BA a typical a om Computer essentials speaker ‘CPU (inside) Central Processing Unit printer keyboard modem HRD Parts of a computer A computer is an electronic machine that accepts, processes, stores and outputs information. A typical computer consists of two parts: hardware and software. Hardware is any electronic or mechanical part of the computer system that you can see or touch. Software is a set of instructions, called a program, which tells a computer what to do. ‘There are three hasic hardware sections, 1 The CPU is the heart of the computes, a microprocessor chip which processes dara and coordinates the activities of all the other units. 2 The main memory holds the instructions and dara which are being processed by the CPU, It has two main sections: RAM (random access memory] and ROM (read only memory). 3 Peripherals are the physical units attached to the compurez, They include: Input devices, which ler us enter dara and commands (e.g. the keyboard and the mouse). Output devices, which let us exerace che results (e.g. the monitor and the printer). Storage devices, which are used to store information permanently (e.g. hard disks and DVD-RW drives). Disk drives are usec! to read and write data on disks. At che back of a computer there are ports into which we can y plug external devices (eg. a scanner, a modem, etc.). They allow communication between the computer and the devices. USB conneeror USB ports Functions of a PC: input, processing, output, storage “4 _--Output Wie can see the result an the seen orin printed form T 1 7 Input Processing Storage We enter data with @ ‘The data is manioulatec accorcing We keep data and programs in memory systems eybaard, 2 webcam, ete, to program instructions where they are available for processing. Professional Engioh in Use ICT21 2.2 2.3 24 Look at A opposite. Read these quotations and say which computer essential they refer to, ‘Accelerate your digital lifestyle by choosing a Pentium at 4.3 GHz.” ‘Right-click to display a context-sensitive menu.” “You will see vivid, derailed images on a 17” display.” ‘This will produce high-quality output, with sharp sexe and impressive graphics” “Use it when you want to ler the grandparents watch the new baby sleeping.” “Press any key to continue.” aneeons Match the terms with their definitions. 1 CDIDVD drive a any socket into which a peripheral device may be connected 2 speaker b device used to produce voice output and play back music 3 modern ¢ mechanism that reads and/or writes 10 optical discs 4 port d device that converts data so that it can travel over the Internet Look at B opposite and label this diagram with the correct terms, Computer system programs: mecharicala word processor electronic parts ermal, ete Mean eeas = physical units a attache to the bee soesesgeees | computer ‘microprocessor hava __BUD drive Complete the diagram and sentences below with words from C opposite. Functions of 2 computer BF Fesultstake the form of wards, pictutes ane sounds, fovdea coeemed | Sa dad Sxeormed to the eompuiee, iiouetliformton ee Fles and programs are held on disks. 1 Computer ... wis 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 seplace CDs as devices, 4 Asa scanner, the Sigma-100 can be used ta ‘photographs as well as documents into the computer. anwar ea Access the Prafe me eum Renee ec eU Then do the act i Profession English in Use ICT 1sTypes of computer systems ces 16 From mainframes to wearable computers A mainframe is the most powerful type of computer. It can process and store large amounts of data. Tr supports mulriple users at the same rime and can support more simultaneous processes than a PC. The central system isa large server connected to hundreds of terminals over a network. Mainframes are used for large-scale computing purposes in banks, big companies and universities [A desktop PC has its own processing unit (or CPU), monitor and keyboard. It is used as a personal computer in the home or as a workstation for group work. Typical examples are the IBM PC and the Apple Macintosh. Its designed to be placed on your desk. Some models have a vertical case called a tower. A laptop (also called a notebook PC) is a lightweight computer that you can transport casily. It can work as fast as a desktop PC, with similar processors, memory capacity, and disk drives, but itis portable and has a smaller screen. Modern notebooks have a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen that produces very sharp images. Instead of a mouse, they have a touchpad built into the keyboard sensitive pad chat you can touch to move the pointer on the screen. They offer a lor of connectivity options: USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for connecting peripherals, slors for memory cards, etc. They come with battery packs, which let you use the computer when there are no electrical outlets available. A tablet PC looks like a book, with an LCD sereen on which you can write using a special digital pen. You can fold and rotate the screen 180 degrees. Your handwriting can be recognized and converted into editable text. You can also type at the detached keyboard or use voice revognition. Irs mobile and versatile. A personal digital assistant or PDA is a tiny computer which can be held in one hand. The term PDA refers to a wide variety of hand- held devices, palmcops and pocket PCs. For input, you type at a small keyboard or use a stylus ~ a special pen used with a touch sercen to select irems, draw pictures, ete. Some ‘models incorporate handwriting recognition, which enables a PDA to recognize characters written by hand. Some PDAs recognize spoken words by using voice recognition software. They can be used as mobile phones or as personal organizers for storing notes, reminders and addresses. They also let you access the Incernet via wireless technology, without cables. A wearable compater runs on batteries and is worn on the user's body, eg. on a belt, backpack or vest i is designed for mobile or hands-free operation, Some devices are equipped wich a wireless modem, a small keyboard and a screen; others are voice-activated and can access email or voice mail. Professional English in Use ICT3.1 3.2 3.3 Look at A opposite, Which type of computer do these descriptions refer to? 1 ahand-held computer which can be used as a telephone, a web explorer and a personal conrganizer 4 typical computer found ia many businesses and popular for home use a large computer used for intensive dara processing and often linked to many terminals, a small computer that fits into items of clothing a portable computer that can be closed up like a briefease, but it can be as powerful as a desktop PC a full-function PC, though it only weighs 1.2 kg you can go to @ meeting and write your notes on it, like a paper notepad; its screen mode éan be changed from portrait to landscape pau Look at the computer advertisement and find shiba Sai this information. _ «Intel Centrino processor F 2,024 MB RAM, 100 G8 hard disk drive 1 Wat best + DVD SuperMulli (¢/-R double layer) drive ba oo 5.