翅膀の主页哦～　 ⊙﹏⊙

Desktop Computer Buying Guide
by Paul Tansey
copyright © 2004 Future Shop

Ever-advancing desktop computer technologies can leave many of us scratching our heads about which system to buy. Desktop computers have moved well beyond simple systems that help us write letters or manage our households - they can now do almost anything we ask them to, from connecting us to the online world through email, instant messaging, and Web browsers, to unleashing our creativity with video, photo, and audio editing software, and entertaining us by playing movies, TV, and music.

For many users, the decision about what kind of system to buy comes down to how you want it to complement your lifestyle. Whether for business or household management applications and the occasional email, or demanding gaming, video, or audio uses, you will need to decide on processing speed, the amount of memory and hard drive space, sound and video cards, and peripherals like monitors and input devices. A quick look at the various components you will need to consider, along with some recent advancements, will help demystify the key points for choosing your new system.

It All Begins With the Processor
For any computer, its ability will depend on the type and speed of CPU (Central Processing Unit), or processor, you choose. If you are into gaming, or high-quality image or sound editing, you will want to make sure not to cut corners here. Each processor offers unique benefits.

The Intel® Celeron™ is the lowest-cost processor offered by Future Shop, and can be found in many base models. It is well suited to basic computing, basic office productivity software, and most online use. Many modern applications will really test the limits of Celeron-based systems.

The Intel® Pentium® 4 is designed for the demands of such applications, and can handle more data at a higher speed, up to 3GHz and beyond. Processors that offer HT (Hyper-Threading) Technology can handle two data threads simultaneously, which is much better for gaming and the serious number-crunching needed by many multimedia applications.

AMD's Athlon™ XP processor is similar to the Pentium, with nearly the same processing speed under certain conditions. While not an absolute match of the Pentium 4, it is very popular as a less expensive alternative.

Then there's the Athlon™ 64, which has set a new industry standard for desktop computer processors. Building on Athlon XP foundation, it makes use of the AMD64 platform, which includes 64-bit processing and HyperTransport™ technology. This means much faster processing, fewer data bottlenecks, and drastically reduced latency, most noticeable with cinema-quality DVD or other video entertainment, or when using data-intensive applications for music, video, or image editing.

64-bit technology isn't entirely new - it has been used for commercial- or industrial-scale server applications for years, but only recently has it made it to the desktop computer. As more and more applications or plug-ins are developed specifically for 64-bit systems, any Athlon 64-equipped desktop user can benefit from greatly improved performance and the ability to handle over 4GB of RAM, while still being able to work seamlessly with older 32-bit software.

RAM and Hard Drives: Memory for Managing Your Data
Once you have your processor figured out, you will want to look at memory.

SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) and DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM are two good options for the active, temporary memory that you use when you are working with your files. SDRAM has been around for a few years, and was the standard for speed until the much faster DDR variant arrived. If budget is an issue, SDRAM is still quite capable, and can keep the cost of your system down.

The most common DDR-SDRAM speed is PC2100 266MHz. If your system uses HT Technology, be sure to look for at least the PC2700 333MHZ DDR. For a system that will work very well today and can continue to do the job in the future, it's a good idea to look for RAM capacity that can grow with you. Always start with more RAM than you think you need, and look for a PC that can accommodate RAM upgrades. This can mean the difference between keeping your system and having to replace it in a couple of years. As a starting point, look for an minimum of 512MB of RAM, though it is not uncommon to see systems with 1GB or more nowadays. Generally speaking, upgrading your RAM is the single most cost-effective way to enhance your system performance.

You have a number of choices available for hard drives as well. Each generation of PC is equipped with hard drives that dwarf those previous generations'. The standard now seems to be in the range of about 80GB (160GB), but 160GB (200GB & 250GB) drives are becoming common. 40GB and 80GB used to be considered a large hard drive, and these are still available and less expensive than the larger ones, but you may find them limiting if you do a lot of video and audio editing, or want to store a large music or photo library.

When choosing a hard drive, you will want to keep an eye on the speed rating if you are a demanding user. Speeds of 5400 RPM are common (available in some) in most desktops, but you may want to go for a 7200 RPM for faster access to files. Again, applications like video editing really shine with speedier hardware like this.

Pick a Card: Video and Sound for Your PC
You can improve almost any PC's performance by installing an enhanced sound or video card. For entry-level systems, these cards may be integrated into the motherboard, limiting your expansion options. Integrated cards use system memory, so your performance on the spec sheet may not translate to actual performance.

Anything above an entry-level system should give you the option to upgrade the video or sound cards, via AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and PCi (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots, respectively. These dedicated cards have their own memory and processing chipsets to reduce the load on your CPU.

