Contents:Contents:

History of computersHistory of computers The first mass PCThe first mass PC The most popular PCThe most popular PC

InternetInternet The beginning of the InternetThe beginning of the Internet The Internet’s opportunitiesThe Internet’s opportunities

Pros and cons of computeringPros and cons of computering Arguments forArguments for Arguments againstArguments against

Computers and weComputers and we Teenagers’ survey resultsTeenagers’ survey results

ConclusionConclusion

Computers have already revolutionized Computers have already revolutionized the way we live and work. But it is only the way we live and work. But it is only early days for computers. We don’t early days for computers. We don’t know how much they are still changing know how much they are still changing the world.the world.

The problemThe problem Will computers change our life in future Will computers change our life in future

for the better orfor the better or the worse?the worse?

History of computersHistory of computersThe first mass PCThe first mass PC

The first personal The first personal computer was the computer was the Datapoint 2200, a mass Datapoint 2200, a mass – produced – produced programmable terminal, programmable terminal, announced by Computer announced by Computer Terminal Corporation Terminal Corporation (CTC) in June, 1970. It (CTC) in June, 1970. It was equipped to was equipped to perform any task a perform any task a simple computer could.simple computer could.

The Datapoint 2200The Datapoint 2200 The Datapoint 2200 had a The Datapoint 2200 had a

built-in full travel keyboard, built-in full travel keyboard, a built-in 12 line, 80 column a built-in 12 line, 80 column green screen monitor and green screen monitor and two cassette tape drives two cassette tape drives each with 130 kb capacity. each with 130 kb capacity. Its size and shape Its size and shape approximated that of an approximated that of an IBM Selectric typewriter. It IBM Selectric typewriter. It shipped with 2 kb of serial shipped with 2 kb of serial shift register main memory. shift register main memory. It’s starting price was It’s starting price was around US $5000. around US $5000.

The most popular PCThe most popular PC

The Macintosh computer The Macintosh computer was released in January of was released in January of 1984, with 1281984, with 128 kb kb RAM of RAM of memory. It quickly became memory. It quickly became obvious that this was obvious that this was insufficient, so eight months insufficient, so eight months later Apple released an later Apple released an updated version, un-updated version, un-officially referred to as the officially referred to as the 'Fat Mac'. It has 512'Fat Mac'. It has 512 kb kb RAM, four times as much. RAM, four times as much.

Except for the very Except for the very expensive and expensive and unpopular Apple unpopular Apple LisaLisa which came out in 1983, which came out in 1983, the Macintosh is the Macintosh is considered to be the considered to be the first commercially first commercially successful computer to successful computer to use a GUI (Graphical use a GUI (Graphical User Interface)User Interface)..

Before the Macintosh, all Before the Macintosh, all computers were 'text-based' - you computers were 'text-based' - you operated them by typing words operated them by typing words onto the keyboard. The Macintosh onto the keyboard. The Macintosh is run by activating pictures is run by activating pictures (icons) on the screen with a small (icons) on the screen with a small hand-operated device called a hand-operated device called a "mouse". Most modern-day "mouse". Most modern-day computers now operate on this computers now operate on this principle, including modern Apple principle, including modern Apple computers and most others which computers and most others which run the Microsoft Windows run the Microsoft Windows operating system. operating system.

The beginning of the InternetThe beginning of the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide system of computers and servers, joined together through telephone lines. It started in the 1960’s when the USA army wanted to protect their computers system from attack. With the Internet, information could go from one computer to another even one part of the system wasn’t working. In the 1970’s other computers were joined up and now anyone can join it.

• Did the Internet make our life easier and more interesting?

• The Internet is an international network of computers & servers – it includes electronic mail (e-mail), the World Wide Web (WWW), discussion groups and online chatting.

• To go online you need a browser such as Safari or Mozilla Firefox. This programs let you see web pages and download information onto your computer.

• Surfing the Net you can find any information for your work and studies, about entertainment or travel.

• You can listen to and download music.• You can chat online.• You can send e-mails• You can shop different things• You can read about your interests• You can practice your English

Arguments in favour of computers

• Computers have changed our life. They help people to live at the faster pace modern living demands. It is worth mentioning a few examples.

