. In the Czech Republic education system, information technology was formally integrated into the school curriculum in the 1980s. With the arrival of the Internet and the broadband connections to all schools, the application of IT knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects became a reality. The potential and capabilities of modern IT systems are still growing exponentially fuelled by the progress in electronics, microsystems, networking, the ability to master increasingly complex cyber-physical systems and robots, and progress in data processing and human-machine interfaces. These developments provide major opportunities to develop the next generation of open platforms on top of which a multiplicity of innovative devices, systems and applications can be implemented. Vocabulary Practice Task 1: Match the definitions 1 – 6 to the verbs A – F. 1 ….. organize and manipulate data, usually large A convert amounts of numeric data B store 2 ….. find and bring back information C protect 3 ….. keep information safe from loss D process 4 ….. change data from one format to another E transmit 5 ….. copy data from a CPU to memory, or from F retrieve memory to a mass storage device 6 ….. pass information from one place to another 11 Task 2: Find the words in the text according to these definitions. 1 …………………….. any of various solid crystalline substances used especially as a base material for computer chips and other electronic devices 2 …………………….. technology of very small devices made of silicon or polymer which perform non-electronic functions such as typically sensing and actuation 3 …………………….. a specialized functional area within an organization where experts in electronic communications of all kinds work 4 …………………….. business transactions conducted on the Internet 5 …………………….. grouping of two or more computer systems linked together 6 …………………….. the science dealing with the development and application of devices involving flow of electrons in a vacuum, gaseous media and semiconductors 7 …………………….. boundaries across which two independent systems meet and act on or communicate with each other Listening Listen to Ian Pearson, a futurologist, talking about the development of technologies and the impact these could have on business and society. Task 1: Which coloured line on the diagram below represents the different areas of technology? 1 ……………… Telecoms 2 ……………… Society 3 ……………… Business 4 ……………… Software/Hardware Task 2: Match the numbered boxes 1 – 7 on the diagram with the innovations. A ….. contact lens display screens B ….. RFID replaces barcodes C ….. biometric scanners replace ID cards D ….. free voice calls E ….. VR escapism a growing social problem F ….. thought recognition G ….. desktop computers that can compute as fast as the human brain 12 Speaking 1 1 Have any of the predictions of Ian Pearson already come true? 2 Are there any predictions that will come true sooner than the listening extract suggests? 3 Are there any of these predictions that you think will not come true? 4 What other predictions would you make about the future of hardware, software, telecoms, or IT? Reading Peter Wilson ….. The world is now plugged in, and countries are connected up using a mixture of terrestrial networks, undersea cables, satellite and microwave communications, Wi-Max and Wi-Fi, GSM and 3G. The move from packet-based services to the Internet protocol means everyone expects to communicate voice, data and video from anywhere to anywhere, globally. The availability of wide area data services such as MPLS and Ethernet have spread all over the world, allowing companies to manage and communicate with their operations wherever they may be. A reason for this has been the fall in bandwidth costs, and broadband is getting cheaper and cheaper. Services can now deliver tens or even hundreds of megabits of bandwidth into individual homes for much less money than a 84Kb line that a whole factory might have used to run its operation only a few years ago. Jenny Lane ….. In 1965 Gordon Moore stated that the number of transistors on a chip would double about every two years. And that has more or less remained true since then. As we write. a single chip can hold about 1 billion transistors each making 3 billion binary calculations per second. There has been a huge increase in the volume of data and data storage capacity required for this; secondly, there has been a significant decrease in the size and power consumption of hardware and finally manufacturing costs are falling significantly. The result is that there are more and more powerful computers in our lives, and even handheld devices can store gigabytes of data holding thousands of MP3 music files or hundreds of films. Sanjay Ravi ….. The internet is changing the way we access, buy and use applications. We go online and download the software we want onto our computer, like any other digital product. Increasingly we don’t even have the software on our hardware but visit an internet site and use that application as a service. The use of this Software as a Service (SaaS) model means that we may not need such powerful computers in the future. We have seen the impact of off-shoring and the rise of India as the world centre of software development and application management. We are also seeing some of the smartest applications and services coming out of people’s bedrooms; more and more experts are producing Open source software, which is becoming more and more popular, creating a real threat to the big corporations. Task 1: Read the magazine article about trends in IT. Match the industry leader to their area of expertise. A software B telecoms C hardware 13 Task 2: Say if the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the text. According to Peter Wilson: 1 ….. most countries are connected up with undersea cables. 2 ….. many countries have unreliable mobile phone networks. 3 ….. recently bandwidth costs have risen dramatically. According to Jenny Lane: 4 ….. Moore’s predictions have been fairly accurate. 5 ….. a typical chip can now hold 3 billion transistors. 6 ….. both data storage capacity and power consumption have gone up. According to Sanjay Ravi: 7 ….. fewer people are going to computer stores to buy software. 8 ….. SaaS will require ordinary users to have more powerful computers. 9 ….. software development needs the support of a big corporation to succeed. Language Functions: Predicting We can use different expressions to talk about how sure we are that something will happen in the future. 