- •Передмова
- •Module I
- •II. Reading
- •Lutsk National Technical University
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match each word in the left-hand column with the best in the right-hand column.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use The Present Simple Tense
- •1. Put the following into the singular.
- •2. Put the verbs in brackets in the Present Simple..
- •2. Put sentences of ex.1 into negative and interrogative form.
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Complete the following statements:
- •2. Answer the following questions:
- •3. Do the following tasks:
- •Text 2. My Future Speciality is Computer Systems and Networks
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Complete the following statements:
- •2. Answer the following questions:
- •3. Do the following tasks:
- •Text 3. My Future Speciality is Professional Training
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Complete the following statements:
- •2. Answer the following questions:
- •3. Do the following tasks:
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer following questions.
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Make up pairs or groups of words close in meaning.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use The Past Simple Tense
- •1. Put down the following sentences into the Past Simple Tense.
- •2. Open the brackets using the Past Simple Tense. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
- •3. Make up sentences using the following words. Don’t forget about word order in English.
- •Additional Text (for individual work) Read, translate the text and answer the following questions:
- •The Need for Computer Literacy in Modern Society
- •II. Reading Read, translate the text and point out the main characteristics of pc. Personal Computers
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer following questions.
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •2. Make the sentences interrogative and negative.
- •3. Replace the Infinitive in brackets by the Future Simple Tense. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
- •Additional Text (for individual work) Read, translate the text and answer the following questions:
- •Application of Personal Computers
- •1. Find in the texts:
- •II. Reading Read, translate the text and mind the pc configuration. Pc Configuration
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •2. Make the sentences interrogative and negative.
- •3. Make up sentences using the following words. Translate the following definitions or explanations.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •The Development of the Personal Computer
- •Module II
- •II. Reading
- •Computer Evolution
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •From the History of the Computers
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Types of Computers
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Three Basic Capabilities of a Computer
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •Instructions / to operate / storing / inputting / manipulating / outputting / input device / a cathode-ray-tube display / instantaneously
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Read the text attentively, make the annotation of the text. To write annotation use clichés, given below.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Application of Computers
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use Conjunctions
- •1. Translate the Complex sentences. Remember conjunctions (сполучники): that; so that; if whether; which; when; while; since; till; until; whatever; whenever; in order to; regardless of, etc.
- •2. Translate complex sentences:
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Computers in Education
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Basic Elements of a Computer
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5 . Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Put the Infinitive in brackets in the Present Perfect Tense.
- •2. Put these sentences into interrogative and negative form.
- •3. Replace the infinitive in brackets by the Present Perfect or the Past Indefinite.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •The Computer System
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Data Processing Systems
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Complete the sentences.
- •3. Choose the right answer:
- •4. Answer the questions to the text:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes
- •3. Change from direct into indirect speech.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Information Explosion and Data Processing in Modern Society
- •II. Reading Read the text and be ready to answer the following questions:
- •Operating System
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2.Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •4. Answer the questions to the text:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes
- •Grammar in Use The Future Perfect Tense
- •1. Turn the following into the Future Perfect.
- •2. Replace the infinitive in brackets by the Future Indefinite or the Future Perfect.
- •3. Put questions to the underlined words.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Unix Operating System
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences.
- •4. Answer the questions to the text:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •Additional Text (for individual work) Read, translate the text and be ready to answer the following questions:
- •Macintosh os
- •Module IV
- •II. Reading
- •The Structure of a Computer
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3.Complete the sentences:
- •Grammar in Use Types of Questions. Word Order.
- •1. Transform the following sentences into general questions introducing the necessary changes.
- •2. Put all types of questions to the following sentences.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •The Structure of cpu
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use The Passive Voice
- •1. Read and translate the following sentences paying attention to the predicates in the Passive Voice:
- •2. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.
- •3. Put the verbs in brackets in an appropriate tense form.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •High Speed Register Storage
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •The Grammar in Use Modals
- •1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the Modal Verbs and their equivalents.
- •2. Put the modal verbs into the:
- •3. Find sentences with modal verbs in the text Additional Text (for individual work)
- •"Cache" Memories
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Input Devices
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •The Grammar in Use Modals
- •1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the Modal Verbs and their equivalents.
- •2. Put the modal verbs into the:
- •3. Find sentences with modal verbs in the text Additional Text (for individual work)
- •"Seeking" for Tracks
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Output Devices. Printer
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •The Grammar in Use Revision of the Module IV
- •1. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.
- •2. Choose the right form of the verb from the brackets. Mind the rule of the sequence of tenses.
- •3. Make the following interrogative and negative. Translate the following sentences.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Disks and Tapes
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Computer Programming
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3.Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •The Grammar in Use The Infinitive
- •1. Translate the sentences and word-combinations, using Infinitive in the function of :
- •2. Analyze the forms of Infinitive and translate following sentences:
- •4. Translate sentences with Nominative with the Infinitive construction:
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Character Data
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Programs and Instructions
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use The Participle
- •1. Translate the sentences containing Participle I and Participle II in the function of adverbial modifier:
- •2. Open the brackets using Perfect Participle Active or Perfect Participle Passive. Translate sentences into Ukrainian.
- •3. Translate sentences with Absolute Participle Complex:
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Languages and Extensions
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Running and Testing the Computer Program
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Translate into Ukrainian, paying attention to Gerund
- •3. Translate into English using Gerund
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Programming Languages
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use Revision of the Module V
- •1. Analyze following non-finite forms of the verb and translate the sentences:
- •2. Open the brackets, using correct non-finite form of the verb.
