数据存储技术的发展趋势更是令人瞠目。八十年代初期，一个标准单位的计算机存储能力，即 1MB，或者说 1 百万字节，售价是 100 美元，而现在却只要 10 美分，两年内还将降到 2 美分。

　　These gains are driven by continuous advances in how we pack information into smaller and smaller spaces.

　　这种结果是在技术不断进步的推动下产生的，我们可以把信息存储到越来越小的空间。

　　If the US Library of Congress could shrink its collections of 17 million books by the same factor we just discussed, it could replace 800 kilometers of shelf space with less than 40 meters of space.

　　如果把这种技术用到美国国会图书馆的 1700 百万册存书上，其书架长度将由 800 公里变成不到 40 米。

　　These advances are going to continue and accelerate the rate microprocessors, storage, communications, memory, and all the other engines that are propelling this industry or continue to lead to the products of the faster, smaller, and less expensive, just as they have for 30 years.

　　这种进步将继续下去，并且会加速微处理器、存储设备、通信、内存以及所有其它正在推动信息产业前进的“发动机”式的产品的发展，或者会继续创造出更快、更小、更便宜的产品。过去 30 年的情况就是如此。

　　But as we stand here today, the opening of CeBIT, we are on the threshold of a very important change and the evolution of this industry.

　　然而当我们今天站在这里，出席 CeBIT 的开幕式的时候，我们面对的是一场业界非常重要的变化和革命。

　　In many ways, this industry, a very emitory industry, is about to play out in its most important dimension. That is because the technology has become so powerful and so pervasive that its future impact on people and governments and all institutions will dwarf what has happened today.

　　在很多方面，信息产业将成为最重要的产业。这是因为信息技术已经变得如此强大、如此普遍，以致于未来它对人们、政府和各个机构的影响将使目前发生的事相形见绌。