Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 638 Microsoft Is Going IPO

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Speaking of this, John Chambers shook his head, "Microsoft and Apple, two seemingly incompatible guys, are really a bit incomprehensible. They spit on each other in terms of operating systems, but they cooperate closely in terms of office software."

"It's not that complicated, it's nothing more than using each other to get what they need." Tang Huan commented lightly.

Due to the emergence of Fangyuan Computer and Zheru Software, the ecological environment of the personal computer market is naturally very different from the original time and space. Not long after entering the 1980s, when it took off in full swing, there was a situation where the stars are holding the moon. This center surrounded by people is natural. The place is Fangyuan Computer and Zheru Software, which focus on hardware and software respectively.

Compared with Fangyuan Computer, Zheru Software is a little more low-key, but it is also very aggressive, which makes Jobs, Gates and other industry insiders not only have to curry favor, but also secretly guard against vigilance.

Even though the shares in his hand are constantly being diluted, until now, Jobs is still a minority shareholder of Zheru, and the reason why he is reluctant to let go is obviously the interest.

Just because he personally experienced this, Jobs has a deep understanding of the subtle penetration ability of Zheru software. For example, the application platform of Apple II is not only dominated by it, but even the hardware design needs to be listened to by this partner who provides the best office software. Opinion.

Jobs, who regarded MAC as his own, was unwilling to see changes in the lineage of its products, so he did not seek Zheru to provide application software support, but reached a series of secret agreements with Gates' Microsoft at that time.

After triumphantly demonstrating some of the exciting features of the still-under-development MAC, Jobs, as a gesture of charity, "allowed" Microsoft to produce three programs: a spreadsheet, a business graphics program, and a database. And Apple reserves the right to bundle these three applications with MAC or sell them separately.

Among them, in the former model, Apple pays Microsoft $5 for each application, with a maximum of $100 million per year; in the latter model, Microsoft can get $10 for each application sold, or retail ten percent of the price,
In addition, Microsoft must also agree not to produce similar applications that use a "mouse or trackball" for any computer not made by Apple for 12 months after the Mac's original delivery date.

It can be said that these conditions thrown out by the arrogant Jobs almost took advantage of themselves, and they were not very kind to Microsoft, but Gates still agreed.

The reason for this is nothing more than that under the shadow of a powerful software industry ruler like Zheru, it is very rare to get an exclusive office software order for the MAC platform; more importantly, Gates is really obsessed with MAC. Graphical user interface function, I hope to use this to "steal the teacher" again and reduce the over-reliance on IBM and its customized MS-DOS.

To be honest, in terms of technology, Jobs is indeed far less profound and sophisticated than Gates.

Because software development projects are more specific, they often take longer than most people expect to complete.

In other words, while Microsoft is developing software for MAC and within a year thereafter, it is almost impossible to produce similar software for other personal computer platforms including IBM-PC—maybe Zheru can do it, but Microsoft can’t do it. I realized that agreeing to Jobs' exclusivity terms was just a favor.

In this way, Jobs, proud of helping MAC get very cheap software, unknowingly put a fox into the chicken coop-Microsoft got the prototype of MAC, and learned more graphics User interface technology.

The following developments are no secret at all. In pursuit of the perfect MAC, the research and development progress was repeatedly delayed until the Apple board of directors couldn't wait and forced Jobs to release this product in January 1984.

On the other hand, the MAC R&D team portrayed by Jobs as a "pirate" does not have the skills of IBM, Fangyuan, and Zheru to plan a friendly third-party development platform.

So there is a natural situation. Compared with developing software for IBM-PC, writing programs for MAC is much more difficult, and Microsoft's research and development progress is also delayed again and again.

The launch time of MAC was more than a year later than Jobs once boasted, and the software Microsoft promised to develop for MAC was more than two years later than originally planned.That exclusivity clause that Jobs instituted.There is no room for it to be effective at all, and it is simply superfluous nonsense, which shows that Gates is scheming.

In stark contrast to this, Windows 1.0 was a step earlier and limped to the public.

Seeing this situation, Jobs almost lost his breath: My Mac has been postponed, which is considered to be accommodating Microsoft's lagging progress in developing office software, but you actually launched Windows 1.0 first, Feelings took our MAC prototype and specialized in the GUI.This is too malicious!
In a rage, Jobs canceled the previous deal with Gates: everyone is free, Microsoft can develop application software with a similar interface for anyone it wants, and Apple can also find other software developers.

The matter did not end there. Jobs began to deal with Gates' stealing of MAC's graphic user interface function, and launched the infringement of Windows 1.0.

In this way, the war of words between Apple and Microsoft began, so that the secret deal between Jobs and Gates was also revealed to the world. Tang Huan, who was on the sidelines, suddenly realized the most direct reaction. .

In fact, the faltering Windows 1.0 was not popular. Except for Jobs who thought it was a MAC in IBM-PC guise, and it was also very ugly, more people in the industry realized that the launch of this product was nothing more than a MAC. For market gaming.

By chance, MS-DOS intercepted Gary Kildare's CP/M and became the operating system of choice for IBM-PC; but this dominance was soon challenged. VisiCorp, which successfully operated the spreadsheet software VisiCalc, It is planned to launch VisiOn to replace MS-DOS, the operating system on IBM-PC.

Because VisiOn, which has a graphical user interface function, caught other companies that are interested in making great achievements in this field by surprise at a certain point in time, Zheru, Apple, and Microsoft tacitly carried out a joint suppression.

