Rebirth of the Tech Madman

You know, Gates has been in a bad mood recently.

His good friend and co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen, was diagnosed with cancer - Hodgkin's disease, and had to quit the management to concentrate on treatment.

The originally happy and hard-working trio has now become a two-person duo where I and Steve Ballmer look at each other, which can be described as a sudden increase in work pressure.

In addition, Microsoft's spreadsheet software on the ibm- platform has been completely disabled by Lotus's -2-3, and it is hopeless.

If Microsoft does not want to withdraw from this product field, it can only start from scratch, develop a spreadsheet software with a more advanced technical architecture, replace the current one, and re-compete with -2-3.

Gates never expected that he was in a state of desperation. RP suddenly took out one and competed with him on the operating system site of the ibm-platform.

Logically speaking, since rp's spreadsheet software is in the same situation as Microsoft's, both of which were trampled underfoot by Lotus Software's -2-3, the two companies should be suffering from the same disease and sympathizing with each other.

But why don't you think about how to deal with Lotus Software, but stabbed me in the back? It's really a persimmon that is soft to pinch.

Seeing this scene, Gates was furious.

After the development department scolded the various project teams, Gates returned to the office and began to think about how to deal with rp's disturbance in the operating system field.

Since he was invited by Jobs to visit the research and development results of the project team, although Gates appeared calm on the surface, he had already realized in his heart that the graphical user interface is the future trend of the operating system.

With the help of an agreement secretly reached with Jobs, Microsoft has the convenience of developing office software for Apple. Gates had a great opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the graphical user interface and set out to transform it into Microsoft's own technical achievements.

In this regard, Gates has no psychological burden. Because Jobs himself made no secret of the fact that he stole from Xerox, he copied all the articles in the world.

Although Microsoft does not have to explore hard from 0 to 1. There are references, but the complexity of the graphical user interface is still beyond Gates' expectations, and so far there has been little commendable progress.

There is a very unique feature of software development that is extremely dependent on intelligence, that is, simply accumulating manpower does not necessarily make substantial progress in the work. If you can get a good project manager or programmer to take the lead, it can be called Better than thousands of troops.

Gates knows this well.

It is not intended to blindly expand the size of the project team, not to mention that the actual conditions do not allow it. Microsoft's software development tasks are heavy.

First of all, ibm is developing a next-generation personal computer equipped with Intel's next-generation microprocessor intel80286—ibm-, and Microsoft will cooperate with the progress of Big Blue's project to come up with a corresponding new version ms-.

At the same time, it is urgent to secretly develop office software for Jobs. You know, the reason why Microsoft picked up this omission is entirely because Jobs personally wanted to exclude Tang Huan's philosophers. It can be called an opportunity that cannot be met.

In addition, Microsoft did not dare to let go of its starting products. After all, whether it is ibm-. The Fangyuan personal computer, as well as other personal computers whose market position is becoming more and more niche, all maintain a strong demand for Microsoft, which is an evergreen tree that is the company's source of profit.

Thinking of this, Gates tragically discovered that his Microsoft could not be launched within half a year, let alone directly compete with RP.

Gates scratched his ears and cheeks for a while, still thinking hard to no avail, in desperation. I had no choice but to pick up the phone and ask my subordinates if Steve Ballmer was in the company. As he wishes. At this time, the other party just came back from Silicon Valley.

...

Steve Ballmer, who sat across from Gates, scratched his hair subconsciously. Then he looked at the palm of his hand and smiled wryly, why did he start to lose his hair obviously now? What a torture! If it goes on like this, it is estimated that it will not be far from being bald.

Steve, do you have a good way to deal with it? Gates asked impatiently.

Bill, I think we should first solve the current mentality problem. Steve Ballmer said in a deep voice, After Paul was hospitalized, you became very anxious, which will affect your decision when facing problems.

Gates thought about it seriously, nodded his head and said: You are right, I really need to adjust my anxious mentality.

Steve Ballmer smiled with relief, Actually, Microsoft's situation has not gotten worse. After all, it is only a new profit growth point with a limited position. Even if it stumbles, it will not hurt us. More importantly, Compaq Computer has just bought the license of ms- from us, which is definitely a good start.”

Do you think that other ibm-compatible machines will follow in the footsteps of Compaq computers and emerge in large numbers, and ms- will become a necessity for compatible machine manufacturers just like the others? After listening to Steve Ballmer's analysis, Gates was surprised Bright.

