2008年文登学校春季词汇班精彩文篇推荐(七)

时间:2007-07-17 02:43:45

(单词翻译:单击)

 

Welcome, Cybernauts!

 

(1) Ever since they were first staged in 19th century Europe, world’s fairs have enabled people from around the globe to visit wondrous1 stands where they can discover distant lands and new technologies. The 1996 world’s fair is no exception, but it also has a decidedly eve-of-the-21st-century twist: the whole event happens in cyberspace2.

 

(2) A nonprofit project dreamed up by Americans Carl Malamud, a computer consultant3, and Vinton Cerf, and Internet pioneer and telecommunications-company vice4 president, the Internet 1996 World Exposition is a digi-tal work in progress, a multi-chambered forum5? that cybernauts can help build and renovate6 throughout the year — and perhaps long after the fair’s official close in December.

 

(3) While high-tech7 pavilions? set up by sponsoring corporations are featured prominently, as in real fairs, this virtual exposition is closer in spirit and reality to a vast, busy bazaar8?, a marketplace for the talents and offer-ings of thousands of individuals and small groups. Anyone with a computer and a moderm can not only “attend” but also participate as an exhibitor by creating an individual multimedia9 Website. Visitors can easily navigate10 from an introduction to Luddism to an exhibition on the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and then to a virtual Bengali religious festival.

(4) All the linked sites are supported by Central Park, a global infrastructure11 of six computer servers — ex-pected to triple to 18 by year’s end — located in such cities as Tokyo, Amsterdam, Adelaide and Washington. In addition, Japan boasts “public-access points” — from a group of cybercafes in Tokyo’s “in” Harajuku area to computer stations at the headquarters of telecommunications giant NTT — where people can walk off the streets and into the Internet. Amsterdam has a similar setup; more are planned for South Korea and Taiwan.

 

(5) Getting the fair up and running was by no means easy. Malamud, 36, spent the past year shuttling among 30 countries, lobbying companies that initially12 dismissed the project as unwieldy and unworkable. While some nations immediately supported the idea, others completely missed the point of Malamud’s vision: to make the fair a public-works project that focuses on what the Internet can offer ______ or novice13?. Once grass-roots groups started backing the project, though, businesses were not far behind. By donating equipment and services, these companies will gain access to millions of potential consumers eager to see the firms’ latest technologies.

 

(6) Japanese corporations were quick to seize the chance of putting their technological14 prowess on show. Sony, for example, focuses its pavilion on its Cyber Passage software, which can combine three-dimensional images with sound and motion. The technology behind Cyber Passage — similar to that used in the Play Station, Sony’s successful new 32-bit video-game player — may have applications for distributing and playing 3-D games over the Net.

 

(7) Since the exposition’s Jan. 1 launch, as many as 40,000 visitors each day from more than 40 countries have tried the major Websites (the main home page is at http: //park. org ). Most virtual visitors log on from the U.S and Japan, but the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Singapore and Estonia have been represented. Com-ments logged in the fair’s guest book are overwhelmingly positive. “Wow, the world is shrinking,” wrote a visi-tor from the Netherlands.

 

(8) Since their initial hesitancy, the major sponsors — primarily telecommunications and software compa-nies — have become firm believers. Beyond the diversity of content and international scope, the fair is a tech-nological marvel15. A total of $100 million has been contributed toward producing the exposition, $25 million for computer equipment alone. The central servers have a storage capacity of a terabyte? — the equivalent of a million floppy16? disks. Says Rob Blokzijl, a nuclear physicist17 and a member of the exposition’s executive com-mittee: “To make all those machines work happily together, you need the Internet.” But since the existing inter-national capabilities18 of the Internet were inadequate19, he says, “we built a sort of backstage of our own.”

 

(9) And that backstage — a high-speed telecommunications pipeline20 — is the exposition’s true showpiece. Just as the 1889 Paris Exposition gave rise to the Eiffel Tower, this world’s fair will leave behind a structure that embodies21 its vision of the future: a transoceanic “railroad” of high-speed fiber-optic links. MCI and the Japa-nese telephone company KDD donated an estimated $ 20 million to the cost of the 45-megabit-per-second data hook-up. Laid down across the Pacific to connect the U.S. with Asia and Europe, the pipeline adds speed and quality to audio and video transmission: moving from noe screen to the next, which may take minutes on a phone circuit, can be done as quickly as switching TV channels with a remote control.

 

(10) The fastest international link ever installed, this pipeline could be the first step toward laying a permanent network that will eventually hardwire every nation in the world into the Internet. The organizers hope that the infrastructure — and awareness22nurtured23 by this exposition will lauch a boom in Net use. “By the end of 1996,” says organizer Cerf, “my hope and expectation is that people will discover there is such a strong busi-ness need for it that we’ll keep [the links] in place.” Malamud puts it in simpler terms: “I want this to be a fair-ground that goes on forever.”

