EXPLORATIONS - How the Internet Grew from a Simple Idea

EXPLORATIONS - How the Internet Grew from a Simple Idea
By Paul Thompson

Broadcast: Wednesday, April 06, 2005

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VOICE ONE:

This is Mary Tillotson.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English program, EXPLORATIONS.

Today we finish our three-part series about the history of communications. We tell about the Internet system called the World Wide Web. And we tell about the future of communications.

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VOICE ONE:

 
The Internet links people to information resources.
In our first two programs we discussed the history and importance of communicating information. We told how the invention of the telegraph¹ increased the speed at which information could be sent. We told how satellites in space greatly increased the speed of communications. In our second program, we told about the development of the computer and the linking of computers into major systems called networks.

These networks led to the high-speed sharing of information among major universities and research centers around the world. The largest of these systems, the Internet, has made it possible for almost anyone with a computer and a telephone to share in what is called the Information Age.

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VOICE TWO:

In July, Nineteen-Forty-Five, the Atlantic Monthly² Magazine printed a long report written by an important scientist. His name was Vannevar Bush. Mister³ Bush explained that researchers around the world were producing new ideas and useful information every day. He said the information was being produced faster than anyone could read it, remember it, or even know where to find it.

He explained that the technology of Nineteen-Forty-Five permitted information to be kept only in books or pictures. He said some new device⁴ must be invented that would make it possible to search for, find and use new information much more quickly.

VOICE ONE:

Mister Bush explained that research information is most valuable when it is new. One small piece of information could help a researcher finish an extremely important project.

Mister Bush wrote that he hoped a device would be invented that could store

 
Vannevar Bush (1890-1974)
information. He said people should be able to easily link with this device to search for and gather useful information. Such a device would greatly speed gathering⁵ information and would greatly aid research.

VOICE TWO:

The device that Mister Bush dreamed about in Nineteen-Forty-Five is now very real. It is the modern computer, linked with other computers. The link is through the Internet and the World Wide Web communications system.

The computer and the Internet now make it possible to find and gather information about any subject within a few minutes.

Here is a good example. Oncology is the study of the disease⁶ cancer. There are many hundreds of medical research centers that are working to cure cancer.

The Japanese Journal⁷ of Clinical Oncology is one of many publications⁸ that prints important cancer research information. The research papers tell about the results of treatment for many different kinds of cancer. The information in this journal is written for medical experts.

VOICE ONE:

The editors of this cancer research journal place valuable cancer research information on the World Wide Web. This makes it possible for health care professionals and researchers all over the world to use the information for educational or research purposes.By using the Internet, a researcher anywhere in the world is able to find information from the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology and print a copy in just a few minutes.

To find the journal, a researcher would only have to type three words into an Internet search system on a computer. The three words are oncology, research and journal. Within seconds, the World Wide Web provides a list of several possible research papers from several countries. The study in the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology is only one of many valuable research papers that are on the World Wide Web.

Not every search is easy. Sometimes it can take a while before the right combination⁹ of words produces the needed result. However, the World Wide Web and the Internet will almost always provide the researcher with a way to find the needed information. The computer provides a quick link to the new information that scientists like Vannaver Bush said was badly needed.

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VOICE TWO:

Eric Benhamou is the head of a computer company called Three-Com Corporation¹⁰. Mister Benhamou says people are using the computer and the Internet to communicate for work and to exchange information with their families and friends. He says people also use the Internet to learn new things and visit different places.

Today almost one-hundred-fifty-million people use the Internet in the United States. A recent study showed they use the Internet for communication and for research. The study also showed that much of the research that is done leads to buying products with the aid of a computer and the Internet. The study also showed that more people than ever are now using the computer to buy products.

VOICE ONE:

Governments, private groups and individuals have criticized¹¹ the Internet. Some governments do not trust the Internet because they say it is extremely difficult to control the information that is placed there.

Some government officials say extremist groups place harmful information on the Internet. They say dangerous political information should be banned. Other groups say it is difficult to protect children from sexual¹² information and pictures placed on the Internet. They say this kind of information should be banned.