- •3. Find non-finite forms of the verb in the sentences and name them:
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Simula, smalltalk, and eiffel
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Internet
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use Conditionals
- •1. Write down the following sentences using the II and III conditionals. Translate them.
- •2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Communication and Media Technology
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Understanding the World Wide Web
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use wish Sentences
- •1. Read the following sentences. What wishes would you make corresponding to the words in bold?
- •2. Complete the sentences with two to five words including the word in brackets.
- •3. Correct the mistakes
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •The Experience of the Web
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6.Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use Direct and Indirect Speech
- •1. Transform indirect commands changing direct speech into indirect one.
- •2. Transform sentences changing direct speech into indirect one.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •World Wide Web
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use
- •Impersonal Sentences
- •1. Translate impersonal sentences. Pay attention to their structure.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Microsoft Internet Explorer
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Automation
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use Noun
- •1. Make the following nouns plural.
- •2. Transform the following sentences into plural.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •At an Automatic Plant
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Automation and Mechanization
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Automation and Labour
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use Conjunctions
- •1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the meaning of the word “since ”:
- •2. State parts of speech the words in bold type belong to. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian taking into account different meanings of the word “provide”:
- •3. Complete the article. Use but, although or however.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Automated Production Lines
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use
- •4. Translate the following sentences and define the tense-forms which are used in the next sentences.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Types of Automation
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •6. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use Types of Sentences
- •1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the meaning of
- •2. Analyse the type of subordinate clauses and translate the sentences into Ukrainian:
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •History and Definition of Robots
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •Classification of Robots
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Choose the right answer:
- •3. Complete the sentences:
- •4. Complete the sentences (a) choosing the required words or word combinations from list (b). Read and translate them.
- •5. Answer the questions:
- •6. Read the sentences from the text which illustrate the following statements:
- •5. Look through the text again. Describe the types of robots choosing the correct word. Complete the sentences if necessary.
- •6. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •7. Make up sentences from the following words and word-groups:
- •Grammar in Use Direct and Indirect Speech
- •1. Supply the correct form of the verb
- •2. Change direct speech into indirect
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Man/Machine Interfaсe
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Complete the sentences:
- •3. Choose the right answer:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.
- •2. Make up questions to which the underlined words are the answers:
- •3. Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the verb.
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •What can robots do?
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •II. Reading
- •The Technology within an Industrial Robot
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Comprehension
- •1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
- •2. Complete the sentences:
- •3. Choose the right answer:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:
- •Word Study
- •1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.
- •2. Give English equivalents of the following.
- •3. Match the words in a with their synonyms in b:
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
- •5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
- •Grammar in Use
- •1. Read and translate the following sentences paying attention to the function of Participle in the sentences:
- •2. Make up questions to which the underlined words are the answers:
- •3. Open the brackets using Passive Voice
- •Additional Text (for individual work)
- •Definition of Robots
- •1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.
- •2. Put questions to the text.
- •3. Discuss it with your groupmates. English-Ukrainian Dictionary
- •Abbreviations
- •Glossary
- •Список л1тератури
- •Contents
- •1. Write down the following sentences using the II and III conditionals. Translate them. 182
- •43018 Луцьк, вул. Львівська, 75
Additional Text (for individual work) Read, translate the text and be ready to answer the following questions:
Where were the important ideas in the Mac Os developed?
What was the aim of Xerox PARC project?
What system was the first system that could really deliver computer power to all users?
Macintosh os
The Macintosh OS (1984), and things like Windows 3 (late 1980s), represent more modern operating systems, having evolved in the ten to fifteen years after the start of Unix.
The important ideas in the Mac OS (and later systems meant to work in similar style) were developed at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Centre during the 1970s and early 1980s (Apple started the Mac OS by getting a licence to use Xerox's ideas). Starting around 1972, Xerox PARC had had a project that aimed to explore what the "office of the future" would be like. Obviously, the office workers were going to make heavy use of computers. The Xerox researchers realized that the old systems were inappropriate.
The old systems had the computer as sort of oracle, surrounded by priests (the
system's programmers and system's administrators) and neophytes (the computer operators); even the newer Unix systems had to have "system's gurus" to attend them and keep users at bay. In an "office of the future", individual's would have their own computers, and these therefore would have to have operating systems that did not need priestly ministrations from gurus or others. Unlike other developers of that period, the Xerox group realized that the cost of CPU power was going to drop dramatically. Consequently, it wasn't going to be important to keep the CPU efficiently employed, what was going to be important was the efficient use of time of the office workers. So it was going to be worthwhile "wasting" CPU cycles with the computer doing extra work if this would simplify the tasks of the user. Given these premises, the Xerox group focussed on what they thought would be the needs of users; they identified factors such as:
• visual displays for "high-bandwidth" communication (show the user what
programs and files are available for use etc);
• direct manipulation (use of mouse pointer, selection of object represented visually [as an "icon"], picking a command from a menu – the "point-and click"
interface rather than the "remember-and-type-command" interface of Unix and older systems);
• consistency (every program working in a similar manner);
• intercommunication (e.g. easy transfer of pictures, text and other data between programs).
Xerox developed a variety of experimental systems embodying the features that they felt would empower users and make computers more useful. However, Xerox never really brought these experimental systems to the level of practical, affordable products.
Steve Jobs and others at Apple in the early 1980s recognized the importance of the Xerox ideas and worked to make them practical. The Mac OS of 1984 was the first system that could really deliver computer power to all users.