III. Make a dialogue with your partner on how you benefit by the computer. Use the following statements.

• I use my computer to print out my compositions because my handwriting is quite untidy.

• I like using self-test programs. They make revising much easier – and my marks have got better.

• Now that we can use the Internet, I use the computer to talk to people in other countries.

• Through the Internet the computer can give me lots of facts about different subjects. It’s very useful if I have to write about something I don’t know a lot about – and much better than going to the library.

• I use the computer to find out new words – it’s quicker than using a dictionary.

• I use the computer to contact other people around the world in seconds by using the e-mail facility. This means that I don’t need to spend much time writing letters to companies or organizations if I need information.

• If I feel embarrassed practicing my pronunciation in class, I can use the computer to help me.

• I don’t need to rely on the teacher so much if I am working on the computer.

IV. Read and translate the text. Put ten questions to it and decipher all abbreviations used in this text. Render the text in English.

Text B

What is a Modem?

A modem is a device that lets one send digital signals over an ordinary telephone line not designed for digital signals. If telephone lines were all digital then you wouldn't need a modem. It permits your computer to connect to and communicate with the rest of the world. When you use a modem, you normally use a communication program or web browser to utilize the modem and dial-out on a telephone line. Advanced modem users can set things up so that others may phone in to them and use their computer. This is called "dial-in".

There are four basic types of modems for a PC: external, USB, internal and built-in. The external and USB set on your desk outside the PC while the other two types are not visible since they're inside the PC. Sometimes the USB type is called "USB external". The external serial modem plugs into a connector on the back of the PC known as a "serial port". The USB modem plugs into the USB bus cable. The internal modem is a card that is inserted inside the computer. The built-in modem is part of the motherboard and is thus built into the computer. It's just like an internal modem except it can't be removed or replaced. As of 2001, built-in modems are primarily for laptops. What is said in this HOWTO regarding internal modems will generally apply also to built-in modems.

When you get an internal or, built-in, modem, you also get a dedicated serial port (which can only be used with the modem and not with anything else such as another modem or a printer). In Linux, the serial ports are named ttyS0, ttyS1, etc. (usually corresponding respectively to COM1, COM2, etc. in Dos/Windows). For the new devfs they are all in the /dev/ttys/ directory and named 0, 1, etc. With a USB modem, the driver simulates a serial port at say /dev/usb/asm/0.

Modems usually include the ability to send Faxes (Fax Modems). "Voice" modems can work like an automatic answering machine and handle voicemail. The v.92 protocol can put the modem "on hold" when someone makes an ordinary voice call to your telephone, provided that you have "call waiting" from your telephone company. Thus you can get a phone call while online. As of Jan. 2003 Linux doesn't seem to support it. Some linmodem drivers may support it.

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