Reborn in 1977

Chapter 642: A Close Call

After chatting about books for a while, Chen Fan asked about the Han Card, "Can the Han Card be mass-produced now?"

"Uh, ..."

Zhou Yali chuckled dryly twice, "Mass production isn't possible yet. We haven't found a suitable partner. But we're preparing to hold a press conference.

Chinese character input has always been a world-class problem. This time, we've solved this problem through computer programming. Once it's announced to the world, it will definitely cause a huge sensation.

At that time, we'll definitely be able to find the most suitable partner..."

Speaking of which, she suddenly paused, then changed the subject, "Oh right, Dr. Douglas Engelbart has a suggestion. He believes that the Han Card can be solidified and connected to a mouse to create a brand-new Chinese computer for sale in Chinese-speaking regions. What do you think?"

Chen Fan remained noncommittal, "That's a good idea, but don't expect too much."

Zhou Yali was a little surprised, "You're not optimistic?"

Chen Fan smiled, "What kind of people do you think are currently using computers?"

Without waiting for her to answer, Chen Fan continued, "Despite the Apple II computer and its excellent commercial performance giving personal computers a lot of confidence, the mainstream thinking in the computer industry still regards computers as very professional electronic tools, not something developed for individuals.

So, most people who use computers now have taken specialized computer courses to learn how to use them, and a large portion are people who specialize in computer research.

By the same token, the Chinese character input method you developed also requires a period of learning to be used freely.

In this case, do you think the market for a Chinese computer is bigger, or the market for a Chinese character expansion card that can be installed on any computer is bigger?

A new computer costs around $1000, while an expansion card only costs a few tens of dollars. If you were you, what would you choose?!"

Zhou Yali frowned, "So, the future of Chinese computers isn't great?"

Chen Fan smiled, "I said just now that this project can be done. After all, there is still some demand for Chinese characters in some places, but you just shouldn't expect too much."

In two years, Taiwan's Acer company launched the world's first Chinese computer: the Tianlong Chinese Computer. But the market response was not good, and they even encountered a shell company and were cheated out of tens of thousands of Taiwan dollars worth of machines.

If it hadn't been for the launch of the Little Professor No. 1 computer the following year, that is, in 1981, and its good market response, Acer might have been gone.

In fact, the so-called Little Professor No. 1 computer was just a low-end version of the Apple II computer clone. It had some of the basic functions of an Apple computer, and it was very small, not like a computer at all, but more like a book.

(Little Professor No. 1)

Although this computer was more like a game, it was surprisingly popular due to its low price, costing less than 300 pounds.

Then, in 1982, Acer launched the Little Professor No. 2, which was still an Apple computer clone.

The only difference was that it supported Chinese input.

So, there was another nickname, which was the "Tianlong Chinese Computer" that had been used before.

But this was still not a real computer.

The rise of Chinese computers still depended on the Han Card.

Therefore, Chen Fan was not optimistic about Dr. Engelbart's suggestion. The market for dedicated Chinese computers was indeed limited, especially in foreign environments where English was dominant.

How many people would spend a lot of money to buy a computer that could only use Chinese functions?

Unless the computer also had English processing functions, but then the Chinese processing part would be redundant and useless for most ordinary customers.

Only those who had both Chinese and English needs would be interested in such a computer.

That's why Chen Fan said the market would be small.

Rather than that, it would be better to sell Han Cards directly, and also cooperate with all the computer manufacturers on the market to sell them as a package.

A Han Card for a few tens of dollars would probably be acceptable to many more people.

After listening to Chen Fan's words, Zhou Yali decided to write this down and discuss it with her father and Douglas tomorrow.

After writing it down on a notepad, she suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, in addition to the Pinyin input method you proposed, Douglas also incorporated several existing input methods from Chinese typewriters."

Chen Fan was slightly taken aback, "You mean the input methods from those old mechanical typewriters?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yali said, "Yes, for example, there's the Motorola Chinese typewriter's numeric code input method, and there's also an input method bought from Taiwan, invented by a person named Zhu Bangfu, called the Cangjie input method.

