3. Read and translate the text: the computer as a communications tool

Communicating by computer is almost as easy as punching the keys on a keyboard. Information is sent electronically from one computer – microcomputer, minicomputer, or mainframe – to another, either via telephone lines or through special cables and wires. What kinds of information can be sent? You name it: magazine articles, airlines reservations, bank transactions, statistics, new reports, job listings, games, movie reviews, business correspondence, football scores, computer programs, personal messages, stock prices, medical records, graphic images, weather reports.

Computer communications is playing an increasingly important role not only in offices but also in schools, hospitals, libraries, and homes. People are realizing that sending and receiving information electronically offers several advantages:

Fast, accurate, and direct exchange of information. Sending and receiving data electronically takes only a fraction of the time needed to send it by mail or messenger. And since the information goes directly to the receiver the sender doesn’t have to worry about the lost packages or incorrectly addressed envelopes.

Rapid information processing. Computers can sort or research through huge amounts of information in a flash. Suppose you were a lawyer who needed a history of all court cases involving the theft of government secrets. How could you get the information? Well, you could go to a law library and search through the reference books. That might take you five hours. You could, instead, use a computer that is electronically linked to a special data bank of legal information. Using that method, you could obtain the information in less than an hour – and never even leave your law office!

4. Translate into Ukrainian:

communicating by computer; via; airline reservation; stock prices; job listings; weather reports; direct; fast; exchange; fraction of time; sender; receiver; huge amount; lawyer; search through; data bank; obtain, law office.

5. Say whether these statements are true or false. If some of them are false, give your

version using the following expressions:

I disagree; to my mind; in my opinion; as far as I know; I think; it’s absolutely wrong; etc.

1. To communicate by computer is a very complicated task.

2. A huge amount of information can be sent from one computer to another.

3. The exchange of data is direct, fast, and accurate.

4. Sending information by mail or messenger is more reliable than electronically.

5. Computers sort and search through huge amount of information very slow.

6. Computers can be electronically linked to a special data bank of legal information.

7. The computer is a high-speed machine which can manipulate data, all without the control of the program.

6. Translate the following sentences:

1. The microcomputer is the smallest and the newest member of the computer family.

2. Minicomputers are larger than microcomputers, they are widely used in industrial control system, scientific institutions, and research laboratories. They are more expensive and faster than microcomputers and possess more capabilities.

3. The largest computers (“maxicomputers”) are those found in research centers, large scientific laboratories, big universities.