Reborn in 1977

Chapter 644: One-Finger Zen

Skillfully assembling the computer, he plugged in the power and turned it on.

Chen Fan didn't wait idly. He took out a stack of manuscript paper from his backpack and placed it solemnly beside him.

Professor Xu stood up and walked behind him. Since the computer hadn't started up yet, he bent down to look at the manuscript. "What's this?"

Chen Fan: "Oh, this is a novel I'm writing. I've only written a few tens of thousands of words, just getting started."

Professor Xu immediately took the manuscript in his hand and asked, "What genre is it?"

Chen Fan: "Realistic literature. It starts with an important production task in a small-town machinery factory, introducing the main characters of the story. Then, through the family descriptions of these important figures, it showcases the social landscape and production situation of a certain period…"

After briefly describing some of the story outline, the computer was almost booted up.

Professor Xu listened to his explanation, flipped through a few pages, and then put the manuscript back in its place, looking at him with a smile. "Not bad."

Chen Fan's eyes lit up. He looked up at him. "Then, Teacher, can the monthly assessment be waived?"

Professor Xu hummed twice, looking at him with a smile. "One thing is another. The monthly assessment will continue as normal."

Seeing the disappointment on Chen Fan's face, Professor Xu added, "However, if this book is well-written, it can be used as your graduation project."

Chen Fan looked at him in confusion. "Are you talking about the graduation thesis?"

Professor Xu gently shook his head. "The graduation thesis still needs to be written. But as a professional writer, you can't be treated with the requirements of an ordinary student. A professional full-length novel is definitely essential."

He pointed to the manuscript. "If your novel is decent, I can consider it your graduation project, and you won't need to write another one."

Chen Fan's face fell. "Oh."

Does being a professional writer mean extra homework? Who decided that?

However, he didn't dare to say these words out loud, and could only sigh faintly in his heart. He then started typing rapidly on the computer, bringing up the Chinese document software.

While looking at the manuscript beside him, he lightly tapped his fingers on the keyboard and said, "Teacher, you see, I'm currently using Pinyin input. It's based on China's unique Pinyin as a retrieval basis, which can accurately find the Chinese characters needed.

Currently, this input method software is still relatively elementary. In the future, it will continue to be developed to retrieve in a more convenient way. For example, it can type out words, idioms, and even commonly used short sentences, which would be much more convenient."

Professor Xu didn't say anything, just staring at the computer screen, watching the Chinese characters appear in the document at a very fast speed.

After a while, he asked, "As long as you know Pinyin, can you type like this?"

Chen Fan: "Yes, as long as you know Pinyin. It's just that sometimes there is a difference between flat and retroflex initials. If you can't accurately identify them, the speed will be slower.

Also, the typing speed is also related to hand speed. I am more familiar with the keyboard, and my finger reaction speed is very fast, so I can type more than 200 words per minute. For ordinary people, about 60 to 80 words per minute is considered good."

This version of the input method is still full Pinyin, so the efficiency will definitely be slower. When the technology is gradually upgraded in the future, it will be much faster.

But even if it's slower, it's still better than the current Chinese mechanical typewriter.

Most importantly, most people don't need to learn separately, and can directly get started. This is something that mechanical typewriters can't compare to.

Professor Xu nodded slowly and watched for a while before saying, "Let me try it."

Chen Fan turned around and looked at him in surprise. "You know Pinyin?"

Hanyu Pinyin was researched between 1955 and 1957, and then began to be promoted and used from 1958.

Before that, China used Zhuyin symbols, which were similar to Japanese. This was also the main reason why Chinese people could easily learn Japanese back then. Because Japanese can almost be completely spelled out using Zhuyin symbols.

(In the 1950s, literacy classes taught Zhuyin symbols. Now, Taiwan is still using it)

So, with Professor Xu's age, he should have learned Zhuyin symbols,

or even the earlier direct pronunciation method and fanqie method.

How could he know Pinyin? Did he learn it later?

Then, he saw Professor Xu calmly say, "Back then, I was also a member of the Language Reform Committee, so of course I am very familiar with Hanyu Pinyin."

Hearing this, Chen Fan was immediately depressed.

The next second, he obediently stood up and gave up his seat.

