Using English at Work：35 Having Computer Problems(7)

When we return to the office, I know I have to try to make some headway with my report.

Unfortunately, as soon as I sit down in front of my computer, it starts acting¹ up.

First, my computer screen freezes and I have to boot it up again.

Then, when I try to print a copy of my report, it won't print.

I discover that the problem is that the printer is jammed, so it takes some time to clear it and for it to work again.

Finally, when I think that my computer worries are over, my mouse and keyboard go haywire.

I finally give up and call the computer tech.

I don't usually like calling the computer tech to help me with computer problems.

She's nice enough, but she always makes me feel like I did something bad to my computer - something I shouldn't have done - even when I haven't.

When she arrives, she sits down at my computer and asks me a lot of questions to find out what the problem might be.

I tell her about the problems I had and she asks if I'd had any problems while working on my word processing program.

I say that everything was fine, but I did have some trouble formatting² one of my files³ and got an error message when working on my spreadsheet program.

She starts doing something to my computer, typing on the keys a mile a minute for a long time.

Finally she says, "Okay, it's fixed⁴. You shouldn't have any more problems now - as long as you don't abuse⁵ your computer."

Of course I never abuse my computer, but it's no use telling her.

At least my computer is fixed and I can keep working.

That's the end of our sixth lesson. In our seventh lesson, I'm going to talk about scheduling a meeting at work.

This course has been a production of the Center for Educational Development, in beautiful Los Angeles, California⁶. Visit our website at eslpod.com. This course was produced by Dr⁷. Jeff McQuillan and Dr. Lucy Tse. Copyright⁸ 2008.

1 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

2 formatting   

n.格式化v.使格式化( format的现在分词 )；规定…的格式（或形状、大小、比例等）；安排…的格局（或规格）；设计…的版面

参考例句：

• Select the block of text and-click and choose Default Formatting. 选择目标文字块，点击鼠标右键，选择默认格式。 来自互联网
• There are emerging conventions about the content and formatting of documentation strings. 这里介绍文档字符串的概念和格式。 来自互联网

3 files   

文件夹( file的名词复数 )； 卷宗； 纵列

参考例句：

• A stack of files awaited me on my desk. 我桌上有一堆文件正待我去处理。
• Files were strewn higgledy-piggledy over the floor. 文件乱七八糟地扔了一地。

4 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

5 abuse   

vt.滥用；辱骂；诋毁；n.滥用；恶习；弊端

参考例句：

• You can't make personal abuse on her.你不可对她进行人身攻击。
• She screamed abuse at me.她尖声责备我。

6 California   

n.加利福尼亚(美国)

参考例句：

• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
• We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。

7 Dr   

n.医生，大夫；博士(缩)（= Doctor）

参考例句：

• Dr.Williams instructs us in botany.威廉博士教我们植物学。
• The ward of the hospital is in the charge of Dr.Green.医院的这间病房由格林医生负责。

8 copyright   

n.版权，著作权

参考例句：

• He retained the copyright of his book.他保留此书的著作权。
• This company has a proprietorship of the copyright.这家公司拥有版权所有权。