Rebirth of the Tech Madman

It is precisely because of his concentration on the software business that Gates can best appreciate the power of philosophers in this field.

Its first commercial software, the spreadsheet program CGrid, is not only a starter, but also a precedent in the industry, and it has become one of the most profitable applications. It is found in more than 95% of Fangyuan computers.

The competition in the field of spreadsheet software is very fierce. Since CGrid opened this door, more than a dozen similar products have appeared in this market in just a few years.

CGrid first drove the monthly sales of AppleII to exceed 10,000 units, which helped Apple's IPO to be a success, and then concentrated on assisting Fangyuan Computer to conquer the city, and repelled all peers who coveted this platform. The exclusive Fangyuan computer standard gradually became the mainstream. The huge demand for copies brought by.

The achievement of this achievement is not based on the special relationship between philosophers and Fangyuan, but CGrid has indeed been in the forefront of the industry-optimization of execution efficiency, enrichment of mathematical functions, improvement of cross-checking relationships, deep data mining... etc In terms of peers, they can only steal school.

After CGrid, Zheru successively launched word processing software WordEasy, database management system EBase, slide software PowerPresenter, etc., developed a complete set of Zheru office software family, and once again led the industry to achieve the height that a package should have. Integration, such as consistency on the user interface of each software, mutual reference of data, etc.

Microsoft Excel and Word are still busy with how to make their functions more powerful, and they simply don’t care about integrating from the perspective of the entire office software suite; Lotus did this, but at the expense of too much Time and resources have lost part of the market. Otherwise, Microsoft won't get a respite.

In addition to the word processing software, WordEasy and WordStar and WordPorfect, which are known for supporting many hardware platforms, the office software market pattern on the Fangyuan computer platform is almost exclusive to other fields such as spreadsheets, databases, and slides.

This kind of strength is even subtly affecting today's office automation-whether you are willing to accept it or not, you can't refuse this trend.

Just like when Microsoft was in a meeting, it was inseparable from the Zheru slideshow system's package of office solutions from the software PowerPresenter to the hardware projector.

As for the Zheru database management system EBase, it is even more remarkable. Not only did it participate in the standardization of the database query language-SQL industry standard, but also promoted a golden enterprise management software company-PeopleSoft.

However, these brilliant achievements in the field of office software are only part of the philosopher software kingdom. It also has an industry position that cannot be ignored in graphics, audio, video, networking, operating systems, chips, industrial control, and telecommunications.

To be more precise, Philosopher is no longer limited to the concept of a pure software company. That philosopher’s R&D center always has endless technological achievements coming out, which in turn makes philosopher’s tentacles continue to extend to various fields.

In the face of such a powerful philosopher, Gates, no matter how combative in his bones, wanted to compete with him, he only dared to bury it deeply in his heart. Even when Zheru Office finally decided that Macro Language should use a specific version of PASCAL and Microsoft BASIC was excluded, he did not dare to express his dissatisfaction.

Gates is more willing to find the successful experience he can learn from philosophers. For example, after philosopher's office software completes the integration of the suite, competitors such as WordStar and WordPorfect have no advantage; philosopher's office suite. Macro language excluded Microsoft's BASIC. Although Gates was sour in his heart, he had to admit that the other party played beautifully. Once the secret agreement between himself and Tang Huan expired, the benefits of BASIC promised to Microsoft were taken back. It is true. It's so neat.

Just officially released, it is the second major version, which brings a better experience to the graphical user interface of the Fangyuan computer platform. Zheru has been dedicated to counseling third-party software developers to smoothly transition into this new environment.

For such an opportunity to change the manufacturing rules and reshuffle the pattern, the significance and effect of Leap may not be obvious to the philosophers who are already in the software industry, but it is not the same for Microsoft.

Gates suddenly thought that if Windows can successfully take over MS-DOS, then Lotus's current application software dominance in the MS-DOS environment will no longer exist. Everyone is on the same starting line in the Windows environment, and even Microsoft, which developed Windows, has inherent advantages in technology. Excel, which favors Apple's MAC platform, can return to the IBM-PC platform gorgeously and regain the electronic spreadsheet market that was lost due to MulitiPlan's loss to Lotus1-2-3.

As a result of this promotion, Microsoft can imitate philosophers and unify the IBM-PC platform office software market-although IBM-PC lost to Fangyuan PC in the personal computer standard war, it relies on the number of users that have been stuck through applications over the years , There is still room for survival, coupled with the market share of office software on Apple's MAC platform, enough for Microsoft to eat.

The more he thought about it, the more bewildered Gates was. Looking at the exquisite interface on the prototype, he couldn't help being annoyed at Windows, which was developed under the pressure of IBM. It showed that he was too disappointed.

Windows 1.0 was released in the second half of 1985. The main goal is to regain the momentum of the graphical user interface operating system that was first launched on the IBM-PC platform. Although it is widely evaluated as a poor product, it still takes the market initiative. Quan took it back.

Windows 1.0 is really technically impossible. It is not an independent operating system, and its underlying functions rely heavily on MS-DOS.

