1/1/2024

Technical English
Unit 1

Houssam Deboucha
UNIVERSITY OF BEJAIA
UNI1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 1

Information systems collect, organize, store, process, retrieve and display information in different formats (text,
video, and voice). Information technology allows very fast, automated manipulation of digital data and their
transformation from and to analogue.

Two basic technologies have been responsible for the development of the necessary hardware:

integrated circuits and digital communications. Parallel advances have been made in software, particularly
easy-to-use software products to create, maintain, manipulate, and query files and records, many of these
software programs are designed for use both by computer professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. Another
important factor is the development of computer networks
As technology develops, new models and types of computer appear. At the heart of all computers is the hardware.
However, without software, computers are just dumb boxes, unable to perform any calculations or
operations.
Models and types of computer
desktop • laptop • mainframe • notebook • server • terminal • workstation
Computer hardware CPU
(central processing unit) • dot matrix printer • expansion card • inkjet printer keyboard • laser printer • monitor •
mouse • RAM (random access memory) scanner • screen • storage devices
Software applet •
application software • browser • database software • email software graphics software • operating system • search
engine • spreadsheet word processing

Many words in the field of IT come from American English. So you may see the following spellings:

British English American English

Programme program

Analogue analog

The area of IT is developing very quickly; and the language to describe hardware, software and applications is also
evolving at a high speed. As a result new noun + noun combinations often change to single nouns
UNI1
noun + noun single noun

lap top laptop

note book notebook
work station workstation
desk top desktop

TASKS

Label the diagram

UNI1
Combine one word from A and one word from B and match it with the appropriate definition in
C.

A B C
create products a monitor will do this on a computer screen
central information this describes the format of O and I in which
information is stored
software processing unit these enable a computer to perform word
processing, to create databases, and to manipulate
numerical data
display card when two or more components are combined and
then incorporated into a single package
digital files to make new programs, utilities or documents
expansion network a group of electronic machines connected by cables
or other means which can exchange information and
share equipment (such as printers and disk drives)
integrated data the principal microchip that the computer is built
around
computer circuits you plug this into a slot to add features such as video,
sound, modem and networking

Complete each gap in the following text with a phrase from the table above.

1. The computer monitor will --------------- --------------so you can see it on screen.
2. Information is stored on a computer as--------------- --------------
3. Spreadsheet and graphic software are examples of--------------- --------------
4. Digital communications and --------------- -------------- have allowed developments in hardware to be made.
5. In order to organise data you should --------------- --------------where you can store data.
6. When several computers are linked together you have a --------------- --------------
7. The part of the computer which interprets and carries out instructions is the
8. An --------------- -------------- can be inserted in your computer to give your computer extra capabilities.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2
UNI1

A network includes:

➢ techniques
➢ physical connections
➢ computer programs

used to link two or more computers.

Network users can:

➢ share files, printers and other resources

➢ send electronic messages
➢ run programs on other computers

Each network operates according to a set of computer programs called network protocols for computers to talk to
one another. Computer networks can now be interconnected efficiently through gateways. The biggest network is
the World Wide Web. It consists of a large number of smaller interconnected networks called internets. These
internets may connect tens, hundreds, or thousands of computers. They can share information with each other, such
as databases of information. The internet allows people all over the world to communicate with each other
effectively and inexpensively.

Before a network can operate, it needs physical connections so that signals can be transmitted. After the network has
been connected, it is ready for operation.

Network connections

bandwidth • baud • bits per second (bps) • optical fiber • packet receive • signal • transmit •
transmission speed • twisted pair

Network operation

configure • download • hack • hub • install • internet service provider (ISP) local area network (LAN) • switch
• transmit • upload • web page • website wide area network (WAN) • wireless

A prefix comes at the beginning of a word and usually has a specific meaning, for example

inter = between.

Look at the following prefixes and their use in the above IT words/phrases:
 UNI1
prefix meaning of prefix example of use

inter between internet, interconnect, interactive, international

intra within intranet, e.g. company intranet

trans across transmit, transfer, transaction

co-/com-/con- with combine, compatible, connect, configure

up up (to internet) upload

down- down (from internet) download, downtime, i.e. when the network is down (not
working)

TASKS

Choose the correct word in each of the following.

1) The speed with which a modem can process data is measured in

a) bandwidth b) bits per second (bps) c) signal

2) Cables consisting of several copper wires each with a shield are known as cables.

a) twisted pair b) optical fibre c) power cables

3) Computers that are connected together within one building form a

a) WAN b) ISP c) LAN
4) If you transfer a file from a remote computer to your computer, you

a) download b) upload c) run

5) To send out information is to

a) signal b) packet c) transmit

6) A document containing information and graphics that can be accessed on the internet is

a) a website b) a web page c) the World Wide Web

Complete the words in the following sentences by adding the prefix inter-,

intra-, trans-, com con-, up- or down-.

1 Last month computer time cost the company over €10,000 in lost production.
 UNI1
2 The computers in the production department have now been successfully connected with
those in the planning department.

3 Once you have completed payment details the data will be mitted via a secure link.

4 We cannot network these computers because the systems are not — patible• 5 Many companies
distribute internal documents on their own net.

6 Once the home page has been completed, we'll be ready to load the site.

7 Cables are being laid throughout the building as the network requires physical nections.

8 Using the network he was able to bine the data from different reports.

Here is a list of instructions for someone wanting to set up a small network. Put the instructions

in the correct order.

a Make wiring and layout plans for your network.

b Hook up the network cables by connecting everything to the hub.

c Check that each computer has an IP address and give it a name

d If you're installing a small network, twisted pair will be adequate. However, in order to span greater
distances and to minimize magnetic and electrical interference use fibre optic cable

e Decide on the type of network you want to install. To enable you to transfer large amounts of data,
choose Fast Ethernet (100BaseT). f Install network adapters in the computers

f Add an internet gateway to your network to set up a shared internet connection

g Install driver software for the adapter driver and install client software to share printers and files

h Check which protocols are installed and add any other protocols you require

i Get the hardware you need: an Ethernet adapter card for each computer that doesn’t have an Ethernet
port, a hub if you've got more than two computers, cables and wall jaks