Professor Xu slowly sat down, holding the back of the chair, looked at the manuscript, then looked at the keyboard, and put his hands on the keyboard like Chen Fan.

Chen Fan quickly said, "Teacher, you put your left hand on the FDSA keys, your right hand on the JKL; keys, and then…"

Before he could finish speaking, Professor Xu waved his hand. "Too troublesome, I'll just experience it."

With Chen Fan watching, he calmly used his One-Finger Zen skill.

Chen Fan seemed to see his classmates who hadn't formally learned computers back then, all using various finger techniques, avoiding the scene of using all ten fingers.

But no matter what, after the initial discomfort, Professor Xu could leave lines of text in the document at a speed of about 30 words per minute.

After typing dozens of lines, Professor Xu seemed very happy, with a smile on his face. He raised his head and looked at Chen Fan. "This typewriter is very good, very convenient, and can be used directly without special learning.

And the efficiency is also very high, much faster than writing, and you can directly modify it without dirtying the paper…"

Speaking of this, he suddenly paused. "Then how can the text inside be put on paper?"

He knew the principle of mechanical typewriters, just like movable type printing. It was composed of a small lead type block. The corresponding block was selected through the input method, and then a layer of ink was brushed on it to be printed on the paper.

Then how does this computer print?

Chen Fan quickly said, "Oh, there are printers abroad that are specially adapted to computers. After connecting to the computer, they can print any patterns and text. But I didn't bring it today. The printer is still in Shanghai. I'll ask my cousin to send another one over later to demonstrate it to you."

Professor Xu nodded slowly and stood up again, holding the table. "Well, good, good."

Seeing that he didn't seem to know much about computers, Chen Fan introduced some commonly used functions.

For example, you can use floppy disks to copy files, and foreign printing factories also have printing presses that can be directly connected to computers. You can make books by inserting a floppy disk…

After talking non-stop for a long time, Professor Xu listened quietly all the time.

After the introduction, Chen Fan took a sip of water with his teacup and was about to speak when Professor Xu suddenly said, "Can your Chinese typing software only be installed on this computer?"

He seemed to think that the meaning was not completely expressed, and added, "I mean, do I have to buy a computer like yours to use Chinese typing?"

Chen Fan smiled. "No, you don't have to."

He turned around, picked up his backpack, took out an expansion card from it, and placed it in front of Professor Xu, smiling, "This is an expansion card that has a Chinese input method and corresponding Chinese word processing software solidified inside. You only need to insert this card into any computer that supports expansion cards to use the Chinese input method."

Professor Xu's eyes lit up when he heard this. He picked up the expansion card and looked at it carefully, then asked, "How much does this cost?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "This is still an experimental product and has no price yet."

Then, he pointed to the computer and said, "I'll leave this computer to you. You can use it directly."

The teacher had imparted all his knowledge to him and even wanted to recommend him to study abroad last time, which showed that he truly regarded him as his close disciple. Since Chen Fan had something good, he naturally didn't mind giving one away.

Anyway, the teacher usually had the habit of writing every day. With a computer, it would be more convenient in any case. It would be even more convenient to have a printer later.

As a result, Professor Xu waved his hand with a smile, "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't need it. I'm used to using a pen all my life."

As he spoke, he picked up the expansion card, "If you really have the heart, you might as well give me this."

Chen Fan was thoughtful, "Do you want to give this to the Computer Science Department?"

Professor Xu nodded, "They also managed to get one of the computers you brought back last time. After two months of research, they have initially figured out its structure and the use of personal computers. Not long ago, they submitted a report hoping to establish a miniature personal computer research institute.

However, after the report was submitted, there has been no response so far."

Speaking of this, he held up the expansion card in his hand, "If we can have this, it might be able to push things forward and make the higher-ups make a decision."

He had just used the word processing software and felt that it was much better than handwriting. Most importantly, it eliminated the tedious learning period before using a Chinese typewriter.

In fact, there has always been a great demand for Chinese processing, otherwise individuals and companies at home and abroad would not be researching things in this area.

Now, with this expansion card, as long as there is a suitable computer and printer, it can do better than the traditional Chinese mechanical typewriter, so why not continue the research?

