All about Software
Categories of applications software explained
For years people understood the term software to refer to computer instructions, programs or data. Basically, anything that could be stored electronically on your computer is considered software. Traditionally, software has been divided into two different categories: systems software and applications software. However, in addition to those, an entire new batch of wares has entered the computer vernacular in recent years.
Systems Software
System software, as the diagram above illustrates, sits directly on top of your computer's hardware conponents (also referred to as its bare metal). It includes the range of software you would install to your system that enables it to function. This includes the operating system, drivers for your hardware devices, linkers and debuggers. Systems software can also be used for managing computer resources. Systems software is designed to be used by the computer system itself, not human users.
Applications Software
Unlike systems software, applications software is designed to be used by end-users. Applications software, in essence, sits on top of system software, as it is unable to run without the operating system and other utilities. Applications software includes things like database programs, word processors and spreadsheets, e-mail applications, computer games, graphics programs and such. Generally, people will refer to applications software as software.
All the Other 'Ware Terminology
Today we find new terms created frequently to classify types of applications software. You have classifications based on usage, for example games or accounting software, office applications,and other categories where the category is derived based on the main use of the software. Unfortunately, we also have a newer group of software related terms that have a negative association. Whileethe applications software itself may be useful, , it may also carry hidden programs or utilities that may cause undesirable effects.
Malware
We have a whole selection of software that may come bundled under the name of malware. Short for malicious software, malware is any software that has been designed (programmed) specifically to damage or disrupt a computer system. The most common forms of malware are computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
Other common types of software is adware and spyware. Adware is considered a legitmate alternative offered to consumers who don't wish to pay for software. Today we have a growing number of software developers who offer their goods as "sponsored" freeware until you pay to register. Generally most or all features of the software are enabled but you will be viewing sponsored advertisements while the software is being used. If you're using legitimate adware, when you stop running the software, the ads should disappear, and you always have the option of disabling the ads by purchasing a registration key.
Unfortunately some applications that contain adware track your Internet surfing habits in order to serve ads related to you. When the adware becomes intrusive like this, then we move it into the spyware category and it then becomes something you should avoid for privacy and security reasons. Spyware works like adware, but is usually a separate program that is installed unknowingly when you install another application. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Unlike adware, spyware is considered a malicious program. For more information on spyware and adware, we recommend you check out Webopedia's "The Difference Between Adware & Spyware".
Greyware
Sometimes developers will include tools and programs within software that some may view as malware, but really, it falls into the grey area between malicious software and software, hence the name greyware. Greyware is the term used to categorize all other malicious or annoying software such as adware, spyware, trackware, and other malicious code and malicious software fall under.
In addition to these types of software, there are more terms to describe software that is distributed with common tools and utilities that don't necessarily cause harm to your computer or are a security risk. Some of these terms are slang terms used to describe unwanted features found in applications software.
Freeware is copyrighted software given away for free by the author. The author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author. Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.
Shareware is software that distributed on the basis of an honor system. Most shareware is delivered free of charge, but the author usually requests that you pay a small fee if you like the program and use it regularly.
Nagware is the term given to software that routinely issues a pop-up window or other form of visual interface asking the user to register a product, purchase an application or take another form of action.
Bloatware is a slang term given to software that has so many features that it requires considerable disk space and memory resources to run.
Abandonware is software that is no longer being sold or supported by its publisher.
Considered a type of adware, slimeware is the slang term used to describe software that interferes with the user experience by changing key settings in order to gain profit. For example, slimeware may change your Internet browser default home page to one where you view a company's banner ad or products for sale.
Software that is remotely accessed online usually with a Web browser, is called webware (although its more formal names are Web applications or online software.
Lastly, there's warez which is a term that has been around for quite some time. Pronounced wayrz or wayrss, it is the name given to commercial systems software or applications software that has been pirated and made available to the public via a BBS or the Internet. Typically, those who pirate software, often called crackers, have figured out a way to de-activate the copy protection or registration scheme used by the software. The use and distribution of warez software is illegal.
(http://www.webopedia.com)
3.15. Work in pairs or small groups. Using the list of software terms and definitions you’ve made, check if your partners understand them.
3.16. Use http://www.webopedia.com or any other sites to investigate something new in computer software and present your information to your group.
