新奇事件簿 IBM投资12亿美元扩大全球云部署（在线收听）

International Business Machines (IBM) plans to invest $1.2 billion to expand its cloud services. The computing and technology giant wants to bolster its presence in the next generation of cloud storage and other services. The project includes building 15 state-of-the-art data centres across the world. IBM is having to adapt quickly to move from a predominantly hardware-based company into one providing online services. Ithas experienced declining revenues for the past six quarters and urgently needs to reverse this trend. An IBM spokesman told reporters: "This is fundamental because this allows us global coverage." He added: "We are continuing to invest in where we think the growth areas are going to be."

国际商业机器公司（IBM）计划投资12亿美元扩展云服务。这一计算机技术巨头希望提高下一代云存储和其他服务的部署范围。这项计划包括在全球建造15个技术先进的数据中心。IBM不得不尽快从由硬件为主导的企业改变成提供网上服务的公司。在过去的六个季度中，公司已经经历了营业额上面的下滑，他们急需扭转局势。一位IBM发言人告诉记者：“这是最基本的，因为这让为我们拥有了全球覆盖率。”他还说：“我们还将继续在我们认为有增长的领域进行投资。”

Wikipedia says: "Cloud computing is a phrase used to describe a variety of computing concepts that involves a large number of computers connected through a real-time communication network such as the Internet." In reality, "the cloud" is a metaphor for the Internet. Clever marketing has created the concept of the cloud to create more sellable services. Users of cloud services keep their data and software on a server (a huge computer) of the company offering the cloud service. There is no need to download anything or store information on a home or work computer. Wikipedia outlines several deterrents to the widespread adoption of cloud computing, including security, reliability and issues surrounding privacy.

维基百科认为：“云计算这一词组是用来描述一系列计算概念的，这包括例如互联网这样的实时通信网来连接电脑。”事实上，“云”是对互联网的比喻。精明的市场营销创造“云”这一概念来创造更多可以销售的服务。云服务用户在公司服务器上保存他们的数据和软件，公司提供云服务。人们不需要在家用电脑或是工作电脑中下载或储存任何信息。维基百科列举了许多阻挡云计算广泛使用的因素，包括安全、可靠性以及围绕隐私的一系列问题。