A computer really makes office life easier as it can do all sorts of different jobs. The same computer could be used, for example, as a word processor, for filing, printing, working out statistics for the accounts department, communicating with other offices, web browsing.
When a company decides to install a computer, it usually gets a system administrator to study the ways in which the machine might best be used. If the company is a large one, the system administrator may be a full-time employee, looking after the continuous improvement and adaptation of the computer system. The system administrator will recommend what kinds of program and computer equipment are required.
Many companies buy ready-written programs 'off the shelf, or buy programs that can be tailored to specific needs but are mostly standard. This reduces the cost of the system, for programming is very expensive and time-consuming. Once it is installed and running, a well-designed computer system can take over much of the routine work and at the same time provide accurate information about the business quickly and efficiently.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK FOR A SMALL COMPANY
Such network consists of a central computer, with a number of other computers, laser printers, and other machines, such as might be used in a modern office. Each computer that is linked to the network is referred to as a terminal or a workstation. The central computer is referred to as a network server. As each workstation has access to the files held on the hard disk system of the server, information held there can beobtained by any of the workstations, subject to the right password. Thus the accounts manager can obtain historical data about sales, for example, and use his workstation to produce his statistics.
Wide area networks link offices in different parts of the country or of the world by special communication lines. Wide area networks link the same kinds of machine as local area networks, but you may find a facsimile machine at each end of the long-distance link. The facsimile machine can scan any document or photograph and transmit a copy of it to the machine at the other end of the link.
It is possible to transmit information over the normal 'speech' telephone lines, using a device called a modem. The output of the computer is converted into an audible signal, and sent down the telephone lines. A modem at the other end translates the signal for the receiving computer. Because telephone lines are intended for speech, they are not ideal for data. The speed of transmission is only a fraction of what can be obtained using proper data lines, and the reliability is not as good. The advantage is its cheapness.
4. STATIONERY
Канцелярские товары (принадлежности)
| paper | бумага |
| sheetofpaper | лист бумаги |
| reamofpaper | стопа бумаги |
| plainpaper | обычная бумага |
| correspondencepaper | писчая бумага высшего качества |
| ruledpaper | линованная бумага |
| headed note-paper | фирменныйбланк |
| whatmanpaper | ватманская бумага |
| stock of notepaper | пачкабумаги |
| carbonpaper | копировальная бумага (копирка) |
| flimsypaper | папиросная (тонкая) бумага |
| shorthand pad | блокнот для стенографии (Am.: stenopad) |
| envelope | конверт |
| correcting (correction) fluid | жидкостьдляисправленияошибок |
| archboardfile | скоросшиватель с пружиннымзажимом |
| folder | палка для документов, корреспонденции |
| ringbinder | скоросшиватель (папка) |
| stapler (stapling machine) | скоросшиватель |
| staples | скобы металлические для скоросшивателя |
| paper clip / paper fastener | скрепка |
| drawing pin | канцелярскаякнопка |
| hole punch | дырокол |
| airmail sticker | наклейкадляавиапочты |
| adhesive tape | клейкаялента |
| adhesive tape dispenser | катушкасклейкойлентой |
| tear-offedge | кромка-лезвие для отрыва ленты |
| packingtapе | упаковочная лента |
| rubberbands | резинки (для скрепления чего-л.) |
| eraser, rubber | резинка (для стирания следовкарандаша с бумаги) |
| ruler | линейка |
| gluepot | пузырек с клеем |
| moistener set of drawing instruments | губка готовальня |
| pen | ручка |
| ball-point pen | шариковаяручка |
| felt tip pen | фломастер |
| fiber tip (marker) pen | маркер |
| pencil | карандаш |
| pencil sharpener | точилка |
| drawing pencil | чертежныйкарандаш |
| desk diary | дневник |
| deskset | настольный письменный прибор |
| pen-and-pencil tray | подставкадляручек |
| desk mat (blotter) | пресс-папье |
| telephone directory | телефонныйсправочник |
| wall calendar | настенныйкалендарь |
| pettycashbook | журнал регистрации мелких расходов |
SPEAKING ABOUT STATIONERY
Here is the drawer for ball-point pens, rulers, drawing instruments, boxes of drawing pins and paper clips, small and large. There is a stapling machine and a hole punch, too. Here we have all types of storage (places to keep things). In that built-in closet there ought to be envelopes, headed notepaper, plain paper, stationery, glue-pots, adhesive tapes, packing tapes, rubber bands and erasers. This is a drawer for all sorts of files and here is another drawer for personal things. In the top drawer there are two telephone directories, one of them containing the employees' home phone numbers.
ORDERING STATIONARY
- Good morning. Is that the sales department?
- Yes. Miss Warner speaking.
- Good morning, Miss Warner. My name is Elsie Brown from BSD International. I'm ringing about our last order.
- Could you give me the delivery number, please.
- Yes, 3839.
Right. Here it is. Now, what can I do for you?
- Well, firstly, the pencil sharpeners we ordered didn't arrive.
- No. I'm afraid our suppliers didn't deliver any pencil sharp to us. I'll try to send them to you next week.
- The other thing is that we ordered large paper-clips, and you've sent small ones.
- I'm very sorry. We'll send you the correct ones this after noon and collect the ones you've got.
- Well, I'm afraid I can't sign the delivery note.
- Could you change it to what you actually received and then sign it?