100% will definitely be sure to, be bound to, be certain to 75% will probably be likely to, there’s a good chance that 50% will possibly may, might, could 25% probably won’t be unlikely to 0% definitely won’t there’s no chance that Example: The mouse is bound to disappear in the next few years. Speaking 2 Work with a partner. You each have some predictions about two more areas of technology. Make predictions and show how sure you are about them. Student A: You are an expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Tell your partner about your predictions in your field. You are very certain about your predictions in the near future but less certain about predictions in the more distant future. AI entitles given basic ‘human’ rights – 2022 Computers more intelligent than humans – 2025 AI graduates from the University – 2040 Living genetically engineered teddy bear – 2045 Robot team beats England football team – 2050 Student B: You are an expert in the field of Biotechnology. Tell your partner about your predictions in your field. You are very certain about your predictions in the near future but less certain about predictions in the more distant future. Microchip implants obligatory for everybody – 2022 Artificial brain implemented – 2025 Nano devices implanted in blood – 2040 Robots replace surgeons in all hospitals – 2045 Virus crosses from machines to humans – 2050 14 Unit 1 WORDLIST 3G [θriːdʒi:] třetí generace mobilních telekomunikačních technologií (nabízí možnost bezdrátového přenosu s rychlostí alespoň 200 kbit/s) bandwidth [ˈbændwɪdθ] šířka pásma (rozsah frekvencí elektromagnetického signálu nebo rozdíl nejvyšší a nejnižší frekvence, jednotkou je Hertz [Hz]) barcode [bɑːˈkəʊd] čárový kód biometric scanner [baɪə(ʊ)ˈmetrɪk ˈskænə] biometrický skener broadband [ˈbrɔːdbænd] širokopásmové připojení compute [kəmˈpjuːt] (vy)počítat, spočítat contact lens [ˈkɒntækt lenz] kontaktní čočky convergence [kənˈvɜːdʒəns] sbližování; konvergence, sbíhavost convert [kənˈvɜːt] konvertovat, převádět cyber-physical system [ˈsaɪbə ˈfɪzɪk(ə)l ˈsɪstəm] kyberneticko-fyzikální systém data processing [ˈdeɪtə ˈprəʊsesɪŋ] zpracování dat device [dɪˈvaɪs] přístroj, součástka, zařízení distribution technology distribuční technologie [dɪstrɪˈbjuːʃ(ə)n tekˈnɒlədʒi] e-commerce [iː ˈkɒmɜːs] obchodování po internetu electronics [ɪlekˈtrɒnɪks] elektronika encompass [ɪnˈkʌmpəs] zahrnovat, pokrývat entity [ˈentɪti] entita, subjekt hardware [ˈhɑːdweə] hardware (technické vybavení počítače) human-machine interface rozhraní člověk-stroj [ˈhjuːmən məˈʃiːn ˈɪntəfeɪs] implement [ˈɪmplɪment] implementovat, uskutečnit, zavést implementation [ɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃ(ə)n] implementace, zavedení, realizace information and communication technology informační a komunikační technologie [ɪnfəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n ənd kəmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n tekˈnɒlədʒi] IT specialist [aɪsiːˈtiː ˈspeʃəlɪst] odborník na výpočetní techniku/IKT IT department [aɪsiːˈtiː dɪˈpɑːtm(ə)nt] oddělení výpočetní techniky/IKT manipulate [məˈnɪpjʊleɪt] zpracovávat; zacházet, manipulovat market share [mɑːkɪt ˈʃeə] tržní podíl microsystems [ˈmaɪkrəʊˈsɪstəmz] mikrosystémy multiplicity [mʌltɪˈplɪsɪti] rozmanitost, velký počet networking [ˈnetwɜːkɪŋ] síťové sdílení, propojování (počítačů) off-shoring [ɒfˈʃɔːrɪŋ] přemístění činností organizace do jiné organizace v zahraničí, kde jsou nižší náklady platform [ˈplætfɔːm] platforma (pracovní prostředí, jak po stránce hardware, tak i software) process [prəˈses] zpracovat protect [prəˈtekt] chránit radio-frequency identification (RFID) radiofrekvenční identifikace [ˈreɪdɪəʊ ˈfriːkw(ə)nsi aɪdentɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n; ɑːefaɪˈdiː] retrieve [rɪˈtriːv] získat semiconductor [semɪkənˈdʌktə] polovodič software [ˈsɒf(t)weə] software (programové vybavení počítače) Software as a Service (SaaS) pronájem software (způsob poskytování licencí [ˈsɒf(t)weə əz ə ˈsɜːvɪs; sas] software, při kterém zákazník nekupuje licenci software, ale používá jej formou služby, př. cloudové aplikace) store [stɔː] uchovávat, uložit surveillance [səˈveɪl(ə)ns] sledování, dohled, dozor telecom equipment [ˈtelɪkɒm ɪˈkwɪpm(ə)nt] telekomunikační vybavení terrestrial network [təˈrestrɪəl ˈnetwɜːk] pozemní síť transmit [trænzˈmɪt] přenášet 15 Unit 2 A CAREER IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY “Why join the navy if you can be a pirate?” Steve Jobs Activity 1 Discuss the quote. 2 Why are careers in the IT field in high demand? 3 What do IT professionals do? 4 What skills must an IT professional have? 5 What field(s) of IT are you interested in and why? Text The IT industry is one of the fastest growing and changing fields. Technology is developing rapidly, and new devices and systems are constantly being created to provide faster and more efficient methods for information and communication technology. Careers in the IT field are in high demand and the industry is expected to grow. Professionals in IT careers may work in commercial service sectors and IT companies. Careers in information and communication technology fields include a variety of roles and tasks associated with planning, research, installing, maintenance and monitoring the performance of IT systems and transmissions. Specialists typically focus on a specific computer network, database, or systems administration function. There are the following careers in IT: 1 ………………………… Manages projects, technology and people. Takes responsibility for the maintenance of servers and installation of new software, and for staffing a helpdesk and a support group. Is responsible for developing and implementing computer software that supports the operations of the business. Is responsible for multiple development projects and oversees the implementation and support of the system. Has to take responsibility for budgets and for staff. 2 ………………………… Studies methods of working within an organization to decide how tasks can be done efficiently by computers. Makes a detailed analysis of the employer’s requirements and work patterns to prepare a report on different options for using information technology. This may involve consideration of hardware as well as software. Either uses standard computer packages or writes a specification for programmers to adapt existing software or to prepare new software. May oversee the implementation and testing of a system and acts as a link between the user and the programmer. 3 ………………………… Maintains the link between PCs and workstations connected in a network. Uses telecommunications, software and electronic skills, and knowledge of the networking software to locate and connect faults. This may involve work with the controlling software, on the wiring, printed circuit boards, software or microchips on a file server, or on cables either within or outside the building. 4 ………………………… Researches, designs, and develops computers, or parts of computers and the computerized element of appliances, machines, and vehicles. Also involved in their manufacture, installation, and testing. May specialize in different areas: research and development, design, manufacturing. Has to be aware of cost, efficiency, safety, environmental factors, as well as engineering aspects. 5 ………………………… Produces the programs which control the internal operations of computers. Converts the system analyst’s specification to a logical series of steps. Translates these into the appropriate computer language. Often compiles programs from libraries or subprograms, combining these to make up a complete system program. Designs, tests and improves programs for computer-aided design and manufacture, business applications, computer networks and games. 