Rebirth of the Tech Madman

　　 The 386 R&D plan is divided into two branches according to different CPUs: Intel8086 and MC68000.

　　 It is naturally impossible for Tang Huan to create two completely different systems based on this difference, not to mention that he has already completed the ISA bus in advance.

　　 The microcomputer technology development route in the past life is justified. It can be used for reference. After classifying the complicated functions, the difference between the two CPUs can be isolated through the chipset on the motherboard.

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

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

　　 With the chipset, general-purpose floppy 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 letting Sharp produce CRT monitors.

　　 Tang Huan felt that this degree of modularity was not enough, so he used his memory a bit.

　　 The current random access memory is directly soldered to the motherboard, which is very inconvenient to upgrade. The previous memory stick appeared in the IBMPC286 era. Tang Huan decided to directly adopt this memory carrying method.

　　 These 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 of Tang Huan being at the top level, modularizing the entire R&D content, can also maximize technical secrecy.

　　 Now the prototype is showing a dynamic aircraft, gliding, flying... it can be described as frequent tricks.

　　Of course, this also means that high-intensity data operations are a severe test for hardware and software.

　　 This is a program that is compiled by MA and CPC and runs on the operating system Zerone-DOS, that is, Zheru DOS.

　　 Obviously, Zheru DOS is not perfect yet. Tang Huan crashed after adjusting the program operating parameters.

　　 "The BIOS located between the hardware layer and the operating system also has a problem." Amidst everyone's low laughter, Tang Huan restarted the prototype after a comment.

　　……

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

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

　　The chairman and CEO of the board of directors and CEO Frank Cary, who is about to retire soon, is leading many senior executives, staring at the monitor, and the picture is a picture of a beautiful woman without clothes.

　　 Is the blue giant's elite taste so heavy?

　　 Of course not. They are watching a demonstration of a project, which is quite controversial. This is so exciting.

　　 And this project is a microcomputer, and its code name is Chess Project.

　　 Soon, the demonstration went to the next step, replaced by an animation of a rocket launch, which was a lot more serious and serious than just now.

　　 "Everyone express your opinion." Kari looked around and couldn't wait to speak.

　　 This time, no one immediately jumped out to question. This change may be related to the recent vigorous promotion of Kari, and there is a reason for his resolute attitude.

　　 IBM also hides the crisis under the superficial scenery.

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

　　 For example, the entire product line of the 1970s, after the introduction of the 370 series computers in 1970, did not introduce new models until 1977.

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

　　 Microcomputers are in the ascendant, and small and medium-sized enterprises have gradually become major users. The market that was once monopolized by mainframes is being subdivided into several segments, and the rules of the game are also changing accordingly.

　　 The arrogant blue giant is still ignorant. It wasn't until the net profit growth rate data in 1979 that the negative number for the first time in history gave the entire senior management a head and a collective shock.

　　In sharp contrast, the personal computer market is booming, especially the leader Apple. In January of this year, its shipment volume reached another level, exceeding 15,000 units. The growth rate is really staggering.

Kari, who was highly valued by Watson, 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 verdict, and the newly established department in Atlanta, Georgia, brings together all of IBM's business except for mainframes.

In fact, IBM’s response to the personal computer market has been much faster than in the original time and space. Of course, the reason is that Tang Huan, the promoter, made Apple computers too dazzling. IBM executives had to put aside their arrogance and began to face personal computers. .

　　 Seeing that no one answered, Kari knew that he was a little overwhelming and was offensive, so he motioned to the head of the current chess project, the laboratory director of the General Systems Department, Bill Lowo.

　　 "In the entire chess project, we are responsible for the hardware design, 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."

Lowo explained carefully, while quietly observing the senior managers. The management committee formed by them is currently the highest decision-making body of IBM. If an uncle comes out with a crooked mouth, his chess plan may be dead. in.

　　 He was worried, and a manager unceremoniously asked: "How will the product be sold in the future also through third-party channels?"

Lowo has long considered this issue, and he nodded, "It is indeed possible. Now there are several chain-type computer stores, 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, the semiconductor components used in the production process has been very mature, the reliability is sufficiently guaranteed, and the failure rate is very low. Personal computer manufacturers such as Apple, Tangdi, and Kang Mao Da have not suffered from such problems. Trouble. And because the price of microcomputers is low, customers will not have strict after-sales requirements like mainframe users."

　　 Obviously, Lowo had considered this question beforehand. Although there were some personal inferences in the answer, the members of the management committee approved it and did not continue to struggle.

Seeing that everyone had finished their sense of existence, Cary gave a wink to John Ober, the president of the company that he pulled out, and the other party coughed knowingly, "Since everyone has no objections, let's give the chess plan a follow-up research and development. Allocate more funds and R&D personnel."

As soon as the voice fell, the director of the General Systems Department took over. "Currently, the General Systems Department is responsible for enough projects, and the resources are really limited. The chess plan is different from IBM's previous development model. Its R&D cycle and investment It is not within our control, so the General Systems Department does not plan to accept this project."

　　 This reason is very high-sounding, and the members of the management committee began to talk in a low voice, and many people's faces showed deep convincing expressions.

　　 Unexpectedly, being dragged by his immediate boss and stabbed by the knife, Lowo couldn't help glaring at him, but he was helpless.

　　 IBM is too big, and the management mechanism is to quarrel among various differences and then compromise. To put it in a bad way, it is "bureaucrat".

　　 And Lowo also guessed why his project was coldly received. The reason for this is really not easy to explain.

When Cary forced the personal computer project, the General Systems Department gave a suggestion, that is, by acquiring a personal computer company, labeling its products with the IBM trademark, and then cooperating with IBM's peripheral product sales, thus entering the micro In the computer market, we also analyzed the various manufacturers at that time one by one, selected a target, and made a solution.

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

　　 The heads of the General Systems Department are wronged. Apple’s share structure is complicated. In addition to the shares held by the founders, there are also a lot of 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.

　　Kari was also struggling with this issue. After thinking about it, he decided to use IBM's own power to develop personal computer products, and repeatedly emphasized at the conference, "We need IBM's own microcomputer."

　　 After the general system department's plan was rejected, Lowo, as 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 bureaucracy, it will take at least four years to develop all the hardware and software for microcomputers on its own. After the product development is completed, it is also out of date in the market.

　　 So Lowo proposed the R&D model of the chess plan in front of him, and Kari also greatly appreciated it and fully approved it.

　　The political struggle in large companies is so fierce. Even if Lowo dislikes such an atmosphere, he can only endure it with his nose in order to work.

　　 Seeing that the limelight of the meeting was about to change again, Kari showed unpleasant expression on his face without concealment. If he doesn't cut the mess quickly, the best plan will be put on hold.

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

　　 "There is no problem~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Lowo, who is angry, replied categorically.

　　 "Well, immediately continue to the next step, and report the progress directly to me." Kari immediately applauded.

　　 "I have a request that the working location of the R&D team should be changed, not in Atlanta." At this point, Lowo glared at his boss.

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

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

　　 "I think so, sir." Lowo said firmly.

　　 It was hard to get through to the end of the meeting, and Lowo and his right-hand man Don Estelic reunited.

　　 He was about to complain about all the troubles just now, when he found that the other party was holding two packing boxes in his hands, so he couldn't help but ask: "What is this? It's pretty precious."

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

　　 Lowo took the mouse and looked at it, and saw ZeroneMouseForAppleII printed on the package. He couldn't help but muttered, "Damn it, this philosopher again, I don't know if we have enough time for a year."