Douglas discovered this input method invented in Taiwan in 1977 when he was looking for available Chinese input methods. Then he invited Zhu Bangfu to fly to the United States. After chatting, we felt that this input method could be fully implemented on a computer, and we wanted to buy his patent.

However, Zhu Bangfu said that he would not sell the patent, but could authorize its use for free for life. I thought it was free anyway, so I agreed and invited him to continue developing it.

Well, what do you think?"

Chen Fan couldn't help but wipe away a cold sweat as he listened, "I think it's pretty good."

Good heavens, this has completely eliminated the Tianlong Chinese Computer.

Because the Tianlong Chinese Computer two years later was developed by Zhu Bangfu and Acer together. Later, it was also the most commonly used shape-based input method in traditional Chinese regions, rivaling the Wubi input method in mainland China.

Okay, now that simplified Chinese has Pinyin input method and traditional Chinese has Cangjie input method, this Han Card is stable and will be accepted worldwide.

After chatting about the company's affairs for a while, Chen Fan finally said, "You can listen to Dr. Engelbart's opinions more on technical matters. I also said last time that my ideas are the same as his. In the future, computers will definitely become more popular and integrated into life. As long as you move in this direction, it shouldn't be too bad.

As for the market, with Uncle around, I don't think it can be that bad.

You don't have enough experience now, and you don't know much about the computer industry. You might as well put yourself in a position of learning and support. As long as you ensure that the direction remains unchanged, don't interfere too much with the company. This will also be beneficial to your growth."

Zhou Yali was no longer sleepy. Hearing Chen Fan's words, she was very unconvinced, "You talk like you know a lot. I gave you your first computer."

In comparison, Chen Fan was more calm, "There's no way, I'm a genius, how can you compare to me."

Zhou Yali was immediately speechless, muttering in a low voice, "I almost forgot you're from another planet."

Chen Fan smiled, "Lastly, open up your mind a bit. Don't think about doing everything yourself. For example, patent licensing and OEM production, you might as well consider these."

Oh, right, there's also that technology that connects different local area networks. Please make sure Dr. Engelbart pays attention to it, and don't neglect it because of the Chinese character card.

Also, the upgrading of the Chinese character card must continue..."

Before he could finish, Zhou Yali's voice rang out from the microphone, "Why are you having a meeting with Daddy? You said you'd only say a little, but it's one thing after another, isn't it endless?"

Chen Fan said with a dark face, "Just these three points, that's all."

Zhou Yali: "That's more like it. I've written everything down. Oh, right, last time I saw you carrying such a heavy computer around, I sent you three computers. You can put one in the village, one at school, and one at work. The original one can stay in Shanghai, so you don't have to move them around.

Then there are ten Chinese character cards, with three input methods installed, as well as localized word processing and spreadsheet software. Just plug them into the card slot and you can use them. You can figure it out yourself.

Anything else?"

Chen Fan: "No, good night."

Zhou Yali hung up the phone with a snap, and only a beeping sound could be heard in the receiver.

Chen Fan put the microphone on the landline with a dark face, and muttered, "So rude."

Turning his head to look at Jiang Lili, who was still leaning on him and covering her mouth to laugh, he gently patted her head, "Still laughing? Get ready for dinner."

Jiang Lili pouted, and took advantage of his unpreparedness to kiss him on the face, before bouncing up like a little white rabbit and running to the kitchen.

Chen Fan pinched his chin, looked at her back and sighed, "Her kung fu is improving. I didn't even dodge it."

…

October 14th, Saturday.

After accompanying Jiang Lili to practice martial arts for a few days, he finally waited for the large package sent by Zhou Yali.

The three computers were also Apple II models, the difference being that they had already been installed with Chinese character cards. Chen Fan also plugged Chinese character cards into the three original computers at home, taught the two sisters how to use them, and then dragged the three computers onto the return flight.

At the Jiangnan Branch of the Writers Association, Chen Fan exchanged greetings with a group of people as soon as he returned, and then went to He Qingsheng's office.

When He Qingsheng saw that it was him, he almost instinctively put the cigarettes on the table into the drawer. After realizing it, he laughed and took out the cigarettes again, handing one to him, "Where have you been? Why are you back so soon?"