16 6 ………………………… Advises potential customers about available hardware and sells equipment to suit individual requirements. Discusses computing needs with client to ensure that a suitable system can be supplied. Organizes the sale and delivery and, if necessary, installation and testing. May arrange support or training, maintenance and consultation. Must have sufficient technical knowledge. 7 ………………………… Is an analyst programmer who is responsible for maintaining updating and modifying the software used by a company. Some specialize in software which handles the basic operation of the computers. This involves the use of machine codes and specialized low-level computer languages. Most handle applications software. May sort out problems encountered by users. Solving problems may involve amending an area of code in the software, retrieving files and data lost when a system crashes, and a basic knowledge of hardware. 8 ………………………… Can be responsible for installation, maintenance or repair of computers and associated equipment. Installs hardware, ranging from personal computers to mainframe machines, and tests by running special software. Some technicians carry out routine servicing of large mainframe systems, aiming to avoid breakdowns. Others are called to identify and repair faults as quickly as possible usually by replacing faulty parts. Work can also involve upgrading machines usually on customers’ premises. 9 ………………………… Writes the programs which enable computer to carry out particular tasks. May write new programs or adapt existing programs, perhaps altering computer packages to meet the needs of an individual company. When writing a new program, follows a specification provided by a system analyst. Devises a series of logical steps and converts these to the appropriate computer language. Checks programs for faults and does extensive testing. 10 ………………………… Tests the security of networks systems and advises customers how to introduce and maintain security policies including setting up secure password systems, installing firewalls, keeping out hackers and dealing with viruses. Match these different types of IT jobs A – J with the descriptions 1 – 10 in the text. A Applications Programmer B Software Engineer/Software Designer C Computer Salesperson D System Analyst E IT Manager F Security Specialist G Hardware Engineer/Hardware Architect H System Support Person/System Administrator I Network Support Person/Network Engineer J Computer Services Engineering Technician Vocabulary Practice Complete the definitions with the verbs used in the text. 1 …………… – do and complete a task 2 …………… – invent something new or a new way of doing something 3 …………… – find or discover something 4 …………… – to change something slightly in order to correct a mistake or to improve it 5 …………… – find the exact position of something 6 …………… – put a new program onto a computer 7 …………… – change something in order to make it suitable for a new use or situation 8 …………… – translate instructions from one computer language into another so that a particular computer can understand them 9 …………… – deal with and control 10 …………… – change something from one system to another 17 Listening 1 Listen to four people on a training course introducing themselves and talking about their jobs. Choose each speaker’s occupation from the list of jobs A – H below. Speaker 1: ….. A software engineer B computer security specialist Speaker 2: ….. C blog administrator D helpdesk technician Speaker 3: ….. E DTP operator F hardware engineer Speaker 4: ….. G network administrator H webmaster Speaking 1 Task 1: Look at the picture and discuss what the picture shows. What do the individual parts of the picture represent and why? Task 2: Could the picture be associated with other IT professions? What parts of the picture would you change and why? Listening 2 Listen to the interview between Chris Scott, the Personnel Manager at Digitum-UK, and the candidate, Sarah Brown. Complete the following notes. Name: Sarah Brown Qualifications: Degree in …………………………….. (1) (Aston University) Languages: Basic Spanish and Italian Work experience: NCR*: …………………………….. (2) (one year) Software for: …………………………….. (3) Programs for: …………………………….. (4) Database knowledge: …………………………….. (5) Present job: Works for Intelligent Software writing programs in COBOL and C. Reasons for applying: ………………………………………………………………………………… (6) *NCR – abbrev. National Cash Register 18 Speaking 2 Work in pairs, A and B. Choose one of the computing careers from the list provided. Your partner must find out what your job is by asking only Yes/No questions. He/She should ask at least five questions. Student A: Student B: IT Manager Software Engineer System Analysts Computer Salesperson Network Engineer System Support Person Hardware Engineer Applications Programmer Reading Read the advertisement for a position at Golden Prairie Publishing and choose the correct answers. TOP-QUALITY RECRUITS InDesign Studio Publishing Now hiring: Desktop Publishing Specialist Golden Prairie Publishing is hiring a Desktop Publishing Specialist. Qualifications/Skills must include: 2+ years work in the field. Position requires college degree. Experience with desktop publishing software. A background in graphic communications and design. Skills to create electronic pages for print. Using text and clip art to make expert page layouts. Planning skills. Ability to turn a first sketch into a comprehensive layout. Familiarity with offset lithography or electrostatic printing methods, but not essential as full training will be given. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to [email protected] 1 The purpose of this advertisement is A to post a job opening B to describe a company C to start a publishing company D to sell a desktop publishing program 2 A job qualification is NOT A the ability to make clip art B project planning skills C a college education D the ability to make layouts 3 What can you infer from this advertisement? A The job pays well. B This is a managerial position. C The company is hiring from within. D Students do not meet the requirements. 19 Language functions: A Job Interview Possible questions a candidate for a job can expect in a job interview: Small talk to begin Did you have any trouble finding us? Did you find a parking space around here? How are you enjoying this hot weather/snow/etc.? Standard interview questions Tell us something about yourself. What university do/did you attend and why did you choose it? Why did you choose to study information technology? What do you know about our company? Why would you like to work here? Who would you consider to be our main competitors? What attracted you to this particular position? What do you see as your strengths? How do your skills and experience match the job requirements? What skills have you developed at university/in your current job? What languages can you speak? What do you like doing in your spare time? More difficult questions What do/did you dislike about university/your current job? How would you describe the way you work? Would you describe yourself as an ambitious person? What are your weaknesses? What skills do you think you need to improve? Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? Tell me about a time when you experienced pressure, at university or at work. Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision. Tell me about a time when you played an important role in a team. Possible questions a candidate for a job can ask in a job interview: Questions about the job Can you tell me exactly what I would be expected to do if I were hired for this position? What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first three months? Is there an employee performance review process? How often does that occur and can you walk me through a typical one? Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful or questions I can answer? Questions about the company What exactly does this company value the most, and how do you think my work for you will further these values? Can you tell me what the career paths are for this department and what sort of advancements I could work towards? Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with? Do you offer continuing education and professional training? What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? Task 1: Have you ever attended a job interview? What was it like? What were the most difficult questions you were asked? 20 Task 2: Problem-solving Work in pairs. Study these job requirements 1 – 6 and try to match them to the list of jobs A – F which follows. 1 2 3 at least 5 years (2 at senior able to manage, lead and proven track record in the level) in: Unix, Sybase or develop a team delivery of e-solutions in knowledge of C, C++, Delphi Oracle, Windows server experience of object-oriented banking environment 2012/16, Terminal Server, design within a commercial knowledge of Unix, NT and TCP/IP, Internet. environment Oracle strong project management ability to deliver software willingness to travel (2 years) projects against agreed internationally willingness to travel abroad schedules and within agreed estimates 4 5 6 minimum 4 years lifecycle minimum of 18 months experience of NT, Exchange, development experience commercial experience of Web SQL Server, Monitoring demonstrable skills using VB, development Software, Verta, TCP/IP SQL, RDBMS knowledge of HTML, Java, solid grasp of networking able to develop core s/w ASP 2 to 5 years’ experience in a excellent communication skills full portfolio of URLs network environment as examples A ….. Visual Basic Developer B ….. IT Engineer (Network & Database) C ….. Web Developer D ….. Network Support E ….. E-commerce Consultant F ….. Team Leader Speaking 3 Task 1: Role-play a job interview between an interviewer and a candidate for one of the jobs from the previous exercise. Ask some questions from the section Language Functions: A Job Interview. Student A: You are an interviewer. Ask at least ten questions. Student B: Choose one of the jobs and answer the interviewer’s questions. Ask at least two questions. Task 2: If you were an interviewer, give three reasons why you selected the candidate for the position. If you were a candidate, determine the two most difficult questions you were asked and give reasons why it was difficult to answer them. 21 Unit 2 WORDLIST adapt [əˈdæpt] přepracovat, přizpůsobit amend [əˈmend] pozměnit, opravit, doplnit applications programmer programátor aplikačního softwaru [æplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz ˈprəʊɡræmə] Application Service Provider (ASP) služba zákazníkům prostřednictvím sítě [æplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n ˈsɜːvɪs prəˈvaɪdə; eɪ esˈpiː] arrange [əˈreɪn(d)ʒ] zařídit; uspořádat blog administrator [blɒɡ ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtə] správce blogu carry out [ˈkærɪaʊt] provést, uskutečnit clip art [klɪp ɑːt] klipart compile [kəmˈpaɪl] sestavit computer salesperson prodavač výpočetní techniky [kəmˈpjuːtə ˈseɪlzpɜːs(ə)n] computer security specialist odborník na počítačovou bezpečnost [kəmˈpjuːtə sɪˈkjʊərɪti ˈspeʃ(ə)lɪst] computer services engineering technician opravář počítačů a serverů [kəmˈpjuːtə ˈsɜːvɪsɪz endʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ tekˈnɪʃ(ə)n] Delphi [ˈdelfi], [ˈdelfaɪ] integrované grafické vývojové prostředí firmy Borland určené pro tvorbu aplikací na platformě MS Windows v jazyce Object Pascal design [dɪˈzaɪn] navrhnout develop [dɪˈveləp] vyvinout devise [dɪˈvaɪz] navrhnout, vynalézt desktop publishing (DTP) [ˈdesktɒp ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ] tvorba tištěného dokumentu DTP operator [diːtiːˈpiː ˈɒpəreɪtə] DTP operátor/grafik e-commerce developer [iːˈkɒmɜːs dɪˈveləpə] vývojář elektronické komerce estimates [ˈestɪməts] kalkulace, předběžné odhady Exchange/Microsoft Exchange Server softwarový produkt, který slouží k výměně [ˈmaɪkɹoʊsɔft ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ ˈsɜːvə] emailových zpráv a sdílení zdrojů handle [ˈhænd(ə)l] řídit, ovládat, manipulovat hardware engineer/architect vývojový inženýr hardware [ˈhɑːdweə endʒɪˈnɪə/ˈɑːkɪtekt] help desk/helpdesk technician technik helpdesku (technické podpory [ˈhelpdesk tekˈnɪʃ(ə)n] v oblasti IT) identify [aɪˈdentɪfaɪ] (roz)poznat, identifikovat install [ɪnˈstɔːl] (na)instalovat IT manager [aɪˈtiː ˈmænɪdʒə] IT manažer/ředitel locate [lə(ʊ)ˈkeɪt] najít, lokalizovat, vypátrat maintenance [ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns] údržba monitoring [ˈmɒnɪtərɪŋ] monitoring, monitorování, sledování network administrator/engineer/ správce sítě support person [ˈnetwɜːk ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtə/endʒɪˈnɪə/ səˈpɔːt ˈpɜːs(ə)n] NT/Windows NT (New Technology) víceuživatelský a víceprocesorový operační [enˈtiː ˈwɪndəʊz; njuː tekˈnɒlədʒi] systém firmy Microsoft offset lithography [ˈɒfset lɪˈθɒɡrəfi] ofsetový tisk Oracle [ˈɒrək(ə)l] databázový software (Oracle Corporation – společnost vyvíjející nástroje pro vývoj a správu databází) oversee [əʊvəˈsiː] dohlížet, kontrolovat package [ˈpækɪdʒ] balíček page layout [peɪdʒ ˈleɪaʊt] grafické rozvržení tiskové nebo elektronické stránky project management [ˈprɒdʒekt ˈmænɪdʒm(ə)nt] projektový management, řízení projektů relational database management system systém správy databáze založený na (RDBMS) [rɪˈleɪʃ(ə)nl ˈdeɪtəbeɪs mænɪdʒm(ə)nt relačním modelu ˈsɪstəm] 22 research [ˈriːsɜːtʃ] výzkum, zkoumání; (pro)zkoumat software engineer/designer softwarový inženýr [ˈsɒf(t)weə endʒɪˈnɪə/ dɪˈzaɪnə] solid grasp [ˈsɒlɪd ɡrɑːsp] spolehlivé porozumění track record [træk ˈrekɔːd] přehled dosažených pracovních výsledků specification [spesɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n] specifikace, upřesnění Structured Query Language (SQL) standardizovaný strukturovaný dotazovací [ˈstrʌktʃəd ˈkwɪəri ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ; eskjuːel] jazyk používaný pro práci s daty v relačních databázích Sybase [ˈsaɪbeɪs] podnikový aplikační software system analyst [ˈsɪstəm ˈæn(ə)lɪst] systémový analytik system administrator/sysadmin/ systémový administrátor, správce systému system support person [ˈsɪstəm ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtə/ sɪsˈædmɪn/ səˈpɔːt ˈpɜːs(ə)n] test [test] (o)testovat, (pře)zkoušet VB (Visual Basic) [viːˈbiː; ˈvɪʒ(j)ʊəl ˈbeɪsɪk] programovací jazyk umožňující rychlý vývoj aplikací s grafickým uživatelským rozhraním, přístup k databázím a práci se vzdálenými objekty web developer/webmaster vývojář/správce webových stránek [web dɪˈveləpə/ ˈwebmɑːstə] 23 Unit 3 PERSONAL COMPUTER AND TYPES OF COMPUTERS “Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window.” Steve Wozniak Activity 1 Discuss the quote. 