※Article :
The seas around Indonesia and Singapore are some of the busiest in the world and some of the most dangerous. Last year more than a hundred ships were hijacked by pirates in Indonesian waters, a reflection of the growing lawlessness in the rest of the country. Using small fast-moving boats, the pirates creep up on large cargo ships, often at night, and can usually overpower the crew quickly. The crew is then either set adrift or killed. The ships are re-named and re-painted. Many have later been discovered operating along the southern coast of China.
The offer by Japan to send its own patrol boats down to south east Asia is the first sign of a co-ordinated international campaign against the pirates. The conference in Singapore is likely to be the first in a series of meetings this year, aimed at reducing the number of attacks in these vital shipping lanes. A British company has even proposed putting retired Gurkha officers on board ships in East Asian waters to protect them, although so far no-one has taken them up on their offer.
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※Summary:
The seas around Indonesia and Singapore are not very tranquil, since the lanes are busy with cargo ships passing. The pirates use small fast-moving boats to get closer to large cargo ships, they usually overpower the crew in a very short of time. Those crews are either cast out to sea in a boat without any controls or killed. The ships will be given a new name and changed its appearance. Japan sends its own patrol boats down to south east Asia, while a British company considers to put retired Gurkha officers on board ships in East Asian seas to protect them.
※Reaction:
This report amazed me when I read it for the first time, and even the second time could I hardly believe there are still pirates existing nowadays! Aren't they only existed in the middle centuries or story books for kids? Pirates, who hijack and kill, has became a problem taken as a top priority for many countries who's ships pass through seas around Indonesia and Singapore.
2007年6月22日 星期五
【UNIT 5.】Secret Codes
※Article :
Microsoft code leaked on web
Microsoft tries to keep the code for its Windows operating system a closely guarded secret. It's the equivalent of computer DNA and the firm fears if it falls into the wrong hands it could be used to infiltrate millions of computers worldwide. More than ninety percent of the world's PCs run Windows.
The code which has appeared on the web appears to be the basis of Windows 2000 and Windows NT. But massive programs such as Windows are complicated and difficult for all but the most sophisticated hackers to understand.
The other threat to Microsoft is that rival software firms could copy parts of the code and use it in similar programmes. Microsoft says it has contacted the law enforcement authorities to investigate how the data leaked out.
Earlier this week the company said that a critical flaw in the latest version of Windows could leave PCs vulnerable to hackers. It has urged home users and firms to download a free software repair patch from its website to fix the problem.
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※Summary:
Microsoft keeps its secret of computer DNA--the statements written in a programming language that the computer later uses. The firm fears that millions of computers around the world would be infiltrated if it is fallen into wrong hands. The code seems to be the most important element of Windows 2000 and Windows NT. Although the large and complex programs with thousand of lines of code are difficult for hackers, Microsoft still has great pressure from other competing companies. Microsoft says it has contacted the law enforcement authorities to make investigation how the data became know to people outside Microsoft.
※Reaction:
I enjoy watching the movie The Matrix, it is one of my favorite scientific fiction movies. It is about hacker-like people going through the Internet, and the war between different groups of peoples. I have to say the daydreaming times are fantastic, but what would happen if one day it really came true? Simply virus travel through Internet causes annoying troubles, I couldn't imagine how terrible things would be if someone infiltrates my computer!
Microsoft code leaked on web
Microsoft tries to keep the code for its Windows operating system a closely guarded secret. It's the equivalent of computer DNA and the firm fears if it falls into the wrong hands it could be used to infiltrate millions of computers worldwide. More than ninety percent of the world's PCs run Windows.
The code which has appeared on the web appears to be the basis of Windows 2000 and Windows NT. But massive programs such as Windows are complicated and difficult for all but the most sophisticated hackers to understand.
The other threat to Microsoft is that rival software firms could copy parts of the code and use it in similar programmes. Microsoft says it has contacted the law enforcement authorities to investigate how the data leaked out.
