New Words & Expressions
business strength 具有事务处理能力的 chore n. 家务杂事
arcade 带拱顶街道 unleash v. 释放
playback v. 重播，读出 synthesizer n. 综合器，合成器
mixer n.混合者，搅拌器 thruport n. 吞吐量
buzzword n. 时髦词语，漂亮口号 jargon n. 行话，术语
frame n. 帧
Abbreviations:
MPC (Multimedia Personal Computer) 多媒体个人计算机
CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) 光盘只读存储器
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) 乐器数字接口
What is MPC? MPC stands for “multimedia personal computer”.
The requirements for an MPC are described in detail in Microsoft’s Multimedia PC Specification Version 1.0. here are the key elements of the specification:
BASE SYSTEM: a Windows-capable [2] system with a 10-MHz 286 or faster CPU; at least 2MB of RAM; a 30 MB or larger hard disk; a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy drive; a 101-key keyboard; a two-button mouse; and parallel, serial, and joystick ports.
什么是MPC?MPC是指“多媒体个人计算机”。
Microsoft公司的“多媒体PC机规范1.0版”一书对MPC机进行了详细描述。以下是此规范的要求：
基本系统：一个能运行Windows的系统。它采用10MHz时钟的286或速度更快的CPU;至少有2兆字节的RAM;30兆字节或更大的硬盘空间;3.5英寸1.44兆字节的软盘驱动器;101键盘;两按钮的鼠标器以及并行、串行的控制杆端口。
VIDEO: standard VGA is all that’s required;
CD-ROM: a CD-ROM drive that transfers at least 150 K of data per second without taking up more than 40 percent of the CPU’s attention, play CD audio, and has an average access time of 1 second or less.
AUDIO: a sound board with 8-bit, 11.025-kHz sampling and 22.05-kHz playback; a synthesizer capable of playing eight notes simultaneously using five different sounds; a mixer to combine CD audio, sampling, and synth; a microphone input; and MIDI in, out, and thruports.
CD-ROM：要求CD-ROM光驱的数据传输速率至少为每秒150 K，不能占用40%以上的CPU时间，能播放CD，平均存取时间为1秒或更短。
音频功能：一块8位的、11.025kHz取样和22.05kHz回放的声卡;能同时放8个使用5种不同音色的音律的合成器;能把光盘音频、取样和合成声音混合起来的混声器;麦克风输入;MIDI(乐器数字接口)输入、输出和通路。
Every new technology has its own buzzwords, and sorting them out can be real detective work. The following is two jargons of MPC.
FULL-MOTION VIDEO: Full-motion video is digitally recorded video played back at the broadcast standard of 30 frames per second, or close enough to that speed so the video appears smooth rather than jerky.
MIDI: MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a standard specification developed by music synthesizer manufacturers. The concept of being able to control several instruments from one keyboard has grown into a method for putting musical instruments, tape recorders, VCRs, mixers, and even stage-lighting under the control of a single computer.
每一种新技术都有它自己的术语，将它们进行分类是一项非常精细的工作，下面是MPC的两个术语。
全运动图像：全运动图像是以数字方式记录的视频图像，以每秒30帧的电视广播标准或者非常接近于此的速度重现图像，因而这些视频图像看上去很自然，没有跳跃感。
MIDI：MIDI是乐器数字接口的缩写。它是由音乐合成器制造商开发的标准规范。从一个键盘能控制几个乐器的想法已变为现实，它能把乐器、磁带录音机、录像机、混声器、甚至舞台灯光等置于单台计算机的控制之下。