77 Computers 158 A’ Hardware central processing unit (= the heart of the computer) DU (monitor) keyboard *™ mouse As well as the hardware (= the machines), you also need software (= the programs needed to work the machines). These programs are on disks, e.g, the hard disk inside the computer, or Moppy disks or on CD-ROMs (= Compact Disc Read Only Memory, a CD on which you can put a large amount of information). Operating a computer Using the mouse, you can do a number of things by clicking on different icons (= moving the mouse to point at different pictures at the top of the screen). (os) a L a — 1 ‘open anew — open an existing save the data print cut copy paste document document in this document What do people use computers for? A word processor is a computer used to prepare documents or letters, or the software that is used for this purpose. Many people use their computers for word processing, e.g. writing letters and reports. A lot of business people use spreadsheets (= a program used to enter and arrange numbers and financial information) and databases (= programs which allow you to store, lvak at oF change a lar information quickly and easily). Some people also use graphics (= the pictures and symbols a computer program can produce). Important vocabulary More and more people are becoming computerliterate (= have experience of working with computers and know how to use them) as many programs and machines are so user-friendly (= easy to use}. You can now connect your computer to computers all over the world using the Internet (= a system thar allows computers to connect using telephone lines). People send each other e-mail (electeonic mail) messages using this system or network, If your computer is slow it may need more memory, Ie may crash (= stop working) if there is nor enough memory or if it has a bug {= a software problem; also a virus). Make sure you make a back-up copy of your work {= an extra copy on a floppy disk). English Vocabulary in Use (presintermediate & intermediote)770 772 77.3 77.4 Exercises Add another word, abbreviation, of part of a word, to complete common ‘computer’ words and phrases. 1 soft 7 a computer 2 aword 8 -ROM 3 floppy 9 laser 4 -friendly 10 lap 5 -literate 11 spread. 6 key. 12 =mail Can you remember what these symbols mean? 1 (x) 4 fay} 6 ‘@ Ss ‘’a ‘fl Complete this text about using a computer for word processing. (wrote a report on thet) _this morning. When | finished, __ out rwo copies = one for me and one for my boss. Then, without any warning, the computer went and I'm afraid | lost the whole document. This Is very unusual because normally |‘ the data while I'm writing and then make a /_____ copy when I have finished: this morning | forgot. Anyway. | gave the report to my boss, hoping that she would not ask me to change it in any way. She did. She thought it was a bit long and said it would be better if | used mor to illustrate some of the written information. She also thought it would make the report look more attractive. I went back and rewrote most of the report when the computer was OK, only | 2 part of the middle section which was rather repetitive, and | added extra as my boss advised. It did look better by the time I'd finished, and this time | remembered to it and make a 9 copy. Answer these questions, If possible, ask someone else the same questions. Do you have a computer at home? If so, what is it? Do you use computers at school/college/university/work? If so, what type? Whar do you use them for? Would you say you are compurer-literate? Do you find most computers user-friendly? What safiware progeams are you familiar with? Do you use e-mail? Have you used CD-ROM? If so, what programs did you use and why? Do you think ‘The Internet’ will have ant important influence on our daily lives? think it will be important in helping people from different countries to learn Enj weuaneene English Vocobulory in Use (preintermediote & intermediate) 159