【参考译文】: 网络游侠大集合

(1) 自从19世纪欧洲首度举行世界博览会以来,全球各地已经有许多人借此参观神奇的摊位,发现遥远的国度与新奇的科技。1996年世界博览会也不例外,但是它加上了一个很有21世纪预感的变奏:整个博览会在网络世界进行。

(2) 卡尔? 马拉木德是电脑顾问,文通? 瑟夫是国际互联网拓荒者,也是电传通讯公司副总裁,这两位美国人构想出这个非营利的计划。国际互联网1996世界博览会是一项进行中的数位作业,有许多展示间的公共讨论会场,网络游侠有一整年的时间可以参与建造与更新,甚至可能会延续到12月正式结束之后很久。

(3) 赞助厂商设的高科技摊位固然像在真的博览会中一样占了显著的地位,可是这场虚拟博览会的气氛与实务更接近一个庞大、热闹的商场,展售数以千计个人与小团体的才能与商品。只要有一部电脑和调制解调器就可以“参加”,甚至也可以自己设计多媒体网址来参展。参观者可以看到一个摊位有关反科技潮流的介绍,然后轻易转到一场加拉帕戈斯群岛野生生物的展览,再去参观虚拟的孟加拉宗教庆典。

(4) 所有连网的网站都由“中央公园”支援,这是6部电脑伺服器构成的全球性基础设施(年底预计会增加到18部),分别坐落在东京、阿姆斯特丹、阿德莱德与华盛顿等各大都市。此外日本还设有“大众出入口”,民众可以离开街道就走进国际互联网。这些出入口包括东京时髦的原宿区网络咖啡馆,以及电传通讯巨人日本电报电话(NTT)公司总部的电脑站。阿姆斯特丹也有类似的设备,韩国和台湾也在规划中。

(5)这次博览会能热热闹闹地进行,绝非易事。36岁的马拉木过去一年都在30个国家间穿梭,游说各大公司。起初这些公司都认为他的计划太庞大、不可行,也有一些国家立即支持这个构想,有些国家则完全没掌握住马拉木梦想中的重点:把博览会办成公共工程计划,焦点在于国际互联网能给专家和新手哪些服务。到了基层的团体开始支持这项计划时,企业界也很快跟进。各大公司捐赠设备与服务,为的是能接触到数百万潜在客户——他们都急着想看看这些公司最新的科技。

(6)日本的公司很快抓住机遇把他们的科技实力公开展出。例如索尼公司摊位强调其“网络通道”软体,它可以组合立体影像与声音、动作。“网络通道”用到的技术和新力畅销的新型32单元电视游乐器“游乐站”的技术类似,也许可以应用在网络上来传送、执行立体游戏。

(7) 自从1月1日推出以来,博览会的主要网站一天能吸引到40多国的4万名参观者(主网页设在http://park.org)。大多数的虚拟游客从美国、日本进入,可是阿拉伯联合酋长国、瑞典、新加坡与爱沙尼亚也不乏上网者。博览会留言簿上的评语绝大多数是好评。一名荷兰来的参观者留言:“哇!世界变小了。”

(8)各大赞助公司——主要是电传通讯公司与软件公司——起初还有点迟疑,后来都变成坚信不渝。这场博览会不仅内容五花八门,涵盖领域无远弗届,在技术方面也是一项奇迹。为了顺利推出博览会,总计捐款达1亿美元,光是电脑设备就值2500万美元。中央伺服器的储存量高达兆兆字节——相当于100万片软盘。核子物理学家、博览会执行委员会委员罗布? 布洛柯锡说:“让那么多机器一起愉快工作,只有靠国际互联网。”可是因为国际互联网现有的国际传输容量不足,他表示“所以我们自己盖了一个后台。”

(9)那个后台是高速的电传通讯通道,也是博览会真正的明星展示品。1889年的巴黎博览会留下了埃菲尔铁塔,这一次的世界博览会也会留下一个结构来代表未来的远景:越洋的高速光纤电缆——“铁路”。MCI公司和日本电话公司(KDD)共捐赠约2000万美元来建设这条每秒可传45兆位资料的电缆。这条穿越太平洋,连通美国与欧、亚的通道,增强了音响与视讯的传送速度与品质。如果用电话线路来换画面,一次要好几分钟。现在可以快到像用遥控器转换电视频道一样。

(10)这条通道是历史上最快的国际连线,也是迈出了第一步,将来可能埋下永久性的网线,逐步将世界上每一个国家都直接连入国际互联网中。博览会的规划者希望,此次大会培育出来的基础设施——以及网络意识——可以推动使用网络的新热潮。主事者瑟夫说:“到1996年底,我很希望,也很期待人们会发现我们建立的联网为企业界迫切需要,那么就可以把它留着。”马拉木讲得更简单明了:“我希望它是永不结束的市集。”