Chen Fan pretended not to have seen the scene just now, and calmly took the cigarette.

But when he heard his words, he couldn't help but ask, "What does that mean? You're happier without me, right? It wasn't like this before."

He Qingsheng handed over the match, his old face slightly red, "No, how is that possible? You are the backbone of our unit. I wish you could be stationed here every day."

After a pause, he said in a low voice, "However, there really isn't anything that needs you lately."

Chen Fan lit the cigarette, returned the match, and stared at him and said, "Impossible. Doesn't Takahashi Publishing need me to come forward?"

He Qingsheng scratched his sparse hair, "No, everything is normal. If there is any change, it is that your second novel has been translated and sent over. Takahashi has also read that little book and said he is very satisfied and will be printed soon, but the royalties have already been paid, so there is nothing for you to do.

Also, the cooperation between our unit and Takahashi Publishing is going smoothly.

We have selected the works of two writers and sent them to the translation department for translation. Takahashi Hideo has also selected two best-selling books from his publishing house for us to publish…"

"Wait a minute."

Chen Fan suddenly interrupted him, "We publish for his publishing house? How are the royalties calculated?"

He Qingsheng took a puff of cigarette with relish, raised his head and smiled, "National conditions are different, our books go to the little book, of course, according to the rules of the little book, and vice versa, since we hand over the book to us for publication, then we must follow our rules."

Chen Fan's eyes widened, "7 yuan per thousand words, without royalties?"

He Qingsheng didn't say anything, just crossed his legs and shook them.

Chen Fan immediately raised a thumb, "In the end, the old ginger is still spicier, I'm convinced."

According to domestic standards, isn't that equivalent to getting it for free?!

This matter is handled authentically!

He Qingsheng laughed and said, "It's okay."

After a pause, he said again, "Actually, the little book is not at a loss. His book can enter the mainland. Even if it's not unprecedented, it's also unique.

Although he can't get much money from us, if he uses this title to advertise, can't the book be sold again in the little book?!

In the end, he still has money to earn, no loss, no loss."

Chen Fan smacked his lips and sighed, "It's amazing that you can negotiate with him."

He Qingsheng shook his head, leaned forward, and said with a low laugh, "This matter was not proposed by us, but by Takahashi himself. I also emphasized the issue of royalties to him. He said he didn't mind, just follow the local customs.

Originally, we couldn't figure it out, but after listening to his explanation, we understood the reason. Then, we selected two books from the book list he provided, and after reporting to the leaders, we used them as the first phase of the experiment. If it's okay, we'll add more in the future."

Chen Fan flicked the ash of his cigarette, frowned slightly and nodded, "This little book is a bit calculating."

He Qingsheng leaned back again and laughed, "Who cares how he calculates, anyway, we'll make a lot of money."

Chen Fan nodded, said "um", and then looked up at him and said, "Okay, that's over here. What about the writing training correspondence course?"

He Qingsheng pointed his hand outward, "Then you have to ask your little Bian. When you're not here, she's been running all the work. If there are any problems, either find me or find Xiao Xu, but basically there's nothing big, she handles everything very well."

Saying that, he glanced at Chen Fan, "I think, your position as director of the correspondence center can probably be given up to someone more capable."

Hearing this, Chen Fan slapped the table with his palm, and said with an excited face, "It's a deal!"

A broken director who doesn't even have a salary, at most only a little subsidy, whoever wants it can take it, anyway, he doesn't want to do it.

Seeing Chen Fan so simply, He Qingsheng couldn't help but want to slap himself, and immediately laughed, "Just kidding, jokes, the appointment and removal of the director must be discussed in a meeting, how can you say you don't want to do it and not do it, don't mention this matter again."

I almost forgot, this kid is not the kind to pursue a career, he only wants to be lazy all day long. Moreover, he has too much royalties and doesn't worry about money at all, so naturally he doesn't care about that little salary. If I hadn't been suppressing him, he would have quit a long time ago.

I almost gave him a chance to escape, what a close call.