Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 134 Two simultaneous plans

The 386 research and development plan is divided into two branches according to the different CPUs used: Intel8086 and MC68000.

Naturally, Tang Huan couldn't waste money and money to create two completely different systems according to this difference, not to mention that he had already fixed the ISA bus in advance.

The development route of microcomputer technology in the previous life is reasonable, and it can be used for reference. After classifying complex functions, the chipset on the motherboard is used to isolate the difference between the two CPUs.

Among the chipsets, the South Bridge and the North Bridge are the most important. The former is used to process low-speed signals and communicate with the CPU through the North Bridge; the latter is used to process high-speed signals, such as the channel between the CPU and the random access memory. .

Of course, the current CPU and memory run at the same frequency.

With the chipset, general-purpose floppy disk drives, sound cards, graphics cards, mice, keyboards, and other equipment can be handed over to third-party manufacturers to produce according to standards, just like Sharp produces CRT monitors.

Tang Huan felt that this degree of modularity was not enough, so he used his brains on the memory.

The current random access memory is directly soldered to the motherboard, so it is very inconvenient to upgrade. The memory sticks of the previous life began to appear in the era of IBM PC286_, so Tang Huan decided to directly adopt this method of carrying memory.

His design intentions will naturally increase the difficulty of realization, but fortunately, the goal is clear, and the smooth development of the prototype can prove that everything is still under control.

In addition, this method in which Tang Huan is at the top and divides the entire R&D content into modules can also maximize technical secrecy.

Now the prototype is showing a dynamic aircraft, gliding, flying... It can be said that there are frequent tricks.

Of course, this also means high-intensity data calculation, which is a severe test for hardware and software.

This is a program jointly compiled by MA and CPC and run on the operating system Zerone-DOS.

Obviously, Zheru DOS is still not perfect. After Tang Huan adjusted the operating parameters of the program, it crashed.

"There is also a problem with the BIOS located between the hardware layer and the operating system." Amid low laughter, Tang Huan made a comment and restarted the prototype.

……

There are always some coincidences in the world, such as different people doing similar things.

Eastern United States, Armonk, New York, IBM Headquarters.

Chairman and CEO Frank Cary, who will soon retire, is leading a large group of executives, staring at the monitor, and the picture is a picture of a beautiful woman without clothes.

Do the elites of Big Blue have such a heavy taste?

Of course not, they were watching a demonstration of a project that was so controversial that it was so exciting.

And this project is a microcomputer, code-named Chess Project.

Soon, the demonstration went to the next step, and it was replaced with a rocket launch animation, which was much more serious than before.

"Everyone, express your opinion." Cary looked around and said impatiently.

This time, no one jumped out to question right away. This change may be related to Cary’s recent vigorous promotion. There is also a reason for his firm attitude.

Under the superficial scenery of IBM, there is also a hidden crisis.

In addition to preparing for the worst to cope with the anti-monopoly investigation of the Ministry of Justice, it also has problems in its own operations.

For example, the entire product line in the 1970s, after the 1970 series of computers were launched in 370, no new models were launched until 1977.

Although it is the largest computer company in the world, it lost to DEC in the field of minicomputers and Wang An Computer in the field of word processors.

Microcomputers are in the ascendant, and small and medium-sized enterprises are gradually becoming the main users. The market monopolized by mainframes in the past is being subdivided into several segments, and the rules of the game are also changing accordingly.

The arrogant Big Blue was still ignorant, and it was not until the net profit growth rate data came out in 1979, the first negative figure in history, that it gave the entire senior management a head-on blow, and the collective was shocked.

In sharp contrast to this is the vigorous development of the personal computer market, especially the leader Apple, whose shipments have reached a new level in January this year, exceeding 15000 units. The growth rate is really staggering.

Cary, who was highly regarded by Watson Jr., couldn't sit still anymore. He decided that he had to make some changes before retiring, so he handed over the task to the General Systems Department. Demolition of the judgment, and the new division in Atlanta, Georgia, brings together all of IBM's businesses except mainframes.

In fact, IBM's response to the personal computer market has been much faster than the original time and space. The reason is of course that Tang Huan, the pusher, has made Apple Computer too dazzling. .

Seeing that there was no response, Kari knew that he was a bit overpowering and disgusting, so he signaled to the current person in charge of the chess project, the laboratory director of the General Systems Department, Bill Lovo.

"In the entire chess project, we are responsible for the hardware design, and the parts supply and software design are handed over to a third party, and Sams is making secret contacts in the name of market research, such as Intel, which produces CPUs."

While explaining carefully, Lobo quietly observed the senior managers. The management committee formed by them is currently the highest decision-making body of IBM. If an old man pops out with a crooked mouth, his chess plan may be aborted. middle.

While he was worried, a manager asked unceremoniously, "Will the products be sold through third-party channels in the future?"

