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B) Describe how people did all these things before the Internet was born.
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Reading/Listening
Work in pairs. Read a dialogue between a customer buying a PC and a sales assistant. Why do you think the sales assistant has to explain so much about the Internet?
Assistant:...so that's £549 including VAT. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Customer: Well, would you mind explaining how I access the Internet with this computer? I don't think I really even understand what the Internet is! Wait a minute, I'm going to write this down.
Assistant: Of course. Well, basically, the Internet is a global network of computer networks, which allows users to share all kinds of information and computer resources. The system is made up of networks interconnected all over the world, from universities and large corporations to commercial online systems and non-profit organizations...
Customer: OK, that sounds complicated enough! And can I access the Internet automatically with this PC?
Assistant: Well, you need a computer and a modem - a device that connects your PC to the telephone line. You'll also need an account with an Internet Service Provider, or ISP - that's a company that offers connection to the Internet for a monthly fee.
Customer: OK, that sounds easy, but what if we have several computers in different rooms. How can I connect them all to the Internet?
Assistant: In that case, the best choice is a wireless router with a built-in modem. It's a device that links various computers over a network and will connect everyone in your family to the Internet without using cables. New computers include wireless support but if any of the computers are old, you'll need a Wi-Fi wireless adapter.
Customer: I'm sorry, but what does Wi-Fi mean exactly?
Assistant: Wi-Fi is short for Wireless Fidelity and refers to a technology that uses radio waves to communicate data over medium range distances.
Customer: Right. And so that’s everything?
Assistant: Not quite. You'll need some software too, specifically internet connection software and a Web browser application, such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
Customer: OK, I think I've got it. And I'll be able to start emailing straight away?
Assistant: You can do more than just email. There is file transfer, newsgroups, real-time chats, instant messaging and looking for information on the Web.
Customer: Wow, this all sounds complicated. I'm not sure I even understand the difference between Web and the Internet.
Assistant: Well, the Web is a huge collection of “pages”stored on computers all over the world. Web рages contain all sorts of information in the form of text, pictures, sounds and video. The Internet is the network which connects all the computers.
Customer: OK, I think I've got it.
© Cambridge University Press 2008
24. Complete the customer`s notes
© Cambridge University Press 2008
Imagine your partner is new to using the Internet. Explain to him how to reach a website. The following words/word combinations might be helpful.
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To connect to the Internet, computer, modem, Internet service provider, access, wireless, things you can do, email, instant messaging, real-time chats, look for information.
26. You are going to hear findings related to Media Use study conducted by Ofcom (a communications regulator in the UK). The following words help you understand the text.
| access (v) – иметь доступ catch up (v) – нагонять consumption (n) - потребление inevitably (adv) - неминуемо instant messaging –мгновенная передача сообщений | myriad (n) – несметное число offer (v) - предлагать reveal (v) – обнаруживать, открывать treble (v) – утраивать watchdog (n) – надзорный комитет |
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