Drawings Come to Life With 3Doodler

Turning doodles into 3-D objects
神奇繪圖筆畫出3D實物   - 將塗鴉化為3D立體實物
In their spare time millions enjoy doodling, which, up till no, has usually involved drawing on paper. But now, folks can try doodling in the air, thanks to 3Doodler, the world's first 3-D printing pen! As one draws hot plastic comes out of the pen, cools and becomes a solid strand.

Would-be artists can draw flat forms or separate parts and then join them together. Lifting the pen up into the air adds a strand that can stand on its own! Created by toy and robotics company wobbleWorks, this pen is quite different from a 3-D printer.

For example, this pen requires no computers or image files, and it can be used to create anything a person can dream up. How about a bicycle or a bird? Or what about a miniature Eiffel tower? The 3Doodler website features these and other examples of 3Doodles!

Initial interest in 3Doodler has been extraordinary. In the first 3D hours of the 3Doodler Kichsatrter campaign. WobbleWorks raised more than US$500,000 o make the product a reality! Now, with more than US$2 million in support, WobbleWorks plans on shipping the finished version of 3Doodler in late 2013. Get your drawing hand ready!

Grammar Tip:
But now, folks can try doodling in the air,.....
folks - people. (casual)
Everybody, may I have your attention please?
Folks, may I have your attention please?
The folds in may neighborhood like to come out in the evenings and hang out.

Vocabulary Tips:
doodle-涂鸦，画画，随意乱画。
*Kate loves to doodle on her textbooks during class.
*No one could have know that the artist's doodle would one day be displayed in a museum.
strand - 线。一股线，线的一股或一缕，一串（珠链)
*The police found a strand of hair at the crime scene and took it to the lab.
*The elegant lady wore a strand of pearls to go with her dress.
dream up -凭空想像出，虚构出。
*The college kids were always dreaming u different practical jokes to play on their friends.
*You can continue dreaming up different excuses for your tardiness.
miniature, mini - small.微小的。
*The miniature golf course is a popular dating place.
*The doll comes with cute miniature furniture.

Language Tips:
would-be : 将来有潜力。。。会成为。。。。
a would-be author. 成为有潜力的作家。
a would-be actor. 成为有潜力的演员。
a would-be artists. 成为有潜力的艺术家。
would-be :想成为什么。。但未达到的。
a would-be assassin. 是一个刺杀未遂的刺客。
wannabe - want to be. 梦想，想要成为某种人，与天赋无关。
wannabe (adj) - 梦想，想要成为
wannabe artist.- 梦想，想要成为一个艺术家。
wannabe (n) - 仿冒，模仿（艺术家）的人。
You're such a wannabe.


Take notes of StudioClassroom

3-D Printing: No Factory Required!

This magical technology turns 3-D designs into 3-D objects
3D印刷：自己來就行！ - 這項神奇的技術把3D設計變成三 度空間的立體實物.

Printing images is easy: Select an image of a purple robot on your PC, for example, and then press print. Your home printer precisely shoots drops of ink onto a flat piece of paper, creating the robot's 2-D image. "Printing" 3-D objects is something altogether different. Take the purple robot. First select a file of the 3-D model of the robot and send it to your special 3-D printer. Immediately, the printer begins making noise, and a nozzle releases plastic material in thin layers, over and over again. In two to three hours, a 3-D purple robot is standing before you!

3-D printing: then and now
3-D printing technology first appeared in the 1980s. At that time, it was used as an inexpensive way for companies to make prototypes before creating final products. But 3-D printing technology has matured to the point where printers can now create high-quality objects using a variety of materials, including metals. That means 3-D printers can now make final products that meet high industrial standards. 3-D printers are already being used to make parts for race-cars and jets as well as artificial limbs and hearing aids.

The future of 3-D printing
One startling ability 3-D printers have is that they can print parts of themselves. This ability could come in handy for future space missions, like building a base on Mars Instead of transporting heavy equipment to Mars, engineers could send one 3_D printer that could "print" multiple printers. Each one could be used to make certain objects - from doors to windows - for astronauts to assemble.

An even more incredible application of 3-D printing technology is being tested in the medical field. A company called Organovo has developed a type of 3-D printer that can take a human's cells and use them to create organic tissues. Organovo successfully printed their first blood vessels in 2010, and they are looking ahead to the day when they can print entire replacement organs.

Making an impact
Last year, analysts at the Atlantic Council released a report titled "Could 3-D printing Change the World? The authors predict that 3-D printing will be a game changer on many levels. They believe that 3-D printing could have "as profound an impact on the manufacturing world as the PC and the Internet on the information world.

Grammar Gym:
"Take the purple robot" - "take" usually means "use hands to reach the subject and hold it".
"Take the purple robot" - "take"  here means "take for example".
Robert has so many crazy stories about his travels; take the time when he was stuck in Mexico City without his passport.
Mrs. Jensen's students are very creative; take Timothy and his artwork.

Vocabulary Tips:
precisely - exactly.精确地，准确地。
*No one knows precisely how many people survived the train crash.生还
precise (adj)- 精确的，准确的。
*The precise location of the stolen car has not been determined yet.
nozzle - the narrow end of the tube, which may dispensing liquid.喷嘴。
*The nozzle of the fire extinguisher was jammed.堵住了。
*The gas nozzle automatically stops adding gasoline when the tank is full.
prototype - a sample which is just designed.新发明出来设备或机械的样本，样品，原型，原模型。 "prot" -“第一个”之意 "type"-典型。
*The prototype of the new car was built by a group of Japanese engineers.
mature - has change and develop gradually. 成长，成熟。
*Teenage girls usually mature faster than teenage boys.
mature -趋于完善。
*Her acting skills mature rapidly over the years.
maturity (n)-成熟。
*The girls delayed maturity was caused by a hormonal imbalance. 落后发育成熟，过缓成熟。。荷尔蒙失调。
then - refer to the pass, back then.
startle - startling 使震惊，使惊吓。使吓一跳。
*Ray's sudden resignation startled everyone in the company.
startling (adj) -unexpected, take you by surprise.令人惊讶的。
*The girl's startling looks made her a rising star in modeling.
incredible -hard to believe.不能置信的，令人无法相信的，不可思议的。惊人的。 "in" -有‘否定’之意。 , "credible" -可信的。
*The boy has an incredible memory.
*The incredible voice of the singer captured the attention of the entire audience.
replacement-take place of the original one.代替者，替代。 replace -替代，替换。
*Our computers are too old and too slow and require replacement.
*The quarterback was seriously wounded, and the team needs a replacement quickly.补空缺。补位。替代。
profound -very deep and far in influence..深远，深奥的。
*George's tragic childhood has had a profound impact on his character. 对他性格。。影响深远。
profound -知识渊博
*Professor Frasier's profound knowledge of ancient Egypt amazed us.
transport - from one place to another.
assemble - put things or parts together.
looking ahead to - looking forward to it. not happen yet but we expect it to happen.
a game changer - changing the way of lifestyle and the way the things have done in the world or in the society.
"game" - refer to the way the things have done in the world or in the society.
game - something we play for fun.
profound impact - influence or effective far and deep.


Language Tips:
quotation mark - " "引号。简称“quote"
irony -反讽。不认同，有嘲讽之意。
"Printing" 3-D objects is something altogether different.
printing - is in the quotation, which means the writer is not total agree that machine is doing is called "printing"
air quotes -raise your hands in the air, the pointer and the middle fingers are curved.
the word in the quotation, the meaning of the words usually has opposite meaning.用括号来标示，通常是并不认同括号里的话的意思。
he says he is "busy" -用括号，代表你不认为他真的很 "busy".
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handy -与手有关的，手很巧的。
My brother is handy with electronic devices.对电子器材操作自如。
handy-手头的，手边的，离手很近的。
keep a pen handy 将笔放在离自己很近处，随手可得。
handy-容易操作的。好使用的。
a handy reference book.很好使用的参考书。
handyman-a person who is very capable in fixing things.家中若有一个handyman，什么东西坏了，修理就不担心了。
print themselves -印出自己的零件。
come in handy -派上用场。




Taking notes of study "StudioClassroom"

Mathalicious!

Getting students interested in math by asking better questions
把數學變得更可口！ -  好問題，讓學生對數學更有興趣

Former middle school math teacher Karim Kai Ani often faced a classroom full of bored students. But he couldn't get upset because he agreed with them - the lessons really were boring! That's why he became a math coach, a job that allowed him to help other teachers design better lessons. Then in 2009, he founded the math-teaching website Mathalicious, so he could devote himself completely to designing lessons. Unlike lessons in traditional math textbooks. Mathalicious lessons ask open-ended math questions with real-life applications.

