In our last program we started Case Study 3. We’re visiting a high-tech company, Hewlett-Packard, and concentrating on technical business communication. Our last lesson focused on personnel decisions, and we interviewed Chris Smith. Now today, we’re going to focus on equipment decisions … so let’s get started with today’s lesson. To begin with, we’re going to sit in on a discussion Chris and Leah are having about using a robot to deliver the mail. Here we go.
Today's topics:
HOST: Well, how did you do? I hope you didn’t have too much trouble speaking at the right time. Well, that’s all the time we have for today. But we’ll continue our visit to Hewlett-Packard in our next program, Program 9. Hope you’ll join us. Until then, bye now.
- Equipment decisions
- Technical Communications
- Technical Communications
Equipment Decisions
Now pretend you are Leah. Speak to Chris. Use the below dialogue. Remember, Chris will start the conversation.
Practice again this conversation by taking over the role of Chris.
Technical Communications (1)
Practice speaking along with Gordon. Use the below dialogue.
Susan and Gordon discuss the possibility of using dial-up modems.
Chris and Leah discuss about a proposal for a robot.
Technical
Communications (2)
Communications (2)
Now it’s your turn. You take Susan’s part in the role-play. Are you ready? Remember - you have to star the conversation
HOST: In these lessons, we always take a few minutes to do an interview with somebody. We take turns: I do the interview first, and then you do the interviewing. Today, instead of an interview, we’re going to do a role-play. In this conversation between Susan and Gordon, we’re going to play Susan’s part. I’ll do it first, and then you do the role-play.
YOU: It follows the reflective tape on the floor, reads the bar code and rings a doorbell at the stop.
YOU: Right now we have four. With the robot, we’ll have eight.
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YOU: Right now we have four. With the robot, we’ll have eight.
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YOU: Yes, we are.
YOU: I don't know.... We use those phones a lot.
YOU: Do you know how much the modems cost?
YOU: That'd be great to know.
YOU: Thanks.
YOU: I don't know.... We use those phones a lot.
YOU: Do you know how much the modems cost?
YOU: That'd be great to know.
YOU: Thanks.
YOU: Gordon, Bruce asked me if you guys are still using the leased line to Loveland.
YOU: You know, leased lines cost about a thousand dollars a month just for the line itself. Bruce was wondering if you couldn’t possibly use a dial-up modem instead.
YOU: OK. My concern is that you’re going to lose some speed over the modem, because it’ll only run at 1200 baud.
YOU: I’ll get those figures and compare what it costs using the modem versus the terminal, and then I’ll take it from there.
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YOU: You know, leased lines cost about a thousand dollars a month just for the line itself. Bruce was wondering if you couldn’t possibly use a dial-up modem instead.
YOU: OK. My concern is that you’re going to lose some speed over the modem, because it’ll only run at 1200 baud.
YOU: I’ll get those figures and compare what it costs using the modem versus the terminal, and then I’ll take it from there.
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