English for Specific Purposes

English for computing and business:

http://www.english-online.org.uk/

Sites com exercícios / curso de inglês

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-perfect-simple/exercises

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/

More Features of Operating Systems

In multi-tasking or multiprogramming environments, for the purpose of increasing processing productivity, computers process several applications concurrently, switching from one to the other. This requires a powerful operating system incorporating work scheduling facilities to control the switching between programs. This means reading in data for one program while the processor is performing computations on another and printing out results on yet another.

In multi-user environments, only one user can access the system at a given moment of time. In such environments, an operating system is required to control terminal operations on a shared access basis and also the locking and unlocking of records to prevent one user attempting to read a record while another user is updating it, for instance. In such a case, one user is allowed to write to a record and all the other ones are denied access until the record is updated and unlocked.

Some environments operate in concurrent batch and real-time mode. Batch mode means that a background' job deals with programs that run without any terminal or user interaction. Real-time jobs, on the other hand, are 'foreground' jobs that deal with situations in which immediate results are necessary-such as airline seat reservations, on-line booking of hotel accommodations, automatic cash dispenser, etc. The real-time operations have priority, and the operating system: a) interrupts batch processing to deal with real-time inquiries, and bj transfers the interrupted stage of batch processing to backing storage. After the real-time operation has been dealt with, the interrupted program is transferred back to internal memory and processing recommences from a `restart point'. The operating system also copies to disk backing storage the state of the real-time system every few minutes to provide a means of 'recovering' the system in the event of a malfunction.

Labels

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom)
"Do not turn upside down."

On Sainsbury's peanuts --
"Warning: contains nuts."

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine --
"Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."

On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding -

"Product will be hot after heating."

On a Sears hairdryer --
Do not use while sleeping.

On a bag of Fritos --
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

On a bar of Dial soap --
"Directions: Use like regular soap."

On some Swanson frozen dinners --
"Serving suggestion: Defrost."

On packaging for a Rowenta iron --
"Do not iron clothes on body."

On Nytol Sleep Aid --
"Warning: May cause drowsiness."

On most brands of Christmas lights --
"For indoor or outdoor use only."

On a Japanese food processor --
"Not to be used for the other use."

On an American Airlines packet of nuts --
"Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."

On a child's Superman costume --
"Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."

Computer for children

Everyone knows that technology is very important. More and more people make their living by working with computers. Modern businesses use computers to keep information about sales, costs, workers and the people who buy products. And the Internet is becoming more valuable as a way to market products to the whole world.

But educators around the world have a big problem. How are they going to teach millions of school children to use computers? Teachers must be trained and have experience with computers. But many older people, including some teachers, are not interested in computers or are afraid to learn how to use them. ( I )

Now a researcher in India has developed a possible solution to the problem. His name is Sugata Mitra. His idea is that children can teach themselves how to use computers. Mister Mitra and engineers from a company called N-I-I-T in New Delhi invented a new kind of computer. It does not use a keyboard.

They put the computer in a wall that surrounds an area where poor people live. The computer was connected to the Internet. Mister Mitra wanted to see if people would use the computer. He placed a video camera near the computer so he could watch people as they looked at or played with the computer.

He discovered that adults were not interested in the computer in the wall. But children, especially young boys, were very interested. They learned how to play games and find music on the Internet without any adult to teach them. Then they shared what they had learned with other children. These children did not speak or read English, only Hindi. However, they were able to use computer programs in English to find interesting games on the Internet. And they were able to make the games work.

Mister Mitra thinks India and other countries can solve the problem of not having enough teachers to teach technology if children can teach themselves how to use computers. He says, "We can use teachers to teach three-hundred-thousand children about computers. But in India, we need to teach three-hundred-million children if we are going to fight against the digital divide."

Qual das alternativas abaixo melhor explica o titulo original do texto?

a. ( ) Computers owned by a group of children.

b. ( ) Computers which were designed with children's in mind.

c. ( ) Computers to be used exclusively by children.

Existe alguma diferença semantica entre:

a. Computers for children

b. Children's computers

Caso afirmativo, qual e a diferença?

Leia o texto atentamente e selecione a alternativa que melhor expressa sua ideia principal.

a. ( ) Adults do not care about computers because they are afraid of them.

b. ( ) Older people, including some teachers are not interested in learning how to use a computer.

c. ( ) According to Mr. Mitra, the lack of teachers who can work with computers can be minimized if children are taught to use computers.

d. ( ) Children like to play with computers.