For example: Do people with small feet pay more for shoes? How long must a person exercise to burn off a Big Mac? Each lesson includes handouts, a teacher's guide and a short multimedia presentation. Also, each lesson requires students to use specific math skills included in the Common Core State Standards.

While the site does offer a handful of free samples, the lessons are based on payment. But for many math teachers, the cost is worth it. Mathalicious gives them the tools they need to turn bored students into inspired ones!

Grammar Gym:
"While the site does offer a handful of free samples, the lessons are based on payment."
"while" -usually mean that " how two things were happening at the same time.
For example: Jim waited in the car while Teresa went to buy coffee.
"while" here mean "although" 
 Although the site does offer a handful of free samples, the lessons are based on payment.
While cats are generally known to not like water, tigers do enjoy swimming.
While tourists are not allowed to walk into the palace, the palace gardens are open to the public.

Vocabulary Tips:
open-ended :there is not right or wring answer, but you need think about it...开放式的，没有预定目标或结论的。1
*The meeting has an open-ended agenda.没有特定的议题。
*This open-ended task requires independent thinking and the ability to solve problems.自由发挥的任务，需要的是有独立思考和解决问题的能力。
application -something you can use every day in your life, not just one time or two.应用，运用。
*There are a lot of practical applications for what the students learned in their physics class.物理。
申请。
*All scholarship applications need to be submitted by this Friday.
burn off = burn up - consume, to get rid of it, use all off it. 燃烧，烧尽。消耗掉。
*jogging regularly can burn off excessive calories.烧尽过多的卡路里。
*Pamela went swimming after dinner to burn off the steak and potatoes she had eaten.
inspire (v) -encourage you to think of it and want to do it eagerly. 鼓舞，激励，激发灵感。
*My drama teacher inspired  me to become an actor.
inspired (adj) -被某事物所激发的或所影响的。
*a Japanese-inspired hotel. -具有日本风格的旅馆。
devote - give time or your energy and life to it, the object can be big but also can be very small.
*devote sometime to study English.
coach / teach -教练/老师。
coach- someone who leads the team.
teach - someone who teaches in class.
multimedia - multi (many kinds, more than one), media -such as video, power point, picture on slice show...媒介，媒体。。
Mathalicious - a make up word, from Mathematics and delicious.

Language Tips:
bored (人的感受。） / boring - （事物）
interested (人的感受。） / interesting -（事物）
excited (人的感受。） / exciting -（事物）
bored - （人）感到无趣的。
I'm bored.-我觉得无聊的很。
I feel bored. 我感到很无聊。
She feels bored.
boring -（事情，事物)无聊，无趣。
That's a boring book. 那是本无聊透了的书。
I am feel boring / I am boring - 我是个很无聊的人。把自己当成了东西，事物了 -指自己是个很无聊的人，自己本身很无趣。
a classroom full of bored students.- 满了感到无聊的学生们。对象是人。
The lessons really were boring.! （事物）这课。
excited / exciting : 兴奋。
I am so excited. / What an exciting movie!


Taking note of study "Studio Classroom".

The Downside of Staying Connected

The habit of looking down at your smartphone or tablet could be hurting you
小心長簡訊脖！ - 低頭注視你的智慧手機或平板電 腦的習慣可能對你有害.

The next time you're riding a subway or bus pay attention to your fellow passengers. Chances are you'll see plenty of them with their heads down, tapping the screens of their tablets or texting on their smartphones.

While these folks may be making good use of their time by staying connected, their bodies are paying a heavy price for such convenience. As hand-held devices such as smartphones and tablets are becoming more common, users are reporting some new physical problems.

Florida chiropractor Dean Fishman began noticing an increased number of his patients complaining of neck and shoulder pain. He traced these symptoms to the overuse of hand-held devices, specifically the action of bending the neck, and  coined the term "Text Neck." As if the painful symptoms weren't bad enough, Fishman warns that an untreated case of Text Neck could lead to permanent spinal damage. He founded The Text Neck Institute in an effort to treat and educate those suffering from Text Neck. Treatments offered there include chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy and exercise planning.

Ways to prevent Text Neck
In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of getting Text Neck, use the following basic ergonomic principles.

*** Avoid awkward positioning. Don't strain your neck, and stay aware of how your body is positioned in relation to the device.

*** Take frequent breaks when using any kind of mobile device. Many doctors recommend that users change their position every 15 minutes.

*** When using a tablet use a case that can prop up the device at a comfortable viewing angle.

There's an app for that
For those who simply can't take their eyes off of their devices, there is an ironic twist - downloading a special app could help. Dr. Fishman has released an app called the Text Neck Indicator App, which measures the angle of your smartphone. When the angle is appropriate, a green light appears in the upper corner of your screen. But when the angle puts you at risk for neck strain, the light turns red, triggering you to adjust your angle. So go ahead and stay connected, but don't let your body - or your neck - stay in one position for too long.

Grammar Gym"
"....an increased number of his patients complaining of neck and shoulder pain." 

the pattern in a formal way to say something more and more.... "An increased number of (something + verb-ing)".

An increased number of girls getting cosmetic surgery....
An increased number of investors buying property in this part of town....

Vocabulary Tips:
downside - negative result.缺点，负面的效应
*The downside of working abroad is being away from friends and family.
upside - positive result.好处，有利的一面。
*Even though Paul was fired, the upside is that he doesn't have to work for that terrible boss any longer.
make good use of something - use the most of it, not waste it. 善用，好好利用。
*Will decided to make good use of his business trip to see Rome.
symptom - sign of something. what are your symptom when you sick.症状，
*The symptoms of the flu are a fever, runny nose, coughing and muscle pain. 流感。。
symptom -症兆，征兆，症候.
*Constant conflicts are one symptom of an unhealthy marriage. 不断的冲突。
chiropractor (n)- who rub, massage of patients' muscle and treat people's body pain.整脊师，脊椎指压治疗师。
*After one visit to my chiropractor, my back stopped hurting.
chiropractic (adj)- 指压脊椎治疗的。
chiropractic treatment -指压脊椎治疗的治疗。
chances are - possibility.
traced something to something else - follow something to something else. draw a line from one thing to another.
coin (v) - coined, to create, to invent.
as if something isn't bad enough - if this is not bad enough, there is something that is worst.
spinal - main back bone. 脊椎。
massage - rub, back rub, rub the muscle.
in order to ..... (do something) - for ...something. （为了。。）
ergonomic (adj) - specific make for your comfort. something that  is comfortable.人类环境改造学的。
strain -pull it or force it in uncomfortable way.拉伤，扭伤，
* Janet strained the muscles in the back of her leg while hiking.。。。拉伤了后腿的肌肉。。
* Alex strained his back while carrying his son.。。抱他儿子闪到腰（背）
strain -压力，负担。
*Brenda has been under a lot of strain lately.  最近压力很大。
prop something up -support you to keep up a certain position. 支撑，支持某样东西。
prop (n) -道具, prop (v)-支撑。
*Gina propped herself up with a lot of pillows so that she could read in bed.用很多枕头支撑（她可以在床上看书）。
*It is hoped that the new policy will prop up the economy.
ironic (adj) - not expect it means it does.说反话的，讽刺的，幽默地，反常的，出乎意料的。
*His ironic remarks really irritated me. 他讥讽的话语。。惹恼的我。
*It's so ironic to see an independent group being commercialized like this.非常讽刺的。。。商业化到如此地步。
irony -讽刺。
*You can always find a hint of irony in his work.经常在他的作品中看到一丝丝嘲讽。
indicator - a sign that tell you something.指示者，指示器，指标。
indication (n)-a sign that tell you something。标示，指标， 信号。
indicate -指示，标明，标示。
*The color of the outfit Patricia is wearing is an indicator of her mood today.穿着衣服的颜色是显示她今天心情好坏的风向球。
*Oil prices are one of the indicators of inflation.油价上涨是通膨的指标之一。
trigger - pull the trigger, alarm.
in relation to something - refer to position, where is this place from another place.
*Where is the post office in relation to this hotel?

Language Tips:
text neck - 简讯脖。
R.S.I. = Repetitive Strain Injury. 重复使力伤害，重复使用某部为肌肉而引起的伤害。
tennis elbow -网球肘。手肘疼痛。
blackberry -黑莓，
blackberry thumb -有种手机，叫“黑莓机”前几年很风行的， 年轻人用左右二大拇指在黑莓机上不断地打text，而使得大拇指受伤。blackberry thumb 由此而来。
rubik's wrist - 玩魔术方块，大量使用手腕，手腕重复使力，转动而造成的疼痛伤害。
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my arm fell asleep -头伏在手上趴在桌子上睡，醒来，双手发麻。我们可以说my arm fell asleep, 非常口语的说法。
my leg fell asleep -（口语的说法）我的腿发麻。
numb - 发麻，身体某处发麻，正式的说法"numb", "b" -不发音
pins and needles - 手脚由发麻中苏醒，感到麻麻的，又有刺痛如很多的针在扎，就说"pins and needles"
避免姿势不正确而受伤，最好：Don't let your body - or your neck - stay in one position for too long.

