20101126 Today's Technology Trends (1)

Today's Technology Trends

A closer look at where technology is and where it is going

This month Studio Classroom talks with Dr. Eric Chen. With more than 30 years of experience in computer science, Professor Chen currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Taipei University of Technology. Dr. Chen also directs the university's Internet Application and Services Laboratory. His current research interests include enterprise and cloud computing.

SC: What is the difference between computer science, computer engineering and management information systems (MIS)?

Eric Chen (EC): In general, computer science tends to deal with theory, methods and processes. In computer engineering, the emphasis is on applying those theories to real-world situations. In contrast, Management Information Systems goes a step further and focuses on applying various technologies in business situations.

SC: What areas of computer technology are growing in importance?

EC: There are a lot of exciting things happening with technology right now. Currently, there is a lot of emphasis on mobile technologies – like cell phones. There is also a lot of interest in search technology, especially with regard to searching for things like images and videos.

SC: What areas of computing are becoming less important?

EC: We are currently seeing a shift away from computer science and toward engineering and MIS. I don't know that it's because computer science is becoming less important. It's just that theory has developed so quickly that businesses need a chance to catch up with applications.

emphasis n. 強調的重點

=> focus

=> 複數形為emphases

eg: The main emphasis of the program is to help foreign students to adjust more easily to the university.

=> 這個課程的重點是要幫助外國學生更容易適應大學生活

eg: We should put more emphasis on the quality of our products instead of our marketing strategies.

=> 我們應該多看重產品的品質而不是市場策略

shift n. 轉移/轉變

eg: The poll is designed to collect information regarding the shift in consumers' demands.

=> 這份調查是設計用來收集有關消費者需求的改變的訊息

eg: The politician's drastic shift from supporting the Republican Party to the Democratic Party is a big risk.

=> 從支持共和黨到支持民主黨的急劇改變對這一位政治家而言是相當大的風險

application n. 應用/運用

eg: The applications from this research are mostly used in the field of medicine.

=> 這個研究的應用大多數是應用在醫學的領域

eg: Engineers are still working on developing a practical application of the theory.

=> 工程師們還在努力發展這個理論實用的應用方式

theory n. 理論

engineering n. 工程

management information system[MIS]

//== Chat room ==//

the Chair of the Computer Science Department

=> 計算機科學系系主任

=> chair是chairman的縮寫

=> 這裡chair指系主任

chairwoman 女性的系主任

chairperson 中性的系主任

chair v. 擔任主席

ex: chair a meeting 擔任一個會議的主席

//== Grammar on the go ==//

What areas of computer technology are growing in importance?

growing in importance

=> becoming more importance

eg: Having clean water to drink is a subject growing in importance.

growing in + noun

growing in popularity

eg: Ever since the bakery started selling their special cakes, the bakery has grown in popularity.

growing in confidence

eg: Timothy’s unique internship position has allowed him to grow in confidence.