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1. Computer programs only instruct hardware how to handle data storage.
2. System software controls internal computer activities.
3. System software is very dependable on the type of application software being used.
4. The information about memory capacity, the model of the processor and disk drives are unavailable for system software.
5. The driver is a special device usually used by car drivers for Floppy-disk driving.
6. It is very reasonable to ask for a driver when you buy a new piece of hardware.
7. Software developers tend to make their products very small and with poor interface to save computer resources.
8. Communication software is in great demand now because of the new advances in communication technologies.
9. Application software is merely a general-purpose instrument.
10. Web-browsers is the class of software for electronic communication through the network.
Answer the questions.
1. What is software?
2. In what two basic groups could software (programs) be divided?
3. What is system software for?
4. What is an operating system — a system software or application software?
5. What is a «driver»?
6. What is application software?
7. What is application software used for?
8. What is the tendency in application software market in recent years?
9. What is the application of communication software?
V. Discuss the following with your groupmates.
Why do you think piracy (audio, video, computer software) still exists?
Практическое занятие №12
Тема: Операционные системы.
Operating Systems
I. First thoughts. Why do you think Bill Gates is one of the richest people on the Earth? Judging from your experience tell if UNIX and OS/2 are used nowadays?
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II. Study the words. Make sure you know them. Practice the pronunciation.
Complex, to consume, to realize, smart, decade, version, to enhance, on top of DOS, compatible, to ship, to allow, multiple, access, simultaneously, to desire.
III. Read the text and do the tasks following it.
When computers were first introduced in the 1940's and 50's, every program written had to provide instructions that told the computer how to use devices such as the printer, how to store information on a disk, as well as how to perform several other tasks not necessarily related to the program. The additional program instructions for working with hardware devices were very complex, and time-consuming. Programmers soon realized it would be smarter to develop one program that could control the computer's hardware, which others programs could have used when they needed it. With that, the first operating system was born.
Today, operating systems control and manage the use of hardware devices such as the printer or mouse. They also provide disk management by letting you store information in files. The operating system also lets you run programs such as the basic word processor. Lastly, the operating system provides several of its own commands that help you to use the computer.
DOS is the most commonly used PC operating system. DOS is an abbreviation for disk operating system. DOS was developed by a company named Microsoft. MS-DOS is an abbreviation for «Microsoft DOS». When IBM first released the IBM PC in 1981, IBM licensed DOS from Microsoft for use on the PC and called it PC-DOS. From the user’s perspective, PC-DOS and MS-DOS are the same, each providing the same capabilities and commands. The version of DOS release in 1981 was 1.0. Over the past decades, DOS has undergone several changes. Each time the DOS developers release a new version, they increase the version number.
Windows NT (new technology) is an operating system developed by Microsoft. NT is an enhanced version of the popular Microsoft Windows 3.0, 3.1 programs. NT requires a 386 processor or greater and 8 Mb of RAM. For the best NT performance, you have to use a 486 processor with about 16 Mb or higher. Unlike the Windows, which runs on top of DOS, Windows NT is an operating system itself. However, NT is DOS compatible. The advantage of using NT over Windows is that NT makes better use of the PC's memory management capabilities.
OS/2 is a PC operating system created by IBM. Like NT, OS/2 is DOS compatible and provides a graphical user interface that lets you run programs with a click of a mouse. Also like NT, OS/2 performs best when you are using a powerful system. Many IBMbased PCs are shipped with OS/2 preinstalled.
UNIX is a multi-user operating system that allows multiple users to access the system. Traditionally, UNIX was run on larger mini computers to which users accessed the systems using terminals and not PC's. UNIX allowed each user to simultaneously run the programs they desired. Unlike NT and OS/2, UNIX is not DOS compatible. Most users would not purchase UNIX for their own use.
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Windows 2000 and XP are the most popular user-oriented operating systems with a friendly interface and multitasking capabilities.
IV. Comprehension Check.
Give the full names for the abbreviations in the text where possible.
2. Complete the following sentences with these words:
UNIX, DOS, NT, OS/2, Windows 95.
1. Like NT,... is DOS compatible and provides a graphical user interface that lets you run programs with a click of a mouse.
2. … is the most commonly used PC operating system.
3. … is a multi-user operating system that allows multiple users to access the system.
4. … is an operating system developed by Microsoft, the enhanced version of the popular Microsoft Windows Programs.
5. The usage of... is so simple that even little kids learn how to use it very quickly.