Taking note of study "Studio Classroom"

BrainPOP

Making education fun
寓教於樂的BrainPOP - 讓教育充滿樂趣.

Pediatrician Avraham Kadar faced the challenge of explaining complex medical concepts to children he was treating. But, in 1999, he found a solution, and teachers have been reaping the benefits ever since.

Kadar created BrainPOP, an educational program consisting of brief animated videos in which a man named Tim and his robot friend Moby discuss various subjects. The videos fall into seven categories, engineering and technology, science, social studies, English, math, health, and arts and music. They cover over 500 topics, from historical figures to recent inventions, fostering interest in the subjects through humor and illustrations. BrainPOP's materials also include quizzes, activities, answers to questions and extra information about each topic.

BrainPOP can be used in the classroom or at home through the Internet, and it is now accessible everywhere through its apps for mobile devices. BrainPOP also provides resources for different groups: BrainPOP Jr. for younger students. BrainPOP Espanol for Spanish speakers and BrainPOP ESL for those learning English. Almost 20 percent of American schools have embraced BrainPOP, and its popularity is growing worldwide. Its website, apps and products have won multiple awards from magazines, websites and other organizations.

Why BrainPOP?
The reason for BrainPOP's popularity among teachers is simple: It works. A 2009 study conducted by SEG Research compared students who used BrainPOP to those who didn't. The BrainPOP users experienced more improvement in vocabulary, reading comprehension, language skills and science that the other students.

And the benefits of BrainPOP are not limited to native English speakers. One award-winning Canadian school with students from many linguistic backgrounds make BrainPOP available to all its teachers. They find it helpful because it integrates pictures into its presentations instead of relying solely on language.

Similarly, a school in the U.S for students with learning disabilities has found BrainPOP very effective at keeping students engaged and encouraging them to participate. Teachers said that BrainPOP's quick pace and humor helps students ignore distractions and continue to focus. The kids love the character Moby, a robot that cannot speak but communicates with facial expressions and beeps. Teachers think this may be because the students can relate to the robot's limitations. For more than 10 years, BrainPOP's fun, clear and educational materials have helped students learn -and enjoy it.

Grammar Gym:
They cover over 500 topics, from historical figures to recent inventions, fostering interest in the subjects through humor and illustrations.
@There is two part, part 1 leads to part II situation. - have a situation that make another situation happen,  add "ing" to verb after the first sentence ending.
Part 1: They cover over 500 topics, from historical figures to recent inventions.
Part 2: ...fostering interest in the subjects through humor and illustrations.
Example:
The bus had a flat tire. This made everyone late to work.
- The bus had a flat tire, making everyone lat to work. 
There was a big accident downtown. This created a traffic jam.
-There was a big accident downtown, creating a traffic jam. 

Vocabulary Tips:
reap -harvest from field. obtain.收割农作物。此指“收获，获得”。
* After many years research and developing his idea, Henry is ready to reap the benefit of his new products.
foster -take care of something in a short period of time. 培养，促进。
* A good parent-child relationship fosters the child's self-esteem. 培养
* High temperatures fostered the spread of the disease.高温促进细菌扩散。
accessible -you can get it easily.可利用的，可取得的，可使用的，可进入的。
*The mobile library make books more easily accessible for children living in remote areas.
embrace - hug. happy to accepted.拥抱。或“欣然接受”。
*The couple embraced each other before they parted.分别前.拥抱
*Tom embraced a golden opportunity to work abroad.“欣然接受
pediatrician(n)- children doctor.
face a challenge - something very difficult happen, you would like to try it. 面对挑战。
consist of ....- 组成，构成。。
*My room is consist of a bed, a table and chairs.
fall into (types, categories...) - come into。。。 分类成。。。
APP - application.
conduct -to organize and leading ...执行。
*This housing project will be conducted by the only government next year. 执行
conduct -behave.动作举止。
*He's old enough to be responsible for his own conduct.
comprehension - thoroughly understand. 完全理解，完全了解。
comprehensive - more than just one area, a lot of things or all the things of an area or in certain topic.
综合的，广泛的，有理解力的。
** comprehension and comprehensive are totally different meaning.
*There are three parts of this English test: listening comprehension, reading comprehension and composition.
find - discover, looking for something and you found.原本是“寻找”的意思，此指“发现”
*Irene found her new job fun and challenging at the same time. 。发现。。。有挑战性的同时又很有趣。
distraction -take attention away... opposite of focus. 使分心的事或物。
distract (v)- not concentrated, not focus. 使分心。使分神。
*Tina studies in the library to avoid any distraction. 避免被其他事物分心。
that works - that looks okay, or that look pretty good.
*That outfit works for party.
linguistic - something to do with language. relate to language or language background.
linguistics -talking about or refer about many languages or language backgrounds

Language Tips:
historic/ historical -
historic -What is important in history. 历史上有名的，有历史性的。
historic house - call white house is historic house.白宫
historical -有关历史的或是根据历史的。。Something is relate to history or recorded in history.
historical novel -历史书。
historical figures -历史人物（有历史记载的，不一定很有名）
historical/historic - sometime exchangeable，
historical times or historic times. 古老的时期-此处historical and historic 通用
phrase: You reap for what you sow. ( So be careful for what you sow.)
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native English speaker -母语是英文的人。
English speaker - 讲英文的人。
native -本地的，本土的。
native to America - 土生土长的美国人。
Native American - 美国的原住民是指我们俗称的“印地安人”。（少数民族被保护的）
mother tongue -母语。
mother country - 母国
mother land - 原居住土地，。
mother language is first language and is native language. -anything from your parents.



.

BYOD

There's more to this new business trend than meets the eye
帶自己的電子裝置上班 -這項新的商業趨勢並不如表面上看起來的那樣單純.

Do you Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to work? If you do, you aren't alone. Businesses around the world are increasingly allowing, or even requiring employees to provide their own electronic devices - notebooks, tablets and smartphones - for the tasks they perform at work.

Advocates say that BYOD has the potential to save companies a fortune since employees assume the costs of providing the devices they use on the job. The trend may also lead to greater efficiency because staff members are able to use devices they are familiar and comfortable with. 

Unfortunately, BYOD also has some very significant drawbacks. In some cases, employees feel put out at having to pay for devices that were once supplied by employers. BYOD also means that company files are stored on personal devices, leaving many companies scrambling to create polices to safeguard their information. 

Regardless of the position companies take on BYOD, it is becoming difficult to control. The trend toward mobile technology is making people increasingly dependent on devices like smartphones.  As such, workers are becoming inclined to use their personal devices for work - with or without the company's approval.

Grammar Tips:
...employees assume the cost of providing the devices they use on the job.
" assume " - to think that something is true even though you don't know for sure.
" to assume the costs :-
"assume " - here is mean that " take on / to be in charge of .
"assume " -
If the manager is out of the office, who assumes responsibility in case of an emergency?
When the king became ill, the prince assumed full control of the government.

Vocabulary Tips:
drawback - negative thing, bad thing.
draw - pull.拉
back - hold back.向後。
drawback- 缺点，缺失或是不利的条件。
* One of the drawback of current smartphones is their short battery life.
*The main drawback of this product is its packaging.
scrambled (adj) -you are running around try to do things as fast as you can also competing something with others.慌忙乱行动。仓促拼湊。
*The town's people scrambled to evacuate to higher ground.环乱的梳散到高处去。
*People are scrambling to buy food and batteries because the typhoon is coming.　慌乱仓促的去购买。。
incline -want or try to do something.倾向于。。。clin－有弯曲，倾斜之意。　
incline to -倾向于某方向（某事物）。
*The congressman is inclining to reject this proposal.。。。倾向于否定此提案。
inclined (adj)-倾向于。
*Teenage girls are usually more inclined to worship their favorite singers than boys are.
put out - have bad feeling about it, disagree.　不高兴，不乐意。
file - information. video, conversation ..etc.　资料
trend - popular in short period of time.
advocate - suitable, great for , good for.
efficiently - doing things well and correct.


Chat Room:
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
device (n) -装置，器具，电子品。
electronic device -电子仪器，器具。电子产品。any  products which relate to electronic.
electronic devices -手机，电脑，iPad, tablet 等都是电子产品。
literary device -　写作的手法，技巧。literary - write or read abilities.识字的。能读能写的。
metaphor  is one of literary device.　metaphor -“隐喻”即是写作的手法，技巧之一。
devise (v)- ('s' "z" )　设计或发明。
We must devise a plan for earning money.　发明，设计出一套能赚钱的计划。
devise a plan -发明，设计出一套计划。

Five Apps that Could Change Your Life

Improve your productivity with these five smartphone apps

五項可望讓生活改觀的應用程式
運用這五種智慧型手機應用程式，來改善你的生產力

A smartphone can be a powerful tool to organize your life - if it contains the right applications. Whether you're a student or a professional, these five apps have demonstrated an ability to help you work productively and efficiently.