During this process, Gates learned a business warfare routine, that is, if a market leader lags behind in new products, then there is no need to rush, and it is entirely possible to attack opponents through bluff.

Specifically, after you announce the development of a new product intended to replace me, I can methodically announce a more ambitious product development plan, fully including those features you are proud of, and promise smooth upgrades from existing products .

This trick has a long history. As early as the 1960s, facing the lead of the data control company, IBM put smoke bombs to stabilize its new products such as customers and partners, while intensively developing System/360, and won It took time, and the competitors were so aggrieved that they bowed their heads and bowed their heads.

In order to attack the menacing VisiOn, Gates imitated this routine and let all IBM-PC manufacturers know that Microsoft is also developing a graphical user interface function, and it must be more powerful than VisiOn. You should wait patiently.

Under the attack of such rogue tricks, VisiOn kneeled down tragically, and the product conference ended dismal; but Microsoft did not dare to take it lightly, and stepped up the launch of Windows 1.0,

Speaking of it, the development process of Windows 1.0 is also a bit of a legend. After a series of failures, a 20-year-old programmer, Neil Kongsen, who has studied MAC thoroughly, accepted the challenge and completely rewritten Windows 1.0. .[-].

Jobs believed that Windows 1.0 was a MAC under the guise of IBM-PC, of ​​course he had his own reasons. The data structure and program format of Windows 1.0 were copied from MAC, and even included the same built-in small applications as MAC, such as a drawing program, a clock, and a riddle software.

What Gates didn't expect was that IBM, Microsoft's most important partner, did not buy Windows 1.0. Not only did he not participate in relevant marketing activities, but he also threatened that he might adopt VisiOn in the future.

The reason for the conflict between Microsoft and IBM on Windows 1.0 is: the two deals on MS-DOS, including regular improvements and updates.

Because it was a contract programming job, IBM would pay for the programming time but not the royalties.

So, when there was an opportunity to create a new program that would generate royalties, Microsoft didn't assign the best people to maintain MS-DOS, for obvious reasons.

IBM is not stupid either. It has been pondering over and over again and again, knowing that Microsoft is dealing with itself in a positive and negative way, and the boss is dissatisfied.

Fortunately, to Gates' relief, IBM-PC compatible manufacturers who purchased a large number of MS-DOS licenses are still enthusiastic about Windows 1.0.The reason is not difficult to understand. Graphical user interface is the trend of the times. With MAC and Fangyuan Computer following up one after another, and IBM itself intends to abandon the IBM-PC technical architecture and launch a new product system PS/2 with copyright protection. The emergence of Windows 1.0 has given IBM-PC compatible machine manufacturers with improper backgrounds new prospects.

As Jobs lost power at Apple and was kicked out, Windows 1.0, which came out in the cracks, finally had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Gates tried to compete with Apple, led by John Sculley, on Windows 1.0 and MAC. Reached a settlement on the copyright dispute.

Jobs accused his former good friend John Sculley of never understanding computer products. One of the meanings is: in the eyes of John Sculley, personal computers and Pepsi are both commodities, and there is no difference. Emotionally indifferent; while Jobs regards MAC as his own child, which can prove his influence on the world.

Under this distinction, Jobs naturally did not allow Gates' Windows 1.0 to plagiarize MAC's ideas to disgust himself, but John Sculley didn't have so many fetters. He could consider issues completely from the perspective of commercial interests, and also More in line with the tastes of Apple's board of directors.

The shrewd Gates quickly realized this change in Apple's style, so he took advantage of the god-sent opportunity of Jobs' resignation.In a letter to John Sculley, he suggested that instead of swaying and not letting go, Apple should license operating systems and hardware to other hardware manufacturers.This in turn creates a larger market for MAC, benefiting everyone.

Not to mention, this idea that would definitely be slapped back in the Jobs era was really caught by John Sculley, and he discussed it seriously.

You know, the sales volume of the first-generation MAC is simply terrible. Jobs vigorously claimed at the press conference that the annual sales volume will reach 75 units. Quantity is only 1 units.

When the R&D department worked hard to develop the second-generation MAC, increased the memory to 512KB, and provided optional hard disk support, it had the minimum qualification to compete with other products on the market.

But opportunities in the market wait for no one. MAC, which has already wasted an opportunity, is not that simple to regain its disadvantage.

At this time, Gates' proposal seemed feasible, and Apple seriously considered whether to extend the influence of MAC to IBM-PC.Such as the production of a MAC to IBM-PC conversion motherboard.

However, Apple ultimately rejected the proposal.Gein Fangyuan personal computer and IBM-PC fought too fiercely, and the compatible machine group in the IBM-PC camp also had many conflicts with IBM, and Apple dared not step into this muddy water.

Although life is difficult now, MAC has not attracted the suppression of Fangyuan Computer Company. If it is really involved in this war, it will not take long for Apple to die.

Even if they don't want to, they have to admit that at present, Apple is at ease with its subordinate position, and it is the most realistic and safest choice for the boss to play the role of a younger brother to prevent anti-monopoly and eat some leftovers.

The frustrated Gates did not give up, and began to target John Sculley for special public relations.After many contacts, an agreement was finally reached at a secret dinner party, and Windows 1.0 was officially authorized by Apple—whitewashed; in return, Microsoft developed an additional word processing software to help MAC solve office problems. The problem of lack of software.

In this way, the relationship between Microsoft and Apple has become what it is now - in a balance of mutual utilization and each taking what they need, and Gates is also preparing to take advantage of this good news to let Microsoft go public.

(End of this chapter)