2 What kinds of computers are typical of personal use? Why? 3 What kinds of computers are used by large organizations? Why? 4 What kind of computer(s) do you have? 5 What are the main components and technical specifications of your computer system? Text Personal Computer The machine you think of as a ‘computer’ is more precisely called a ‘general-purpose digital electronic computer’. It is …………… (1) because it can be programmed to perform a wide variety of applications (making it different from a special-purpose computer designed to perform only one function). …………… (2) means that computer handles all data internally in the form of numbers (all of the numeric data, all of the text data, and even sounds and pictures are stored as numbers). The word digit originally meant ‘finger’ or ‘toe’ and since people started counting on their fingers, the word digit also came to be applied to numbers. A computer is an electronic machine that performs four functions: it …………… (3) (getting information into the machine); it …………… (4) (holding the information before and after processing); it …………… (5) (performing prescribed mathematical and logical operations on the information at high speed); and it …………… (6) (sending the results out to the user via some display method). A computer consists of hardware and software. The CPU (central processing unit), main memory and peripherals constitute what is known as hardware – the physical parts. The Control Unit (CU), the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the registers are the basic parts of the CPU. The RAM and the ROM make up the main memory. Peripherals are classified into three types: storage, input and output devices. Storage devices are made up of hard disk drives, optical disc drives and flash drives. They provide a permanent storage of both data and programs. Input devices are peripherals used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer. Examples of input devices include keyboards, pointing devices (e.g. mouse, touchpad etc.), scanners, digital cameras and webcams. Output devices are peripherals used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by a computer which converts the electronically generated information into human-readable format. Examples of output devices are the monitor and the printer. Software can be divided into two categories: (i) system software, which includes operating systems, programming tools, utility and security software, and (ii) application software, which comprises programs that let you do specific tasks (e.g. graphics, email). 24 Vocabulary Practice 1 Task 1: Fill in the following expressions into the gaps 1 – 6. A stores data B inputs data C digital D outputs data E processes data F general-purpose Task 2: Label the diagram with the correct terms. Computer system........................... (1) ………………. (2)......................... (3) Main memory ……………… (6) ………... (4) ………... (5) ….… (7) ….… (8) ….… (9) keyboard monitor hard disk mouse printer DVD drive Task 3: Complete the diagram and the sentences. ………... (C) Results take the form of ………... (A) ………... (B) words, pictures and sounds Raw data is presented Data is transformed into to the computer useful information ………... (D) Files and programs are held on disks 1 Computer ……………… is the visible or audible result of data processing – information that can be read, printed or heard by the user. 2 The CPU will process data as instructed by the programs you’re running. ……………… includes functions like calculating, sorting, editing, drawing and searching. 3 DVDs are expected to replace CDs as ……………… devices. 4 As a scanner, the Canon LiDE 400 can be used to ……………… photographs as well as documents into the computer. 25 Task 4: Read these quotations and say which computer essential they refer to. 1 ………….. Accelerate your digital lifestyle by choosing a Pentium at 4.3 GHz. 2 ………….. Right-click to display a context-sensitive menu. 3 ………….. You will see vivid, detailed images on a 17” display. 4 ………….. This will produce high-quality output, with sharp text and impressive graphics. 5 ………….. Use it when you want to let the grandparents watch the new baby sleeping. 6 ………….. Press any key to continue. Language Functions: Classifying ‘Classifying’ means putting things into groups or classes. We can classify types of computers, functions and parts of a computer, classes of software, etc. Classifying from general to specific: Classifying from specific to general: … are classified into X categories … is a type of … can be divided into X types/classes … are parts/components of There are X categories/types/classes of … … constitute … include … make up … consists of … is made up of … is composed of … comprise e.g. Storage media are classified into three e.g. OCR is a type of software which categories: magnetic, optical and flash recognizes characters. memory. Read the text The Personal Computer again. Task 1: Underline the expressions classifying from general to specific. Task 2: Underline the expressions classifying from specific to general. Speaking 1 Describe a diagram classifying the software components of your computer. 26 Text Types of Computers from a Historical Point of View A variety of computers have been designed for different purposes, with different capabilities and costs. Microcomputers A microcomputer is a computer that has a microprocessor chip (or multiple microprocessors) as its central processing unit (CPU). They are often called personal computers because they are designed to be used by one person at a time. Personal computers are typically used at home, at school, or at a business. Popular uses for microcomputers include word processing, surfing the Web, sending and receiving e-mail, spreadsheet calculations, database management, editing photographs, creating graphics, and playing music or games. Personal computers come in two major varieties, desktop computers and laptop computers: Desktop computers are large and not meant to be portable. They usually sit in one place on a desk or table and are plugged into a wall outlet for power. The case of the computer holds the motherboard, drives, power supply, and expansion cards. This case may lay flat horizontally on the desk, or it may be a tower that stands vertically (on the desk or under it). The computer usually has a separate monitor (either a CRT or LCD) although some designs have a display built into the case. A separate keyboard and mouse allow the user to input data and commands. Notebook or laptop computers are small and lightweight enough to be carried around with the user. They run on battery power, but can also be plugged into a wall outlet. They typically have a built-in LCD display that folds down to protect the display when the computer is carried around. They also feature a built-in keyboard and some kind of built-in pointing device (such as a touchpad). While some laptops are less powerful than typical desktop machines, this is not true in all cases. Laptops, however, cost more than desktop units of equivalent processing power because the smaller components needed to build laptops are more expensive. There were also less-powerful versions of notebook computers called subnotebooks, and netbooks that are used mainly to access the Internet, but now we have tablets and smartphones. Tablet Computers and Smartphones A tablet computer (often just called a tablet) generally has the format of a handheld slate consisting of a large LCD touchscreen used for both input and output. Tablets typically include a Wi-Fi and/or cellular network data connection to access the Internet. Tablets run applications specifically designed for these touchscreen devices, but they also can do some activities such as word processing or spreadsheets, although the lack of a physical keyboard usually makes such activities more cumbersome on tablets than they are on desktop or notebook machines. Examples of tablet computers include the Apple iPad and machines from various manufacturers that run the Android OS. Smartphones are high-end mobile phones that typically run operating systems similar to the tablet computers discussed above, so they often share the same applications as tablets. They combine the features of a mobile phone, PDA, camera, music player, GPS device, etc. Many smartphones use a touchscreen for input, but some include physical keyboards. Personal Digital Assistants and Palmtop Computers A personal digital assistant (PDA) was a handheld microcomputer that traded off power for small size and greater portability. They typically used a touch-sensitive LCD screen for both output and input (the user drew characters and pressed icons on the screen with a stylus). PDAs communicated with desktop computers and with each other either by cable connection, infrared (IR) beam, or radio waves. PDAs were normally used to keep track of appointment calendars, to-do lists, address books, and for taking notes. A palmtop or handheld PC was a very small microcomputer that also sacrificed power for small size and portability. These devices typically looked more like a tiny laptop than a PDA, with a flip-up screen and small keyboard. They used Windows Embedded Compact or a similar operating system for handheld devices. Some PDAs and palmtops contained wireless networking or cell phone devices so that users could check e- mail or surf the Web on the move. Workstations/Servers A workstation1 is a powerful, high-end microcomputer. They contain one or more microprocessor CPUs. They may be used by a single user for applications requiring more power than a typical PC (rendering complex graphics or performing intensive scientific calculations). Alternately, workstation-class microcomputers may be used as server computers that supply files to client computers over a network or the Internet. This class of 1 The term ‘workstation’ also has an alternate meaning. In networking, any client computer connected to the network that accesses server resources may be called a workstation. Such a network client workstation could be a personal computer or even a ‘workstation’ as defined at the top of this section. 27 powerful microcomputers can also be used to handle the processing for many users simultaneously who are connected via terminals; in this respect, high-end workstations have essentially supplanted the role of minicomputers. There are classes of computers that are not microcomputers. These include supercomputers, mainframes, and minicomputers. Minicomputers A minicomputer is a multi-user computer that is less powerful than a mainframe. This class of computers became available in the 1960’s when large scale integrated circuits made it possible to build a computer much cheaper than the then existing mainframes (minicomputers cost around $100,000 instead of the $1,000,000 cost of a mainframe). An example of a minicomputer is a PDP-11, model 40, an early member of DECs 16-bit minicomputer family. Mainframes A mainframe computer is a large, powerful computer that handles the processing for many users simultaneously (up to several hundred users). The name mainframe originated after minicomputers appeared in the 1960’s to distinguish the larger systems from the smaller minicomputers. Users connect to the mainframe using terminals and submit their tasks for processing by the mainframe. A terminal is a device that has a screen and keyboard for input and output, but it does not do its own processing (they are also called dumb terminals2 since they cannot process data on their own). The processing power of the mainframe is time-shared between all of the users. A personal computer may be used to ‘emulate’ a dumb terminal to connect to a mainframe or minicomputer; you run a program on the PC that pretends to be a dumb terminal. Mainframes typically cost several hundred thousand dollars. They are used in situations where a company wants the processing power and information storage in a centralized location. Mainframes are also now being used as high-capacity server computers for networks with many client workstations or for serving files over the Internet. Supercomputers A supercomputer is a mainframe computer that has been optimized for speed and processing power. The most famous series of supercomputers were designed by the company founded and named after Seymour Cray. The Cray-1 was built in the 1976 and installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Supercomputers are used for extremely calculation-intensive tasks, simulating nuclear bomb detonations, aerodynamic flows, and global weather patterns. A supercomputer typically costs several million dollars. Recently, some supercomputers have been constructed by connecting together large numbers of individual processing units (in some cases, these processing units are standard microcomputer hardware). Vocabulary Practice 2 Task 1: Name the types of computers in the pictures A – H and describe their main function. A ………….. B ………….. C ………….. D ………….. E ………….. F ………….. G ………….. H ………….. 2 Dumb terminals are not considered to be network workstations (client workstations on the network are capable of running programs independently of the server, but a terminal is not capable of independent processing). 28 Task 2: Match the possible users 1 – 7 below to each type of the computer A - H (sometimes more than one user is possible). 1 ………. travelling salesperson giving marketing presentations 2 ………. large company processing payroll data 3 ………. businessman keeping track of appointments while travelling 4 ………. large scientific organisation processing work on nuclear research 5 ………. marketing research person collecting data from the general public 6 ………. graphic designer 7 ………. elementary school pupil who needs to carry a computer to lessons Task 3: Fill in the type of computer according to the description. 