Evernote
A powerful note-taking application, Evernote lets you integrate documents, pictures and audio files into your notes. The app also lets you access your notes just about anywhere - through your phone, tablet, computer or a web service.

Box
Box gives you a fantastic way to store large files online and to access them anywhere. Box gives you control over who can access and edit your files, making it great for online cooperation.

Office work
Now that you've moved all of your files to your phone, you'll need a way to work on them. Apps like iWork and Quickoffice let you create and edit Microsoft Office files on your phone.

MindMeister
Are you a visual thinker? MindMeister gives you a great way to organize your ideas by creating useful mind maps.

Timesheeter
Are you self-employed or just in need of a better way to manage your time? Timesheeter allows you to schedule projects, record the time and money spent on them, and analyze the results.

Grammar Tips:
A powerful note-taking application Evernote lets you integrate documents, pictures and audio files into your notes.
(1) Evernote is a powerful note-taking application.
(2) Evernote lets you integrate documents, pictures and audio files into your notes.
combine these two sentences into one to make short and simple, not so wordy.
(1) Toby is an ambitious businessman.
(2) Toby is always working long hours and doing more than his coworkers.
An ambitious businessman, Toby is always working long hours and doing more than his coworkers.
(1) Hank's new gadget is always breaking down.
(2) Hank's new gadget has proven to be unreliable.
Always breaking down, Hank's new gadget has proven to be unreliable.

Vocabulary Tips:
demonstrate -展示，显示，
*The new manager has already demonstrated his ability to lead the team.
*Fred fully demonstrated his willingness to change with the apology letter. 充分表达歉意。
integrate -整合，结合，使一体，融入。。重整，调整。
*The science curriculum integrates exploration with learning.
*My boss decided to integrate my ideas into our proposal. 融入我的构想于提案中。
*The engineering department is trying to integrate these two systems together.
audio/visual :
audio -anything relate to "ear" - "sound". 声音的。
*The radar detected the audio signals from the submarine.
visual - relate to "eye" -"picture". 视觉的。
*Teacher sometimes need visual aids to keep students' attention.视觉辅助

Chat Room:
Evernote - powerful note-taking application.
note-taking : 做笔记的。
take notes ( notes 复数) - write down notes with pen.作笔记，用笔写记下来。
take note (note 单数 ) - pay attention, be aware of, careful.小心，注意，留意。
make a mental note - not written down, remember it (make a note) in you mind. 记在脑子里，（没写下来）

More Information:
MapQuest 4 Mobile - down load map
Relief Central - foreign place find a direction.
XE Currency Converter - 181 countries currency exchange info.
Bump app - need a business card? just let smartphone close each other for phone exchange.
SmartGuard - phone got lost? easy to find where it locate, also you can lock it to prevent others use or stolen your info.


.

Games for Helath

These games add a dose of fun to medical treatment.大电玩也能保健。这些游戏替医疗增添了一“剂"趣味.

Video games already keep people entertained, but now they are developing a more serious side:  games for health. Game designers and medical experts combine their expertise to produce games that serve as treatment options for a host of conditions.

Games have been developed to help treat stroke patients, teens with depression and people struggling to lose weight, just to name a few. Some games for health include typical video-game action while others are more like mini-courses. But most involve the key elements of missions, rewards and social gaming.

Improving the Lives of Youth with Cancer
The company HopeLab developed the video game Re-Mission to improve the lives of a specific group of people - young people living with cancer. Players take on one of 20 different missions and lead a nanobot named Roxxi through a virtual human body, zapping cancer cells with virus weapons. The game has been shown to help players gain a sense of control over their disease and stick to their treatment schedules. And thanks to the input of medical experts and patients, the game strikes a balance between action and accuracy.

Getting Kids Off the Couch
Obesity among youth is another problem that has inspired HopeLab. In order to encourage kids to be more active, the company developed Zamzee, a gaming platform centered on player movement. Players purchase a Zamzee meter, a small motion-sensing device, and then clip it onto their belts or place it in a pocket. At the end of the day, they stick the meter into their computer's USB port and upload the information to their personal accounts. The more players move, the more points they receive.

Encouraging Healthy Habits
Originally intended to help diabetic patients live healthier lives. HealthSeeker is a social game on Facebook that anyone can play. The game features lever-based missions designed to encourage healthy diet and lifestyle choices.

To accept a certain mission, players must first select three health-related activities to carry out. If they finish all three activities within a week, they complete the mission and earn experience point. Afterward, they can share the accomplishment with friends and cheer on other players.

Games for health can't replace a doctor's advice, but they can be an important part of an overall treatment plan. The games being developed today will help treat new patients tomorrow.

Grammar Tips:
Game designer and medical experts combine their expertise to produce games that serve as treatment options for a host of conditions.
"host " - normally, we talk about a person who is in charge at the ceremony or at a program. or a person who is invite people home or party, to welcome and serve their guests.
"host " - here refer to "a large variety" or "a wild variety".
The scandalized company needs to choose the right spokesperson to handle the host of questions from the media.
Fish oil offers a host of health benefits.

Vocabulary Tips:
expertise -high level skill and knowledge in some area. 专业的知识或技巧。（重音在ti）
expert -专家。
*Dave's professional expertise keeps him competitive in his field. 在某方面用“in”。
*We need your expertise in computer programming.
zap - hit, destroy.扫射，轰炸，打败，制伏。
zapped / zapping -
*In the computer game, the enemies were zapped with all kinds of weapons.敌人被各种武器所消灭。
*Will Smith zapped all the aliens with his laser gun.
strike a balance - strike -reach, hit.抨击，击，此处是指“达到” 。 达到平衡，在二者之间用“between"。
*As a manufacturer, you have to be able to strike a balance between productivity and quality.在产能与品质之间达到平衡。
nanobot- nano means very small, bot is robot.
obesity - a person is a way over weighted. 过胖，肥胖。重音在“be ”.
*Howard suffers from obesity, which causes him various health issues.
*Stress, overeating and a lack of exercise cause obesity among young people.
platform - a type of device used, or a surface you can put things on or landed something. 平台，此指“电脑的系统平台。
*The helicopter successfully landed on the platform.直升机成功的降落在平台上。
*The software can easily be run on a personal computer platform.
diabetic (adj) - a disease that having trouble to balance the level of sugar. 糖尿病的，患有糖尿病的。重音在"be " .
*Mandy is diabetic, therefore she can only eat food low in sugar.
diabetic (n)-糖尿病的患者。重音在"be ".
*The device is designed for diabetics.
diabetes  (n)-糖尿病。重音在"be " .
*Wilma suffers from diabetes.

Chat Room:
stick -stay with 黏，附着。
stick to something. 对某事或某物坚持与忠心。
stick to it - 持之以恒的去做。不放弃。
stick to their treatment schedule.严格遵守治疗行程。
stick to it - make to an one word will be "stick-to-it-iveness (n). 毅力，耐力。不屈不挠的精神。毅力不拔。
stick to one's guns. (gun用复数 guns) -坚持自己的思想，原则。
----------------------------------------------------
game - 游戏，。
game plan -计划，策略。（狭意）球对在比赛前的策划，教练和球员讨论比赛战略计划。（广意）指任何行动前的策略。
the game plan -球对在比赛前的策划，任何行动前的策略。
surprise party - the game plan for a surprise party.事先不让当事人知道而给与当事人惊喜的派对。
two can play that game -二人可玩的游戏，彼此互不相让。
game plan -
That's a game that two can play.-用类似的方法来反击对方，报复对方。（你如果被伤害了，你可以说“That's a game that two can play ” （这一套你会，我也会）然后再反击回去。
beat someone at his own game.-以对方擅长的手法来击败对方。即“以其人之道还制其人之身”。


.

Hacktivism

Making voices heard over the Internet 駭客行动主义。透过网路让不同的声音被人们听见。

Hackers are people who have advanced computer skills. Activists gather like-minded people together to protest unfair laws laws and practices or to promote a cause. Over the last 20 years or so, these two kinds of people have started joining forces to promote a new kind of Internet-related activism called hacktivism.

The participants, or hacktivists, include computer programmers, artists, activists and ordinary people. Instead of using their real names, many hacktivists use handles - combinations of numerals and letters -that mask their real identities. As opposed to cyber criminals, who use their hacking skills to steal, hacktivists are driven by ideals. They might seek to reveal weaknesses in security systems, protest policies that limit freedom or simply draw media attention to certain causes.