Earlier this week the company said that a critical flaw in the latest version of Windows could leave PCs vulnerable to hackers. It has urged home users and firms to download a free software repair patch from its website to fix the problem.
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※Summary:
Microsoft keeps its secret of computer DNA--the statements written in a programming language that the computer later uses. The firm fears that millions of computers around the world would be infiltrated if it is fallen into wrong hands. The code seems to be the most important element of Windows 2000 and Windows NT. Although the large and complex programs with thousand of lines of code are difficult for hackers, Microsoft still has great pressure from other competing companies. Microsoft says it has contacted the law enforcement authorities to make investigation how the data became know to people outside Microsoft.
※Reaction:
I enjoy watching the movie The Matrix, it is one of my favorite scientific fiction movies. It is about hacker-like people going through the Internet, and the war between different groups of peoples. I have to say the daydreaming times are fantastic, but what would happen if one day it really came true? Simply virus travel through Internet causes annoying troubles, I couldn't imagine how terrible things would be if someone infiltrates my computer!
【UNIT 4.】What is art?
※Article :
Fears over German art
※Summary:
The city authorities in Germany returned a painting which was drawn by an expressionist artist to the original owner's grand-daughter. There is a heated debate in this topic, for the painting had been hanging in a museum in Berlin. The critic accuse the authorities are only acting because of the large number of complaints received from auction houses and art collectors. The federal government wants to introduce a large collection of information held on computer about a particular topic which is easy for people to find and use to keep track of the sudden increase of restitution claims. Ministers are pushing for quicker action on museums to carry out their own research into the ownership of artworks.
※Reaction:
After reading this article, I think it is not so necessary to return those artworks to their original owners for two reasons. First, since the original owner had forgotten the ownership, there is no need to mention. The other reason is citizens are accustomed to the artwork, instead of returning it, why not let every passengers admire it whenever they pass it? If it is extremely important for the authorities to consider moral problems, then notifying would be enough.
Fears over German art
There's been a heated debate in Germany about restitution claims after a painting by the expressionist artist, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, was recently sold at auction in New York. The painting had been hanging in a museum in Berlin, but in August, the city authorities returned it to the grand-daughter of its original owners.
The restitution was justified on the grounds that the sale of the work in the 1930s was prompted by their persecution as Jews under the Nazi regime. But critics said the painting was neither looted by the Nazis nor sold under duress and many accuse the authorities of caving into pressure from auction houses and art collectors.
Such was the public outcry that the Culture Minister, Bernd Naumann, decided to invite museum directors and legal experts to attend a meeting in Berlin today. It's understood the federal government wants to introduce a central database to keep track of the recent wave of restitution claims. Ministers are also likely to step up pressure on museums to carry out their own research into the ownership of works of art, according to government guidelines.
※Summary:
The city authorities in Germany returned a painting which was drawn by an expressionist artist to the original owner's grand-daughter. There is a heated debate in this topic, for the painting had been hanging in a museum in Berlin. The critic accuse the authorities are only acting because of the large number of complaints received from auction houses and art collectors. The federal government wants to introduce a large collection of information held on computer about a particular topic which is easy for people to find and use to keep track of the sudden increase of restitution claims. Ministers are pushing for quicker action on museums to carry out their own research into the ownership of artworks.
※Reaction:
After reading this article, I think it is not so necessary to return those artworks to their original owners for two reasons. First, since the original owner had forgotten the ownership, there is no need to mention. The other reason is citizens are accustomed to the artwork, instead of returning it, why not let every passengers admire it whenever they pass it? If it is extremely important for the authorities to consider moral problems, then notifying would be enough.
【UNIT 3.】Child Prodigies
※Article :
CHILD PRODIGIES: TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG?
Friday 9 September 2005 1.25am-2.05am (Thurs night)
Does labelling a child as "gifted" do more harm than good? Time Shift looks at how brilliant and talented kids challenge our thinking about education and the place of children in society.