1 ……………………… – a computer with a large size, amount of storage, processing power and high level of reliability, which is primarily used by large organizations requiring high volumes of data processing 2 ……………………… – a small and extremely lightweight mobile computing device (a mini laptop) with a small keyboard, but usually not CD/DVD drive, which has little processing power and storage space 3 ……………………… – a very small portable device that functions as a personal information manager 4 ……………………… – a large computer used for extremely calculation-intensive tasks such simulating nuclear bomb detonations, aerodynamic flows, and global weather patterns Language Functions: Qualifying and Comparing Comparing qualities and finding differences or similarities are common functions in IT. When you want to buy a new device, or you read articles about the latest computer or mobile phone, or need to make a decision about the most suitable IT system for you, you may have to use and understand expressions like the ones in the following examples: Qualifying adjectives You can buy a low-end, mid-range or high-end computer. To run highly demanding applications, you’ll need a fast processor, plentiful RAM and a spacious disk. Peripherals and software must be compatible with the new computer. The system should be expandable, i.e. it should allow you to add on new peripherals. Most standard computers offer integrated, built-in, sound cards. You can also buy separate external speakers. Make sure the system you buy is reliable, i.e. it’s not likely to go wrong. Comparison A flat-panel monitor is slimmer than a CRT. A PDA is more manageable than a laptop. Laser printers offer higher quality than ink-jet models, but ink-jet printers cost less money. You can type more easily with a separate keyboard. Free programs are as good as proprietary ones. A broadband line is the best option to download multimedia. This laptop is by far the cheapest of the three. The more memory you have, the faster you’ll be able to load your files. Contrast In contrast, this laptop is very fast and has a large screen. While a dial-up connection is usually cheap, it is very slow. A scanner can be useful, but it isn’t an essential peripheral. Unlike CRT monitors, TFT ones are light. 29 Similarity Similarly/Likewise, it has a high capacity hard disk. Both brand name and clone computers have similar features. Online shops as well as local retailers offer good value hardware. Task 1: Complete these sentences with qualifying adjectives from above. I wanted a powerful computer to work with ……………………… (1) multimedia applications, so I decided to buy a ……………………… (2) computer with a ……………………… (3) microprocessor, good graphics and sound cards and ……………………… (4) RAM. I didn’t know whether to buy a new or a used desktop. I just need it to write documents, but I was advised to buy as much as I could afford. Finally, I bought a ……………………… (5) but new desktop with 8 GB of memory, enough for my needs. I didn’t want my new computer to become outdated too quickly. That’s why I made sure it would be easily ……………………… (6) with enough space for add-in cards. Although many computers on the market have hard disk drives with a capacity of 160 GB to 12 TB, many home users want more ……………………… (7) drives because of their need for additional storage. This ‘Wireless Enterprise Communicator’ is the first realistic alternative to carrying around ……………………… (8) devices. It offers an ……………………… (9) mobile phone, GPS, barcode reader and hand-held computer. Before you subscribe to a music subscription service, make sure you have a ……………………… (10) player that supports the music formats available. Systems and devices are becoming more and more ……………………… (11) because reliability means manufacturers save money by having fewer tech support calls. Task 2: Complete the text about the advantages and disadvantages of laptops and desktop with words from above. ……………………… (1) desktops and laptops have ……………………… (2) components but they are built in a different way. ……………………… (3) desktops have ……………………… (4) space to expand the system, they are less manageable ……………………… (5) laptops. On the other hand, laptops are fully portable: they are lighter and ……………………… (6) and so more practical if you travel a lot and need to take your computer with you. ……………………… (7) desktops, the screen, keyboard and mouse of a laptop are integrated. However, most laptop owners prefer to have a separate mouse ……………………… (8) the touchpad. Similarly, as the keyboard is miniaturized, some people buy an external one for use at home. You can type ……………………… (9) easily if you use a full-size keyboard. A laptop’s CPU is slower ……………………… (10) access to data may be quicker, so its performance can be ……………………… (11) good as a desktop’s. It’s hard to say what the ……………………… (12) option is. But remember: in the computer world, ……………………… (13) smaller the device, the more money it costs. Speaking 2 Work in pairs and decide what to buy: a tablet or a laptop. Both devices have advantages and disadvantages. Compare these two devices in terms of: size portability weight price efficiency speed versatility 30 Listening Read the descriptions from the computer shop website. Listen to four people talking about their computer needs and choose the most suitable computer for each person. Give reasons for your choice. Speaker 1: ….. Speaker 2: ….. Speaker 3: ….. Speaker 4: ….. A Sun workstation Two AMD Opteron processors at 3.0 GHz 4 GB RAM; 32 GB maximum 1 terabyte hard drive and dual DVD drive 19” Sun TFT flat-panel LCD Supports several graphics formats Allows you to handle your toughest technical, scientific, and business-critical applications Supports Solaris, Windows and Linux £3,249 B Gateway C-141 convertible notebook Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor at 2.4 GHz 14” WXGA TFT touch screen Gateway Executive stylus pen 3 GB DDR2 in two slots 160 GB serial ATA hard drive DVD-ROM drive (DVD burner) Integrated modem and Bluetooth Windows 10 Thin and lightweight (1.17”, 2.4 kg) £805 C Sony Vaio AR laptop (VGN-AR51E) Intel Core 2 Duo Processor at 2 GHz 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 200 GB hard drive DVD+/-RW optical drive 17” WXGA high-definition LCD screen Memory Stick slot Three USB 2.0 ports Integrated wireless LAN Built-in ‘Motion Eye’ digital camera Lithium-ion battery Windows Vista Ultimate £899 D Dell Inspiron 531 desktop PC AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3072 MB DDR2 SDRAM Dell 22” Wide Flat Panel 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT video card 1.0 TB Hard Drive 16x DVD+/- RW Drive Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio Windows Vista Home Premium Optional features: Windows Media Center, integrated TV Tuner, and a Blu-ray disc drive for high- definition content From £849 Speaking 3 Work in pairs, A and B. Choose one device from the list provided and describe its configuration and use. Your partner must find out what type of the device it is. Student A Student B tablet computer smartphone laptop computer desktop computer PDA workstation minicomputer mainframe 31 Unit 3 WORDLIST accelerate [əkˈseləreɪt] zrychlit, urychlit aerodynamic flow [eərəʊdaɪˈnæmɪk fləʊ] aerodynamický tok application software [æplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n ˈsɒf(t)weə] aplikační software Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) aritmeticko-logická jednotka [əˈrɪθmətɪk ˈlɒdʒɪk ˈjuːnɪt; eɪelˈjuː] battery