Unit 4
The Internet
Vocabulary
1. create [krı'eıt] творить, создавать
2. network ['netwɜ:k] (инфор.) сеть
3. spread [spred] распространять(ся), простирать(ся)
4. share [ʃeə] делиться; поделиться
5. transfer ['trænsfɜ:] перемещать, передавать
6. backbone ['bækbəυn] главная опора; основа; суть
7. maintain [meın'teın] (тех.) обслуживать; содержать в исправности
8. provide [prə'vaıd] предоставлять (услуги), давать
9. provider (информ.) провайдер,
поставщик информационных
и коммуникационных услуг
10. browse [braυz] просмотреть
11. browse facility [fə'sılətı] (компьют.) средство просмотра
12. feature ['fi:tʃə] (компьют.) функция,
функциональность, опция,
(сленг) фича (у программного
продукта, системы)
13. surf the Internet [sɜ:f] «путешествовать» по Интернету
(тж . surf the net)
14. etiquette ['etıket] этикет
профессиональная этика
15. netiquette ['netıket] (информ.) сетевой этикет
16. flood (with spam) [flʌd] засыпать; заваливать (спамом)
17. evaluate [ɪ'væljυeɪt] оценивать
4.1. How would you describe what the Internet is? Discuss it with your partner.
4.2. Match the terms and their definitions.
a) Internet
b) World Wide Web
c) e-mail
1. A global network connecting millions of computers.
2. The transmission of messages over communications networks.
3. A system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents.
4.3. Now read the text and try to describe the Internet again using the key vocabulary in bold type.
Believe it or not, the Internet was created way back in 1969, during the Cold War, by the United States military. It was meant to be a "nuke-proof"(1) communications network. Today, the Internet spreads across the globe and consists of countless networks and computers, allowing millions of people to share information. Data that travels long distances on the Internet is transferred on huge lines known collectively as the Internet backbone. The Internet is now maintained by the Internet service pro-viders.
Many people think the Internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing. They're not! The World Wide Web is what you are browse. It is one of the many features of the Internet. E-mail, FTP(2), and Instant Messaging (3) are also features of the Internet.
(http://www.sharpened.net)
( 1) " nuke - proof " устойчивый к воздействию ядерного оружия
(2) FTP File Transfer Protocol протокол передачи файлов (используемый в Internet протокол передачи файлов между хост-компьютерами)
(3) Instant Messaging система мгновенной передачи текстовых сооб-щений
4.4. Interview your partners if they surf the Internet. Use the questions given below.
1. Do you often surf the Internet? Which websites do you usually visit?
2. Do you download any programs from the Internet? If so, what are they?
3. Do you belong to any chat forum? Why? / Why not?
4. What feature of the Internet do you consider the most attractive? Why?
5. What is netiquette?
4.5. Read the passage below and think if you always follow the netiquette . Why? / Why not? Discuss it with your partner.
Netiquette, or net etiquette, refers to etiquette on the Internet. Good netiquette involves respecting others' privacy and not doing anything online that will annoy or frustrate other people. Three areas where good netiquette is highly stressed are e-mail, online chat, and newsgroups. For example, people that spam other users with unwanted e-mails or flood them with messages have very bad netiquette. You don't want to be one of those people. If you're new to a newsgroup or online chat room, it may help to observe how people communicate with each other before jumping in.
4.6.Think of good and bad points of the Internet and fill in the table. You can work either individually or in pairs.
| Advantages of the Internet | Disadvantages of the Internet |
4.7. Read Text A, compare your ideas with information given, and extend the table. How many advantages/disadvantages are there in your table?
First, study the vocabulary you may need to understand the text.
mankind [mæn'kaɪnd] (n) 1) человечество; человеческий род
['mænkaɪnd] 2) мужчины, мужской пол
magnitude ['mæɡnɪtju:d] (n) 1) величина, paзмеры,
2) важность; значимость
outweigh [̗aυt'weɪ] (v) быть тяжелее, превосходить в весе
wealth [welθ] (n) изобилие, избыток
target ['tɑ:ɡɪt] (n) цель
advent ['ædvent] (n) наступление (какой-л. эпохи, какого-л.
события),
available [ə'veɪləbl] (adj) доступный; имеющийся
в распоряжении,
entertainment [̗entə'teɪnmənt] (n) развлечение; зрелищное мероприятие
numerous ['nju:mǝrəs] (adj) многочисленный
available [ə'veɪləbl] (adj) доступный; имеющийся
в распоряжении
theft [θeft] (n) воровство, кража
obstruct [əb'strʌkt] (v) препятствовать, затруднять, мешать
prone (adj) подверженный (чему-л.)
TEXT A