Tom Ware
(Time Shift Series Editor)
※Summary:
"Is labelling a child as gifted more harmful than profitable?" This has become a subject discussed through years. According to the Time Shift Series Editor--Tom Ware, gifted children have already held a fascination for western society since early years. However, in Japan, people do not take gifted children so seriously; instead, they think it is more important to be diligent. That is, no matter how gifted the children are, they should not be given privileged status.
※Reaction:
In my opinion, I agree with the Japanese way of taking gifted children. They may have extraordinary talent, but how many of them, in the end, become great scholars or contribute the society? I believe most if them turn out to become normal as we are when they grow older. Those who are diligent set a better foundation and are more willing to learn, which attitude insures a substantial life. As the saying does"No pain, no gain."
CHILD PRODIGIES: TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG?
Friday 9 September 2005 1.25am-2.05am (Thurs night)
Does labelling a child as "gifted" do more harm than good? Time Shift looks at how brilliant and talented kids challenge our thinking about education and the place of children in society.
Tom Ware
(Time Shift Series Editor)
You could say that gifted children have held a fascination for Western society since Jesus spoke out in the temple. From Mozart to Ruth Lawrence, their achievements - and their rather odd relationships with adults - have been well-documented. John Das' fascinating Time Shift goes beyond the usual catalogue of wunderkinds(神童) and hothousing(過於保護) to try to understand why some children get labelled with the "G-word" and how this tag can be a double-edged one.
For me, one of the documentary's most impressive facts is how culture-specific(特色) the whole idea of giftedness is. Through the insight(洞察力) of Joan Freeman, who has spent over 30 years studying gifted children, we learn that in countries like Japan it's willingness(樂意) to work hard rather than the suggestion of potential that gives children privileged(享有特權的) status. And it comes as no surprise that it's in America, where education standards generally are lower than in most developed countries, that giftedness is given its greatest credence.(接受、信任)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------※Summary:
"Is labelling a child as gifted more harmful than profitable?" This has become a subject discussed through years. According to the Time Shift Series Editor--Tom Ware, gifted children have already held a fascination for western society since early years. However, in Japan, people do not take gifted children so seriously; instead, they think it is more important to be diligent. That is, no matter how gifted the children are, they should not be given privileged status.
※Reaction:
In my opinion, I agree with the Japanese way of taking gifted children. They may have extraordinary talent, but how many of them, in the end, become great scholars or contribute the society? I believe most if them turn out to become normal as we are when they grow older. Those who are diligent set a better foundation and are more willing to learn, which attitude insures a substantial life. As the saying does"No pain, no gain."
【UNIT 2.】The Rise of the WWW
※Article :
The record company EMI is planning a new service which will allow people to copy music from the Internet without breaking the law. BBC Business correspondent Mark Gregory reports:EMI's artists include the Spice Girls, the Beatles and pop stars Robbie Williams and Janet Jackson. Like the rest of the industry, it's struggling to cope with technological change that makes it much easier for people to copy music without paying for it. Music can be stored in a personal computer, it can be passed anywhere in the world via the Internet, millions of people own the equipment needed to record or burn their own unauthorized compact discs. Unofficial online music services like that provided by the American group Napaster have proved wildly popular.
To tackle the issue, EMI has teamed up with a computer software company to develop the first ever service that allows music lovers to legitimately make their own CDs on their own CD recording equipment of songs on which EMI holds the copyright. The music will be downloaded from the Internet in encrypted form. The difficult bit comes in designing software that gives the copyright holder power over what use is made of the music once its in the customer's computer. It may, for example, be possible to require additional payments every time a new CD is burned. EMI says it'll talk about pricing when the service is ready to launch. In theory it could do away with the need for dedicated music shops, but industry analysts say many people like to go to places where they can listen to music they haven't heard before. But, of course, that too can be done over the internet.