- I'll do that.
- And I'll arrange for our accounts department to issue a credit note for the difference in price. They've probably already prepared the invoice from the delivery note.
- That's fine. I look forward to receiving the correct paper clips this afternoon.
- Sorry for all the trouble. We've got a new man working in the stock room.
- Well I hope it won't happen again. This is the second time this month that you've sent the wrong order.
PHRASES TO BE USED when buying or ordering something for your office (furniture, equipment, stationery):
We want... (say what and how much you want).
Нам нужно ... (скажите, что и сколько вам нужно).
We would like / prefer to have ...
Нам бы хотелось / Mbi бы предпочли приобрести...
How much does it cost?
Сколькоэтостоит?
Is there a guarantee?
Имеетсялигарантия?
Will we get a discount?
Можем ли мы иметь скидку?
How big will a discount be?
Какая скидка будет предоставлена?
Isitsimpletoinstall?
Это легко устанавливается?
Is it easily fitted and removed?
Легко ли это устанавливается и убирается?
Is it water repellent / stain resistant / washable?
Это водонепроницаемо /не пачкается /стирается?
How soon can you deliver it?
Когда вы сможете это доставить?
When can we have the invoice?
Когда мы можем получить счет-фактуру?
5. ORIENTATION INSIDE AN OFFICE
Путеводительпоофису
| onthegroundfloor | на первом (наземном) этаже |
| turnleft/right | повернуть налево / направо |
| go this way as far as the | идти в этом направлении до лифта |
| elevator (Am) /lift (GB) | лифт, подъемник |
| take the lift to the ... floor | поднятьсялифтомна ... этаж |
| next to the counter / entrance | следующийзастойкой / входом |
| youcan'tmissit | вы легко его найдете (вы не сможете не заметить и пройти мимо) |
| upstairs / downstairs | вниз (внизу) / вверх (вверху) |
| over there | вонтам |
| downthecorridor | дальше по коридору |
| opposite the lift | напротивлифта |
| in the middle of the lobby | вцентрезала |
| behind the central pillar | зацентральнойколонной |
| in front of | перед |
| canteen | столовая, буфет (на заводе, в учебном заведении и т.п.) |
| round the comer | зауглом |
| in the right / left wing | в правом / левом крыле |
| go straight on | идти прямо |
| takethesecondright / | второй поворот направо / первый |
| the first left | (поворот) налево |
| go down / up staircase | спускайтесь / поднимайтесь по |
| (numberorletter) | лестнице ... (номер или буква) |
| out of the back of the buildine | из тыльной (задней) части здания |
| by door | черездверь |
| outside | снаружи |
| assemble | собираться |
FINDING YOUR WAY ABOUT. GIVING DIRECTIONS
- Excuse me, I'm looking for the personnel department. Do you know where it is?
- I'm a stranger here myself, but I happen to know that it's on the second floor, in the left wing.
- Thank you very much.
- Excuse me, where is the store room?
- It's on the ground floor. At the end of the corridor turn left, room 27.
- Excuse me, what floor is the general manager's office on?
- Go this way as far as the elevator. Take it to the third floor. His office is next to the samples exhibition counter, on your right, you can't miss it.
- May I ask to help me?
- Sure. What can I do for you?
- I can't find your marketing services. Are they upstairs or downstairs?
- The marketing section is just on this floor, over there, down the corridor. Rooms 304 and 305, next to the stationary store.
- Where's the managing director's office?
- Go upstairs and turn right. It's the second door on the right, opposite the transport manager's office.
-The mail room is next to the entrance, opposite the lift. And the information desk is in the middle of the lobby, behind the central pillar, in front of the public telephones. Our canteen with a small bar are round the corner, in the right wing. To get to the guards' rest facilities, you should go straight on, take the second right, then the first left.
-As you know, there was a small fire in one of our show rooms yesterday, so I want to make sure that you all know what to do if we have another one. In rooms 1 to 10, you should go down staircase A, out of the back of the building by door 2 and then wait in the car parking outside. If you are in any other room, use staircase B. Go out of door 5 and assemble by the fountain.
6. OFFICESAFETY & SECURITY
Безопасность и охрана офиса
| Crime | преступление |
| armedrobbery | вооруженное ограбление |
| embezzlement | растрата; присвоение чужогоимущества или чужих денег |
| safeguards | охрана |
| ensureawareness | обеспечить сознательность |
| defraud | отнимать (с помощью обмана) |
| spot | обнаруживать |
| deter | останавливать, отпугивать, удерживать |
| shoplifting | воровство (покупателей) в магазинах, магазинные кражи |
| screen | тщательно отбирать, проверять |
| hire | нанимать на работу |
| lock | замок |
| sparekeys | запасные ключи |
| pilfering (pilferage) | хищение |
| petty theft | мелкаякража |
| thief | вор |
| robber | грабитель |
| intruder | непрошеный пришедший |
| suspiciously | подозрительно |
| confidential | секретный |
| securitysystem | охранная система |
| reliable | надежный |
| safety | безопасность |
| electrical appliances | электроприборы |
| fire | пожар |
| alarm | тревога |
| tirebrigade | пожарная команда |
| tireescape | запасной выход |
| smoke detector | детектордыма |
| fire extinguisher | огнетушитель |
| escape plans | планыэвакуации |
| foam | пена |
ADVICE ON SECURITY MEASURES