Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. innovative (adj.) [in-uh-vey-tiv] – something that is very advanced and original
Example: The innovative
solution has never been done before.
2. customize (v.) [kuhs-tuh-mahyz] – to create or build something according to
one’s personal needs or design
Example: I customized my computer to suit my
business needs.
3. server (n.) [sur-ver] – in computer technology, it is the main
program or computer which processes data or information for other computers
connected in a network.
Example: If the server breaks down, all computers in
the company will be affected.
4. go the extra mile (idiom) [goh] [thuh] [ek-struh] [mahyl] – to do something more than what
is expected
Example: Employees
who go the extra mile are promoted to
better position.
Article
Read the text below.
Facebook
plans to share the designs of their innovative data center to other
companies to help the whole industry to save more money and be
environment-friendly.
Data
centers which contain the main servers of Internet companies
consume a lot of electricity to run servers and keep them cool.
Facebook the design of its data center, which uses 38% less power, to
allow natural air to cool servers built for this kind of cooling
system. By using natural air, the center consumes less energy and produces less
carbon dioxide which harms the environment.
Customizing
the data center also allows Facebook to easily make improvements in their
website. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg says most machines produced by other
companies include parts they do not need. Having its own data center gives the
company more control.
Facebook
decided to share this design to benefit the entire Internet industry,
especially starting companies. According to a company that manages data centers
for smaller companies, an average data center spends $10m a year on
electricity. Adapting Facebook’s design can bring down the cost to around 40% or
$4m a year.
Furthermore,
sharing the design will encourage more ideas to improve data centers in the
future.
However,
environmental group Greenpeace challenged Facebook to go the extra mile in
saving the environment by using clean and renewable energy instead of coal and
nuclear power.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
Why do most large companies consume
a lot of energy like electricity?
·
What are the different ways a large
company can save energy?
Discussion B
·
What are some possible reasons why
most companies do not share the technology they use?
· Do you think sharing design and
technology to other companies has more advantages than disadvantages? Please
explain your answer.