Moreover, in addition to the word processing software, there is also spreadsheet software, which is more practical than a simple typewriter.

Not to mention the computing functions that the computer originally had.

As such, Professor Xu also hoped to see the Computer Science Department research and develop this kind of computer that could be used by individuals, which would definitely benefit the country and society.

When Chen Fan heard what the teacher said, he said without hesitation, "You can decide this."

Professor Xu smiled with satisfaction, then put down the expansion card, picked up the phone and dialed out, "Connect me to Professor Huang of the Computer Science Department."

After a few seconds, when the phone was connected, he briefly explained the situation here.

The next second, even Chen Fan could hear the sound of the phone hanging up with a "pop" from the microphone.

Professor Xu calmly put the microphone back and smiled, "Those engaged in scientific research are almost like this. When they hear about new technologies and new things, they can't even speak and must verify them as soon as possible."

As he spoke, he raised his wrist and looked at his watch, "Wait and see, he will be here in less than ten minutes."

Chen Fan smacked his lips, saved the document he had just written, then cut it to a floppy disk, and then took out the floppy disk and put it in his backpack along with the manuscript paper.

Only then did he slowly say, "Well, I believe it!"

He had seen the madness of Professor Huang and his group at the Cultural Palace Guesthouse last time. With the Chinese character card this time, they would definitely go crazy.

As a result, in less than 5 minutes, Professor Huang appeared at the office door, panting, "Chi, Chinese, where is the Chinese?"

Chen Fan quickly got up and gave way, "It's the Chinese input method and Chinese word processing software. Shouldn't you catch your breath first?"

Professor Huang didn't bother to exchange greetings with him, just waved at him with a smile, then sat down on the chair. When he saw the word processing software that had already been opened and the Chinese characters on it, he couldn't bear to look away.

After a long while, he turned to look at Chen Fan, "How to use it?"

Chen Fan pointed to the screen, "Do you know Hanyu Pinyin? If you do, just type directly in Pinyin."

Without saying a word, Professor Huang put his hands on the keyboard, his fingers still trembling a little, but he still typed a set of Pinyin with a crackling sound.

When he saw a set of homophones displayed, he couldn't help but have red eyes and muttered, "Inputting Chinese characters into the storage chip, and then writing a program using Pinyin as a retrieval method, why didn't I think of that?"

Chen Fan stood aside and laughed dryly. If you thought of it, how would I make money?!

Professor Huang was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly typed another series of inputs on the keyboard.

It has to be said that after all, he was a professional engaged in computer research. Without Chen Fan's introduction, he figured out the basic functions of this Chinese character card.

Only at this time did he exhale a long breath and slowly stand up.

Just as he stood up straight, he suddenly swayed and almost fell.

Chen Fan quickly helped him up, and at the same time pressed his pulse, took his pulse, and said, "It's okay, you were too excited just now, your brain is a little hypoxic, taking a few deep breaths will be better."

Professor Huang smiled at him, "Thank you, I'm fine."

Then, he took two deep breaths, his face suddenly full of red light, and said to Professor Xu, "Professor Xu, are you really giving me this expansion card?"

Professor Xu hummed and smiled twice, pointed to Chen Fan, "It's not me giving it, it's Xiao Chen giving it."

After a pause, he said again, "Xiao Chen handed this thing over to me just to let me give it to the school, otherwise, what's the use of an old man in liberal arts holding a plastic board?"

Professor Huang held the expansion card, his eyes like looking at a rare treasure, "This is not a plastic board, it is a direction for computer development, the beginning of computer personalization."

Chen Fan laughed beside him, "It's too early to say that now. Also, I can give you this device, but this thing is patented by my uncle in many countries around the world.

Although our country does not yet have a patent law, if we want to align with international standards, you have to consider how to deal with this issue."

Professor Huang was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly thoughtfully, "This issue, indeed, is a big issue, I will consider it carefully and report it to the higher authorities."

Chen Fan didn't say much, picked up his backpack and waved his hand, "Teacher, I'm leaving."

After saying that, he ran out.

Professor Xu was about to say something, but seeing that he had already slipped out, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

The next second, he suddenly realized that the monthly assessment had not been carried out yet?

Well, let this kid escape once.