reborn in america

"Hello, it's a great honor to meet you." Carol met Bill, who personally brought people to visit, in the office.

Although Bill had heard before that it was Carol who met him this time, he did not expect to see Adam at the meeting. He was a little surprised, but he still walked over politely and shook hands with Carol cordially: " It is also an honor to meet Mr. Anderson with you, but it is a pity that I did not meet Mr. Baker. I am a fan of his books."

"Ah, I'm sorry, Adam is busy writing and preparing his new book recently, so there is no way to spare time, I hope Mr. Gates will not blame us for neglecting." Carol naturally knew that the person Bill wanted to see the most was Adam, but Adam did He is busy with the new book, and although he is in charge of this direct confrontation with Microsoft behind the scenes, Eden is Carol’s supervisor after all. Adam doesn’t want people to feel that Carroll is being ignored, and the current situation is set. It doesn't matter if he shows up or not.

"Oh, is that so? I hope the new book will come out. Be sure to send me a copy in advance." Bill would naturally not say unreasonably that he had been neglected. But you still have to maintain your demeanor. As for whether there will be conflicts after the negotiations start, that's a matter later.

"Sure, sure, I'll have someone deliver it in person." Carol nodded in response. Although Bill didn't know whether he read Adam's novels, since he said he was a fan of Adam's books, he would be Yes, it's not a big deal to have someone send a book over when the time comes

The two chattered about some things, and then gradually started to get down to business. Although this meeting is said to be private and not related to business, if it doesn't involve business, what are the two workaholics thinking? Take most of the day to chat with a stranger about some so-called parental gossip?What's more, the two of them are not the kind of people who are responsible for trivial matters at home.

"I think Mr. Anderson probably knows the purpose of my visit this time, so I'll just say it directly." After all, Microsoft's situation at this time is more serious than that of Eden, and Bill has no mood to continue nagging, so Straight to the point: "Although I am quite sure that the latest version of the desktop graphical user interface is our first, you don't know where you got it from, but until now, I admit that we can't do anything to you, and some of the patents you applied for are indeed ours. What the product needs, so you can talk about your conditions."

"Mr. Gates, what you said is wrong." In Carroll's mind, these patents and the idea of ​​the desktop graphical user interface did not plagiarize Microsoft through special means (of course, this is Adam's time travel through the University, France, etc.) I learned in advance that I did not use commercial means to steal), and even if they took it, they would not show timidity on the negotiation table: "You have no evidence that we copied the desktop GUI, and these patents are also We applied for it a year ago, otherwise the court would not recognize our patent as legal, which you Microsoft have to admit.”

"As for the reconciliation? Where does this start? Our Eden seems to have never really launched an attack with your Microsoft, and most of all the disputes were initiated by your Microsoft." Although Eden knew that it might face Microsoft at the beginning of its development. Intercepting, but at the beginning it was not strong enough, and then except for the Super Eden trial version which involved the operating system, the others did not make a positive confrontation on the surface. Compared with Microsoft, which has always been aggressive, Eden is also on both sides. After tearing his face completely, he began to rage.

Of course, behind-the-scenes actions are behind-the-scenes actions after all, and those who have not made it clear will naturally not claim it by themselves. Carol does not admit it at all. Even though Adam performed most of the various operations by him, he But half of it will not be admitted, unless it is certified with evidence.

"No matter who started this dispute, the current situation is unfavorable to both of us. I don't think Eden wants to entangle us in court for a long time with Microsoft, does he?" Bill's face was filled with anger. On the surface, the Garden of Eden is clean, and he has no definite evidence to verify it, but both parties are businessmen in the mall, who doesn't know who?Now that we've all come to the negotiating table, what's the point of talking about it?He suppressed his anger and tried his best to bring the topic back.

"I think Mr. Gates' thoughts are a little bit off from reality. The current situation is only unfavorable to you Microsoft, and it doesn't have much impact on our Eden, and our Eden is not afraid of entanglement with your Microsoft in court." Caro Er didn't pick up the quarrel at all, and wanted to pull him to the same position, and then the two sides reconciled, then I'm sorry, since we have reached this point, if you don't let you spit out something, the previous actions and arrangements were all in vain?

Bill stared intently at the calm and composed man in front of him, and his heart was filled with anger. If it was normal, he would have walked away long ago. Under great pressure from the board of directors, he had no choice but to come and go. He took a long breath and said, "Okay, then tell me what your Eden conditions are?"

"Uninstall mosaic, bind the Eden browser, and stop the development of the browser project." Carol looked at Bill who was suppressing his anger, and said lightly.