power [ˈbæt(ə)ri ˈpaʊə] bateriový, napájený baterií built-in [bɪltˈɪn] vestavěný calculation-intensive task početně náročné úkoly [kælkjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n ɪnˈtensɪv tɑːsk] case [keɪs] počítačová skříň cathode-ray tube (CRT) katodová obrazovka/(Braunova) trubice [ˈkæθəʊd reɪ tjuːb; siːɑːˈtiː] character [ˈkærəktə] znak, značka, symbol classifying [ˈklæsɪfaɪŋ] třídění, rozdělování do skupin client computer [ˈklaɪənt kəmˈpjuːtə] počítač, který přistupuje ke vzdálené službě na jiném počítačovém systému (serveru) command [kəˈmɑːnd] příkaz, instrukce Control Unit (CU) [kənˈtrəʊl ˈjuːnɪt; siːjuː] řadič cumbersome [ˈkʌmbəs(ə)m] neskladný, těžko ovladatelný database management správa databáze [ˈdeɪtəbeɪs ˈmænɪdʒm(ə)nt] desktop [ˈdesktɒp] desktop (tzn. počítačová skříň je naležato) desktop computer [ˈdesktɒp kəmˈpjuːtə] stolní počítač digit [ˈdɪdʒɪt] číslice, cifra digital camera [ˈdɪdʒɪt(ə)l ˈkæm(ə)rə] digitální fotoaparát display method [dɪˈspleɪ ˈmeθəd] zobrazovací metoda drive [draɪv] mechanika dumb terminal [dʌm ˈtɜːmɪn(ə)l] terminál, který závisí na hostitelském počítači editing [ˈedɪtɪŋ] korektura, úprava efficiency [ɪˈfɪʃ(ə)nsi] účinnost, efektivita emulate [ˈemjʊleɪt] emulovat; napodobovat, imitovat expandable [ɪkˈspændəb(ə)l] rozšiřitelný expansion card [ɪkˈspænʃ(ə)n kɑːd] rozšiřující karta file [faɪl] soubor flash drive [flæʃ draɪv] flashová paměť, flash disk flip-up screen [flɪpʌp skriːn] rozevírací obrazovka (u véček) fold down [fəʊld daʊn] složit se, složený general-purpose [ˈdʒen(ə)r(ə)l ˈpɜːpəs] univerzální global positioning system (GPS) globální polohovací systém [ˈɡləʊb(ə)l pəˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ ˈsɪstəm; dʒiːˈpiːˈes] global weather patterns globální meteorologické modely [ˈɡləʊb(ə)l ˈweðə ˈpat(ə)nz] handheld slate [ˈhændheld sleɪt] lehké, malé a přenosné elektronické zařízení s vlastním napájením ve tvaru tabulky hard disk drive [hɑːd dɪsk draɪv] pevný disk, jednotka pevného disku high-end [haɪˈend] špičkový, pro náročné highly demanding [ˈhaɪli dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ] vysoce náročný human-readable form [ˈhjuːmənˈriːdəb(ə)l fɔːm] člověkem čitelný formát icon [ˈaɪk(ə)n] ikona infrared (IR) beam [ɪnfrəˈred (aɪ ɑː) biːm] infračervený paprsek input device [ˈɪnpʊt dɪˈvaɪs] vstupní zařízení integrated [ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd] integrovaný, jednotný keyboard [ˈkiːbɔːd] klávesnice large scale [lɑːdʒ skeɪl] rozsáhlých/velkých rozměrů, ve velkém měřítku Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) displej na bázi tekutých krystalů [ˈlɪkwɪd krɪst(ə)l dɪˈspleɪ; elsiːˈdiː] lightweight [ˈlaɪtweɪt] lehký, odlehčený low-end [ˈləʊend] nižší třídy, pro nenáročné main memory [meɪn ˈmem(ə)ri] vnitřní paměť manageable [ˈmænɪdʒəb(ə)l] ovladatelný 32 microcomputer [ˈmaɪkrə(ʊ)kɒmpjuːtə] mikropočítač mid-range [ˈmɪdreɪndʒ] střední třídy/cenové kategorie minicomputer [ˈmɪnɪkəmpjuːtə] minipočítač mouse (pl. mice/mouses) [maʊs; maɪs/maʊsɪz] myš multi-user [mʌltɪˈjuːzə] víceuživatelský netbook [ˈnetbʊk] netbook (počítač menší než notebook, který se zaměřuje na mobilitu, upřednostňuje nízkou spotřebu, cenu i váhu) notebook/laptop (computer) [ˈnəʊtbʊk/ ˈlaptɒp] notebook/laptop (přenosný počítač) operating system (OS) [ˈɒpəreɪtɪŋ ˈsɪstəm; əʊes] operační systém (OS) optical disc drive [ˈɒptɪk(ə)l dɪsk draɪv] optická mechanika optimized [ˈɒptɪmaɪzd] optimalizovaný output device [ˈaʊtpʊt dɪˈvaɪs] výstupní zařízení palmtop (computer) [ˈpɑːmtɒp] palmtop (počítač do ruky) payroll data [ˈpeɪrəʊl ˈdeɪtə] data na výplatní pásce peripheral [pəˈrɪf(ə)r(ə)l] periferie personal digital assistant (PDA) osobní digitální pomocník (malý kapesní [ˈpɜːs(ə)n(ə)l ˈdɪdʒɪt(ə)l əˈsɪst(ə)nt; piːdiːˈeɪ] počítač) plentiful [ˈplentɪf(ə)l] početný, hojný plugged into [plʌɡt ˈɪntʊ] zapojený do pointing device [ˈpɔɪntɪŋ dɪˈvaɪs] ukazovací/polohovací zařízení portability [pɔːtəˈbɪlɪti] přenosnost power supply [ˈpaʊə səˈplaɪ] napájecí zdroj elektr. Energie present [prɪˈzent] předat; předložit programming tool [ˈprəʊɡræmɪŋ tuːl] programovací nástroj qualifying [ˈkwɒlɪfaɪŋ] posuzování register [ˈredʒɪstə] registr procesoru render [ˈrendə] poskytnout, udělat scanner [ˈskænə] skener separate keyboard [ˈsep(ə)rət ˈkiːbɔːd] samostatná/oddělená klávesnice separate monitor [ˈsep(ə)rət ˈmɒnɪtə] samostatný/oddělený monitor server [ˈsɜːvə] server simultaneously [sɪmlˈteɪnɪəsli] současně, souběžně, zároveň smartphone [ˈsmɑːtfəʊn] smartphone, chytrý telefon spacious [ˈspeɪʃəs] prostorný special-purpose computer [ˈspeʃ(ə)l ˈpɜːpəs] jednoúčelový počítač spreadsheet [ˈspredʃiːt] tabulkový procesor spreadsheet calculation [ˈspredʃiːt kalkjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n] výpočty pomocí tabulkového procesoru storage device [ˈstɔːrɪdʒ dɪˈvaɪs] paměťové zařízení stylus [ˈstaɪləs] dotykové pero subnotebook [sʌbˈnəʊtbʊk] subnotebook (předchůdce tabletu; počítač menší než notebook, který má obvykle mechaniky na výměnná média externí) supercomputer [ˈsuːpəkəmpjuːtə] superpočítač (velmi výkonný počítač; spojení mnoha počítačů dohromady) supply [səˈplaɪ] dodat, poskytnout, zabezpečovat system software [ˈsɪstəm ˈsɒf(t)weə] systémový software tablet (computer) [ˈtæblɪt] tablet to-do list [təˈduː lɪst] seznam úkolů touchpad [ˈtʌtʃpæd] touchpad (dotykové polohovací zařízení, jehož účelem je pohybovat kurzorem po obrazovce podle pohybů uživatelova prstu) touchscreen [ˈtʌtʃskriːn] dotykový displej/dotyková obrazovka touch-sensitive [tʌtʃ ˈsensɪtɪv] citlivý na dotek tower [ˈtaʊə] věž (tzn. počítačová skříň je nastojato) track of appointments [træk ɒv əˈpɔɪntm(ə)nts] záznam, sled schůzek utility software [juːˈtɪlɪti ˈsɒf(t)weə] utilita, pomocný program versatile [ˈvɜːsətaɪl] univerzální, mnohoúčelový; všestranný wall outlet [wɔːl ˈaʊtlet] zásuvka ve zdi webcam [ˈwebkæm] webová kamera word processing [wɜːd prəˈsesɪŋ] zpracování textu workstation [ˈwɜːksteɪʃ(ə)n] pracovní stanice (počítač s vysokým výkonem optimalizovaný pro náročnou grafiku a vědecké aplikace) 33 Unit 4 MOTHERBOARD “There are only 10 types of people in the world: those that understand binary and those that don’t.” Anonymous Activity 1 Discuss the quote. 2 How would you define the motherboard? 3 What are the basic components of the motherboard? 4 What is the main function of a microprocessor? 5 What unit of frequency is used to measure processor speed? Text The motherboard (also called the main circuit board, main logic board, mainboard, or systemboard) is the main printed circuit board (PCB) of the computer. It is a thin plate that holds microchips, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, connections to the computer’s ports (such as USB ports), and with copper circuitry traces that connect the components together. The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer. ……………………….. (1) This unit is a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon microprocessor chip about the size of a thumbnail built into the motherboard‘s CPU socket/slot, which is covered by the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU. The CPU executes program instructions and supervises the computer’s overall operation. It consis