The term backtivism was first coined by members of the hacker group CULT OF THE DEAD COW (cDc) in the late 1990s. In an essay titled "Waging Peace on the Internet," Group member Oxblood Ruffin describes hacktivism as "using technology to advance human rights through electronic media." Of course, not all hacktivists agree with Ruffin's opinion.

Hacktivists tend to agree on keeping the Internet free. But their methods of involving supporters vary. The Electronic Disturbance Theater (EDT) is a group that arranges virtual sit-ins, in which users voluntarily participate in protests against unfair treatment of students or workers. If enough users visit a site at one time, it crashes.

The headline-grabbing group Anonymous has used tactics such as posting links that trick users into participating in one of their distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. When the U.S. Department of Justice shut down megaupload.com last January, Anonymous perceived the move as a threat to Internet freedom. They responded by launching an attack that shut down the Department of Justice site as well as several music industry sites.  Hacktivist group site as well as several music industry sites.

Hacktivist graoup Telecomix uses its technical abilities to help people build emergency communication networks. During last year's protests against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Telecomix helped protesters communicate with each other after high-speed Internet services were shut down.

Whether hacktivists should be considered heroes or troublemakers is open to interpretation. The only thing for sure is that people with passion and skill will attempt to keep the World Wide Web open and free.

Grammar Tips:
As opposed to cyber criminals who use their hacking skills to steal, hacktivists are driven by ideals.
"as opposed to " - point out that are very difference between two things. also mean " while."
If you're feeling lonely, why not go and find someone to help as opposed to staying at home and feeling sorry for yourself?
As opposed to dining at a fancy restaurant, Mr. And Mrs. Clark decided to go on a picnic to celebrate their anniversary.

Vocabulary Tips:
hacker -非法侵入他人电脑的骇客。a person who is illegally  broke into other people's computer.
hack-侵入，illegal way to break into other people's computer.
*When he was in college, this famous computer company CEO was a hacker.
*These high school kids hacked into the main computer system of a local bank.
activist -活跃，激进的分子 a person has strong opinion try to make other people to know by protesting, walking on the street, hold the banner, sometimes cause trouble.
active -活跃，激进的
*These high school kids hacked into the main computer system of a local bank.
*Some civil rights activists are protesting in front of city hall.
*William has been a party activist for many years. 政党激进分子。。
activism -激进主义，主义行动。示威。to get their voice heard , let  people pay attention what they try to say.
hacktivism - let the voice to be heard by hacking into other people's computer system.
handle -门把，昵称，称号。a name of person, or a group or a place to be thier fake name as their identities.
identities -who you (they ) are.
*George uses different handles while playing different on-line games.
*Ben uses a cartoon character's name as his handle on Facebook.
tactic -战术，策略，方法，手段。a way, a plan, a method.
*This con artist changed his tactics so often that many were fooled by him.骗钱高手。。
*Oliver is an experienced salesman. He knows all the tactics to get the customers to buy.
perceive -感觉或理解，"ceive":有“ 接受”之意。something come out that make people believe..
*Entertainers are often perceived as self-centered and proud. 被认为，被解读，被理解为。。。
*The mayor's comment was perceived as an announcement of his intent to run for re-election.被解读为。。，被认为。。。
interpretation - 翻译，解释或解读。诠释。
The article is just the reporter's personal interpretation of this phenomenon. 他个人对这现象 的解读。
*Meryl Streep's excellent interpretation of Thatcher won her anther Oscar.。。。柴契尔夫人的精彩诠释，再次获得小金人。
phenomenon (n)- 现象，珍品，天才，非凡的人或物。
driven by -  motivated by...
waging - fight for it.... (try to seeking peace in Internet)
advance - move forward.
disturbance - interrupt, cause trouble.
sit-in : a public event, a group of people enter a place, occupy the place and refuse to leave (let people notice them) 霸占某处，予以示威。。
virtual -虚拟，不存在于真实的世界中。
crash - damaged, not working anymore. break down.

Chat Room:
title/entitle :
title (v) - 当作书名，或标题。
...titled "Waging Peace on the Internet"...
title (n)- 名称，书名。
entitle - 有资格，或有权利的。
You are not entitled to use the school library.无权使用。。。
The ticket entitles you to a free seat at the concert. 这票使你有权免费听一场音乐会。
-----------------------------------------------------------
hero -英雄，（指男性，也用于说“一大群女英雄”）
heroine - 女英雄，（指一位女性。）

Quick, Convenient Vending Machines

Convenient Vending Machines 
Today's vending machines are becoming even more convenient
快速又便利的自動販賣機 , 時下的自動販賣機變得更便利了

You're in a hotel, and it's late. Local stores are closed, but you are desperate for a midnight snack, so you head out in search of sustenance. After a short walk, you see the solution to your problems glowing softly in the darkness -a vending machine. 

Vending machines conveniently make sales around-the-clock in places where stores are impractical. But through the years, vending machines have also been plagued by some problems. Fortunately for consumers and businesses, all of that is changing. Vending machines are evolving in ways that mean the machines of tomorrow will be very different from those of today.

Making change
You arrive at the machine ready for your snack, only to discover that you don't have the right change! Worse yet, you might have paper money but find that the machine is unwilling to accept it. These situations can quickly lead to frustrated customers and lost sales. 

To eliminate these problems, vending machines are incorporating  more ways for people to pay. Many machines already accept change, bills and even credit cards. But companies are also experimenting with payments made through text messages and even fingerprints or retinal scans.

Going online
While vending machines are automated, they still require regular visits from staff who remove money perform basic maintenance and restock them. Unfortunately, determining how often staff should visit machines and what products they should place in them is difficult.

Newer generations of vending machines are avoiding the guesswork by going online. Networked machines provide real-time information on sales and inventory, allowing companies to know when to send staff to service or restock machines.

Everything you need
Another change to the industry has been the increase in the variety and quality of products available. In what was once the domain of soft drinks and candy bars, customers can now purchase foods like french fries, pizza and freshly baked pie. Need a new soccer ball?

How about a cellphone, clothes or even some gold bars? There are vending machines that sell them. These days, vending machines are even used to distribute library books and prescription medicines. Vending machines don't offer the same service a clerk at a convenience store does. But as the machines continue to evolve, the variety and convenience they provide are sure to keep them an important part of our daily lives.

Grammar Tips:
You arrive at the machine, ready for your snack, only to discover that you don't have the right change!
"only to discover"-
only -there is no others.
I'm the only one left there is no one else.
"only to discover " -today's situation, "only" means "however" or "except".
"only to discover" - to describe a situation that someone is doing something with expectation, but they find out the thing don't happen or the thing turns out the way not they expected.
*Mr. And Mrs. Lee were hoping to enjoy a romantic dinner at the new restaurant, only to discover that the restaurant was not open that day.
*Cheryl had booked a room at the seaside hotel, only to discover, after checking in, that hotel guests cannot go into the water.

Vocabulary Tips:
sustenance -食物，粮食。a created way to say "food". Something that give you energy and fill you up. Author use this word to describe that seeking any kind of food you can imaging that good for eat.
*Wheat is the main source of sustenance for the people of this area. 主要粮食来源是小麦。
It's hard for the animals to find any sustenance in this kind of cold weather. 食物。
plague -使苦恼，使愁烦，使折磨。多用被动式. The problem that has bothered you continuously.
*Insomnia has plagued Anna for years.失眠长期困恼着安娜。
*The northern part of the country has been plagued by snowstorms for almost a month.
plague (n)-瘟疫，天灾。
*Many people died during the plague.
incorporate -使并入，加入，结合。
*The curriculum incorporates a lot of language lessons.学期课程结合了许多语言课。
*We'll incorporate your ideas into our proposal. 会把你的构想纳入我们的提案。
vending machine - a machine that sells small items.
desperate - really wanted, hard to wait. 迫切的
glow - is a soft light, you able to see it in a darkness.
evolve - change slowly, to develop gradually.使演进，开展，发展，演化，
impractical -不切实际的，昧于实际的，不能实行的。 "im" -“有否定之意”， "practical" -实际的，适用的。
restock - 补货，重新进货。place more, put more in the slot. stock - 货物，或品。
*Mom restocks my fridge every time she comes to visit me.
restock with -补什么货品用“with”
*Tina is always restocking her cupboard with all kinds of cereals.
domain - the area you have control or in charge.领域，范围。
*Politicians are examined by the press in both their public and private domains.
*Howard is an expert in the network information safety domain. 网路资讯安全方面的专家。
inventory -财产目录，存货请单。
*We need to check our inventory before buying any more supplies.
inventory - 存货，库存。
*We had a sale last month to reduce our inventory.
take inventory -盘点存货。
*We're closed today to take inventory 

Word / idiom Tips:
bill-纸钞，
coin-铜板，零钱，硬币。
cash- 广义的现金。cash include bills纸钞，钞票 and coins零钱。铜板.
currency -货币，各国家有其独特的货币。
British pound - 英镑
US dollar -美钞
change (n)-零钱， 小票（金额小的纸钞）。不可数名词，不能加“ S ”。用单数。
loose change -零钱。
I have some loose change in my pocket.
change -汇兑。国与国家之间，使用不同的货币，要兑换之后才能在别的国家使用。
Do you have change for a hundred? 100元你能找开来吗？或是你有一百元小票能换开吗？
change -改变
Making change -做些改变.
----------------------------------------------------------------
convenience (n) / convenient (adj) - 便利，方便。方便的，便利的。
convenience store -便利商店。（便利要用名词）
very convenient for us -对我们很方便。
Convenience store at our next door that is very convenient for us.
I lived on the second floor, the downstairs' convenience store is my convenient store.

Watch where you walk

Look where you are going, not at your phone!
In January Cathy Cruz Marrero was walking through a mall in Pennsylvania, texting on her phone. She wasn't watching where she was going, so she tripped and fell into a fountain! Luckily only her pride was hurt - she quickly climbed out and walked away. But the embarrassment didn't end there. Her accident was caught on mall cameras and posted on YouTube.

The video was viewed almost 2 million times and received national attention. Marrero was angry and ashamed, but she learned her lesson: Texting while walking is dangerous. "I could have been walking into a bus, a car,... anything." she said.

Marrero may be famous for her mistake, but she isn't the only one who's taken a tumble while texting. In 2008 more than 1,000 pedestrians in America visited hospitals for similar reasons. They were walking and texting or talking on cellphones when, suddenly, a wall appeared! Or a hole... a street sign... a train. There were cuts, bumps, broken bones and worse.

When they are texting, people walk more slowly. They weave back and forth and don't notice other pople around them. And texting isn't the only thing people do on their phones while walking. They play games, answer e-mails and use applications as well.

Trying to do these things while walking may be dangerous, but people do it anyway. Some think it should be illegal, like texting and driving is in many places. But others think this kind of law would be hard to enforce. Too many people want to keep using their phones while they walk.

In the worst cases, people have died by accidentally walking into traffic while texting. Would anybody walk down the street with their eyes closed? Probably not, but texting is nearly the same thing. It only takes one quick glance to send a text or check an e-mail. In that instant, a little typing could cause a lot of trouble.

More information:
A professor and his class at Western Washington University did an experiment. They wanted to see what people notice when they are using a cell phone. So one student dressed as a clown and rode a unicycle around a crowded campus square. Then they asked students who walked through the square what they saw. Only 25 percent of the students who were using cell phones remembered seeing the clown!

Crammer Tips:
In the worst cases, people have died by accidentally walking into traffic while texting.
"In the worst cases" - in the worst situations or examples.（ 加强其重要性时使用此句子）。
*Getting sick is not the end of the world; the worst case would be having to miss work for a few days.
*After the war, food became very expensive. In the worst cases, the price for bread was a woker's entire salary for a whole month.

Vocabulary Tips:
text- 传简讯 message or word you type on the phone and sent to others.
*David will text me his e-mail address later.
*The boy was caught texting during class.
text -本文，正文
*The text and the graphs of the report are over 50 pages long. 本文与图表。
pedestrian  (n)-行人 "ped" - relate to "feet", "walk"
*The streets are only open to pedestrians during weekends.
pedestrian (adj) walk -人行道，行人道
pedestrian (adj) crossing -行人穿越道
bump-碰撞而引起的腫塊； 碰撞，撞击。
*The boy tripped over a stone, and had a big bump on his knee.跘跌。。腫了一个大胞
*A bump from the truck caused the driver to be hospitalized for two weeks. 撞击
ashamed- feel guilty, did something wrong and feel bad.
tumble - fall over.
weave-迂迴前进。
*The road weaved through the valley and led to the town down the hill. 弯曲迂迴， 山谷，小镇
*We weaved our way through the crowds trying to get out of the parade.穿来穿去， 人群。
illegal -不合法 legal-合法
*It's illegal to open other people's mail without their permission.
*The movie star was charged with possession of illegal drugs.
enforce-使执行，使实施。 "en" -有“使如何”之意,force-力量，强制 force people to follow.
*Traffic rules need to be enforced to protect both drivers and pedestrians.
*The doctor enforces a strict dietary program on his overweight patients.
application - a computer program that design to do some particular task.
glance- take a fast look, look it in a very short time.

Chat Room:
pride -驕傲 how a person think about him/her self.
Pride goes before a fall- 美国的一句名言“骄傲在跌倒之前”，骄者必败。基督教聖经的经句在箴言书中有“骄傲在败坏以先”
Be careful. Pride goes before a fall.
swallow his pride -把骄傲吞下去，即“服下来，服气，忍气吞声，向人低头”. swallow - accept
Luckily only her pride was hurt...有损，伤害，破坏。
------------------------------------------------
SMS (short message service) / text (原本表示书中的文字，现为“传简讯”
SMS language - Textese (短讯文字 ) (如中文，日文Chinese, Japanese)


.

Smartphone Symphony

智慧型手機交響樂Grab your phone and make some music! by Bryan Hagerla

The days of carrying around both a cell phone and an MP3 player are history. Nearly all cell phones sold today double as music-listening devices, with Smartphones going one step further. Thanks to features such as built-in motion sensors and touch screens, Smartphones have turned cell phones into music - making devices that respond to a user's hand movements. Music apps available now allow users to produce the sounds of instruments by tapping virtual drums and forming chords on virtual strings. The following musical apps are two of the most powerful and creative ones on the market.

Improvox
Robert Taub, a famous concert pianist, was looking for a way to help his daughter remember musical compositions. His original idea was to develop software that could photograph a score, play it back and allow a student to imitate the music. Taub decided to leave his performing career behind and form a start-up company called MuseAmi for the purpose of developing such a musical app. Although MuseAmi's first app, the iPhone app called Improvox, doesn't live up to Taub's original idea, it does break new ground.

Described as a "vocal instrument," Improvox helps even terrible singers sound like professionals by correcting their pitch in real-time. Users sing into their phone's microphones and slide their fingers across their touch screens to adjust background harmony and add in effects like echo and reverb. Indeed, Improvox provides tools similar to the ones used in professional recording studios so the users can adjust their sound. And when they're done singing, they have the option of saving their performances and sharing them with friends via e-mail.

Ocarina
Dr. Ge Wang, a professor at Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) specializes in making computer-generated music more mobile. His efforts have led to the formation of such experimental groups as the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) and the Standford Mobile Phone Orchestra, or MoPhO. Dressed in black and wearing gloves with round speakers attached, the members of MoPhO look more like super heroes or rock stars than orchestra members. As Wang conducts, they make music by moving their hands in different directions and sliding their fingers across their iPhones' touch screens.

Wang's passion for developing Smartphone music led him to co-found Smule, or "Sonic Mule." This start-up allows him to share his music research with the masses by developing apps that feature "interactive and expressive audio." To date, the company's most popular product is Ocarina, an app that turns the iPhone into an electronic version of the ancient wind instrument of the same name. Users create melodies by placing their fingers on the touch screen's four animated finger holes and then blowing into the phone's microphone. It looks and sounds as if the users are playing real ocarinas!

In line with the company's goal of creating interactive apps, Smule designed Ocarina with World Listener mode. When this mode is selected, users can listen to Ocarina players from around the world whose locations are represented on a global map. As Wang says, Ocarina is perhaps the first instrument in history that allows players from around the world to hear each other. To date, more than 40 million performances have been shared within the around the world to hear each other. To date, more than 40 million performances have been shared within the Ocarina community. And if Wany has his way, millions more will soon join this global Smartphone symphony.

More Information:
As the creativity and power of music-making apps continues to grow, some music bands are turning in their traditional instruments for smartphones.

One such group, iBand, a trio from Europe, plays original music using iPods and iPhones with costume-designed musical apps. Although the group features computer-generated music, the band's singer, Mara, still uses her actuarial voice to sing the group's lyrics.

Grammar Tips:
Although Museami's first app... doesn't live up to Taub's original idea, it does break new ground.
"to break new ground"
"break"-making into pieces
"ground" - the surface we are standing on.
"break ground" - to make progress or achievement that no one else has done before.
*In 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Ceylon (or Sri Lanka) broke new ground by becoming the world's first female prime minister.
*The medical team broke new ground when they discovered how the new drug could fight cancer cells in mice.

