【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. go-to /ˈgoʊˌtu/ (adj.) – being the one to be relied on for help
Example: Mel has been the go-to guy for most complex computer problems.
2. tech giant /tɛk ˈdʒaɪ ənt/ (n.) – a company that is known and is powerful when it comes to technology
Example: Apple is currently one of the most notable tech giants in the world.
3. turn /tɜrn/ (v.) – to change or renew something
Example: The software company turned its business into a call center firm.
4. wide-ranging /ˈwaɪdˈreɪn dʒɪŋ/ (adj.) – covering many areas
Example: The technician has a wide-ranging expertise in mobile phones.
5. viable /ˈvīəbəl/ (adj.) – being ideal or preferable
Example: An outdated computer is not viable for computer engineers.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Finland might soon be the world’s go-to country when it comes to data storage.
Digital technology has rapidly grown over the past years. Companies specializing in computer and online services have struggled with the high demand for data storage. Aside from its capacity, data banks also need cool temperature to function well. Thus, tech giants like Google and Microsoft decided to bring their data storage operations in a country with a cold climate like Finland.
In 2009, Google turned an old paper factory in Hamina, Finland into a data center located near the sea. Microsoft, on one hand, spent $250 million for the construction of its data center in northern Finland.
Tech-industry writer Petteri Jaervinen [PET-teri HAHYR-vi-nen] expressed his excitement on his country’s progress. He said that Finland’s cold weather is now becoming an edge.
But aside from weather, Finland’s wide-ranging fiber-optic cable has also drawn further interests. Finland expects that an undersea cable linked to Germany will be operational by 2015. This link could then provide a superfast data passage to Asia. Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto [PEK-ka HA-vis-to] hopes that the country will serve as a link in global data network and help in technology’s further development.
Other European countries have also used the cold climate to its advantage. Telecity, a UK-based data center company, has also moved its storage centers to Finland.
Meanwhile, Sweden and Iceland also remain as viable options for companies seeking data storage relocation. Facebook’s first European data center is located in Luleå [LOO-le-aw], Sweden, while Iceland is a strategic location near the United States and Europe.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· How do you think Google and Microsoft’s data center will help Finland’s economy?
· Is it practical to have their data storage operations in another country? Why or why not?
Discussion B
· How does climate affect a country’s success?
· How else can the cold weather become useful? Kindly explain.