The bigger trouble lies in the patent dispute between Microsoft and Apple. The latter even restricts multiple windows of Windows from overlapping each other and can only be tiled on the screen.

Gates is certainly not so honest. He let Windows 2.0 released in 1987 draw more on the interface of Apple's MAC, including window overlap-which also supports window overlap, which was defeated in advance by Youben.

In fact, the disputes between Apple and Microsoft are just skins. How can the technical background required by the operating system be so superficial? Product competition will eventually return to how to provide an excellent mechanism for managing important resources such as processors, memory, and disks.

Take the Intel x86 series microprocessors that are only supported by MS-DOS and Windows. Intel80286 has designed a new Memory_Ma_Unit-the memory management unit or MMU, and then provides a new memory management mode-protected mode, to achieve the right Multitasking support; Intel80386 has undergone a major upgrade, from 16-bit architecture to 32-bit architecture, and added a virtual mode. It also uses external cache to solve the memory speed bottleneck problem; Intel80486 improves the external cache to built-in The high-speed cache is integrated into the FloatingPointUnit-the floating point arithmetic unit or FPU.

It is not difficult to see that Intel has been sparing no effort to develop products and add various new features after putting its own destiny on the microprocessor business.

But Microsoft's Windows can't be used in depth, and the Windows 2.1x version launched this year without much response is divided into two branches-Windows/286 and Windows/386. The main problem that the former solves is how to access High_Memory_Area-the high-end memory area, or HMA, which is 64KB of memory between 1024KB and 1088KB, and more Expanded_Memory-extended memory; the main problem that the latter solves is to make full use of the Intel80386 three A memory model.

The reason why Windows R&D still stays at such a "superficial" level is that in addition to various limitations due to the innate deficiencies of IBM-PC's architectural design, there are also factors that Microsoft's own technical strength is not sufficient.

Look at the four-generation Fangyuan personal computer-MMX and this combination, you can play VCD smoothly and play 2D video games, you can know the gap between the two systems.

Gates was comparing and planning his own Windows in his heart, and heard Rod Kennion, who walked over, said in a low voice: "It seems that Fangyuan Computer Company is making very fast progress in the development of the new Intel 80486 model. "

"More than that." Gates replied quizzically, "The prototype equipped with MC68040 is not as stable as it is."

Rod Kennion nodded, "While we are catching up with Fangyuan Computer in hardware research and development, Microsoft's Windows must also work hard to improve. Otherwise, the combination of IBM-PC compatible computers and Windows will be far inferior. Yu Fangyuan’s personal computer and the combination."

"Don't you still have the company's EP to choose from?" Gates is still brooding about the IBM-PC compatible camp and Jobs headed by Compaq-IBM doesn't know what's wrong, use this Hit me with one move, what fun are you following?

Rod Kenyon is a bit clumsy in words, but because of this he often speaks straightforwardly. He is not embarrassed in the business words and business: "EP is indeed better than Windows, if Jobs can make it support Intel80486 earlier than Windows, I believe that more than Compaq will invest in EP's arms."

"Windows 2.11, which integrates Windows/286 and Windows/386, will be released next year at the latest." Gates sneered disdainfully. "You are not afraid that Jobs habitually writes bad checks, then just use the graphical user interface. The hope of the system rests on him."

Rod Kennion continued unmovedly in accordance with his own thinking: "Even if Windows 2.11 is launched now, it will certainly not be able to compete. It is better to focus on the full support of the upcoming Intel80486. Perhaps Microsoft should be active. Find Intel and communicate more on the technical level."

Regarding Rod Kenyon's suggestion, Gates heyed and did not make any further comments.

Microsoft's Windows, to actively accommodate Intel's Intel 80486?

Save it, Microsoft would rather spend more time on the already relatively complete Intel80386.

Microsoft in the field of operating systems and Intel in the field of microprocessors have disliked each other for many years. It can be traced back to before and after the launch of Intel 80286.

At that time ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ added the protected mode Intel80286, there were a lot of BUGs, which brought an unignorable impact on the development of the new generation of IBM-PC/AT models, especially involving calls to a large number of underlying hardware The development of a new version of MS-DOS has suffered even more.

As a result, companies such as Zheru, Fangyuan, IBM, Microsoft, etc. had to help Intel80286 catch the bug.

Zheru and Fangyuan are relatively calm here. After all, in addition to the Intel80286 product branch, there is also the MC68000 branch available.

But there is only one choice between IBM and Microsoft, and it is impossible to calm down, so Gates, who is extremely annoyed, publicly criticizes unceremoniously: Intel80286 is a "brain fragment."

As you can imagine, Andy Grove was also a fierce man, how could he stand the cynicism of Gates, and the relationship between the two companies became tense.

According to past experience, the BUG of Intel80486 is also indispensable. Therefore, Gates, who was troubled by the troubles, felt that he should wait for Intel to perfect the Intel 80486 and talk about it, and he could not take the initiative to find the door. (To be continued.) ()