Vocabulary Tips:
double as something-more than one use, use as something else.
double- 兼具另外一种身份或功用.
*The dining room table double s as Josh's worktable.
*Before we find a substitute, the receptionist, Becky, will have to double as our operator.
score-(n)這兒不是指"成績”而是指“樂譜”，也指“戲劇或電影的配樂。”
*This music genius memorized the whole score of Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven.
*The score of this new song can be downloaded on the Internet.
*The score for this animated movie were written by a Chines composer.
"start - up" - 新成立的，創業公司。small and young company.
*A lot of people are paying attention to this start-up because the owner is a celebrity.
*This start-up software company only focuses on the local market for now.
vocal-聲音，使用嗓音的。"voc"-聲音
*Lips are an important vocal instrument. 嘴唇是非常重要得發聲樂器。
*The vocal techniques for singing operas take years of training to master.歌劇的發聲技巧 *The vocal part of this piece of music was recorded in another studio.音樂中人聲部分
via-經由，透過。
*I ordered a new cell-phone via on-line shopping. 透過網路買的
*we had our meeting via Skype.透過。
*The plane flew from Taipei to L.A. via Tokyo.經由東京
conducting -指揮，或是執行某些事情。conductor -指揮員（家）
*Henry has been conducting a church choir for several years. 指揮教會的詩班。
This piece of music is considered extremely difficult to conduct. 。。被認爲非常難指揮的
interactive-互動的，互動式。 "inter" -“二者之間”。
*Language development is an interactive process.
version-同一種物件不同的版本，型號，樣式。
*The latest version of this computer software costs over $1000. 最新的版本
*A Chinese version of this novel will be published in May. 中文版
mode-電腦，電話被設定的狀態。
*The office phone was set to automatic-transfer mode during the holidays.
*The computer was set to hibernation mode. 休眠的狀態。

Chat Room:
muse- 繆斯，宙斯的九個女兒之一。善長詩歌，音樂，舞蹈等。靈感的來源，任何給你靈感的東西，讀、都可以說是“muse”。（v）深思熟慮，沉思，冥想，深思。
exercise is my Muse -運動是我靈感的來源。
I'm musing over a trip to South America.-深思熟慮。
----------------------------------------
speaker- refer to a person who does speech演説者. or an instrument that makes sound loud.叭
keynote speaker - 大會主持人。
woofer-低音喇叭
subwoofer-超低音喇叭。很多人在汽車裏加裝（sub woofer）.
loudspeaker-擴音器。
-----------------------------------------
coin (n)- money, coins. 銅板
coin (v)- create， 創新的
a newly coined word：-一個創新的字。
unfriend--拒絕戶，不是朋友。是個網路創新字。
blend word = 混和字：two single words to them together.
Smule = Sonic Mule = Sonic and Mule compose together.
Sonic is a name brand of electronic company.
mule- a slow animal, can carry heavy load.
brunch= breakfast and Lunch= late breakfast and early lunch, skip one meal.

Innovative Eco-friendly Products

創新環保產品 From a toilet to a TV, new technology comes in all shapes, sizes and prices 從馬桶到電視機，新科技產品形形色色，尺碼齊by Joe Dunn.

Below are some of the most innovative products that will save you lots of cash in the long run.

Dual-flush toilets
Did you know 40 percent of indoor water usage is flushed down a toilet? That's right - 55 billion gallons of clean water are sent down the pipes each day. Dual-flush toilets use different amounts of water for solid and liquid waste. Anywhere from 30 to 50 percent less water is flushed in addition to the $100 or so dollars saved each year.

Steam dishwashers
Steam dishwashers help save on that water bill. Steam models can use up to 33 percent less water than the standard dishwasher. What's more, studies have shown steam dishwashers clean dishes better than their counterparts. some models even offer owners the ability to customize the wash intensity for an upper rack of wine glasses and lower rack of crusted pots and pans.

Wireless charging
Allowing the charge of up to three devices plus one USB port on brands like Powermat, wireless models offer speeds equivalent to or greater than the manufacturer-provided chargers. In addition, these models incorporate an auto-shutoff feature when charging completes. Products charge while they rest on top of the charging mat. They come in handy during traveling when only a car charger or single electrical outlet is available.

LED light bulbs
LED is the newest alternative to the current, energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs. But unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED lights contain no traces of the toxic element mercury. They are even found to be 5 percent more efficient than fluorescent and possess a life span of up to 50,000 hours! Purchase costs may be high, but only LEDs can say they will still be glowing 20 years from now.

LCD TVs
LCD is nothing new- liquid crystal display was first discovered as a technology in 1888. But these days, LCD is the standard in energy-efficient TVs. The past year offered up numerous improvements that are determined to save watts and bucks. For one, human presence sensors prompt the TVs to shut off after 30 minutes when no one is in the room. Additionally, illuminating backlights dim and brighten depending on the lighting present in the room. To cut off power completely, just flip a switch on the back panel to avoid paying for that energy use spent in "sleep mode." All of these are just some of the many ways LCD has once again redefined efficiency.

Grammar:
Anywhere from 30-50% less water is flushed in addition to the $100 or so dollars saved each year.
"anywhere from 30-50% less water"
"anywhere from ....."
Talk about the amount of something that you are not sure exactly number, you can use this phrase. "anywhere from... less (more) something."
We moved anywhere from 50 to 60 boxes yesterday.
I'm not sure exactly how many people were invited to the party; it was anywhere from 30 to 40 people, so we need to be prepared.

Vocabulary Tips:
dual-倆個，貳段式，雙重的
*Charles enjoys his dual role as a CEO and a father of three kids.
*Brenda has dual citizenship. She's Canadian but also has a French passport.
counterpart-相對應的事務，或同等級職位的人． "counter"-有＂對抗＂之意
*Our vice president will have a meeting with his counterpart from the company we are going to sign a contract with.
equivalent-相等的，或相同的 "equi"－＂相等＂之意．
*Mark is going to another company to do a job equivalent to the one he has now but with a higher salary.
equivalent "to"-和某個對象相等用＂＂
*One US dollar is equivalent to 30NT dollars.
alternative (n)- replace 代替品，取代，替代方案，非傳統選項。alter-字根有“其他”之意。alternative "to" something. 取代某東西
*Natural herbs can be an alternative to medicine for treating colds.
*Green tea is a healthier alternative to coffee if you need caffeine.
life span -使用期（時間），壽命，年限，life time, last a certain period of time.
span - 一段期間或時間。
*The life span of an adult butterfly is only one or two weeks.
*The life span of this kind of battery is twice as long as the regular ones.
sensor-感應器
*The smoke sensor goes off if someone is smoking in the bathroom on the plane.煙霧感應器發出響聲。
*A heat sensor can detect the presence of human beings or animals. 熱能感應器能察覺出。。。存在。
toxic-poison
flip a switch-change the switch.

Chat Room:
frugal-節儉，節省．to avoid the waste.
He is very frugal person.　很節儉的人
frugal spending 節省，精打細算的，不浪費的=thrifty節約 =economical（經濟的）　penny-小錢，美金＂一分錢＂
if "over frugal" is "penny-pinching"－小氣鬼，stingy
Penny-pinching=小氣鬼，stingy.is very negative. pinch-緊抓不放，手緊握不放．
"penny-wise"－ care to deal even small sums (amount) of money.
she is penny-wise.　省小錢的，在小事上精明不浪費的
＂frugal＂ and ＂penny-wise＂ both are virtue, positive comment on someone.
penny-pinching is very negative way when you talk about someone is penny=pinching.
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Save watts and bucks-省電又省錢
watt-電力單位，（瓦特）
buck-公鹿，
buck （哩語）-美金一塊錢，
Can I borrow a buck? 能借我一元嗎？
I'd like to make an extra buck. 。。想多賺些錢
pass the buck-推脫責任，怪罪別人，推卸責任給別人。
the buck stops here-會起責任來，責無旁貸，不會把責任推給人，把責任擔起來。
一個有擔當負責任的人會說“the buck stops here ”

ResQMe

救援霸A simple device can save your life. by Ryan Batdorf

Picture yourself driving home late at night on a deserted street. Smoke starts pouring from your engine, and suddenly you see flames. Then your car dies. Leaving you trapped inside. You have to get out as soon as possible, but your seat belt is stuck, and everything has automatically locked. You grab your ResQMe, which is attached to your key ring, and use it to cut your seat belt and break your window. As you emerge from your car, you realize "ResQMe really did just that -rescue me."

What is ResQMe?
Designed to help you escape from your car in an emergency. ResQMe is a product of nov(safety). It attaches easily to your key ring and weighs next to nothing. Can't get your seat belt off fast enough? Cut it with ResQMe's sharp blade. Need to break your car window to escape? Push the black head against the window and watch the glass shatter. Are there several people in your car? Pass the same ResQMe around to rescue them too. Very reasonably priced, worthwhile investment. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Grammar on the go:

It attaches easily to your key ring and weighs next to nothing.

next to nothing = almost nothing.

