Page 161 - English Vocabulary in Use (Pre & Intermediate)

V7 Computers

Hardware
VDU (monitor)

screen

central processing
unit (= the heart
of the computer)

As well as the hardware (= the machines), you also need software (= the programs needed
to work the machines). These programs are on disks, e.g. the hard disk inside the computer,
or floppy disks or on CD-ROMs (= Compact Disc Read Only Memory, a CD on which you
can put a large amount of information).

Operating a computer

Using the mouse, you can do a number of things by clicking on different icons (= moving
the mouse to point at different pictures at the top of the screen).

sl
ey
Ci) (cs) (ea) (SL)

— (_ id

open anew _ open an existing save the data print cut copy paste
document document in this document
What do people use computers for?
A word processor is a computer used to prepare documents or letters, or the software that
is used for this purpose. Many people use their computers for word processing, e.g. writing
letters and reports. A lot of business people use spreadsheets (= a program used to enter and
arrange numbers and financial information) and databases (= programs which allow you to
store, look at or change a large amount of information quickly and easily). Some people
also use graphics (= the pictures and symbols a computer program can produce).

Important vocabulary
More and more people are becoming computer-literate (= have experience of working with
computers and know how to use them) as many programs and machines are so user-friendly
(= easy to use). You can now connect your computer to computers all over the world using
the Internet (= a system that allows computers to connect using telephone lines). People
send each other e-mail (electronic mail) messages using this system or network.
If your computer is slow it may need more memory. It may crash (= stop working) if there
is not enough memory or if it has a bug (= a software problem; also a virus). Make sure you
make a back-up copy of your work (= an extra copy on a floppy disk).

158 English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate)