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As Apple®grows in popularity, the Mac®versus PC debate Meanwhile, PCs are noted for their fast processing speed
continues. Many businesses experience trouble choosing and adaptability. Users can customize a PC to their needs.
between the two. However, businesses must realize that Additionally, their video subsystems are more powerful. This
each computer is suited for different needs. makes PCs desirable for game designers and others who need
The two differ most in their operating systems. With a PC you advanced graphics.
have a variety of OS options from Microsoft® and other However, both computers have their limitations. While PCs
sources. Macs® come with one of the proprietary Apple® are cheaper, they are also more susceptible to viruses.
OSes like OS X®. You can install Windows®on a Mac®, but Macs® usually cost more but are less susceptible to
many users prefer the Mac® OS regardless. computer viruses. However, Macs®tend to have fewer third-
Macs®have proven themselves vital in publishing, particularly party software options than PCs. Businesses need to
the prepress process. Mac® has superior typography and consider such concerns and make the right decision when
color matching. Once printed, products look exactly as buying computers for their companies.
good as they do on the computer screen.

Get ready! Vocabulary

0 Before you read the passage, talk about 0 Match the words (1-7) with the definitions
these questions. (A-G).
1 Why do people prefer one operating system 1 _Apple® 5 _ processing speed
over another?
2 _Windows® 6 _ video subsystem
2 How might one operating system benefit a 3 _customize 7 _ Microsoft®
company more than another?
4 _OSX®
Reading A company that creates the most common PC
@ Read the computer magazine article. Then, operating system
mark the statements as true (T) or false (F). B part of a computer that creates visuals
C a measurement of how quickly a computer works
1 _ Macs® are generally more expensive than
PCs. D operating system for PCs
2 _ PCs are better suited to publishing. E changing a computer for your needs
3 _ PCs have fewer options from third-party F operating system for Macs®
software producers. G company that creates Macs®
4
0 Fill in the blanks with the correct words: Mac®, Speaking
prepress, co/or matching, PC, typography
fa) With a partner, act out the
1 A comes with OS X®. roles below based on Task 7.
2 Publishing software is needed for the process. Then, switch roles.
3 Good means anything printed out looks
USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
exactly like what's on screen.
We're switching to PCs.
4 I'm getting a because I like the Windows® OS.
You can customize PCs.
5 The on this computer includes hundreds of
But Macs® have slower processing
fonts.
speeds.

0 g Listen and read the computer magazine article

again. What makes the PC more popular with game Student A: Talk to Student B
designers? about:
• switching to PCs
Listening • benefits of PCs

0 g Listen to a conversation between two employees • drawbacks of Macs®

at a publishing company. Choose the correct answers.
1 What is the conversation mostly about? Student B: You are an
employee. Talk to Student A
A customizing PCs for publishing
about the benefits of Macs®.
B locating third-party software options
C finding publishing programs for Mac®
D the differences between Macs® and PCs Writing
2 What can you infer about the employees?
0 You are an IT Worker at a
company. Use the article and
A They currently use Macs®. the conversation from Task 8
B They are unfamiliar with PCs. to write an email to
C They plan to request new Macs®. management recommending
the company purchase either
D They create and publish software.
Macs0 or PCs (120-150 words).
Talk about:
0 g Listen again and complete the conversation.
• Which type of computer you
Employee 1: Mr. Jackson has decided to update our would choose
computers. 1 _ ________ -----' • Why your company needs this
Employee 2: Really? PCs? I'm glad we're updating, but I'd rather type of computer
2 _ _______ _ • The benefits of the type of
Employee 1: You would? Not me. You can't customize a Mac®. computer you would choose
Employee 2: Sure, you 3 . But Macs® do • The drawbacks of the type of
some things so much better. computer you wouldn't choose

Employee 1: What do you mean?