Without waiting for the other party to answer, Gates continued: If this is the case, then it is even more necessary for us to snipe rp, lest it grab our operating system site.

In my opinion, it's actually just a semi-finished product. I don't know what's wrong with rp, so I'll show it off early. Steve Ballmer snorted coldly.

Gates began to sway his body on the chair while thinking habitually, and said after a while: It seems that it is really necessary to calm down. I now recall the machine used for the rp demonstration, which is more like a- Vax's minicomputer terminal. Not an ibm-. There are many mysteries in it!

Steve Ballmer swayed his body in different directions, and leisurely put forward his suggestion, We can also use the same bluff to put a smoke bomb. Let those users who intend to choose hesitate, or simply wait Let's roll it out.

Gates slapped the table suddenly. Then we must target rp in terms of launch time and sales price, so that its plan to seize the market will fail.

We can also rely on external forces. Steve Ballmer unconsciously grabbed a handful of hair, and then added with a slight wry smile, Jobs is so conceited that even Apple's own Lisa computer with a graphical user interface has no If you suppress him with scruples, you will not let it go, and Zheru may not be able to sit still this time.

Tang has always had his own plans. I'm afraid he won't talk to rp, a buffoon. Besides, he's not in Silicon Valley right now. Gates shook his head.

It is precisely because Tang is not in Silicon Valley that Louis Gerstner, who is in charge of philosophy and Confucianism, will be even more furious. You must know that rp is not just launched, but on this basis, it has packaged and launched word processing, spreadsheets, spell checking, etc. The whole set of software, and even similar suites specifically aimed at philosophers and scholars, have their prices lowered accordingly.”

Steve Ballmer smiled sarcastically, rp is trying to please IBM, and rushed to the forefront of the confrontation between IBM- and Fangyuan PC. Look at the counterattack that -2-3 suffered You can know where the bottom line of tolerance for philosophers is.”

This strategy of using strength to fight is really wonderful. Gates showed a mischievous smile on his face, and then picked up the phone, I will remind Jobs and Louis Gerstner first. Then give Bit Magazine smoke bombs—Microsoft will be launching this fall for just $250.

...

Louis Gerstner has excellent qualifications as an executive in McKinsey Consulting Company and American Express, and has the most experience in corporate management among Tang Huan's subordinates, so he is highly valued. He is not only in charge of Zheru's hugely profitable ERP department, but also In charge of the disciplinary inspection of all companies.

After Tang Huan left Silicon Valley, Louis Gerstner became even busier.

One of the tasks stemmed from Tang Huan's intention to launch the ERP department, an organization that focuses more on professional fields than technology itself, to form a separate application software service provider, and at the same time acquire an auditing company. Build strength in their areas of expertise.

There is another thing that makes Louis Gerstner feel tricky. It is located in Silicon Valley and is mainly responsible for the supply of seeq. Some intolerable problems arose.

Louis Gerstner was thinking about how to deal with it properly, and Gates made a kind reminder call. He quickly sent someone to send relevant information about rp. As a result, after only a few glances, he couldn't help the cold light flashing in his eyes.

It costs $495 and requires an additional $250 mouse.

Zheru has already bought the patent of the mouse from Stanford University, but the developer rp has not come to say hello to Zheru.

What's more critical is that the delivery time will wait until the end of this year, and rp has launched a kit by taking advantage of this much-anticipated attention.

Among them, spreadsheet software is priced at $395, charting software is priced at $250, and word processing software is priced at $375.

In addition, the suite also includes mail address processing software, spell checking and other components.

Seeing that the kit was on the same level as the Zheru kit in terms of function and price, Louis Gerstner's first reaction was that this was a market operation plan intended to help ibm-expand its territory, and it must be prepared in the same way as combat-2-3.

Louis Gerstner thought for a moment, and then invited Charles Simeone, who was in charge of technology, to ask the other party directly if he knew rp.

As a result, Charles Simeone smiled disdainfully, This has been hyped so much recently, how could I not have heard of it. However, this software was developed on a workstation, and the machine used for demonstration is not like ibm-. So, It is likely, if not a hoax, to be a gimmick and a farce.

Louis Gerstner asked seriously, Then what do you think, just from the demonstration effect, how does it compare with the graphical user interface system we are developing? (To be continued)