For video cards, look for an minimum of 64MB. A card with 128MB or more is a good idea if you are into 3D gaming or graphics and video editing.

If you want enhanced sound performance, avoid going with an integrated sound card. Many dedicated sound cards can now connect straight to your home entertainment system, with some even delivering Dolby Digital, 5.1 Surround for multiple speakers. Be sure to choose a card that suits your needs, now and in the future.

Bringing it All Together: The Operating System
The operating system you choose will also make a big difference, depending on the type of user you are. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 brings together the best of previous Windows editions, blending home entertainment, productivity, and communications in one seamless environment. When used on a Media Center PC, this OS will let you do anything you've ever thought possible. You can watch TV and record or pause it in real time, play movies or music, or browse the Web, all by remote control on your big-screen TV, from anywhere in the room.

Of course, Windows XP Home is no slouch, either, delivering simple and efficient operation for most productivity and online purposes, while Windows XP Professional offers powerful networking enhancements for business and pro users.

From the Outside In
The monitor, keyboard, and mouse you select also affect how enjoyable and productive your computing experience will be.

The monitor brings your system's performance to life. You will want to look for image quality and sharpness in any monitor, and should consider an LCD (liquid crystal display) flat-panel instead of a standard CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor if you want more room on your desk. They consume less power, are easier on your eyes, and look pretty cool, too.

With any monitor, look at the number of pixels (picture elements) and dot pitch rating, which denotes the distance between each pixel. More pixels and a smaller dot pitch results in better picture quality. This is important if you work with graphics and video, or play high-resolution 3D games. To learn more about choosing the right monitor, check out our Monitor Buying Guide

Keyboards come in standard configurations, or 'Natural' keyboards split into two sections for more ergonomic use. Some also include dedicated buttons for Internet or media functions. Wireless keyboards are a good way to improve operating flexibility and reduce clutter.

Choosing your mouse used to be more straightforward, but you can now choose between wireless and standard mice, or optical models with fewer moving parts and no need for a mousepad. Heavy users will want to look at a mouse and keyboard that make the most ergonomic sense to help avoid strain on not only fingers and hands, but arms, neck, and back, as well.

Small Additions Can Make A Big Difference
DVD writers are an increasingly popular optical drive option for PC users that want a much larger removable storage medium. Where a CD-R/RWs can max out at about 800MB, DVD+/-/R/RWs can take up to 4.7GB, or more. This is ideal for huge files, like digital video, and large collections such as music and digital photos. Plus, as a DVD player, these drives turn your system into a self-contained entertainment system. Look for operating system, monitor, and speaker enhancements to really bring your home theatre PC to life.

Your Internet connection speed can also make your system much more usable. For high-speed users, most desktops now have a built-in 10/100 Ethernet connection, though wireless networking options will help further reduce cable clutter. If you are using dial-up, you should make sure your system has a modem, as this is not a given anymore.

Whatever peripherals or system components you put together, you will want to make sure your system can grow with you. If you have integrated sound or video cards, free slots in the motherboard are needed for upgrades. RAM and hard drives can also be upgraded or complemented in most systems. Those who desire the ultimate is customization should check out our Direct to U program.

Be sure browse the extensive product information at FUTURESHOP.ca, or talk to a Future Shop Associate to discover the latest product developments, and help determine the right system for your computing requirements.

The first assignment

Rewrite the above passage into Chinese.
Requirements: in 800 to 1000 words, describing the main ideas of the passage, and taking care of grammar and handwriting.
This assignment stands 5% weight of you final mark.
Do it by yourself.
Due on 27th Sep.

北风好不留情
把叶子吹落
坠落的它他选择的逃脱
叶子失去小心
风才感觉寂寞
整个冬天
北风的痛没人能说
我从来没想过
我会这样做
从来没爱过
所以爱错
我从那里起飞
从那里降落
多少不能原谅的错却不能从来过

翻开回忆角落
忘记的生活
以为幸福都可以掌握
仔细回味当初那个故事背后
喔原来是我
犯下从没真的爱错
我从来没想过
我会这样做
从来没爱过所以爱错
我从那里起飞
从那里降落
多少不能原谅的错却不能从来过...
真的受未你的世界
喔...找不会那些感觉
其实我不想到别
那些过去
我从来没想过
我会这样做
从来没爱过(从来没有爱过那么认的)
我从那里起飞
从那里降落(降落)
多少不能原谅的错却不能从
从来没想过
我会这样做
从来没爱过(爱过)
所以爱错(所以爱错)
从那里起飞(爱错爱错爱错baby)
从那里降落
多少不能原谅的错
请你原谅我的爱错

有人觉得诡异。。。我很喜欢，喜欢这种感觉

再来一张

刚做的哟~还不完善大家多多指教~