商务礼节美语第213期:early adopters 抢鲜一族(下)(在线收听

  Henry买了最新的超小电脑Orange SuperCom 4,拿给同事Sara和Mark看。Sara问他:
Sara: So did you already own an Orange SuperCom 3?
Henry: Yeah, I sold it on eBay last week.
M: I used to rush out and buy the latest gadgets as well, but I discovered that first generation products often have a lot of bugs in them.
H: Actually, Mark is right. Even this Orange SuperCom 4 is not quite up to snuff. The connection to the Internet is a bit slow, and it seems like the computer has a little trouble multitasking.
Mark说,他原来也是科技潮人,一出什么新玩艺儿,the latest gadgets, 马上跑去买。gadget is spelled g-a-d-g-e-t, gadget 是小玩艺的意思,常指科技类产品。不过,Mark发现,很多第一代,第二代产品都有很多 bugs, bugs在这里指技术方面的漏洞。Henry承认,他新买的SuperCom4 is not quite up to snuff. 也不是样样都好, up to snuff 意思是符合标准,相当于 up to standard.
M: The problem is that many times in the beginning they haven't quite ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. By the third or fourth generation the company's engineers have a better idea of what works and what doesn't.
S: I'm generally pretty content just to stay with the same system until it becomes obsolete. I still play my old cassette tapes at home.
M: That's one way to go. You know the old expression: "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."
S: Exactly, I use things until they literally fall apart.
H: I prefer the expression: "Out with the old and in with the new!"
Mark说,问题关键是,第一、二代产品时,很多软件中存在的小问题还都没有得到解决。They haven't ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. to iron out 意思是抹平,解决。Sara说,她在这方面从不赶时髦,家里的东西都得用到过时。英语里有一种说法叫:If it ain't broke...don't fix it. 没坏就不要去修它。Henry 崇尚的则是另一种境界:Out with the old and in with the new! 旧的不去,新的不来。
M: I guess the world needs both kinds of people. Early adopters of technology like Henry help pave the way into the future.
S: And people like me try to keep the pace of change down to a reasonable speed.
H: I have to tell you though...despite all its faults, the new Orange SuperCom 4 is really quite an amazing machine!
M: Maybe after work I can take a quick look at your new toy.
H: Sure! I love showing off my new gadgets! Sara, care to join us?
S: That's OK...I think I'll stay at home and play my cassette tapes. You guys have fun!
Mark说,Sara和Henry这两种人,都是不可缺少的。他问Henry下班能不能去摆弄一下他的新玩具。Henry欣然同意,说:I love showing off my new gadgets! 我就喜欢显摆我的新玩艺,to show off 是显摆的意思,他还问Sara, care to join us? 要不要一起来。Sara开玩笑说,她还是选择回家去听她的磁带录音机。

  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/swljmy/262876.html