Lobo had thought about this problem a long time ago, and he nodded, "It's true. There are already several computer stores in chain form, such as ComputerLand and ByteShop, and traditional retailers like SearsRoebuck can also cooperate. .As for our task, it is mainly advertising."

"So how to solve the problem of after-sales service? You know, customer first has always been the purpose of IBM." Another manager asked.

"This kind of microcomputer uses semiconductor components, the production process is very mature, the reliability is guaranteed enough, and the failure rate is very low. Personal computer manufacturers such as Apple, Tangdi, and Commodore are not affected by such problems. troubles. Moreover, the price of microcomputers is relatively low, and customers will not have strict requirements for after-sales like mainframe users.”

Obviously, Luo Wo had considered this question in advance. Although the answer contained some personal inferences, the members of the management committee agreed and did not continue to entangle.

Seeing that everyone has finished brushing up the sense of presence, Cary winked at John Ombre, the president of the company whom he single-handedly promoted, and the other party coughed knowingly, "Since everyone has no objections, then give the follow-up research and development of the chess project a wink." Allocate more funding and R&D personnel.”

As soon as the voice fell, the director of the general system department took over the babble, "At present, the general system department is responsible for enough projects, and the resources are really limited. The chess project is different from IBM's previous development model. Its development cycle and investment It's not within our control, so General Systems isn't going to accept the project."

This reason was very high-sounding, and the members of the management committee began to discuss in a low voice, and many people had expressions of deep approval on their faces.

Unexpectedly, being held back by his immediate superior and stabbed with a knife, Luo Wo couldn't help glaring, but there was nothing he could do.

IBM is too big, and its management mechanism is to quarrel among various differences and then compromise. To put it bluntly, it is a "bureaucracy."

Moreover, Luo Wo also guessed why his project was coldly received, and the reasons for this are really hard to bring out in the open.

When Cary pushed the personal computer project, the general system department gave a suggestion, that is, by acquiring a personal computer company, labeling its products with IBM's trademark, and then coordinating with IBM's peripheral product sales, so as to enter the micro The computer market, and also analyzed the various manufacturers at that time one by one, selected a target, and prepared a solution.

But when Cary saw that the acquisition target was not Apple, he directly vetoed it.In his view, Apple is the best personal computer manufacturer at the moment. According to IBM's purpose of "pursuing the first", it is natural to acquire Apple.

But the directors of the general system department are wronged. Apple's shareholding structure is complicated. In addition to the founder's shareholding, there are also many venture capital.

To take a step back, even if Apple is willing to give in, what if it provokes a greater degree of dissatisfaction from the Department of Justice, which is investigating market monopoly.

Cary was also struggling with this issue. After thinking about it, he decided to rely on IBM's own strength to develop personal computer products, and repeatedly emphasized at the meeting, "We need IBM's own microcomputer."

After the proposal of the General System Department was rejected, Lobo, the laboratory director of the General System Department, complied with Cary's call and expressed his views.

He believes that under IBM's existing corporate bureaucratic system, it will take at least four years to develop all the hardware and software for the microcomputer on its own.After the product development is completed, it also falls behind in the market.

Therefore, Lovo proposed the research and development model of the chess project in front of him, and Cary also greatly appreciated it and fully approved it.

The political struggles in big companies are so fierce, even if Luo Wo dislikes such an atmosphere, for the sake of work, he can only hold his nose and endure it silently.

Seeing that the limelight of the meeting was about to change again, Kari showed undisguised displeasure on his face. If he didn't cut the mess quickly, even the best plan would have to be shelved.

He asked Lovo in a deep voice, "Can the chess plan be completed within a year?"

"No problem." Lovo, who was furious, replied decisively.

"Okay, then proceed to the next step immediately and report the progress to me directly." Cary made a decision immediately.

"I have a request. The R&D team's working location needs to be changed to another place, not in Atlanta." Having said that, Lobo glared at his boss.

"Alright." Cary pondered for a moment, "We have a research and development center in the Boca Raton industrial zone in Florida, let's go there."

Seeing some silence, Cary joked: "The conditions in that place may be a little rough, but I heard that Apple Computer was successfully developed in a garage, and it even became an inspirational story in Silicon Valley. I hope you can also write a legend. .”

"I think so, sir." Lovo expressed his position firmly.

After finally surviving the meeting, Lovo, who was still angry, and his right-hand man, Don Estridge, joined together.

Just as he was about to complain about the various difficulties just now, he found that the other party was holding two packing boxes, so he couldn't help asking: "What is this? It's quite precious."

"The mouse is an input device that can be used on Apple computers to control the screen cursor. This is an expansion card, and this is the mouse." Estridge explained.

Lovo took the mouse and looked at it. When he saw Zero One Mouse For Apple II printed on the package, he couldn't help but muttered, "Hell, it's this philosopher again. He doesn't know if our one year is enough."

(End of this chapter)