I began by asking them if they thought that software purchasers are getting what they need? What should developers be doing differently to give purchasers a better product?

Mary EvansIn general, I think people are getting what they want —there are a lot of creative things being done with paint software, word

15 processing, DTP (desktop publishing) systems, and the like. Do users want more? Of course! Users will always want more. The computer is an incredibly powerful tool, and any software that makes it easier, faster, more creative, or more cost-effective will inevitably be in demand. But I'm generally optimistic about the way things are going

20 at the moment. I think most of the major software manufacturers are able to read the market quite well.'

Gerry Harper'I'm afraid I completely disagree with Mary. I just don't think that software purchasers are getting the technical support they need. While the products are getting more and more complex, and

25 more and more expensive, it seems that support is starting to be thought of as an additional business opportunity. More generally, I've thought for some time that applications are getting too big, and that they're trying to do too much. Yes, they're versatile and powerful, but they're also often overwhelming. I think what we need are simple little

30 programs that are easy to understand and use, and that work together to accomplish more complex tasks.'

Matt Andrews'I really can't agree with that. To imagine we can just go back to "simple little programs" just ignores the complex needs of many of today's software users. No, I'm sure that you can't stop

35 progress. Suppliers know what their customers want — they just can't supply it quickly enough. I've studied the market very closely, and I've found that purchasers' needs seem always to exceed the capability of the available software by a constant time-frame of about six to twelve months.'

40 Bob Bolton'I think users are getting what they want, provided that their needs fit the off-the-shelf application. Specialized software is usually so specific that it should be written in-house for businesses. Developers should add features that the customer needs, not what they think customers want. Some effort should be made to get

45 feedback from the users before making an upgrade so that the proper features are added.'

Vocabulary

a flash in the pan (1. 6) — a success that lasts only a short time and is not repeated

off-the-shelf (1. 41) — mass-produced: not made according to the individual needs of the customer

1 'Developers have to cut through a jungle of computer languages, operating environments, and shifting standards...' (line 1)

aThe huge number of languages, environments, and standards makes life difficult for software developers.

bSoftware developers have to act to reduce the number of languages, environments, and standards which currently exist.

`Their comments reveal some common and diverse themes.' (line 8)

aThey talk about ordinary and wide-ranging topics.

bThey agree about some issues, but disagree about others.

3 'Ithink most of the major software manufacturers are able to read the market quite well.' (line 20)

aMost software manufacturers understand what consumers want.

bMost software manufacturers know how to influence users to buy more of their products.

4`...it seems that support is starting to be thought of as an additional business opportunity.' (line 25)

aIncreased technical support is a means of making software more attractive to businesses.

bSoftware manufacturers are using the fact their products are complex to

start selling technical support to their customers.

5 `...purchasers' needs seem always to exceed the capability of the available software by a constant time-frame of about six to twelve months.' (line 37)

aIt takes about six to twelve months for purchasers to understand fully the software they buy.

bThe software customers want now what will only become available in about six to twelve months.

Task 4Which of the four speakers do you most agree with? Why?

Writing

Task 6Translate Mary Evans's comments (the paragraph beginning 'In general, I

think people...') into your own language.

Listening

Task 7

Listen to the following radio talk show called Computer Forecast, in which Barry Harris, the host, is discussing the future of software technology with his two guests. Are the following sentences true (T) or false (F)?

1 Liz thinks that most PC users are too tolerant of design faults.

2 Liz thinks that only ten per cent of software users really know what they are doing.

3Liz thinks that the increased sophistication of software will make the problem of lack of expertise among users even worse in the future.

4Sam agrees that the vast majority of users of a single PC are inexperienced.

5Sam estimates that the number of experienced users and first-time buyers among his customers is about the same.

6Liz thinks that multimedia isn't having a big impact on the software

market because of its high price and the lack of appropriate technology.

7 Sam disagrees with Liz about multimedia, and believes that it will replace conventional desktop publishing.

8Both Liz and Sam agree that, in future, new software products will all have to be network-compatible.

Listen again. Change the sentences that are false to make them true.

Task 8 F-^-1^, Read this extract from the tapescript of the conversation and fill in the gaps. To

help you, the first letter of each missing word is given, and each gap is followed by a synonym for the missing word.

Comparing software packages

Reading

can automatically generate a table of contents for a document

can carry out simple calculations within a document such as totalling columns, etc.

a single text file can contain several 'rulers' with different margins and tab settings

automatic numbering of figures, paragraphs, etc.

can adjust the space between successive characters to produce a 'best fit'

program can read in names and addresses from a database and create personalized letters for mail-shots can automatically generate a sorted alphabetical index for a document

text from word processors and databases can be precoded with tags to allow the correct format to be applied automatically

these help to ensure uniform style throughout a document

a writing aid enabling the structure of the document to be worked out beforehand and used as a guide when doing the detailed writing

Word-play

Task 15Complete the puzzle and find the key word in 11 down.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Across

1A program designed to perform a specifid function. (11)

2A general term for programs which do not form part of a computer but are used when operating it. (8)

3A facility which allows the user to read in a file of names and create `personalized' letters. (4,5)

4A sequence of instructions that is repeated until a desired condition is reached. (4)

5A program that manipulates rows and columns of figures, used especially for accounting. (11)

6The combined use on computer of text, graphics, video, animation, and sound. (10)

7The______ editor is a systems program that fetches required systems routines

and links them to the object module. (7)

8The business of preparing, printing, and distributing books or magazines, etc. to the public. (10)

9Someone who creates new software products. (9)

10A program or series of programs directed at some generic application (e.g. word processing) that can be tailored by the user to match his individual needs. (7)

Down

11An IBM-_____ computer is one which can be used with other IBM hardware.

(10)

Language focus E

Making comparisons

Formation

The regular comparative and superlative forms of descriptive words (adjectives and adverbs) are shown below:

1 Words of one syllable add the ending -er and -est, Examples:

2 Words with three or more syllables are preceded by more and most. Examples:

3 Adjectives with two syllables may be like 1 or 2 above in that they will add the ending -er and -est if they end in -y or -ly, -ow, -le and -er.

Examples:

61

4 Most of the remaining two-syllable adjectives take more and most in front of them.

Examples:

Absolute Comparative Superlative

careful more careful most careful

careless more careless most careless

boring more boring most boring

awful more awful most awful

complex more complex most complex

5 Some common two-syllable adjectives can have either type of formation. Examples:

common commoner/ commonest/

more common most common

gentle gentler/ gentlest

more gentle most gentle

quiet quieter/ quietest/

more quiet most quiet

6 Two-syllable adverbs ending in -ly take more and most. Examples:

quickly more quickly most quickly

slowly more slowly most slowly

badly more badly most badly

7 A small number of adjectives and adverbs have an irregular comparative and superlative form.

Examples:

Absolute Comparative Superlative

Use in sentences

Comparisons may show equivalence, non-equivalence, the highest degree of something, and parallel increase.

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