Essential Computer Vocabulary and Hardware Functions
Essential Computer Vocabulary
- Downloading music
- Making webpages
- Installing programs
- Creating programs
- Entertaining
- Sending and receiving emails
- Burning CDs
- Surfing the net / Browsing
- Word processing
Questions for Practice
- Have you ever downloaded music?
- Have you ever sent an email?
- How often (con qué frecuencia)?
Grammar Focus for Technology
Past Simple Tense
Structure:
- Play: played / didn’t play / Did you play?
- Write: wrote / didn’t write / Did you write?
Present Perfect Tense
Structure:
- I, You, We, They: have written / haven’t written / Have you written?
- He, She, It: has written / hasn’t written / Has he/she/it written?
Example Scenario
What did you do this morning?
I worked on a CD of my paintings.
- How many paintings have you included?
- What did you do with the rest?
- How did you include your paintings?
- How have you organized them?
- Have you added a soundtrack?
- When did you start to draw?
Types of Computers and Their Applications
Computer Categories and Uses
- Supercomputer: Used by large companies for processing payroll data.
- Mainframe: Utilized by large scientific organizations for nuclear research.
- Workstation: Ideal for graphic designers.
- Desktop PC: Common for secretaries doing general office work.
- Laptop: Perfect for traveling salespeople giving marketing presentations.
- Console: Used by students for entertainment while traveling.
- Mobile Phone: Essential for businesspersons keeping in touch with clients while traveling.
Computer Type Translations
- Supercomputer: Superordenador
- Mainframe: Ordenador central
- Workstation: Estación de trabajo
- Desktop PC: PC de escritorio
- Laptop: Portátil
- Console: Consola
- Mobile Phone: Teléfono móvil
Key Computer Hardware Definitions
- CD-ROM: Compact Disc – Read Only Memory
- TFT: Thin Film Transistor – Liquid Crystal Display
- MB: Megabyte
- GHz: Gigahertz
- FSB: Front Side Bus
- SDRAM: Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
- XGA: Extended Graphics Array
Understanding Component Functions
1. Using the Present Simple for Functions
Present Simple Structure:
- I, You, We, They: talk, eat, write. Don’t eat. Do you talk?
- He, She, It: talks, eats, writes. Doesn’t eat. Does he talk?
Example: ROM holds instructions which are needed to start up the computer.
2. Using “Used To” and “Used For + -ing”
Examples:
- ROM is used to hold instructions which are needed to start up the computer.
- ROM is used for holding instructions which are needed to start up the computer.
3. Emphasizing the Function
Example: The function of ROM is to hold instructions which are needed to start up the computer.
Functions of Specific Computer Components
- RAM: Holds data read or written to it by the processor.
- Processor: Controls all operations in a computer.
- Mouse: Controls the cursor.
- Clock: Controls the timing of signals in the computer.
- Flash Memory Key: Reads and writes data to electronic chips.
- Monitor: Displays the output from a computer.
- Keyboard: Inputs data through keys, similar to a typewriter.
- DVD-ROM Drive: Reads DVD-ROMs.
- Cache: Provides extremely fast access for sections of a program and its data.
- ROM: Holds instructions which are needed to start up the computer.
- Scanner: Its function is to scan documents.
- Supercomputer: Its function is to process payroll data in large companies.
- Printer: Its function is to print documents.
- Barcodes: Their function is to identify products.
Common Prepositions in Context
- Between: entre
- From: de, desde, al lado, a partir
- Into: en, dentro
- Along: por, a lo largo
- Put onto: poner en
- Is inside: está dentro
- Across: a través de