Reading. a) Read the text and find out the definitions:

a) Read the text and find out the definitions:

Most computers have a Graphical User Interface. The interface is the connection between the user and the computer. The most common type of GUI uses a WIMP system. WIMP stands for Window, Icon, Menu (or Mouse), Pointer (or Pull-down/Pop-up menu).

A Window is an area of the computer screen where you can see the contents of a folder, a file, or a program. Some systems allow several windows on the screen at the same time and windows can overlap each other. The window on the top is the one which is 'active', the one in use.

Icons are small pictures on the screen. They represent programs, folders, or files. For example, the Recycle Bin icon represents aprogram for deleting and restoring files. Most systems have a special area of the screen on which icons appear.

Menus give the user a list of choices. You operate the menu by pressing and releasing one or more buttons on the mouse.

The pointer is the arrow you use to select icons or to choose options from a menu. You move the pointer across the screen with the mouse. Then you click a button on the mouse to use the object selected by the pointer.

b) Read the terms, make sure that you now their meanings:

window

scroll bar

menu bar

pull-down menu

pointer

toolbar buttons

disk icons

folders

program icons

document icons

printer icon

dock icon

c) Read the definitions to check your answers:

· Window: a viewing area less than or equal to the screen size. By using different windows you can work on several documents simultaneously.

· Scroll bar: the area, usually around two sides of a window in a graphical user interface, that allows the user to move around a document.

· Menu bar: the area at the top of the screen which allows access to various menus.

· Pull-down menu: a menu that the user ‘pulls down’ from a name in the menu bar at the top of the screen by selecting the name with the mouse.

· The pointer: an arrow, controlled by the mouse, that allows you to move around the screen.

· Toolbar buttons: found at the top of a window, they take you to the Home folder and others.

· Icons: graphic images (or intuitive symbols) used to represent an object or task.

· Folders: containers for documents and applications.

· Dock: set of icons at the bottom of the screen that give you instant access to the things you use most.

d) Read the article below and decide which of the expressions in the box best describe a graphical user interface (GUI):

GUIs

The term user interface refers to the standard procedures the user follows to interact with a particular computer. A few years ago, the way in which users had access to a computer system was quite complex. They had to memorize and type a lot of commands just to see the content of a disk, to copy files or to respond to a single prompt. In fact, only experts used computers, so there was no need for a user-friendly interface. Now, however, computers are used by all kinds of people and as a result there is a growing emphasis on the user interface.

A good user interface is important because when you buy a program you want to use it easily. Moreover, a graphical user interface saves a lot of time: you don’t need to memorize commands in order to execute an application; you only have to point and click so that its content appears on the screen.

Macintosh computers – with a user interface based on graphics and intuitive tools – were designed with a single clear aim: to facilitate interaction with the computer. Their interface is called WIMP: Window, Icon, Mouse and Pointer and software products for Macintosh have been designed to take full advantage of its features using this interface. In addition, the ROM chips of a Macintosh contain libraries that provide program developers with routines for generating windows, dialog boxes, icons and pop-up menus. This ensures the creation of applications with a high level of consistency.

Today, the most innovative GUIs are the Macintosh, Microsoft Windows and OS/2’s graphical Presentation Manager. These three platforms include similar features: a desktop with icons, windows and folders, a printer selector, a file finder, a control panel and various desk accessories. Double-clicking a folder opens a window which contains programs, documents or further nested folders. At any time within a folder, you can launch the desired program or document by double-clicking the icon, or you can drag it to another location.

The three platforms differ in other areas such as device installation, network connectivity or compatibility with application program.

These interfaces have been so successful because they are extremely easy to use. It is well known that computers running under an attractive interface stimulate users to be more creative and produce high quality results, which has a major impact on the general public.

e) Find answers to these questions:

1) What does the abbreviation ‘GUI’ stand for?

2) What is the contribution of Macintosh computers to the development of graphic environment?

3) What does the acronym ‘WIMP’ mean?

4) What computing environments based on graphics are mentioned in the text?

5) How do you run a program on a computer with a graphical interface?

6) Can you give two reasons for the importance of user-friendly interfaces?