Real-Life Communication
Computer programmers are experts at using computer language to communicate
with computers. However, you should be able to communicate with more than
a computer if you want to succeed in this field.
"Written and oral
comprehension levels must be very high," says Sandra Wernham, a computer technology
coordinator. "Programmers must not only be able to understand technical material,
they must be able to translate it into everyday language."
As the sole
computer programmer in a large government office, you do a lot more than designing
and writing computer programs. Most of the computer users in the office had
never even touched a computer before working with the office system, so you're
often approached for help with questions and minor disasters.
You take
it all in stride and do your best to help out.
But problems do come
up. Today, for example, a computer user in your office has come to you for
advice. He tells you he finally attempted to send a fax through his computer,
but can't get his fax modem working properly. When he tries to send a fax,
the process begins but is never completed. You're not familiar with this problem,
so you decide to start with the obvious solution. You dig up the fax modem
manual and check out the troubleshooting section.
Read the following
text from a standard manual. In non-technical language, describe at least
three things that could be going wrong with your co-worker's fax transmission.
FAX
MODEM MANUAL
Problem: Your modem or fax-modem disconnects
while communicating remotely.
Possible Cause: The recipient
of the fax transmission may have hung up. Interruptions on the part of the
recipient will cause the sender of the transmission to disconnect.
Possible
Cause: Your telephone line may have call waiting and a call has come in.
It can be disabled in the modem setup dialog box. If this does not work, contact
your local telephone company.
Possible Cause: Someone may be
picking up an extension connected to the line your modem or fax modem is using.
Possible
Cause: You are using MNP5 or v.42bis modem and the other modem does not
support MNP5 or v.42bis. Refer to your modem manual and disable them.
Possible
Cause: Your line settings do not match those of the other communicating
device.