Bill stood up furiously when he heard Carroll's request, and directly reprimanded: "Impossible! It is absolutely impossible for our company's internal development to have any changes and compromises because of your ideas, and it is impossible for us to pre-install There is no possibility of negotiating with Eden Browser."

"Mr. Gates, then I don't think there is anything we can discuss between us." Carol still sat firmly in his seat and said flatly, not caring about the other party's stern rejection at all, as if he was just doing something. A trivial decision.

"You have to know that if you confront Microsoft in an all-round way, you, Eden, will not have a better life." Bill looked down at Carroll and threatened with a sneer.

"If we reach an agreement with you easily, will you make it easy for us? Don't forget what you are developing browsers for. There is no difference between confrontation now and future confrontation, but if we have an all-out war with us now Maybe it’s not good news for you Microsoft, I heard that your board of directors doesn’t want the war to expand?” How could Carol be afraid of Bill’s threat, so he said lightly and threw the question back.

What Carroll said is indeed a big problem. Today's Microsoft is exactly at the most dangerous moment. The old products are already outdated, and the new products have not yet been recognized by the market. He must buy enough time for Microsoft. Once you have stabilized your feet, then you can really free your hands to entangle with Eden.

"Of course, we also have to admit that operating software is the entrance to the Internet. Judging from Microsoft's current market share in operating systems, if you continue to develop, this market will basically be monopolized by you, and if you forcefully compete with us In the case of confrontation, it is almost predictable that both sides will suffer, which is why we do not want to be in a head-on confrontation with Microsoft. But if Microsoft is forced to bind and implement the mosaic browser, we can only fight hard. I hope Mr. Gates Can understand our situation, if we can achieve a harmonious and win-win situation, everyone will be happy, if Microsoft is determined to confront us, we in Eden can only fight hard to survive." Seeing that Bill fell into a state of hesitation, Carol said in a tone It also calmed down, and the voice softened a lot.

"We can temporarily give up the research and development of mosaic, but you must also give up the research and development of Super Eden, and it is absolutely impossible to bind the Eden browser!" Bill thought for a while, then looked up at Carol and said.

"We can accept no binding, but it is impossible for us to give up the research and development of Super Eden. In addition, if the Eden browser is not bound, then I hope that any operating system of Microsoft will not be pre-installed and bound to any browser and related browsers within five years at least. Software." Carol looked at Bill with a calm face, wondering whether he really compromised or was a cover-up, but no matter what it was, he still followed his own rhythm and would not be led astray by him.

Bill's heart trembled, and he sighed softly, knowing that his idea had failed, but despite this, the negotiation had to continue: "You must stop the Super Eden project, and we can only guarantee that we will not do it for one year. Any bind action."

"Are you kidding? What's the difference between one year and no signing? You are destined not to spend too much effort on the browser now, but after a year, your ability is enough to regain your foothold in the operating system market. It is time to concentrate resources on the browser, which is not hindered at all, so we are the only ones who suffer. Ten years, there is nothing permanent in this world. Ten years is just a transitional stage in the capital market. It's up to you." Carol made a gesture, and then gave a number.

Bill patted the table, glared at Carol and said, "Ten years, are you kidding? Who doesn't know that the Internet is undergoing earth-shaking changes every quarter of an hour, ten years? You might as well just say a century ?!!"

"Of course, a century is also acceptable, if you agree." Carol didn't feel angry at all, but followed his words.

"Stop making trouble, two years, I can take a step back, any more will be absolutely unacceptable, and you can continue to develop the Super Eden project, but it cannot be launched within ten years." Bill sat down and continued to bargain. It's impossible for a year, or as long as you are not a fool, you can basically figure out the reason. Since you can't fool the other party at the beginning, then you can only see whose bottom line is lower.

Carol put his hands on the table, leaned forward, looked at Bill and said, "Since you have taken a step back, that's fine, we can also take two steps back, eight years, this is our acceptable time, if you want If you take over, our Super Eden can also wait until eight years later to go on the market.”

Bill tapped the table with his fingers, and said, "2.5 years, this is our bottom line. In addition, Super Eden must be launched in ten years, otherwise we cannot accept it."

"Four years, we will give you four years, and you will also give us four years. After four years, both Mosaic and Super Eden will be lifted together. If you can accept it, then it's settled. If you can't accept it, then forget it. I think if it is really comprehensive In the battle, we may not be the Garden of Eden who loses in the end." Carol sneered, stood up and looked down at Bill to make the final decision.

