Computers in the Clouds(b)|漫步在云端

Businesses have, in recent years, begun to jump on the cloud computing bandwagon. By utilizing cloud computing, they can save a ton of money on IT costs while streamlining their organizations in a way that is all but impossible with their own infrastructures. For example, as companies expand internationally, so must their email systems. With systems scattered around the globe, unifying communication throughout the branches into one big global system becomes very costly. However, by using a cloud computing system, this expensive operation can be handled efficiently for a very low subscriber fee.

Similarly, when companies host their own websites, they have to invest in servers, IT support, and updates. However, with cloud computing, companies can have their websites hosted by cloud servers. Then, if the websites become successful, the companies can buy more computing power or scale it down when the systems aren't being used. Some businesses, such as travel companies, receive huge amounts of web traffic during certain times of the year but less in low seasons. Having their own servers, companies need to pay to maintain the whole service whether they're using it or not. Cloud computing, however, is flexible. Businesses just pay for what they use, much like an electricity meter. In this regard, cloud computing has been compared to everyone plugging into the national grid rather than generating their own electricity.

The future of cloud computing promises even more customization options for businesses. Thus, it allows them to personalize their own online applications and be completely free from the costs of maintaining their own systems.

1.  What does the word "cloud" in the term "cloud computing" mean?

(A) Weather.

(B) Internet.

(C) Email.

(D) Software.

2.  Which of the following is NOT true?

(A) Gmail is an example of cloud computing.

(B) The web traffic for travel companies' websites varies from season to season.

(C) Cloud computing will have a value of US$8.1 billion by 2013.

(D) Cloud computing has been compared to the Industrial Revolution.

3.  How does the writer describe the initial reaction of businesses towards cloud computing?

(A) Cautious to believe it's a viable alternative to physical hardware.

(B) Eager to switch to the cloud immediately.

(C) Slow to get on the cloud.

(D) Not interested at all.

4.  What can switching to cloud computing do for a business?

(A) Cut IT costs and make the organization more efficient.

(B) Automatically attract more customers.

(C) Improve the quality of its managerial staff.

(D) Greatly reduce the need for advertising.

这几年来，各家企业开始抢搭云端运算的风潮。他们利用云端运算得以节省大量处理信息的成本，同时使组织更有效率，而某种程度上这几乎是他们用自己的网络基础架构做不到的。举例来说。当公司走向国际化，他们的电子邮件系统也必须跟上脚步。在各系统散置于全球各地的情况下，要将各分公司的通讯系统整合成 1 个大型的全球性系统，花费相当可观。但运用云端运算系统，只需缴交很低的用户费，这项昂贵的运作就可以有效地获得处理。

同样地，当企业自己架设网站，他们要花钱投资在服务器、信息技术支持，以及各项更新上。而有了云端运算，他们可将网站架在云端服务器。如果网站成功了，企业可以加购更高的运算效能，而用不着时则可降低效能。有些公司，例如旅行社，网络流量在每年的某些时期会特别大，但在淡季就比较小。如果自备服务器，不管用不用，他们都要花钱维护整套系统。但是云端运算就比较有弹性。企业用多少付多少，就像照电表付电费一样。从这方面来说，云端运算被比喻成大家都接上国家的电力网，而非自己发电。

云端运算将来有可能提供企业更多客制化的选择。因此，这可以让他们将其在线应用个人化，而且完全省去系统维护的费用。

答案：1. (B)2. (D)3. (C)4. (A)

云端运算技术（cloud computing）简单来说，就是把所有数据全部丢到网络上处理。台湾最早推广并有大量用户使用的奇摩电子邮件，就是最明显的个人云端应用服务，只要有网络可以上网，就可以看到信件。试着想想你目前使用了哪几种个人化云端应用服务？是不是多到数不清呢？其实我们早就在云上，只是『云端』这个词到近几年才被炒热起来，因为云端运算技术已扩大到更多、更深，不只是个人应用服务，更延伸至企业服务、甚至拓展到不同的入口（例如智能型手机、ibon、计算机、笔电等可以连上网络之设备）的概念。（数据源：部络台湾）