Unit II. Computer systems lesson Theme: Living with computers

C Removable flash memory
Flash memory is solid-state, rewritable memory; it is non-volatile, so it retains data when the power is turned off. This explains its popularity in small devices.

• 
  Flash memory cards such as CompactFlash or Secure Digital are found in cameras, PDAs and music players.
  
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  Flash drives, also known as thumb or pen drives, are connected to a USB port of the computer. They let you save and transfer data easily.
  

Read A opposite. Choose a term from this word web to complete the sentences below.

1 The first rule of data storage is to make a ……………….of all important files.

2 A……………..is slower than a hard drive and can only hold 1.44 MB disks.
3 The……………….inside your PC is made of aluminium alloy covered with a magnetic coating. This makes the disk itself a rigid plate, hence its name.
4 The………………are circles around a disk and the …………………are segments within each circle.
5 This hard drive is a 60 GB IBM model with a fast……………….of 8ms.
6 The………………is the rate of transmission of data from the disk to the CPU. This is usually described in megabytes per second.
7 Apple’s iPod music player can double as a………………..for transporting computer data.


APPENDIX 6. HOME TASK

APPENDIX 5. LISTENING.
Task 1: Sue wants to buy a new drive. Listen to her conversation with the sales assistant. Does she buy anything?
Listen again and answer the following question in written form:

1. 
   What is the storage capacity of the lomega eGo portable hard drive?_________________________
   
2. 
   How much information can be stored on the Edge DiskGo model?____________________________
   
3. 
   Which hard drive is good for mobile professionals?________________________________________
   
4. 
   How much does the lomega eGo drive cost?_____________________________________________
   
5. 
   How much does the Edge DiskGo cost?_________________________________________________