Employee 2: The 4 and typography are more
sophisticated on a Mac® than on a PC. We need
that in publishing.
Employee 1: Okay, I'll give you that. But Macs® have 5 _ __
_ _ --~ don't they?
Employee 2: Maybe a little, but that's mostly with video, and we
barely use it.
5
 to Linu

Get ready! Over in the IT department we've received complaints about the office's
0 Before you read the passage talk computers. The hardware rtsett is fine. The problem, I believe, is the
operating system. The system is rife with communication errors and
about these questions. '
virus threats. Then, there's the fortune we spend on upgrading our
1 software every year. Thafs why I'm suggesting we switch to Linux 0 or
How is Linux® different from other
operating systems? some other OS related to Unix®. For example, Ubuntu0 is very popular
with users. Unux0 works with any hardware including both Macs0 and
2 Why would a business use Linux®?
PCs.
Linux 0 is free, open source and many of its programs have a free
software license. We can get Linux 0 distributions from
vendors that have entire software packages that we can use. For
example, Open0ffice 0 does everything that Microsoft Office 0
does.
I've talked to many staff members about this already. Some
expressed concern with the interface. Specifically, most people
I talked with thought Linux®required entering command lines into
a terminal. Actually, many Linux 0 operating systems use a
graphical interface just like the average desktop operating system.
As for networking, Linux 0 comes with a program called Samba 0 .
This program allows Linux 0 to interact with Windows®-based
clients. This means we don't have to worry about printer trouble
over the network once the TCP/IP protocol is reconfigured.
Please let me know if you have any follow up questions.

Reading .,
~ Read the email from an
IT employee to a manager.
Then, choose the correct answers.
1 What is the email mainly about?
A the benefits of changing operating systems
B ho~ to enter command lines into a terminal
C which Linux® distribution is right for the Vocabulary
company

D di~ferences between OpenOffice® @ Match the words (l

(A-G). •
?) .h
wit the definitions
Microsoft Office® and
1 -Ubuntu®
2 What is the benefit of Samba®? 5 - open source
2 - OpenOffice®
A It creates a graphical interface. 6 -Samba®
3 -vendor 7 - interface
B It improves printers' efficiency.
4 - terminal
C It is similar to Microsoft Office.
®
D It lets different operating systems interact.
A h_as :ord processing and spreadsheet programs
3 What can you infer about Brandon Pete ? B Linux -based operating system
A H rs .
e uses Linux® on his computer. C how users communicate with a computer
B He expects Linux® to increase costs. D allows Linux®computers to connect to networks
C He has only mentioned Linux® to Shirle E able to be modified by the user
D He thinks Linux® has fewer virus threat:· F distributes products and software
6
G used to input command lines
0 Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases Speaking
from the word bank.
@ With a partner, act out the

~
Linux 0
BANK

ree Linux 0 distribution

roles below based on Task 7.
Then, switch roles.
0
command line Microsoft Office TCP/IP protocol USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
I want to talk about that
1 You have to enter a _ _ _ _ _ to make the system do Linux® idea.
anything. Even the security software is free.
2 I can't decide which will work best for me. OpenOffice® is actually compatible.
3 You need to reconfigure the computer's to
get online.
Student A: An employee has
4 This program has a so anyone can use it.
suggested switching to Linux.
5 has an excellent word processing program. Ask Student B questions to find
6 I hate my current OS so I'm switching to _ _ _ __ out about:
• antivirus software
0 " Listen and read the email from an IT employee to • compatible programs
a manager again. What two problems does the • printing problems
employee think the operating systems has?

Student 8: You are an employee.

Listening Answer Student A's questions.
0 " Listen to a conversation between an IT worker
and a manager. Mark the following statements as true
(T) or false (F). Writing
1 _ Open source software has an increased threat of viruses. 0 Imagine that you are a
manager. You have decided to
2 _ Samba® automatically reconfigures TCP/IP protocols.
switch to Linux 0 . Use the
3 _ The manager does not approve the man's proposal. email and the conversation
from Task 8 to write an email
@ " Listen again and complete the conversation. to the staff of the company
that explains your decision

I
Manager: I assume we'd still have to buy antivirus software (120-150 words). Talk about:
that 1 Linux®. J • The switch to Linux®
IT Worker: 2 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -even the security
• The benefits of the switch
software is free.
• Programs that will be replaced
Manager: I see. Still, I'm not comfortable 3 _ _____
• Necessary changes

IT Worker: We don't have to. OpenOffice® is 4 _ _ _ __

with Office® and other programs.
Manager: My other concern is printer trouble. I don't want to
install Linux® and have our equipment suddenly
stop working.
IT Worker: That's why we'll get 5 . The
print server will act as if nothing changed.
Manager: That sounds too easy. Surely there's something
else to it.
IT Worker: Actually, I'll have to 6 _ _ _ _____
___ , but that's a small task.
7