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※Summary:
The record company EMI is planning a new service which music lovers are able to free download musics they like. This is how EMI copes with technological change nowadays, for too many people own the equipment needed to record their own unauthorized compact discs. EMI has cooperated with a software company to allow people make their own CDs legitimately on their own CD recording equipment while EMI still holds the copyright.
※Reaction:
I think it is quite a smart way to avoid unauthorized CDs being made. It is too common for people to download every kinds of data from the Internet that we take it naturally, yet it is absolutely the wrong thing to do, for it infringes on other's rights. If we put ourselves in the author's shoes, how would we feel? Feeling not being respected? Offended, or anger? This is a simple situation to imagine. Although this new service might not be too popular at first, I believe it will gain more and more acceptance in the long run.
The record company EMI is planning a new service which will allow people to copy music from the Internet without breaking the law. BBC Business correspondent Mark Gregory reports:EMI's artists include the Spice Girls, the Beatles and pop stars Robbie Williams and Janet Jackson. Like the rest of the industry, it's struggling to cope with technological change that makes it much easier for people to copy music without paying for it. Music can be stored in a personal computer, it can be passed anywhere in the world via the Internet, millions of people own the equipment needed to record or burn their own unauthorized compact discs. Unofficial online music services like that provided by the American group Napaster have proved wildly popular.
To tackle the issue, EMI has teamed up with a computer software company to develop the first ever service that allows music lovers to legitimately make their own CDs on their own CD recording equipment of songs on which EMI holds the copyright. The music will be downloaded from the Internet in encrypted form. The difficult bit comes in designing software that gives the copyright holder power over what use is made of the music once its in the customer's computer. It may, for example, be possible to require additional payments every time a new CD is burned. EMI says it'll talk about pricing when the service is ready to launch. In theory it could do away with the need for dedicated music shops, but industry analysts say many people like to go to places where they can listen to music they haven't heard before. But, of course, that too can be done over the internet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
※Summary:
The record company EMI is planning a new service which music lovers are able to free download musics they like. This is how EMI copes with technological change nowadays, for too many people own the equipment needed to record their own unauthorized compact discs. EMI has cooperated with a software company to allow people make their own CDs legitimately on their own CD recording equipment while EMI still holds the copyright.
※Reaction:
I think it is quite a smart way to avoid unauthorized CDs being made. It is too common for people to download every kinds of data from the Internet that we take it naturally, yet it is absolutely the wrong thing to do, for it infringes on other's rights. If we put ourselves in the author's shoes, how would we feel? Feeling not being respected? Offended, or anger? This is a simple situation to imagine. Although this new service might not be too popular at first, I believe it will gain more and more acceptance in the long run.
【UNIT 1.】Body language
Also, if you behave in ways that people don't understand or don't like, they may judge you negatively, not take you seriously, or even think that you there is something wrong with you.
For example, in some cultures it is wrong to make eye contact but in others it is expected. If you get it wrong people can think that you are insulting them.
Richard Cook mentioned a number of areas where confusion can happen between cultures, eye contact, or touching for example. But there is one very important area and that is proximity.
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※SUMMARY:
We communicate with people through non-verbal way most of the time; therefore, it becomes more important to know how to act properly, so that others may not think we are being rude or even ignore us. Eye contact and touching are the most commonly being confused.
※Reaction:
People often suffers from being afraid of doing the wrong thing in foreign countries, they are so worried about if they act strangely, people might be offended; however, according to most of the natives, they don't really expect a foreigner to do exactly the right thing.
For example, we have the myth that Japanese bow to each other to show their politeness, but they have already use hand-shaking for decades, so it is all right to shake their hands as we do in most of the other countries.
Still, it's best for us to know the common rules before going to those countries which are not familiar to us. As the saying goes,"When in Rome, act as the Romans do" it isn't so difficult to act in the right ways as long as you understand other cultures.
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