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD display advertised? 85-key keyboard and touchpad 2 What kind of sereen 2 memory slots, 1 PC Card or PCNICIA slot doetit hay ‘Wireless communications: Wi-Fi compliancy and Bluetooth Spee 1:58 ports or connecting peripherals: dgtal camer, 3 Which pointing device | * ps says, modem eeplacen the mate ‘€-cell rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack 4 What type of ports does it have for connecting cameras and music players? § What sort of power supply does it use? Read this interview with Adam Hawkins, an TT manager, and complete it with words from the PDA section opposite. \ Interviewer: What are the basic features of a PDA? Adam: Well, a typical PDA is a (1) device that runs on batteries and combines computing, phone and Net capabilities. Interviewer: And how do you enter information? Adam: For input, you use a (2) oor pen: to write and make selections on a (3) ; they also have buttons for launching programs, Some models have a small keyboard. They may have a (4) suuinmanne S¥St€N that reacts to the user's voice. Interviewer: Do they need special software? Adam: Yes, most of them run on Windows Mobile. Palmtops supported by Palm Inc. use Palm OS. Pen-hased systems include (5) - ssn 50 you write on the sereen and the computer recognizes your handwriting and inserts the appropriate letters. Interviewer: What sort of things can you do with a PDA? Adam You can store personal information, take notes, draw diag calculations. Many PDAs can access the Net via (6) eseras oY ms and make technology. Bier eran Crore ne an ee TI ra Paes nin @ paragraph how laptops can be beneficial to business people. Write three examples of how tablet PCs can be used in the classroom. Professional English in Use ICT 7Input devices: type, click and talk! Interacting with your computer Input devices are the pieces of hardware which allow us to enter information into the computer, e8 digital camera mlzapbene. > seanner —— Joystick webeam YY sereen i yy graphics tablet lightpen touchpad trackball The keyboard A standard PC keyboard has various groups of keys. Alphanumeric keys ~ these represent lesters and numbers, arcanged as on a typewriten © A numeric keypad appears to the right of the main keyboard and contains numeric and editing keys: the Num Lock key is used to switch irom numbers zo editing functions. Function keys appear at the cop of the keyboard and can be programmed to do special jobs Cursor keys include ‘arrow keys’ which move the insertion point, and keys such as Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down, which ler you move around documents, & Dedicated keys are used ro issue commands or produce alternative characters. For example: ‘Curl changes the functions of other keys (e.g. Cir + X cuts the selected text, Caps Locle sets the keyboard in ‘CAPITALS’ modes it only affects letters. Enter (or Return) is pressed to select options from a meno or to start a new paragraph. Backspace dcletes the character to the leit of your cuzzent position. The mouse A mousc is a hand-held device that lets you move a pointer (or cursor) anid select items con the screen. Ie has one or more buttons to communicate with the PC. A scroll wheel lets you move through your documents or web pages The pointer looks like an -bar, an arrow or a pointing hand, An optical mouse has an optical sensor instead of a ball underneath. A.cordless (wireless) mouse has no cable; ie sends data via infrared signals or radio waves. Mouse actions: @ to click, press and release the left button. @ to double-click, pross and release the leit button twice. © to drag, hold down the button, move the pointer to a new place and then release the button. © ‘o right-click, press and release the right bustons this action displays a list of commands, Voice input ‘Today you can also interact with your computer by voice with a voice-recognition system that converts voice into text, so you can dictate text directly onto your word processor or email program, You can also control your PC with voice commands; this means you can Jaunch programs, open, save or print files. Some systems let you search the Web of chat using your voice instead of the keyboard. Professional English in Use iCT4.1 42 43 44 Look at A opposite. Which input device would you use for these tasks? to play computer games {0 copy images from paper into a computer to read price labels in a shop to select text and click om links on web pages to enter drawings and sketches into 2 computer to input voice commands and dictate text 10 deaw pictures or select meni options directly on the screen to take and store pictuces and then download them to a computer evaaeens Complete each scatence by choosing from the follawing devices: rouch sereem, trackball touchpad, webcant, 1 A gmmnsnnsn is stationary device that works like a mouse turned upside down. You roll the ball with your band to move the pointer om the screen 2 Interactive ocmmnonn are used in museums, informacion centres and Internet kiosks. ‘You use your finger to point directly to objects on the screen. ef Racoraas is used 10 send live video images via the Internet. 4A csmsnsoma is found on notebook PCs, You use it by pressing the sensitive pad with a finger. Label che groups of keys with terms from B opposite, Then identify the keys described below. 1 i 7 ne © GEeS races Saas 843 35 3! 6 It produces upper-case letters, but it does not affect numbers and symbols. 7 Ir removes the character to the left of the cursor or any selected text. 8 It works in combination with other keys, e.g. you press this key and C to copy the selected tex, 9 Iris used to confirm commands; in a word processor, it creates a new paragraph, Look at C opposite. Complete these sentences with the correct ‘mouse action’. 1 Te start a program or open a docurent YOU sexssonmnsnme ON its i¢on = that is, you rapidly press and release the mouse button twice 2 IF you want to select a menu option, YOU JUST em: ON the left button. 3 If you want to find the commands for a particular text, image, etc, you have to on it. 4 IF you want to move an object, press the bution and the object to the desired location. Diet eos inn ern ees catumrssyn SOOM ohare uous scum Pati nonin sea Toiec aroma: Aran ores Prenat nny “That must be the new neighbor T hear he's a real computer geek.” Protects Professional English in Use ICT 9