Alla scoperta dell’informatica!

Buondì.

A couple of years ago, before artificial intelligence made freelance writers redundant, I was getting a lot of pitches from young people who were keen to write articles, ebooks, basically anything, as long as it was paid. And I always pay.

I responded to one or two of them (that’s how I found some of our best writers over the years) and commissioned some articles. Usually I’ll ask for a CV/resume and look to see what a person’s background and interests are. That’s why we’ve published loads of stuff about history, for instance – because I spotted on the potential writer’s resume that she was into it, and hoped you might be, too.

Anyway, virtually none of these young writers were teachers, or knew foreign languages, so the project didn’t go far. Then I got ill, and realised I’d have to start doing less, so haven’t taken on new writers. We have maybe six more texts to publish, all written during the pandemic, after which I’m done.

But anyway, this week we have an ebook (originally conceived as a series of articles) from one of those ‘new’ writers, whose background is science and technology. Hey, I emailed him, some of our club members/customers are really fearful of new technology, the Internet, and so on. Maybe you’d like to write about that?

What I ended up with was fairly advanced-level Italian, but written for tech beginners, which isn’t a bad combination. Reading/listening practice is always useful, and this ebook has lots of it, with ten chapters instead of the usual eight.

We got my son Tom, of EasyItalianNews.com fame, to do the audio, as he’s doing Computer Science at college/university, so understands this stuff, or claims to.

And because I’m guessing that club members’ interest in I.T. might not be as high as their interest in Ancient Greek (our most recently-published ebook), this time I’m going to tempt you with TWO free sample chapters, instead of just the one. Get them while they’re hot!

N.b. A word about level. This one is designated C1/C2, meaning advanced, meaning ‘near-native-speaker’, so in theory way beyond most club members. BUT, if you’re familiar with the topics (there’s a list below) that should make things easier – there are a lot of borrowed words, for instance. Or if you’re motivated to learn more about all this Internet stuff, that should help, as then you have a good reason to read.

Plus, reading AND listening support each other, and add extra value. So what I’m basically saying is not to turn up your nose at the TWO free sample chapters, just because the level is high and the topic seems scarily technical. You might surprise yourself!

Which reminds me, our ebooks store customer support often get emails along the lines of “I ‘purchased’ your free ebook, got the email with the download link,” (this itself is a triumph!) “… clicked the link three times, and then just got an error message. Help!”

Sometimes I just reply “Look in your Downloads folder, where you’ll find three copies of the ebook you wanted. Or reorder (it’s free) and ask someone who understands the device you’re using to help you. Maybe just click just the once next time, and try to figure out where the downloaded .pdf file goes?”

Sorry, I moaned at my family, but how can someone NOT know how to download, open, and SAVE a .pdf file? Don’t people get bank statements that way these days? And utility bills? And boarding passes, when they check in online?

This is a BASIC, BASIC, BASIC skill! Like writing your name, but easier, as you don’t have to spend painful years learning how to hold a pencil.

If this all sounds like you, don’t get mad and email me. I didn’t make the world scary and complicated all on my own. Instead, play around with this Free Sample Chapter (.pdf) and see what happens.

Do you manage to see the text on your device?

Can you save a copy some place safe, where you’ll be able to find it when you have time to read and listen to it? (Hint – this should not be difficult…)

Done that? Go to that place now and check that you can open the file. Scroll through to the end. Click the links. Hear the audio? Ottimo!

And if you didn’t manage any of those stages, you’d probably find Alla scoperta dell’informatica (C1/2) very interesting, but…

A mercoledì.

‘Alla scoperta dell’informatica’ – 25% this week!

In just 10 chapters ‘Alla scoperta dell’informatica’ will explain – to the uninitiated – the mysteries of the Internet, while providing valuable advanced-level reading and listening practice:

1. La nascita e l’evoluzione della rete
2. I protocolli internet – http e https
3. Sicurezza informatica: virus, malware, phishing e ransomware
4. Sicurezza informatica: antivirus e firewall (e perché entrambi sono necessari)
5. Le password
6. Lo streaming e i principali servizi
7. Il Cloud: che cos’è e quali servizi lo offrono
8. I social media più utilizzati sul web
9. Le criptovalute: i soldi del futuro?
10. Uno sguardo al futuro: i computer quantistici

Improve your Italian with this informative ‘easy reader’ ebook:

• .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
• .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
• 10 chapters to read and listen to
• Comprehension questions to check your understanding
• Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
• Suitable for students at intermediate level and above
• Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)

Buy Alla scoperta dell’informatica (C1/2) just £7.49 | FREE sample chapter (.pdf) | Catalog

How do I access my ebook?

When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook, where available, cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them. There’s a space to do that on the order form – where it says Additional information, Order notes (optional). If you forget, or if you have problems downloading the .pdf, don’t worry! Email us at the address on the website and we’ll help. Also, why not check out our FAQ?

P.S.

Have you read/listened to Saturday’s FREE bulletin of ‘easy’ Italian news?

I’m behind, due to the hours wasted on motorways and in airports. But I’ll get to it today, as tomorrow, there’ll be another FREE bulletin. Wouldn’t want to fall behind!

Don’t forget, subscribers get the bulletins, via email, three times a week – on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, so don’t need to remember to look at the website regularly.

Subscribing is FREE.

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