Reborn in 1977

Chapter 591: The Key

Chen Fan sat in a chair, a cup of tea in his left hand, studying the computer manual.

After he finished reading the entire manual at a glance, a burst of hurried footsteps finally came from the courtyard outside.

He stood up and walked to the door to take a look, only to see Xiao Peng leading seven or eight people, hurrying towards this side.

Chen Fan simply waited at the door. After a while, this group of people was indeed brought to him.

Xiao Peng introduced very seriously, "This is Director Chen of the European and American Division of the Provincial Writers Association."

Then he pointed to a middle-aged man with gray hair but who looked only in his fifties, "Director, this is Professor Huang from Jiang University."

You could tell who was closer to whom from his tone.

However, Professor Huang didn't seem to notice, his eyes already fixed on the several cardboard boxes in the room.

After Xiao Peng finished the introductions, he immediately came back to his senses, extended his right hand to Chen Fan, "Hello, Director Chen, I've heard so much about you."

Chen Fan smiled and shook his hand, "Hello, Professor Huang."

He turned his head and glanced at the few people standing behind him, and said with a soft smile, "Xiao Peng has already told me about the matter. You want to see a personal microcomputer?"

Professor Huang rubbed his hands embarrassedly, with a somewhat flattering smile on his face, and said, "That's right. We are faculty members from the Computer and Electronic Engineering Department of Jiang University. Jiang University is currently preparing to establish a Computer Science Department, mainly focusing on teaching and research in the field of computers.

So, I heard from Comrade Xiao Peng just now that you have a computer sent from the United States, and I was very curious and wanted to visit it."

He turned his head and looked at his colleagues behind him again, "They are just like me, wanting to see the most advanced personal computer in the United States. I wonder if it's convenient for Director Chen?"

Chen Fan listened patiently to him, smiled and nodded, "You are teachers from Jiang University, and I am a student from Jiang University, so we are not outsiders."

As soon as he finished speaking, a look of embarrassment appeared on his face, and he said with deliberate consideration, "Originally, we're all one family, so it's no problem for you to visit and study it."

Professor Huang had lived for half a century after all. Moreover, since he had joined the Provincial Writers Association, it proved that he was not just a bookworm who only knew how to do scholarship. Seeing Chen Fan's expression at this time, he knew that there was more to come.

When Chen Fan finished speaking, he immediately asked politely, "If there is any difficulty, please tell us directly, and we will definitely do our best."

Chen Fan laughed, "There is no difficulty, how should I put it."

He turned around and pointed to the cardboard boxes, then turned back and said, "This computer was sent by my uncle, mainly to facilitate my writing. I only received it today, and haven't started using it yet."

Writing?

Professor Huang blinked suspiciously and asked softly, "English writing?"

It couldn't be that the United States had developed a Chinese character input method, right?

Given the current relationship between the two countries, if they developed a Chinese character input method, they would definitely report it to our relevant institutions.

After all, Eisenhower once shouted that he would send a Chinese typewriter to the Chinese people, but there was no news later. If they really developed a Chinese character input method, on the one hand, the United States could regain its face from that year, and on the other hand, it would be an important opportunity to show goodwill to our side.

So they couldn't possibly not know this news.

Excluding this extremely unlikely answer, then there was only one result, that Chen Fan was proficient in English.

Chen Fan smiled and nodded, "My English is okay."

At this time, a teacher behind him smiled and said, "Director Chen's English is more than just okay. I heard that the students you personally taught are attracting teachers from Peking University and the University of Foreign Trade to snatch them up. Even the students' English is so fluent, so you must be several levels higher."

Chen Fan smiled and waved his hand, "You flatter me. I can only speak and write."

Everyone looked at him, each with a slightly stiff expression.

Isn't the purpose of learning a foreign language to be able to speak and write? What else do you want?

Chen Fan saw that this group of people were all standing in the corridor, and suddenly said, "This is not the place to talk. Why don't we change locations to talk."

He turned to look at Xiao Peng, "Is there a conference room available?"

Xiao Peng immediately nodded, "Yes, the conference room on the fourth floor is empty."

Chen Fan immediately turned around and picked up a box, "Then let's go to the fourth floor."

As soon as he finished speaking, Professor Huang waved his hand, "Come on, a few people, carry the boxes."

