067　computers

Words
Modem internet connection wireless cpu hard drive software keyboard hardware program disc cd rom mouse screen button type press cursor click manual wire/lead print(er) up/download email mouse pad scanner lap/desktop graphics soundcard web page/site chat room online

Phrases
Chat online
Insert a disc
Send an email
Surf on the net
Download a program
Catch a virus
Use a program
Save a document

Dialogues
Beginner
A: hi! Is that the new laptop you brought last week? It looks very nice.
B; yes, it is. Thanks. I’m just surfing on the internet.
A; here? In this café? How can you do that?
B; this café offers a wireless internet connection. That means I can get on the net for free while I’m here. Of course , I have to buy a cup of coffee!
A: that’s great. Can you do it anywhere?
B; no. you can only do it when the café offers a wireless connection. There are only about 10 or 12 places that offer it in this city.
A: so, what programs do you have on your laptop?
B: I’ve got all the usual ones for word processing and then I have a few for creating and editing photographs.
A: I know you are keen on photography. It’s very useful for you to be able to download photos from your digital camera. Then you attach the picture files to emails and send them to anyone, anywhere, at anytime!
B: it’s wonderful, isn’t it? Would you like to see some photos that I look recently?

Intermediate
A: do you use an anti-virus program to protect your computer?
B: yes, I do. I also use an anti-spyware program and a firewall. There are so many nasties on the internet and so many people who are trying to use the internet to hurt other users. You have to be very careful and keep you computer clean.
A: how often do you run your anti-virus program?
B: I usually run it every few days. It finds a virus about half the time.
A: which anti-virus program would you recommend?
B; how you tried this one? It’s very good and you can download it for free on the internet. You can also download updates for free.
A: that sounds very good. Which website should I visit to download it?
B; just a minute… go to this one. I’ll send you an email with the line in it. It only takes a few minutes to download. Then you have to go through the set up procedures. But they are not complicated.
A; what do you use your computer for?
B; I use it for several things-surfing the net, word processing and creating presentations. I don’t play many games on my computer, but I do a lot of work with photographs. Using c computer program, you can edit and resize photographs. You can also make them brighter or darker and cut pieces form different photographs to create new ones.
A: computers are great, aren’t they? I should download some programs and learn how to use them.