Bill was stunned by Carol's sudden arrival. He thought for a few minutes, then told his colleagues to wait a while, so that the other colleagues could have a little discussion, and finally returned to the office and said, "Okay, then that's it. , we temporarily reconciled, we share the patent of the desktop graphical user interface, Microsoft cannot bind browser software within four years, and release the mosaic browser, and Eden also cannot launch Super Eden on the market within four years, and stop all publicity at the same time attack, otherwise it will be regarded as a breach of contract."

"About the last point, I can only agree verbally. If you can believe the promise made by me and Adam, then continue to talk. If you don't believe it, then forget it, how?" Carol has no meaning for all the above, except The last point, after all, there is no way to measure these things. If it is really written into an agreement, then the last point will be the reason for the other party to break the contract.

"Okay, I just hope you don't disappoint our Microsoft trust." Bill looked at Carol for a few seconds, and then agreed. Of course, he didn't believe in Carol. As a pure businessman, Carol has no promises. You can believe it, but Adam is different. As a national-level writer and celebrity, his words can still be believed. Otherwise, Adam's reputation will be greatly damaged by word of mouth, and it will be an indelible stain on his future in Hollywood, even in the business and political circles.

After several disputes, the two finally came to a fairly satisfactory decision. For Microsoft, if the Garden of Eden is settled, they can continue to develop and patch 95 with peace of mind. The operating system market has gained a firm foothold, and at that time, it will naturally have the confidence. As for mosaic, it will wait until the operating system is settled before investing wholeheartedly. After all, Eden is not an idle commodity, and there is no way to catch up in a short time. Use incomplete products Come to fight against him, on the contrary, it is unlikely to be successful. Given a few years, their technology will not exceed, but at least they will not be too far behind. When the bundled browser is released on the market at that time, they will naturally be able to make great achievements in one fell swoop.

On the other hand, Carol is even more satisfied. Super Eden is a pre-research project, a semi-finished product. I don’t know if it will take a few years. It may not come out after four years. They have more time to develop.

As for the four-year non-binding commitment, that is even more than expected. From Adam’s bottom line, three years is enough. After three years, it will almost be the millennium. By then, the Internet will be completely different from what it is today. In the past few years, their Nirvana has already woven a large network, directly covering the entire Internet. At that time, there will be no Internet without Nirvana and Eden. Got it.

It can be said that in this negotiation, both parties have achieved their expected goals, and it can be regarded as a happy event, but it is not certain who the real winner will be in the end.

A few days later, the two parties formally signed the contract (of course, it is impossible for the contract to be as direct and simple as the previous negotiations said, and various interest entanglements and entanglements are more complicated, but in the final analysis, there is no change at all), although the contract has no It is fully released to all walks of life, but all complaints from both parties have been withdrawn, and it has been publicly stated that the patents on the desktop graphical user interface are shared by both parties, while Microsoft has withdrawn the mosaic browser bundled in the new version 95 software. The two parties formally settled.

The financial market also gave feedback immediately. Microsoft's stock price rose for three days in a row, and its market value directly recovered the 800 billion mark, and approached 900 billion US dollars. balance of power.

After the agreement was reached, most of the original news about the scandals of Windows 95 products disappeared in an instant. Microsoft has finally escaped this difficult hurdle, followed by the new version 95 and the revision of the NT series. Microsoft is like a brown bear, preparing to hibernate. Just wait for this winter to usher in the arrival of the next spring.

……

"According to news from the University of California, Los Angeles, the school's biologist Professor Alessandro was invited to Adam's studio to participate in the creation of new works, which can prove that Adam's new book is about to appear!" And in the Internet industry When it finally returned to calm, the world of novels set off a huge wave, and the Los Angeles Times was the first to publish the news that shocked the world.

Although Adam had indicated that his new book would be released at the end of the year during the battle with Microsoft, there has been no news since then, so many readers have predicted that Adam's new book may be delayed. However, unexpectedly, in Not long into the fall, this shocking news was reported by the recognized and reliable Los Angeles Times.

Then, the language professors, biology professors, history professors, etc. who participated in Adam's new book were revealed one after another, but in half a month, more than a dozen well-known professors in the industry were confirmed to have participated in Adam's new book, which made countless People can't help but be curious, what kind of book needs to invite so many professors, and it involves such a wide range. It's a pity that the people who participated can't disclose it because they signed a non-disclosure agreement, but these are even more important. It aroused readers' interest, so Adam's new book has already gained a large number of readers' expectations before it was released.

The author has something to say: Originally, I wanted to add a thousand words and divide it into two chapters, but firstly, I ran out of time, and secondly, I felt that the writing was almost finished here, and the new plot would follow, so let’s just leave it at that.

I am away from home this week, the next chapter will be on Saturday or Sunday, please forgive me.