Types of Programs

The Patient Browser program (GPASS) is a type of database for sorting and searching patient records. To search, you select different option screens by clicking on a tab with a mouse and inputting the search criteria (details of what you are looking for) in text boxes known as criteria boxes. Different button icons can be clicked to perform different operations e.g. the Find button. The default button is the option that is selected automatically.

Tomb Raider is a popular adventure game that has appeared in various versions. The main character is represented by a female animated image, known as Lara Croft. The user follows a storyline in which they have to solve puzzles and control the movements of the main character, sometimes having to react quickly to avoid dangerous obstacles. It is available on well known games consoles (specialised games computers) called PlayStation and Dreamcast manufactured by a company called Sega.

SimCity is a simulation program (a program that simulates real life) in which the user has to develop a city by building roads and 3D (three-dimensional) buildings, setting taxes, etc. They also have to control objects such as simulated cars and people. The user can download (copy from a server computer) additional objects and swap items with other users using a special website. The game is run on a computer called a Commodore 64 (an early British type of personal computer particularly suited to games because of its excellent graphics facilities).

An ASP (application service provider) rents applications to users i.e. instead of buying software, the user pays for using applications as and when they need them.

The ASP provides the software, manages the hardware and provides storage space, security controls and the physical links to customers. The ASP normally leases storage space for programs and data from data centres (facilities for storing large amounts of information) owned by data storage specialists.

The user is provided with remote access (access across a communications network) to a wide variety of programs including: generic applications such as email (electronic mail) and office suites, high-end (advanced) packages including large, complex business applications such as enterprise resource planning tools (e.g. SAP), business services, such as payroll and accounting systems, expensive specialist tools and e-commerce resources (electronic commerce – buying and selling on the Internet).

This gives the user more flexibility and saves them having to install and maintain programs, upgrade (install newer versions of programs), deal with viruses (programs that can reproduce themselves and are written with the purpose of causing damage or causing a computer to behave in an unusual way) and manage email systems (electronic mail systems).

Disadvantages of this system include: the need for a broadband (high bandwidth i.e. a connection with a high signal capacity) network connection or a leased line (a cable connection that is rented for use in a communications system) and dependence on the ASP to provide a secure, reliable, readily available service.

8. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and phrases:

Patient records, by clicking on a tab, default button, popular adventure game, various versions, female animated image, have to solve puzzles, games consoles, to develop a city, simulated cars and people, setting taxes, additional objects, swap items, excellent graphics facilities, instead of buying software, storage space, security controls, leases storage space, generic applications, high-end (advanced) packages, enterprise resource planning tools, e-commerce resources, install and maintain programs, upgrade, causing damage, to behave in an unusual way, to provide a secure, reliable, readily available service.

9. Give English equivalents to the following words and phrases:

Критерии поиска, кнопка «найти», кнопка по умолчанию, главный герой, контролировать движения, быстро реагировать, избегать опасные препятствия, развить город, построить дороги,ввести налоги, обменяться предметами, вместо покупки программного обеспечения, пользователь платит за использование приложений, сдавать в аренду (2), большое количество информации, широкое разнообразие программ, сложные приложения, платежная ведомость, бухгалтерские системы, гибкость, модернизировать,