Rebirth of the Tech Madman

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In this personal computer market battle, one of the most lethal weapons of IBm-pc compatible manufacturers is to provide users with a wealth of models priced below 2ooo US dollars, and the performance is acceptable. ?????? Hunting text????

This is also the most helpless part of IBm. The elephant is not good at this "small profits but quick turnover" business model. The market failure of the low-cost model IBm-pc/jr is the best proof, and its entire IBm- The profit margin of the pc series product line is still being dragged down by the more cost-effective IBm-pc compatible machines, and the pressure to make money at a loss is increasing.

It can be said that US$2ooo is an iconic dividing line of the personal computer industry at this stage. Product prices below this level are undisputed low-end positioning, mainly for individual users rather than commercial needs, which has a very obvious impact on the manufacturer's cost, sales, and profit, which are mutually balanced profit factors.

Take Apple as an example. The 128kB memory model of the main product mac is priced at US$2,495. After app1eIII, Lisa Computer, and app1eII have gradually withdrawn from the market, this is also the cheapest model on Apple’s product line. .

Of course, IBm-pc compatible machine manufacturers that are good at low-cost competition and can maintain considerable profit margins at the same time also have products above this price. For example, Compaq's initial product-the mobile IBm-pc compatible machine "compaqportab1e", is priced from US$2995 to US$359o depending on the specific configuration.

The emerging Fangyuan Computer Company is naturally not as complete as the long-established iBm management mechanism, but at the same time it does not have the bureaucratic habits it has accumulated over the years, so it can more effectively deal with the "wolves" of such low-price competition in the market. Tactics.

But having said that, Fangyuan Computer, as the maker and implementer of the Fangyuan Computer Standards, can’t really make such “hard money” because it’s not worth it, and the other reason is to give it to its followers. Leave room for living.

therefore. Strictly speaking, excluding those large enterprises and government orders, Fangyuan Computer Company has not launched Fangyuan brand computers in the retail market under US$2ooo. There are several models under US$30,000, which are mainly aimed at teachers, journalists and other special individual user groups, and one of the main attractions is reflected in the philosophical software package that is carried randomly.

In other words, to crack down on the IBm-pc compatible machine, which is a bit hysterical at this stage, it is necessary to rely on the Fangyuan PC compatible machine. Because it has more flexible cost reduction measures in the Fangyuan personal computer standard.

For example, in the face of a segmented market, it makes a fuss about the scalability of the Fangyuan personal computer architecture. The big part can be directly welded instead of the memory stick to carry the memory, discarding some expansion slots, and the small part reduces some useless for low-end products Electronic components and wiring.

After some discussion, the results that everyone came up with were nothing more than these.

"This is not enough." Tang Huan said in a deep voice, "On the basis of your suggestion, add one more condition. Companies such as Zheru, Adobe and other companies cooperate to come up with application software discounts and fight a combination punch. Even, Zheru It can be in the operating system. Freedos license fee is provided for a period of time."

This is another place where the Fangyuan personal computer standard is superior to other personal computer standards including IBm-pc in terms of hardware architecture. The software business based on philosophers has created a new platform for Fangyuan personal computer platform. Powerful application ecosystem.

And the most powerful IBm-pc platform among competitors, the standalone software that can be obtained is nothing more than Lotus Software and dBase.

As for more software businesses such as the research word processing software aproInternationa1, they wander between various hardware platforms, and rush to the past wherever it is profitable, and refuse to be tied to a single hardware platform.

Among them, Microsoft belongs to a different kind. If you don't consider providing the operating system ms-dos for IBm-pc, it also belongs to the kind of independent software developers that try to take all popular hardware platforms.

Tang Huan's proposal refreshed everyone in the meeting. John Chambers further added: "The method of combining software and hardware. It should not be limited to the direction of combating IBm-pc compatible machines. Other products also need such firepower support. We will take advantage of the four generations of personal computers. The launch of this year will start a global war."

"The reason why our computer products have been able to repeatedly win heavyweight orders from the government, the military, research institutions, and large companies. One of the main reasons is that our products are more expensive and cheaper than traditional mainframes and minicomputers. With a clear road map, the maintenance and upgrade of hardware and software are very certain in the coming time."

"In stark contrast, IBm. and the "six doors" cannot immediately provide a new generation of products that can compete with the fourth-generation Fangyuan personal computers, and naturally cannot make strong promises for future maintenance and upgrades. "

"This space, we can't easily miss it." At this point, John Chambers made a vicious gesture, "Kill him when he is sick!"

"You can discuss these specific promotion measures." Tang Huan smiled slightly, "Perhaps, I can help you find more interesting business opportunities."

The interested John Chambers hurriedly asked: "What business opportunity?"

"You'll know when you follow me to check it out." Tang Huan laughed inexplicably, and then said: "When Jack Trammell was the executive officer of Kang Maoda earlier, he had a very good operation of cheap computers. It abruptly defeated Texas Instruments, and even suffered a home video game console. Now he has established a company called Trammel Computer to engage in direct sales through the acquisition of Atari's personal computer department. Support here a little more, maybe it can surprise those arrogant IBm-pc compatible machines."

"Well, when I have a meeting with Fangyuan PC compatible computer manufacturers, I will talk to Jack Trammel." John Chambers nodded and agreed.

…

After the meeting ended, Tang Huan asked his assistant to take a look at the documents about Intel's current situation. He felt that although his situation was a bit bad, he did not get to the point where the leaking ship sank.

Intel recently announced that it will completely withdraw from the memory business that it started and brought brilliant achievements, which really caused quite a stir.

For Intel itself, this change promoted by the tough Andy Grove. Don't hesitate to sever one arm-a large number of employees have been laid off, and there are seven semiconductor factories producing memory that need to be dealt with.

