Lesson 2. The future of computers

I. Read and memorize the following words and words combinations:

advantage – преимущество

development work – работа по созданию

cost-effective – подходящий по цене

to design – конструировать, проектировать

incredibly – невероятно

to approach – приближаться

corresponding increase – соответствующее повышение

to accomplish – выполнять

pictorially – графически

to straighten out – расположить должным образом

actually – на самом деле, фактически

to be in a fairly widespread use – довольно широко использоваться

value – ценность

 

II. Read and translate the text.

During the past decade development work for extremely powerful and cost-effective computers has concentrated on new architectures. In place of “scalar” processors, the emphasis moved towards “vector” and “parallel” processors, commonly referred to as “supercomputers”. These machines are now in widespread use in many branches of science. Vectorization of quark field calculations in particle physics has improved performance by factors of ten or twenty compared with the traditional scalar algorithms.

Computers must still be programmed for every action they take which is a great limitation. How quickly the programmer can tell it what to do becomes a major drag on computer speeds. The time lag can be shortened by linking up different computers and designing more efficient ways to jam information in and pull it out of the machine, but the basic limitation of the step-by-step program remains.

The incredibly rapid speeds we are approaching will be of little value without a corresponding increase in the speed with which we can get at the computer-generated information. A new approach, called graphics, uses the cathode-ray tube — the picture tube of your TV set — to display the information pictorially. A light pen — actually an electronic pointer — can be touched to the screen, and conversation between man and machine can be accomplished. For example, the computer can flash a series of options on its screen. The scientist selects the one he wants by touching it with a light pen. The great advantage of these so-called graphic computers is in solving design problems and in coping with any trial-and-error situation.

The graphic computer offers the most flexible means of communication between man and machine yet developed. For example, the designer can draw a car roof on the screen with his light pen. The computer will do the mathematics required to straighten out the lines and, in effect, present a draftsman’s version of the designer’s idea. The computer will then offer a variety of options to the designer — “front view”, “cross section”, and so on. All the designer needs to do is to touch his light pen to the appropriate choice, and the computer does the rest.

Notes

Vectorization of quark field calculations in particle physics has improved performance by factors of ten or twenty – векторизация вычислений кваркового поля в квантовой физике повысило качество и результативность научных исследований в 10 или 20 раз. To jam information in and pull it out of the machine –чтобы сжать информацию при вводе и выводе ее из машины; in coping with any trial-and-error situation – при воспроизведении любой ситуации методом подбора.

 

III. Give the Russian equivalents.

Development work; powerful computers; in place of; in fairly widespread use; the time lag; a great limitation; to design more efficient devices; step-by-step; will be of little value; computer-generated information; to display the information pictorially; a light pen; an electronic pointer; a series of options; to solve design problems; the most flexible means of communication; to straighten out the lines; the designer’s idea; a draftsman’s version

 

IV. Give the English equivalents.

В течение последнего десятилетия; довольно широко используются; время запаздывания может быть сокращено; сжать информацию; пошаговая программа; невероятно высокие скорости; катодно-лучевая трубка; более эффективные устройства; электронная указка; показывать информацию графически; большое преимущество; нестандартная ситуация; в результате; подходящий вариант; так называемый; задачи проектирования; самые совершенные средства связи.

 

V. Finds pairs of synonyms.

To calculate; a device; information; to display; to design; development; to choose; appropriate; to accomplish; in place of; for example; to link; to concentrate; to straighten out; an option; an idea; a choice; for instance; a project; to focus; to carry out; to show; progress; to compute; proper; an apparatus; to select; to smooth out; to connect; instead of; data; to construct.

 

VI. Complete the following sentences.

1. The time lag can be shortened by linking up different computers and designing more efficient to ___and ___. 2. These machines are now in fairly widespread use in many ___.3. Graphics uses the cathode-ray tube to display the information ___.4. The great advantage of these so-called graphic computers is in ___and in ___.5. The scientist selects the option by touching it with a ___.6. The computer can flash a series of options on its ___.7. All the designer needs to do is to touch his light pen to the ___.8. The graphic computer offers the most flexible means of communication between man and machine yet ___.9. How quickly the programmer can tell his computer what to do becomes a major drag on ___.10. Computers must still be programmed for every action they take which is a ___.

 

VII. Answer these questions.

1. What changes have taken place in development work for extremely powerful computers during the past decade? 2. What kind of processor is usually called a supercomputer? 3. What is a great limitation of a computer? 4. How can the time lag be shortened? 5. What approach can be used to display the information pictorially? 6. What is a light pen? 7. What is the great advantage of graphic computers? 8. What means of communication between man and machine does the graphic computer offer? 9. What options can the computer offer to present a draftsman’s version of the designer’s idea?

 

VIII. Read the texts without the dictionary. Retell them either in Russian or in English.

Optical switches

Until now, the switches inside computers have been electronics. European scientists are going to demonstrate the world’s first optical computer. This demonstration will come 22 years after the theory behind optical computers was first predicted by researchers from the computer company IBM.

However, there is still a large gap between what theoretical physicists believe can be done, and what electronic engineers know is possible.

In theory, optical switches leave their electronic counterparts standing. It is like comparing the speed of light with the speed of electricity. Optical switches are so fast and yet so small that an optical device of one square centimeter can resolve 10 separate spots of light and each can be switched on and off at a speed of 30 nanoseconds. This means that an optical device one square centimeter in area could, in theory at least, handle 3×10 bits per second.

Notes

Leave their electronic counterparts standing – во много раз превосходят свои электронные аналоги.

 

Who knew modern technology — cable technology — turns thoughts into action!

Brown University has developed a computer system that allows a paralyzed person to use thoughts to become actions. A cable is plugged into electrodes in man’s head. This allows him to image movements which then occur. He has moved a computer cursor, opened e-mail and turned on a television. This is done with imagination and a computer program.

The results have been reported in an issue of the journal Nature. Imagine the significance of this. Many people are paralyzed and unable to function on a daily basis. This new technology holds out hope for many. At this point, the patient is in a card loaded with electronics. A cable plugs into the skull for the final connection to the patient. Brown University is hoping to create a wireless implant device. The current implant senses brainwave patterns when the patient thinks simple commands.

The scientific community has been waiting years for this brain-wave technology. They and we look forward to future developments. Improvements will surely come and provide some relief to the patients who quietly wait.