VOICE TWO:

Other critics say that it is becoming extremely difficult to know if you can trust the information that is found on the Internet. They wonder if the information is true. Did the person who placed it on the Internet make any mistakes? Still other critics say the Internet is no longer a free exchange of information and ideas. They say it has become a big business that sells products, services and information. They want the Internet to be used only for research and education.

VOICE ONE:

In nineteen-forty-five, scientist Vannevar Bush said researchers needed some device that would make information easier to find, use and store. The modern computer and the Internet now provide this and much more. They are an important method of communicating and doing business and will continue to be in the future.

In the United States, many businesses expect their workers to know how to use computers. Children now begin learning¹³ to use computers in their first years of school. Many universities in the United States now require all new students to have their own computer. Most colleges provide special rooms that have computers for the use of all students.

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VOICE TWO:

What is the future of communications and the Internet? Experts do not really know. Computers continue to grow smaller and more powerful with each passing year. Computers that were thought to be very powerful ten years ago are now considered extremely weak and slow.

It is now possible to connect a computer with a wireless¹⁴ telephone that can link with communications satellites.

A person with a small computer that can be easily carried can now link with other computers from anywhere in the world. A person can that use a computer that receives its electric power from batteries and is linked with a satellite telephone. This person can communicate from anywhere in the world.

VOICE ONE:

Some experts say that in the future people will not use large computers on their desks. They will use only small computer devices¹⁵ that link to the Internet. These devices will be easily carried from place to place.

All the information people use for business or for fun will be on their own area of the World Wide Web. This has already happened. Many people already have their own private area on the World Wide Web.

Businesses have their own special areas. A husband and a wife with a new baby place photographs of the baby in a special area so relatives can see the new addition to the family.

People now communicate, listen to radio or watch television. They to do business buy or sell goods, write a letter or send a picture from anywhere in the world at any time of the day or night. And they will communicate around the world at almost the speed of light.

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VOICE TWO:

This Special English program was written by Paul Thompson. It was produced by Caty Weaver¹⁶. This is Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE:

And this is Mary Tillotson. Join us again next week for another EXPLORATIONS program on the Voice of America.

1 telegraph   

n.电报，电报机；v.打电报，显示

参考例句：

• A new telegraph line has been set up between the two cities.那两个城市之间架设了一条新的电报线。
• Telegraph communication was broken off.电讯中断了。

2 monthly   

adj.每月的，持续一个月的，每月发生的；adv.每月，按月； n.月刊；(复数）monthlies:月经

参考例句：

• The rent on his apartment was his biggest monthly expense.他的房租是每个月最大的开支。
• The monthly rent is $15,inclusive of light and water.每月租金15美元，包括水电费在内。

3 mister   

n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生

参考例句：

• Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
• He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。

4 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

6 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

7 journal   

n.日志，日记；议事录；日记帐；杂志，定期刊物

参考例句：

• He kept a journal during his visit to Japan.他在访问日本期间坚持记日记。
• He got a job as editor of a trade journal.他找到了一份当商业杂志编辑的工作。

8 publications   

n.发表( publication的名词复数 )；公布；出版；出版物

参考例句：

• The related publications are far too numerous to list individually. 相关出版物太多，没法一一列举。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request. 我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 combination   

n.组合，合并，联合；

参考例句：

• He carried on the business in combination with his friends.他与朋友们合伙做生意。
• The materials can be used singly or in combination.这些材料可以单独使用也可以混合用。

10 corporation   

n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation. 这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• The inflation did the corporation up. 通货膨胀使这个公司破产了。

11 criticized   

vt.批评(criticize的过去式)v.评论，批评( criticize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The decision was criticized by environmental groups. 这个决定受到了环保团体的批评。
• The movie has been criticized for apparently legitimizing violence. 这部电影因明显地美化暴力而受到了指责。

12 sexual   

adj.性的，两性的，性别的

参考例句：

• He was a person of gross sexual appetites.他是个性欲旺盛的人。
• It is socially irresponsible to refuse young people advice on sexual matters.拒绝向年轻人提供性方面的建议是对社会不负责任。

13 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

14 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

15 devices   

n.设备；装置( device的名词复数 )；花招；（为实现某种目的的）计划；手段

参考例句：

• electrical labour-saving devices around the home 节省劳力的各种家用电器
• modern labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers 诸如洗衣机和洗碗机之类的现代化省力设备

16 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。