• Computers allow business people to keep in touch with developments all over the world.

• They enable doctors to diagnose illnesses more accurately.

• They let thousands of aircrafts fly safely through our crowded sky without bumping into other planes.

• Computers can do accounting procedures more quickly and more accurately then people.

• They find the right information, store it and do calculating.

• In fact it is difficult to imagine any area of life where computers do not play an important role.

Arguments against Arguments against computerscomputers

► But people use computers not only for But people use computers not only for work. Nowadays they often become a work. Nowadays they often become a computer addict since their computer addict since their childhood. They can’t get rid of this childhood. They can’t get rid of this bad habit even they are grown-ups.bad habit even they are grown-ups.

► Teenagers can’t stay away from the Teenagers can’t stay away from the computer. Sometimes they play for computer. Sometimes they play for about 24 hours a day. The video about 24 hours a day. The video games are very addictive. games are very addictive.

► Playing computer games stops Playing computer games stops children from doing sports, they don’t children from doing sports, they don’t have time for their friends. Their have time for their friends. Their schoolwork also suffers because they schoolwork also suffers because they do their homework as quickly as do their homework as quickly as possible.possible.

► Video games make people antisocial. Video games make people antisocial. Many of the games are very violent, Many of the games are very violent, they can make teenagers aggressive. they can make teenagers aggressive.

► The main problem with games is that The main problem with games is that they are too much fun. Lots of young they are too much fun. Lots of young people play them and if they are not people play them and if they are not careful, they can take over their lives. careful, they can take over their lives.

Computers and we

Have you got a computer?

100%

Do you use the Net?

90%

10%

What do you use the Net for?

40%40%

15%5%

Do you play computer games?

75%

25%

How much time do you spend with your computer?

48%

32%20%

Does computer do more good or more harm?

76%

4%

20%

Survey results:

Though teens realize that sitting in front of computers for a long time does a lot of harm to their health and study, they spend many hours playing computer games or surfing the Net for pleasure.

ConclusionConclusion

Can we predict how computers will Can we predict how computers will affect our future lives?affect our future lives?Experts foresee that:Experts foresee that:

In fifty years shoppers will be able to scan down virtual In fifty years shoppers will be able to scan down virtual supermarket shelves all over the world on their PCs and click on supermarket shelves all over the world on their PCs and click on whatever they want. They will be able to pay in their local whatever they want. They will be able to pay in their local currency through the Net. With this development, coins and currency through the Net. With this development, coins and notes are likely to disappear.notes are likely to disappear.

Next decade we can have miniature computers inside us Next decade we can have miniature computers inside us to monitor and regulate our blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.to monitor and regulate our blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.

Within twenty years we’ll have implanted chips that can correct Within twenty years we’ll have implanted chips that can correct our ability to interact with the world.our ability to interact with the world.

But will computers rule the world? But will computers rule the world? Will they be able to become more Will they be able to become more

powerful than their creators? powerful than their creators?

We think they won’t, because computers We think they won’t, because computers can only do what we ask them to do. We can only do what we ask them to do. We can get them to complete increasingly can get them to complete increasingly complicated operations, but contrary to the complicated operations, but contrary to the science-fiction nightmare, computers can science-fiction nightmare, computers can never make us do anything. never make us do anything.

Sources of information:Sources of information: New Headway IntermediateNew Headway Intermediate

Lis & John Soars. (Oxford University Press, p.10 )Lis & John Soars. (Oxford University Press, p.10 )

AvenuesAvenuesDavid Foll & Anne Kelly (Cambridge University Press, p.154) David Foll & Anne Kelly (Cambridge University Press, p.154)

Profile Intermediate – 2Profile Intermediate – 2(Oxford, p.26)(Oxford, p.26)

New Opportunities Pre-IntermediateNew Opportunities Pre-IntermediateMichael Harris (Longman, p.81)Michael Harris (Longman, p.81)

We’re in businessWe’re in businessSusan Norman (Longman, p.72)Susan Norman (Longman, p.72)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datapoint:2200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datapoint:2200