Fortunately, the prospect of strong demand for microprocessors driven by the flying development of personal computers gave Intel a shot in the heart.

Especially recently, the small group ‘Six Doors’ jumped up and down and made a lot of fun, and invisibly made a very effective free advertisement for Intel’s new generation microprocessor Inte18o386.

If Intel can get computer manufacturers to agree to abandon the second supplier system. At the same time, its own Inte18o386 production capacity is increased, so the company still has a lot to do in the future.

Therefore, savvy investors are not eager to abandon Intel, and Tang Huan does not have to struggle to buy the market.

Tang Huan thought for a while, and then contacted Baodao UMC and Singapore Chartered Semiconductor. Provide them with the news that Intel is dealing with the memory production line, and let them decide for themselves how to choose.

At this time, John Chambers came back and asked, "Tang, the business opportunity you just mentioned is there, I can't wait to be curious."

"It seems that you have a great position as the executive officer of a listed company. Once you hear the news related to improving your performance, you can't calm down." Tang Huan smiled and waved his hand after he finished jokes. "Then go to the Philosophy and Confucian Research Center. Some results there are very interesting."

…

When Tang Huan and John Chambers arrived, the arrangements were ready.

They first walked into the first room. The furnishings were very simple. There was a set of ordinary office equipment and a clerk was typing.

Then, the two walked into a second room not far from here, which was also furnished in an ordinary manner. A little noticeable was that a TV set was taken apart. Connected to a box device through a few wires.

"Let's start the demonstration." Tang Huan waved his hand and ordered.

John Chambers, who was puzzled, stared curiously at the TV with a lot of snowflakes on the screen for a while. Intermittent characters appeared on the image, and someone next to him was taking notes with a pen and paper.

The experiment was boring and inexplicable, but fortunately it didn't last long and ended soon.

"Do you feel that something is different?" Tang Huan asked casually, calmly.

"The environment here is very ordinary." John Chambers shook his head rather bored, not forgetting to make a joke. "It's just that this TV set and the recorder next to it are a little weird, acting like a spy."

Tang Huan smiled noncommitantly, just as the recorder handed over the recorded file, and another person brought a printed manuscript still smelling of ink from outside.

After comparing the contents of the two documents, Tang Huan gave it to John Chambers, "This is the result of the experiment."

"Is this printed manuscript typed out by the typist in the first room?" John Chambers asked inexplicably while flipping through it.

"Yes, but the point is not here." Tang Huan explained leisurely: "To be precise, it is what appeared on the screen of that computer's cRT monitor."

John Chambers gave a subconscious cry, and then he suddenly realized that his hand shook, and the file fell to the ground with a slap.

Bend down and picked up the file. John Chambers quickly compared the contents of the two files. The reporter walked to the TV and looked at it, then turned around and asked Tang Huan with an incredible face, "Is this TV set? With this box device, you can steal the information on the computer screen in the next room."

"If you don't believe it, you can let this experiment be repeated." Tang Huan shrugged, "Just so, I want to confirm it too."

During the experiment this time, John Chambers didn’t feel boring anymore, nor could he sit there waiting patiently. Instead, he kept shuttling back and forth between the two rooms, sweating profusely. There is no such thing as an executive officer of the world's most valuable company.

After testing the latest experimental results, John Chambers, who shook his head, yelled unbelievably, and then said with trepidation: "Doesn’t this experimental result show that people with intentions can hide outside the office building and steal our business? confidential."

"It is indeed possible." Tang Huan nodded calmly, "but it is not only us, but everyone, who will face the risk of information leakage caused by electromagnetic radiation from the cRT display screen."

Having said this, Tang Huan stood up, walked back and forth a few steps, and then slowly continued to explain: "It must be pointed out that this information leakage method is just one example; like the mechanical vibration caused by hitting the keyboard, The same goal can be achieved by intercepting information packets on the network; it can even use information such as power consumption and time difference to bypass the cryptographic system."

"This...this is terrible!" John Chambers held his forehead with his hand. "It makes me feel that even if I sit in my office, I lack the basic sense of security."

"There is no way. With the advancement of technology, these issues were originally only the military and intelligence agencies that need to consider, and now the public research field will also be touched." Tang Huan smiled indifferently, and then stared at John jokingly. Chambers asked with a face: "John, don't you think that your mental state is a good representative of those executives? There are limitless business opportunities. Since we have studied this result, we can naturally come up with corresponding solutions. ."

John Chambers is also a top executive in the world, and his tolerance and insight have long been exercised.

Quickly regaining his composure, he mused and asked: "This research result reminds me of a vaguely involved anti-information theft security in the process of dealing with customers such as the military and the government. specification."

"Yes, UU reading www.uukanshu.com is aimed at the business opportunities generated by it." Tang Huan snapped his fingers, "In short, the older the equipment, the more thoroughly studied. So, although they still work very well. Okay, but we have to make room for our new products. The motivation for upgrading will naturally generate orders."

John Chambers, who has been cooperating for many years and has long been in a tacit understanding, nodded his head, "Then when will this research result be announced to the public?"

"Of course it was published in an authoritative academic journal immediately." Tang Huan replied slowly with his eyes shining brightly.

…

Unsurprisingly, when the results of this experiment, which detected the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cRT monitors to eavesdrop on its content, were placed in front of the public, the relevant sensitive areas suddenly fell into panic. The United States was the first to respond The Security Bureau immediately sent a representative to Cupertino in Silicon Valley to take a closer look.

Various large research institutions, including Bell Laboratories, are also a little restless, calling for consultation one after another.

Even the British Broadcasting Corporation on the other side of the Atlantic, with an incomprehensible motivation, sent a team to interview. (To be continued.)