Imagine that you are to make a report on the topic «Advantages of graphical user interface». While preparing it use the main information from the text and write 15 sentences.
Read, write the translation and learn the basic vocabulary terms:
accounts
adventure game
animated image
ASP (application service provider)
beneficial
best-established area
broadband
bursting point
button icons
complexity
criteria boxes
data centers
default button
developer tools
Dot-matrix printer
DTP (desktop publishing program)
facility
flexibility
games consoles
high-end
image editor
leased line
mail merging
outsourcing
package
payrolls
PIM (personal information manager)
pitfall
prohibitively expensive
referred to
remote access
search criteria
simulation program
small business tools
suite
to ensure
to fix
to handle
to manage the system
to run the application
Software is the word used to refer to programs (sets of computer instructions written in a computer language) and data that is input, processed and output by a computer system.
Applications programs are programs that allow the user to do various types of work on a computer e.g. wordprocessors, databases. A set of related applications programs is referred to as a package (or a suite). Common applications programs include:
wordprocessors |
for creating and editing texts |
spreadsheets |
for performing calculations using formulas |
databases |
for storing data so that it can be easily searched and sorted |
graphics |
for drawing |
games |
for playing fast action games |
accounts |
for keeping business accounts |
payroll |
for calculating salaries |
presentation program |
for creating multimedia slide shows |
for sending electronic mail messages |
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PIM (personal information manager) |
for keeping track of appointments, address book, task list, etc. |
DTP (desktop publishing program) |
for creating publications to be printed by a professional printer |
small business tools |
for performing various business tasks |
website editor |
for creating and editing webpages |
image editor |
for editing graphic images |
developer tools |
for writing programs to add features to existing applications and creating integrated program systems |
Some applications programs, such as wordprocessors, spreadsheets and databases, are commonly referred to as office programs because they are commonly used in a typical office. Office packages (or suites) such as Microsoft Office are sets of interrelated office programs. Different versions of office suites are usually available containing different combinations of programs. Mailmerging is a useful feature found in most office suites that combines a database with a wordprocessor document to automatically produce a copy of a standard letter for each record in the database.
A variety of computer hardware is used in the doctors' practice in this unit including:
PC
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common name for an IBM compatible personal computer
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network
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computers connected together.
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file server
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a powerful computer that stores and allows users access to data files on a network.
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laser printer |
a very high quality text and graphics printer that has a photosensitive drum that deposits toner powder on the paper |
dot-matrix printer
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a low quality printer that prints by hammering pins on the paper to print an image made up of dots. The hammering action means that it can print on special multipart paper where a number of copies are produced at the same time.
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CD-ROM |
a compact disk read only memory storage device that is cheap to produce and suitable for storing large amounts of data. |
For example, the Patient Browser program (GPASS) is a type of database for sorting and searching patient records. To search, you select different option screens by clicking on a tab with a mouse and inputting the search criteria (details of what you are looking for) in text boxes known as criteria boxes. Different button icons can be clicked to perform different operations e.g. the Find button. The default button is the option that is selected automatically.
Tomb Raider is a popular adventure game that has appeared in various versions. The main character is represented by a female animated image, known as Lara Croft. The user follows a storyline in which they have to solve puzzles and control the movements of the main character, sometimes having to react quickly to avoid dangerous obstacles. It is available on well-known games consoles (specialized games computers) called Play Station and Dreamcast manufactured by a company called Sega.
Sim City is a simulation program (a program that simulates real life) in which the user has to develop a city by building roads and 3D (three-dimensional) buildings, setting taxes, etc. They also have to control objects such as simulated cars and people. The user can download (copy from a server computer) additional objects and swap items with other users using a special website.
An ASP (application service provider) rents applications to users i.e. instead of buying software, the user pays for using applications as and when they need them.
The ASP provides the software, manages the hardware and provides storage space, security controls and the physical links to customers. The ASP normally leases storage space for programs and data from data centers (facilities for storing large amounts of information) owned by data storage specialists.
The user is provided with remote access (access communications network) to a wide variety of programs including: generic applications such as e-mail (electronic mail) and office suites, high-end (advanced) packages including large, complex business applications such as enterprise resource planning tools (e.g. SAP), business services, such as payroll and accounting systems, expensive specialist tools and e-commerce resources (electronic commerce - buying and selling on the Internet).
This gives the user more flexibility and saves them having to install and maintain programs, upgrade (install newer versions of programs), deal with viruses (programs that can reproduce themselves and are written with the purpose of causing damage or causing a computer to behave in an unusual way) and manage e-mail systems (electronic mail systems).
Disadvantages of this system include: the need for a broadband (high bandwidth i.e. a connection with a high signal capacity network connection or a leased line (a cable connection that is rented for use in a communications system) and dependence on the ASP to provide a secure, reliable, readily available service.
Task 1. Answer the following questions.
1. What are applications programs? 2. What is referred to as a package (or a suite)? 3. What applications programs do you know? 4. What programs are commonly referred to as office programs? Give an example of an office package. 5. What is a useful feature of most office suites? 6. What computer hardware is usually used in the doctors’ practice? 7. What is the Patient Browser program? 8. How do you search for patient records? 9. What is a default button? 10. What do you know about games consoles? 11. What simulation programs do you know? Give an example of such a program. How does it work? 12. What does the ASP provide? 13. What is the role of remote access? 14. What are advantages and disadvantages of this system?
Task 2. Find the English equivalents for the following Russian word combinations.
1. підготовка стандартних листів; 2. платіжна відомість; 3. база даних; 4. пересилати по лінії зв'язку; 5. пакет програм діловодства; 6. програма представлення даних; 7. критерії пошуку; 8. програма моделювання (імітації); 9. типові прикладні програми; 10. віддалений доступ; 11. виділена лінія; 12. пакет прикладних програм.
Task 3. Fill in the blanks with the words or word combinations from the box.
an ASP, flexibility, a leased line, default button, Microsoft office, office packages, electronic commerce package, search criteria, package |
1. A set of related applications programs is referred to as ____ . 2. ____... are sets of interrelated office programs. 3. This gives the user more ____... and saves them having to install and maintain programs. 4. _____ a cable connection that is rented for use in a communication system. 5. ____ – buying and selling on the Internet. 6. The ____... is the option that is selected automatically. 7. The ____... are the details of what you are working for. 8. ____... are sets of interrelated office programs. 9. ____ rents applications to users, i.e. instead of buying software.
Task 4. March the terms in Table A with the statements in Table B.
Table A |
Table B |
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Task 5. Mark the following as True or False.
1. The advantages of this system include: the need for a broadband network connection or a leased line. 2. Sim City is a simulation program in which the user has to develop a city by building roads and 3D (three-dimensional) buildings, setting taxes, etc. 3. Tomb Raider is a popular adventure game that appeared only in one version. 4. Applications programs are programs that allow the user to do various types of work on a computer e.g. wordprocessors, databases. 5. A set of related applications programs is referred to as database. 6. Tomb Raider is a popular office package. 7. Mailmerging is a useful feature found in most office suites. 8. The default button is the option that is selected automatically. 9. The Patient Browser Program is a type of adventure game that has appeared in various versions.
Task 6. Problem-Solving. Study these versions of Office Suite and which version provides the best for the following users. The versions are listed from cheapest to most expensive.
Office Suite Standard
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Office Suite Small Business Edition
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Office Suite Professional
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Office Suite Premium
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Office Suite Developer
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