In today’s digital age, every click and swipe generates data, and the need for reliable and efficient data management has become critical. This is where data centers come into play. Data centers include servers, storage drives, networking equipment, and other hardware to manage, process, and store vast amounts of digital information. __1__ For that reason, some companies are pursuing an unusual idea: placing data centers under the surface of the ocean.
What makes underwater data centers cheaper than traditional land-based ones? For one thing, the cool temperature of the ocean means that companies can cut down on the high cost of providing constant air-conditioning for their equipment. __2__ For another, constructing data centers on the ocean floor is cheaper than renting space in urban areas.
Data centers need to be located near cities to keep transmission times short. However, property costs in these areas are often very high. With more than a third of the global population living within 100 kilometers of a coast, underwater data centers offer a cost-effective solution. __3__
Photo: Microsoft 照片：微軟提供
在現今的數位時代，每次點擊和滑動都會產生資料，對於可靠且高效率的資料管理需求變得極其重要。這就是資料中心發揮作用的地方。資料中心包括伺服器、儲存硬碟、網路設備和其他硬體，用於管理、處理和儲存大量數位資訊。然而，安置和維護這些設施所費不貲。基於該理由，一些企業正在努力實行一個不尋常的想法：將資料中心置於海面下。
為什麼水下資料中心比傳統的陸上資料中心便宜呢？一來是低溫的海洋意味著企業可減少為設備提供持續空調而產生的高昂成本。若沒有適當冷卻，電腦硬體可能會變得過熱並中止運作。二來是在海底建造資料中心比在都市地區租用空間更便宜。
資料中心必須設在城市附近以維持短時間傳輸。然而，這些地區的房產相關費用通常非常高昂。全球超過三分之一的人口居住在距離海岸一百公里以內的地方，水下資料中心因而提供了一種經濟實惠的解決方案。它們減少了租賃費用，同時又靠近用戶，確保了高效率的資料傳輸。
Words in Use
1. critical a. 極重要的，關鍵性的
The critical decisions made today will shape the future of the company.
今日所做的重大決定將塑造公司的未來。
2. pursue vt. 進行，從事；尋求
The company is pursuing a new approach to reaching customers.
該公司正在推行一種新的方法來觸及客群。
3. constant a.v不斷的
The constant noise from the highway nearby made it difficult to concentrate.
附近公路持續發出吵雜的聲音，讓人難以集中注意力。
Practical Phrases
1. come into play 起作用，有影響
Teamwork will come into play when the project faces unforeseen challenges.
當專案遇到意想不到的難關，團隊合作就會發揮作用。
2. a vast amount of + 不可數名詞 大量的……
The internet provides vast amounts of information on any topic.
無論什麼主題，網路上都提供了大量相關資訊。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
Computex, Asia’s biggest electronics conference, kicked off Monday in Taipei, and as in years past drew industry chieftains from Nvidia Corp.’s Jensen Huang and Qualcomm Inc.’s Cristiano Amon to Young Liu of Foxconn, which makes the bulk of the world’s iPhones and Nvidia servers. But while last year’s event was a celebration of the post-ChatGPT AI boom, executives this time are likely grappling with the uncertainty of the Trump administration’s effort to reshape the global trade order — disrupting a decades-old model for tech manufacturing. This year’s exhibition will of course feature the hardware required to bring artificial intelligence to life.
For many people, allergies are an all-too-familiar annoyance. The constant sneezing, itching, and watery eyes are just a few clear signs of allergies, which is a surprisingly common condition affecting millions worldwide. But what exactly triggers these reactions, and how can we cope with them? Allergies arise from a misunderstanding between our immune system and seemingly harmless substances. Under normal circumstances, the immune system acts as our body’s personal bodyguard, diligently identifying and eliminating threats like viruses and bacteria. However, in individuals with allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies certain substances, called allergens, as invaders. This triggers a reaction, leading to
1. 眾所皆知，資訊產業是我國經濟的基礎。 ˇ As everyone admits, the IT industry is the backbone of our economy. χ As everyone admits that the IT industry is the backbone of our economy. 註：這裏 as 作關係代名詞，引導從屬子句。誤句多了 that， IT industry is. . . 就變成從屬句，欠缺了主句，結構上錯誤。又如： As my friend pointed out, necessity is the mother of invention. As is known to all, grammar is not the only important thing in language study. 2. 她心情總是非常好。 ˇ She is always in a good mood. χ She always is in a good mood. 註：always, often 一般放在行為動詞之前，連繫動詞、助動詞之後： He always behaves well. He is always happy and gay. He is always reading. 其他用法類似的副詞，還有 still、also、hardly、seldom、never 等。 3. 你看！他還在寫報告呢。 ˇ Look! He is still working
A: South Korean supergroup BTS member J-Hope, EXO member Xiumin and other various artists are set to tour Taiwan. B: Is J-Hope the first BTS member to visit as a solo singer? A: Yup, he’s going to stage two shows in Taoyuan over the weekend. B: All BTS fans, nicknamed “ARMY,” must be so happy. I wonder when the seven-member group can finally stage a comeback again. A: Well, the good news is the five members currently performing military service will all leave the army next month. So the fans’ long wait is about to end. A: 南韓天團防彈少年團BTS的J-Hope，和EXO的Xiumin等多位熱門歌手最近都要來台開唱。 B:
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