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1 wondrous pfIyt     
adj.令人惊奇的,奇妙的;adv.惊人地;异乎寻常地;令人惊叹地
参考例句:
  • The internal structure of the Department is wondrous to behold.看一下国务院的内部结构是很有意思的。
  • We were driven across this wondrous vast land of lakes and forests.我们乘车穿越这片有着湖泊及森林的广袤而神奇的土地。
2 cyberspace YvfzLi     
n.虚拟信息空间,网络空间,计算机化世界
参考例句:
  • She travels in cyberspace by sending messages to friends around the world.她利用电子空间给世界各地的朋友们发送信件。
  • The teens spend more time in cyberspace than in the real world of friends and family.青少年花费在电脑上的时间比他们和真正的朋友及家人在一起的时间要多。
3 consultant 2v0zp3     
n.顾问;会诊医师,专科医生
参考例句:
  • He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
  • Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来,加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。
4 vice NU0zQ     
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的
参考例句:
  • He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
  • They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
5 forum cilx0     
n.论坛,讨论会
参考例句:
  • They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
  • The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。
6 renovate 0VOxE     
vt.更新,革新,刷新
参考例句:
  • The couple spent thousands renovating the house.这对夫妇花了几千元来翻新房子。
  • They are going to renovate the old furniture.他们准备将旧家具整修一番。
7 high-tech high-tech     
adj.高科技的
参考例句:
  • The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展,这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
  • The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。
8 bazaar 3Qoyt     
n.集市,商店集中区
参考例句:
  • Chickens,goats and rabbits were offered for barter at the bazaar.在集市上,鸡、山羊和兔子被摆出来作物物交换之用。
  • We bargained for a beautiful rug in the bazaar.我们在集市通过讨价还价买到了一条很漂亮的地毯。
9 multimedia BnSzdj     
adj.多种手段的,多媒体的;n.多媒体
参考例句:
  • Multimedia is the combination of computer and video technology.多媒体是计算机和视频技术的结合。
  • Adam raised the issue of multimedia applications and much useful discussion ensued.亚当提出了多媒体应用的问题,从而引发了许多有益的讨论。
10 navigate 4Gyxu     
v.航行,飞行;导航,领航
参考例句:
  • He was the first man to navigate the Atlantic by air.他是第一个飞越大西洋的人。
  • Such boats can navigate on the Nile.这种船可以在尼罗河上航行。
11 infrastructure UbBz5     
n.下部构造,下部组织,基础结构,基础设施
参考例句:
  • We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
  • We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设,发展各类群众文化。
12 initially 273xZ     
adv.最初,开始
参考例句:
  • The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
  • Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。
13 novice 1H4x1     
adj.新手的,生手的
参考例句:
  • As a novice writer,this is something I'm interested in.作为初涉写作的人,我对此很感兴趣。
  • She realized that she was a novice.她知道自己初出茅庐。
14 technological gqiwY     
adj.技术的;工艺的
参考例句:
  • A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
  • Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今, 随着科技进步,生活节奏不断增快。
15 marvel b2xyG     
vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异;n.令人惊异的事
参考例句:
  • The robot is a marvel of modern engineering.机器人是现代工程技术的奇迹。
  • The operation was a marvel of medical skill.这次手术是医术上的一个奇迹。
16 floppy xjGx1     
adj.松软的,衰弱的
参考例句:
  • She was wearing a big floppy hat.她戴了顶松软的大帽子。
  • Can you copy those files onto this floppy disk?你能把那些文件复制到这张软盘上吗?
17 physicist oNqx4     
n.物理学家,研究物理学的人
参考例句:
  • He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
  • The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。
18 capabilities f7b11037f2050959293aafb493b7653c     
n.能力( capability的名词复数 );可能;容量;[复数]潜在能力
参考例句:
  • He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大,自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
  • Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为,标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
19 inadequate 2kzyk     
adj.(for,to)不充足的,不适当的
参考例句:
  • The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
  • She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。
20 pipeline aNUxN     
n.管道,管线
参考例句:
  • The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
  • A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。
21 embodies 6b48da551d6920b8da8eb01ebc400297     
v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 );象征;包括;包含
参考例句:
  • The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This document embodies the concern of the government for the deformity. 这个文件体现了政府对残疾人的关怀。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
22 awareness 4yWzdW     
n.意识,觉悟,懂事,明智
参考例句:
  • There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
  • Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。
23 nurtured 2f8e1ba68cd5024daf2db19178217055     
养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 ); 培育; 滋长; 助长
参考例句:
  • She is looking fondly at the plants he had nurtured. 她深情地看着他培育的植物。
  • Any latter-day Einstein would still be spotted and nurtured. 任何一个未来的爱因斯坦都会被发现并受到培养。

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