Immediately, 3 people followed and entered the door, two people carrying one, carefully walking out.

Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly. Just as he was about to go out, two more people came in and took the box in his hand.

One was still saying, "Slow down, slow down, don't drop it."

He looked at these university teachers, who were more attentive than porters carrying large packages, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

They haven't seen good stuff before.

A group of people went up to the fourth floor. Xiao Peng turned on the ceiling fan and helped bring a few bottles of hot water before quietly leaving.

Professor Huang rubbed his nose, took out a cigarette and smelled it, but didn't light it, but put it on his ear, then looked at Chen Fan, "Director Chen, you haven't finished what you were saying just now, have you?"

Chen Fan glanced at the cigarette on his ear, with a bit of confusion in his eyes.

Professor Huang saw his expression and immediately laughed, "Isn't there a computer here? I'm afraid the ashes will blow in."

Chen Fan pursed his lips and continued the previous topic, saying, "What I meant just now is that this computer actually doesn't have many functions, nor is it powerful. It can only be used for the most basic text and spreadsheet processing, which is not very meaningful for scientific research units that often use computers."

As he unpacked the cardboard box on the table and assembled it, he said, "Microcomputers, also known as Personal Computers in the United States, mean personal computers.

The word 'personal' indicates the user group and scope of application of this type of computer."

Professor Huang nodded slightly, "I know this. Some time ago, we tried to buy a batch of computer magazines from the United States, which included introductions to personal computers. But we have never seen this type of computer, so we wanted to come and see it with our own eyes today."

Chen Fan skillfully assembled the computer, then plugged in the power supply and turned it on with an adapter.

After the system started, he took two steps back and made a gesture of invitation, indicating that they could start.

Professor Huang's face suddenly showed an excited expression. He first expressed his gratitude to Chen Fan, and then greeted the others before they all gathered around.

Chen Fan walked to the door, pulled over a chair and sat down, lit a cigarette, and sat quietly waiting.

Professor Huang and the others surrounded the computer, holding the manual in their hands, and discussing together.

Time passed little by little. After asking if they had eaten lunch, Chen Fan went to the cafeteria to eat a little, and then returned to the conference room to continue watching.

After studying the whole machine, and after consulting Chen Fan's opinion, they disassembled the machine's casing and studied the internal structure.

It wasn't until nearly evening that this research on the computer temporarily ended.

They restored the computer, started it again, confirmed that it was intact, and then shut it down and re-boxed it.

After finishing, these teachers seemed to have fought a big battle, each panting heavily and going out to the corridor to smoke.

Professor Huang also pulled up a chair and sat next to Chen Fan, but outside the door.

He first offered Chen Fan a cigarette, then lit one for himself with satisfaction, exhaled a long puff of smoke, and said with a smile, "I haven't moved for so long, I almost died of exhaustion."

But his expression was very excited, "Computer miniaturization is a research direction in the computer industry. Today's computer has given us a great inspiration. Discarding some unnecessary functions and keeping the most core things can achieve the effect of computer miniaturization. This is the same as when we sent the first satellite into space, the idea is the same."

Speaking of this, he immediately changed the subject, "However, it is undeniable that the United States is far ahead of us in the field of computers. The most core part of this computer is its central processing unit, and this part is something that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

What can be seen is that they can use a carrier that is many times smaller than ours to achieve the same performance as domestic computers."

Professor Huang took a puff of cigarette, and this time he exhaled melancholy, "The task is arduous and the road is long."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Don't be afraid of the gap, just be afraid of not seeing the gap. As long as there is a goal, work hard to catch up, and there is hope of catching up."

Professor Huang nodded vigorously in agreement, "Indeed."

After a pause, he turned to look at Chen Fan and said seriously, "Director Chen, you are not a person engaged in computer research, you don't know the shame in our hearts."

Chen Fan raised his eyebrows slightly, and was about to ask a question when he heard Professor Huang continue, "At the end of 1976, outgoing US President Ford signed an export agreement to China for two Cyber172 supercomputers.

Does it feel good?"

Chen Fan blinked and remained silent.

Professor Huang continued with a dark face, "However, the US side tampered with these two computers, and the computing performance was far from the actual level. Moreover, the US side also required that the computers can only be used for geological exploration and cannot be used for other purposes."

