礼节美语:242 early adopters 2

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Henry买了最新的超小电脑Orange SuperCom 4，拿给同事Sara和Mark看。Sara问他：

Sara: So did you already own an Orange SuperCom 3?

Henry: Yeah, I sold it on eBay last week.

M: I used to rush out and buy the latest gadgets as well, but I discovered that first generation products often have a lot of bugs in them.

H: Actually, Mark is right. Even this Orange SuperCom 4 is not quite up to snuff. The connection to the Internet is a bit slow, and it seems like the computer has a little trouble multitasking.

Mark说，他原来也是科技潮人，一出什么新玩艺儿，the latest gadgets, 马上跑去买。gadget is spelled g-a-d-g-e-t, gadget 是小玩艺的意思，常指科技类产品。不过，Mark发现，很多第一代，第二代产品都有很多 bugs, bugs在这里指技术方面的漏洞。Henry承认，他新买的SuperCom4 is not quite up to snuff. 也不是样样都好， up to snuff 意思是符合标准，相当于 up to standard.

M: The problem is that many times in the beginning they haven't quite ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. By the third or fourth generation the company's engineers have a better idea of what works and what doesn't.

S: I'm generally pretty content just to stay with the same system until it becomes obsolete. I still play my old cassette tapes at home.

M: That's one way to go. You know the old expression: "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."

S: Exactly, I use things until they literally fall apart.

H: I prefer the expression: "Out with the old and in with the new!"

Mark说，问题关键是，第一、二代产品时，很多软件中存在的小问题还都没有得到解决。They haven't ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. to iron out 意思是抹平，解决。Sara说，她在这方面从不赶时髦，家里的东西都得用到过时。英语里有一种说法叫：If it ain't broke...don't fix it. 没坏就不要去修它。Henry 崇尚的则是另一种境界：Out with the old and in with the new! 旧的不去，新的不来。

M: I guess the world needs both kinds of people. Early adopters of technology like Henry help pave the way into the future.

S: And people like me try to keep the pace of change down to a reasonable speed.

H: I have to tell you though...despite all its faults, the new Orange SuperCom 4 is really quite an amazing machine!

M: Maybe after work I can take a quick look at your new toy.

H: Sure! I love showing off my new gadgets! Sara, care to join us?

S: That's OK...I think I'll stay at home and play my cassette tapes. You guys have fun!

Mark说，Sara和Henry这两种人，都是不可缺少的。他问Henry下班能不能去摆弄一下他的新玩具。Henry欣然同意，说：I love showing off my new gadgets! 我就喜欢显摆我的新玩艺，to show off 是显摆的意思，他还问Sara, care to join us? 要不要一起来。Sara开玩笑说，她还是选择回家去听她的磁带录音机。