新奇事件簿 IBM投资12亿美元扩大全球云部署

International Business Machines (IBM) plans to invest $1.2 billion to expand its cloud services. The computing¹ and technology giant wants to bolster² its presence in the next generation of cloud storage and other services. The project includes building 15 state-of-the-art data centres across the world. IBM is having to adapt quickly to move from a predominantly hardware-based company into one providing online services. Ithas experienced declining revenues for the past six quarters and urgently needs to reverse this trend. An IBM spokesman told reporters: "This is fundamental because this allows us global coverage³." He added: "We are continuing to invest in where we think the growth areas are going to be."

国际商业机器公司（IBM）计划投资12亿美元扩展云服务。这一计算机技术巨头希望提高下一代云存储和其他服务的部署范围。这项计划包括在全球建造15个技术先进的数据中心。IBM不得不尽快从由硬件为主导的企业改变成提供网上服务的公司。在过去的六个季度中，公司已经经历了营业额上面的下滑，他们急需扭转局势。一位IBM发言人告诉记者：“这是最基本的，因为这让为我们拥有了全球覆盖率。”他还说：“我们还将继续在我们认为有增长的领域进行投资。”

Wikipedia says: "Cloud computing is a phrase used to describe a variety of computing concepts that involves a large number of computers connected through a real-time communication network such as the Internet." In reality, "the cloud" is a metaphor⁴ for the Internet. Clever marketing⁵ has created the concept of the cloud to create more sellable services. Users of cloud services keep their data and software on a server (a huge computer) of the company offering the cloud service. There is no need to download anything or store information on a home or work computer. Wikipedia outlines several deterrents⁶ to the widespread adoption⁷ of cloud computing, including security, reliability⁸ and issues surrounding privacy.

维基百科认为：“云计算这一词组是用来描述一系列计算概念的，这包括例如互联网这样的实时通信网来连接电脑。”事实上，“云”是对互联网的比喻。精明的市场营销创造“云”这一概念来创造更多可以销售的服务。云服务用户在公司服务器上保存他们的数据和软件，公司提供云服务。人们不需要在家用电脑或是工作电脑中下载或储存任何信息。维基百科列举了许多阻挡云计算广泛使用的因素，包括安全、可靠性以及围绕隐私的一系列问题。

1 computing   

n.计算

参考例句：

• to work in computing 从事信息处理
• Back in the dark ages of computing, in about 1980, they started a software company. 早在计算机尚未普及的时代（约1980年），他们就创办了软件公司。

2 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

3 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

4 metaphor   

n.隐喻，暗喻

参考例句：

• Using metaphor,we say that computers have senses and a memory.打个比方，我们可以说计算机有感觉和记忆力。
• In poetry the rose is often a metaphor for love.玫瑰在诗中通常作为爱的象征。

5 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

6 deterrents   

制止物( deterrent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Whereas attractants, repellents, and many incitants are olfactory substances, stimulants, and deterrents are usually gustatory. 引诱剂，排斥剂还是其他的兴奋剂都是嗅觉物质，但刺激剂和阻抑剂常常是味觉物质。
• A lack of empathy for and knowledge of foreign business practices are deterrents to one's success. 投入不够以及对对外商业惯例知识的不足会对一个人成功造成很大的威胁。

7 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

8 reliability   

n.可靠性，确实性

参考例句：

• We mustn't presume too much upon the reliability of such sources.我们不应过分指望这类消息来源的可靠性。
• I can assure you of the reliability of the information.我向你保证这消息可靠。