*Res QMe attaches easily to a key ring and weighs almost nothing.

next to nothing-

I bought a stereo system for next to nothing.

I'm not qualified because I know next to nothing about leading a team.

I was so sick that I got next to nothing done.

Vocabulary Tips:
attach-裝上，貼上，使附著，附著在什麽上用“to”
*Please attache a Xeroxed copy of your ID to your application form.
*There's a card attached to the bouquet of roses.
*I attached the printer to my PC with this cable.
escape-逃脫，逃走。從那兒逃脫用“from”
*The hostages escaped from the bank robbery unharmed.
*The refugees escaped from Vietnam and fled to Hong Kong.
worthwhile-有價值的。或是值得花時間，金錢，筋力的。
*Every participant thought the seminar was quite worthwhile.
*Molly considers volunteering a worthwhile things to do.

Chat Room:
desert (adj)-有“被抛棄”之意。指“荒蕪，荒廢，不毛之地。發音與“dessert” 餐后甜點同音。
desert (n)-沙漠。
Picture yourself driving home late at night on a deserted street.
deserted street-荒涼空蕩蕩的街道。
a desert island-荒島，不是沙漠島，而是蔓草叢生的荒島。
dessert-餐后甜點 "ss" instead of "s" in the middle. 記住因爲好吃，所以甜點比沙漠多個“s” :)

A Century of Liquid Fire – Neon’s Bright History

液態火問世百年──霓虹的閃亮歷史This unique form of lighting made its debut 100 years ago.霓虹這種獨特的照明形式在一百年前問世. by Bryan Hagerla

French inventor Georges Claude displayed a new kind of lamp at the 1910 Paris Motor Show. When Claude connected two, 12-meter-long glass tubes filled with colorless neon gas to electricity, they glowed with a reddish-orange color. Onlookers praised Claude's invention, but they weren't excited about lighting their homes with his fiery light.

Claude's breakthrough came after he bent his tubes into the shapes of letters and learned how to produce other colors. In 1912, the world's first neon sign was displayed outside a Paris barbershop, and neon's role in advertising was born.

Americans first encountered neon in 1923 when the Packard Moter Car Company in Los Angeles displayed two of Claude's signs. Drivers stopped to gaze at the signs lit by "liquid fire." By the 1930s, American companies were producing their own signs and pushing the limits of neon. In 1936, for example, the Wrigley Company erected a huge aquaium scene in Times Square that featured animated, bubble-blowing fish and used over 1,000 feet of neon tubes.

Neon's golden age, however, didn't arrive until the 1950s when businesses from restaurants to movie theaters were all using neon signs to lure customers. Although neon's use has dipped since that golden age, neon districts like Las Vegas and Osaka continue to draw big crowds to this day.

More Information:
Two of the more famous Neon Districts around the world include:
Las Vegas: One neon "hot spot" features several restored neon signs from the golden years of Vegas - including Vegas Vic, 1 16-meter-tall neon cowboy created for the Pioneer casino.
Hong Kong: Every night the city puts on its "Symphony of Lights" show, a spectacle of light and sound dubbed the "World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" by the Guinness World Record.

Grammar on the go:

By the 1930s, American companies were producing their own signs and pushing the limits of neon.

"pushing the limits of neon"-go beyond the limits

the limits of a city

"to push the limits"-

Cancer research continues to push the limits of microbiology.

The invention of cell phones pushed the limits of wireless communication.

"to push the limits"-

The training program was designed to push the limits of the athlete's physical endurance.

The baby's nonstop crying pushed the limits of the babysitter's patience.

Vocabulary Tips:

neon lights-霓虹燈

*The owner of the store used neon lights to light up the windows.

*One of the hotel sign's neon letters is burned out.

erected-建立,豎立,竪起來.

*A monument was erected to memorize what the brave warriors did for their country.

* The Empire State Building in New York City was erected in 1931.

*My father and I spent 2 hours erecting the tent.

golden age-黃金年代,全盛時期.

*The golden age of typewriters ended when the word processor was invented.

*The actor looked back on his forties and fifties as his golden age in the industry.

gaze- take time to look at something.注視

Chat Room

fiery-與"火"有関的.

fire, fiery, fir -all for "fiery",19 世紀,有不同拼音,直到新聞印刷出現,才統一用"fiery"

fiery (adj)- 也用來形容"人火爆的脾氣,個性上的衝動"

The AIRPod

AIRPod 空氣壓縮車 Never worry about gas again!開車再也不用擔心沒汽油了！by Ryan Batdorf

What do you and Motor Development International's (MDI) newest car have in common ? You both rely on air to operate. Does that sound impossible? Well, it's true! You don't put gas in this vehicle-it runs on the same thing you breathe!

How it works
The AIRPod is powered by an engine that runs on compressed air. Several high-pressure tanks on the car supply the air. MDI claims the vehicle can go 220 kilometers before the tanks need to be refilled. The tanks take only minutes to refill at special air stations.

What the car can do
Use the car's joystick to drive this cute car through the city. But since the vehicle's top speed is 45 kilometers per hour, you won't be breaking any speed records. The standard model has room for three medium-sized adults and one child. The car costs about $8,000. But best of all, it cost less than $1.50 per 200 kilometers to drive and is pollution-free.

Grammar Tips:
But since the vehicle's top speed is 45 kilometer per hour, you won't be breaking any speed records.
"breaking speed records"-
going very fast-
exaggeration - making something appear greater.
Before you start planning concerts, why don't you finish your homework?
I like basketball and I play it a lot, but that doesn't mean I'll be joining the NBA.

Vocabulary Tips:
rely on - 依靠，依賴
*Many people rely on computers too much today. They can't work without them.
*Rebbecca relies on her mother for advice.
compress-壓縮，壓扁．
*The weight of the truck compressed the soil underneath and made it more solid.
*The tank is filled with compressed gas and needs to be moved with extreme caution.
refill-再充滿．
*The coffee shop offers free refills for early birds.
*The waiter refilled all the glasses with water.

Chat Room:
full-service gas station-自助式的加油站
Fill 'er up -　加滿
pay at the pump -
pump gas-加油
topping off-滿了還硬加進去．

The nPower PEG

人體發電器 Never worry about dead batteries again不用再擔心電池沒電囉 Walk power into your cell phone by Ryan Batdorf.

Aaron LeMieux loves to hike and often listens to the radio at the same time. While on a 1,500-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail, Aaron started thinking about energy. Could the energy his body was crating be used to charge an electronic device? In 1006 Aaron quit his job and turned the basement of his home into a laboratory. He then put all his time into developing the nPower PEG.

How the nPower PEG works
PEG means personal energy generator. It uses the energy you create while moving to charge a hand-held device. Just put your nPower PEG in your bag, or fasten it to your leg or bicycle. Then plug your MP3 player, cell phone or digital camera into your nPower PEG's USB port. LeMieux's company, Tremont Electric, claims the nPower PEG can charge most hand-held electronic devices to 80 percent in one hour.

The Cost

Since it costs US$149, the nPower PEG won't appeal to everyone. But for those that spend a lot of time away from electricity, it might come in handy.

Grammar Tips:
.......for those that spend a lot of time away from electricity, it might come in handy.
come in hand = be useful = be convenient.
For people who spend a lot of time away from electricity, the nPower PEG might be useful.
Since you might buy a lot of things, you should bring an extra bag with you, it might come in handy.
Patrick's old umbrella came in handy because he came to work unprepared for rain.

Vocabulary Tips:
device-儀器，裝置
*Most new parents own a device that allows them to monitor their baby while he or she sleeps.
*The electronic device repels insects with sound waves.
fasten-扣牢，繫緊
*He fastened the straps of his backpack.
*The sailor fastened his boat to a post on the dock. 繫緊在某個東西上用＂to＂
appeal-(ea)發長＂ｉ＂音．引起興趣或吸引．吸引那個對象用"to"
*Sports have never seemed to appeal to Kevin.
*The vibrant colors and relaxing atmosphere of the restaurant appeal to young customers.
laboratory-a place for experiment test.
generator (n)- come from generate. (generate - create or producing).
Appalachian trail- is a long about 2000 miles trail, located in the eastern side of united states.

Chat Room
quit-（口語的）辭職，
resign-（正式的）辭職
letter of resignation-辭呈
pink slip-公司發的開除，解聘，裁員的通知單．（早年，公司解聘員工時，在被裁員解聘的員工薪水袋内會夾放一張粉紅色的字條，告知該員工不必來上班了．．．．現今被通用為公司解雇裁員通知單． 也指汽車的所有權狀．