He took a deep breath, shook his head gently, and looked at the distant sky, "This is not the most shameful thing. The most shameful thing is that these two computers are placed in special glass machine rooms, but the keys are managed by the US side. Each time before use, the approval of the Americans must be obtained.

After our personnel complete the operation, the US side will immediately seal off the glass room, and the operation log must be submitted to the US side for review on a regular basis."

(Glass room computer)

He turned to look at Chen Fan, his voice was very soft, but his words were very heavy, "This is the 'Glass Room Shame' of our computer industry."

Chen Fan pursed his lips and nodded vigorously, "One day, we will definitely surpass them."

Professor Huang clenched his fist, "Yes, I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely catch up with and surpass them one day."

Chen Fan took a deep breath and raised his fist high, "Come on!"

Professor Huang smiled at him, nodded with satisfaction, paused for two seconds, he coughed dryly, and said with a smile, "Director Chen, I want to discuss something with you."

Chen Fan smiled slightly, took out a cigarette and handed it to him, and said with a smile, "Professor Huang, it's like this. Actually, my uncle sent me a total of three computers."

Professor Huang's eyes lit up immediately, "Really? In that case…"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Fan waved his hand and continued, "These three computers were given to me by my uncle because he was worried that there would be a problem if there was only one computer, so he specially gave me two more as spares.

So, in fact, one computer is enough for me, and there are two more that can be taken out.

At the same time, I also know that this kind of microcomputer that has not yet appeared in China has a certain reference value for those engaged in computer research."

As he said, he interrupted Professor Huang's words again, "But, you also know what the situation is in China. To be honest, I have a lot of friends. If you take one from me today, I may have to give out a dozen more.

If I don't give it to him, people will think that I am stingy…"

This time it was Professor Huang's turn to interrupt him, "No, no, no, we can explain this, if anyone wants to trouble you, let them come to me. Besides, we don't want it, we just borrow it temporarily, or we can buy it directly."

He gave a haha, "Of course, we don't have foreign exchange quotas, we can only pay in RMB."

Chen Fan leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and looked at him with a half-smile, simply not speaking.

First use the glass room to stimulate me, and then take on everything, saying what to borrow, buy, and let others go to him?

Do you think I'm a child?

Professor Huang was a little uncomfortable when he saw him, paused for a few seconds, then said with a訕 smile, "Then, what do you say we should do?"

Chen Fan then changed his posture and said with a smile, "I will hand over the two computers to the Writers Association headquarters, and I will not be able to manage the rest."

No matter what, his current unit is the Writers Association. How can there be any reason to give good things directly to outsiders and not to his own unit?

The reason why he didn't give it to the Jiangnan Writers Association was to avoid causing trouble to He Qingsheng and the others. Did he really think these two computers were so easy to get?

He Qingsheng can't handle this matter.

But it's different to throw it to Ba Lao.

First of all, Ba Lao can directly represent the Writers Association to handle it, so that other branches will not have any ideas or opinions. Secondly, Ba Lao has a wider network of contacts and can handle this matter from a higher level.

If that doesn't work, he can also pull the big shots from the headquarters to carry it together.

Besides, the matter of these two computers is not small, but it is not too big.

After all, it's just something that costs more than a thousand dollars per unit, and importing ten units will only cost more than ten thousand dollars.

The key is who can first recognize the importance of personal computers and write a well-founded report to the top. As long as the top agrees to the application, they can be imported in large quantities.

And these two computers are the key to writing the report.

This is the most important thing!

When Professor Huang and the others were researching just now, they discussed the issue of personal computers and giant computers. Chen Fan sat at the door and heard it clearly.

Giant computers are the research direction that major scientific research institutes and universities will never waver, but the role of personal computers should not be ignored.

In addition to practicality, the development of personal computers can also slightly compensate for the slow development of giant computers.

Everyone has to come up with results to be able to deliver. Now no unit in China is researching personal computers. Whoever can drink the first soup can take the lead!

Professor Huang took a puff of cigarette in depression. Hearing that Chen Fan had said everything to this point, he could only nod his head lightly, "Okay, I'll think of a way later."

Knowing the news in advance is also a kind of capital, isn't it.

After sending the computer back to the room, Chen Fan watched them leave and turned to go downstairs.

Lili should be home, right?