Write T if the statement is True and F if the statement is False

a. ( ) Everyone knows how important technology should be.

b. ( ) Mr. Mitra and engineers from N-I-I-T think a keyboard is useless.

d. ( ) Mr. Mitra's new invention was a great success because it used a video camera.

Encontre no texto termos relacionados corn tecnologia e reescreva-os aqui.

Prefixos tais como un, in, im, entre outros, são adicionados a adjetivos em ingles para gerar seu antônimo.

Exemplos: clear - unclear conscious - unconscious

finite - infinite frequent - infrequent

proper - improper probable - improbable]

Qual é o antônimo (the opposite) dos seguintes adjetivos extraidos do texto:

Use un, in ou im.

Important -

Valuable –

Interested -

Possible –

Able –

A que se referem:

a. they going to teach (line 5)

b. to use them (line 8)

c. can teach themselves (line 10)

d. They put the computer (line13)

e. He discovered (line 17)

f. to teach them (line 19)

g. We can use teachers (line 24/25)

Leia o texto novamente e, dentre as sentenças abaixo, selecione aquela que poderia melhor se encaixar em ( I ).

a. ( ) This is achieved through practice.

b. ( ) They are so called technofobies.

c. ( ) They can perform many tasks.

Uso do "do" e "does"

http://www.infoescola.com/ingles/presente-simples-simple-present/

Botanicalls

A Device For Plants To Send Text Messages

Interactive telecommunications researchers designed a soil-moisture sensor device that can allow a house plant to communicate with its owner. The device can send short messages to a mobile phone or, by using a service called Twitter, it can send short messages to the Internet. The messages can range from reminders to water the plant, a thank you or a warning that you over- or under-watered it.

1) Como as plantas se comunicam com as pessoas?

2) Quais as mensagens que o comunicador envia aos donos das plantas?

House plants look good, brighten a room, produce oxygen, purify indoor air, eliminate noxious gases and reduce carbon monoxide levels. So why do so many of us forget to water them? Now, there may be a solution to solve that problem. Thirsty plants can now let you know they need water.

Knowing what your plants need isn't always this simple. For most of us, it's more of a guessing game. Phyllis Bilowich believes her porch plants like sharing her morning cup of water.

"The hibiscus has grown taller than me," said Bilowich.

Now she can not only see the results, but Phyllis' plants can tell her exactly what they need.

3) Quais as vantagens das plantas em casa?

4) Por que as necessidades das plantas são um “guessing game”?

A new system called Botanicalls, developed by interactive telecommunications researchers, allows your plants to send "tweets," or short text messages, to your mobile phone or messages to the Internet.

"They'll recognize when they've been watered, and they'll say thank you, and they'll also let you know if you've over-watered or under-watered," said Botanicalls developer Katie London.

Botanicalls researchers have created units with a soil-moisture sensor.

"We have a little micro-controller unit that's basically a little computer that's hooked up to your plant," said developer Kate Hartman.

Probes in the soil send out electrical waves. Based on amount of moisture in the soil, a voltage level is sent through two wires to a circuit board that compares current moisture levels to the optimum moisture level. This data is received by a local network, which allows the plant to send a message for help. It can send a wireless signal to an internet-connected computer that can send a prerecorded message to the owner. These messages might include a thank-you when plants are watered, or a warning if the watering is too much.

"We decided to tap into existing communication systems and allow them to talk like people," Hartman said.

5) Como funciona o sistema Botanicalls?

6) O nome “Botanicalls” é formado pela junção de duas palavras. Quais são elas?

Each Botanicalls kit is $99. Developers say it's worth it if you like your plants but don't always remember to take care of them. The new kit is the third generation of the Botanicalls system. The team is continuing to innovate and hopes to make it smaller, cheaper and easier to use.

House plants benefit air quality. It may not be an obvious benefit, but house plants can help improve the air quality inside homes. In addition to absorbing carbon dioxide, plants can absorb gases such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. As builders construct more energy efficient homes, the improved insulation limits the exchange of air with the outside, keeping heat, and some pollutants inside. Many common houseplants that are used to add a bit of life to home interiors will also benefit residents by cleaning up the air they breathe.

7) Para que tipo de pessoa o Botanicalls é indicado?

8) Quais os benefícios de se ter plantas em casa?

9) Copie frases, agrupando-as nas seguintes categorias:

a) Frases no presente – to be b) Frases no presente – verbos principais

c) Frases no passado – to be d) Frases no passado – verbos principais

e) Frases no futuro – to be F) Frases no futuro – verbos principais