Computers in our life

A computer is a powerful, easy-to-operate device that can process data. We use a computer to solve our problems. Unlike most machines, computers are multi-purposed. They can be used in a very wide range of situations.

Computers are popular all over the world.

They help us make long-distance and local telephone calls.

They are used in airline and railway offices for reservation tickets. Such reservation systems are now in increasing use.

When you buy an automobile, a computer enables you to obtain a car with your own choice of colours and special features in a very short time.

In medical labs computers have reduced errors in testing, saving countless hours of work. Computer medical expert systems help doctors diagnose an illness and decide on the best treatment. Before long, medical histories of all people will be kept in computer "banks".

In science computers perform in minutes experiments which would have required many hours of work by human hands and minds.

Without special training it is impossible to understand exactly how a computer does its work. Nevertheless, many people use computers in their daily lives.

Nowadays computers are widely used in education. Some parents fear that computers will remove the human element from teacher-pupil relationship. But teachers consider computers a valuable means of saving time for creative work.

Future belongs to multimedia computers. In new Millennium these smart devices will be heavily used in every branch of our life.

Radio in our life

Radio is one of the most accessible mass media. It has been popular since its invention in 1895. Radio has many uses.

Communicating by radio is a method of sending and receiving sound through the air by means of electromagnetic waves. Two way communication is a widespread use of radio for quick contact between people. It is used by telephone and telegraph companies, by police, in the army, by sailors and pilots to ensures safety in navigation and in aircraft, by ambulance and taxi drivers and what not.

Radar and paging systems are also based on the use of radio technologies. Radar is used in aircraft and in traffic for detecting and ranging moving objects. Radio pager enables you to be contacted wherever you are. You can send messages to a pager through the Internet. This device is very often used by doctors, by commercial companies.

Radio broadcasting for general reception started in the 1920s and had the same entertainment role as TY today. Millions of families all over the world gathered around their radios every night to listen to the latest news, music, variety shows and so on.

People all over the world own more than 1 billion radios. The main reason of such popularity is their accessibility and portability. Portability means the ability to be carried around easily if your radio is powered by batteries. Modern cars are equipped with radio to listen to while driving.

Radio programs vary from country to country. But in most countries up to 90 per cent of all programs are designed for entertainment. The other 10 per cent provide information and advertisements.

There are 158 programs broadcasting in Belarus, including 137 state-owned and 21 commercial.

At present there are 23 radio stations broadcasting on the FM frequency. The majority of radio stations are located in Minsk. Radio stations compete with one another for the audience.

So the Golden Age of radio broadcasting did not end with the rise of television in the 1950s.