game trailblazer

Chapter 18 New Partner
Bill is actually very optimistic about the development prospects of the operating system. He believes that whoever can master the operating system in the future software market will be able to grasp the opportunities. Huyou came with a big order, relying on tinkering with the operating system kidnapped by Allen, Microsoft has successfully boarded the big ship of IBM, seeing that the other side of success is ahead, at least it will still be the case when the PC is first launched .Unexpectedly, just a few months later, everything is different. Not only has the position of the first supplier been replaced, but IBM has also released rumors to cancel the order with Microsoft.Although Bill and IBM also stipulated liquidated damages when they signed the contract, how could they expect such a troublesome situation at the beginning? After this group of people scratched and dragged, it is estimated that even less could be missed. Besides, the key to this matter is not money.

Bill was furious, with serious consequences.These days, Bill, who was originally quite amiable, has started to get better at temper. If any unlucky ghost appears in front of his eyes, it is basically difficult to escape. It didn't take long for the employees of the company to start to keep a safe relationship with Mr. Bill. distance.

After being dealt with, it is natural to find his way back, and Bill is not the one who won't fight back when he is beaten.But if you want to fight back, you have to have a goal. Although Bill is very angry about the huge IBM, he is also helpless. Even if he has the heart, he has no courage.As for the newly-emerged VisualSystem company, Bill certainly has no such worries. For this small company (Microsoft is not a big company at this time, but it is still much larger than the VisualSystem company that was established less than a year ago) ) Microsoft will not take it seriously, and naturally it has become a good target for beating.With this honorable goal in mind, Mr. Ballmer set out for San Jose.

Seeing some old small office buildings of VisualSystem Company, Ballmer first despised them, but as a polite gentleman, of course, Mr. Ballmer did not forget to make an appointment before coming here.Zhang Lexing was originally very interested in meeting this Microsoft executive, but unfortunately, he was rejected by the company's executives on the grounds that "as a minor, he is not suitable for such a publicity job".And Yang Xinxin, who is a trainee CEO, is so busy every day that she doesn't touch the ground. According to her words, she "has no time or interest to participate in this kind of useless reception work."Therefore, the important task of receiving Ballmer's visit fell on the mature and stable Dr. Yu.

As soon as Ballmer entered the door, he said a bunch of nonsense that he had admired for a long time, and Dr. Yu was not in a hurry to accompany him to chat about some unnutritious dialogues such as today's weather haha. After a boring conversation, Ballmer couldn't help turning to the topic.

"Mr. Yu, we are very optimistic about your company's technology. Your Kylin system is a great product. Our company also wants to develop software on it. I wonder if your company can open up the original code so that we can target the system. Optimization optimization." Ballmer organized the words carefully.

As an experienced veteran, Dr. Yu did not make many mistakes of small companies, so he politely declined: "We welcome your company to develop software on the Kylin platform, but as a mature commercial product, we do not open The original code is necessary, and this is also our commercial secret. I think that with your company's technical strength, you can do a good job even without our original code. Of course, if your company needs technical support for development, we will definitely No discrimination."

"Of course, we just want to do better." Ballmer smiled awkwardly. In fact, he didn't expect to gain much from the beginning, and then changed the subject again: "Actually, I am here this time I just want to seek cooperation, I don’t know if your company is interested.”

Dr. Yu said: "I don't know what form your so-called cooperation is?"

Ballmer smiled and said: "Well, I have learned about your company's products. Except for a Kylin system, it seems that there are not many other software, and the product line is too short. I don't know if your company is short of funds. If there is such a In terms of needs, Microsoft can do its best to help, and there is no problem with investment.”

Dr. Yu laughed aloud: "You are worrying too much, our company's funds are fine, thank you for your company's concern. As for things like investment, I have to make decisions from the major shareholders above me."

Ballmer didn't give up, and continued: "Your company's funds may be fine, but what about technology? Just look at your company's products. There are only a few, which are really pitiful. We have more than a dozen products at Microsoft. They are quite popular, as long as your company is willing, we can port these products to Kylin."

"If you want to port the software to the Kylin system, just port it. This is an internal matter of your company. It seems that there is no need to tell us specifically." Dr. Yu felt very strange: "Could it be that you plan to charge us for this matter?" ?”

Ballmer said sternly: "Of course this can't be free. Once your company's Kylin system has our software, it will greatly increase the popularity and sales of the Kylin system. Of course, you have to pay for it."

Dr. Yu couldn't laugh or cry, he didn't expect such a shameless statement in the world, he really deserved to be the representative of Microsoft, so he had to simply decline: "You should talk to IBM about this, they might be interested, we are just a software company, we do our business , you do what you want, we don’t violate the water of the river.”

How could Ballmer fail to understand the meaning of Dr. Yu's words? There is no way for Microsoft to temporarily have enough chips to play with others.Whether it is capital, technology or market, VisualSystem has taken the lead, and VisualSystem has sufficient reasons to ignore Microsoft.

Mr. Ballmer had no choice but to get up and leave, so as not to stay here and continue to embarrass himself. Of course, he had to think about it on the way back, and at least he had to give Bill a reasonable report.

On the other side, Zhang Lexing, who was temporarily free, began to think about the company's development.Regarding his own ability, Zhang Lexing is very self-aware. Relying on the previous accumulated code, he should be able to barely cope with the PC/XT era. In the future, he can only give more guidance on functional applications and user interfaces. up.The other technicians in the company didn't have much research on the operating system, and Zhang Lexing can still rely on Zhang Lexing to get ahead now, and I'm afraid it will be troublesome in the future. It seems that it is time to increase the strength in this area.

Zhang Lexing knew that Microsoft would definitely give up the operating system market so easily, and would definitely organize elite troops to fight again. In order to fight against the powerful team led by Bill Gates, he had to recruit talented people.In fact, what Zhang Lexing hopes most is to recruit the entire team of Bill Gates. After all, this is a team that has been successful in the past, but obviously this is impossible. Others work.At this time, Gary Kildare was well-known in the field of operating systems, but it was impossible for him to come if he had his own company, and he was not a very successful leader.

After thinking of names one after another, they were all rejected. In the end, there was only one person left in Zhang Lexing's mind - "Bill Joy", he should be the most suitable.However, it is impossible for Zhang Lexing to rush to ask in such a reckless manner. Before going out, he should at least ask people in the industry.

"Doctor, have you heard of Bill Joy?" As a senior industry insider, Dr. Yu is obviously a good target for advice.

"I've heard of it, it seems that I have written a certain version of the Unix system, and I have also undertaken projects for the Ministry of National Defense." Dr. Yu recalled, "Why, are you interested in him?"

"Yes, I heard that he has profound attainments in operating systems. If we can invite him, I believe it will greatly enhance our operating system development capabilities." Zhang Lexing replied: "Doctor, why don't you go with me?" .”

University of California, Berkeley...

After some inquiries, Zhang Lexing and Dr. Yu finally found Bill Joy's office.In that extremely crowded office, Zhang Lexing met Bill Joy.Joey wears a pair of glasses, his hair is disheveled, and he looks like he has a miserable life.

"Hello, we are from VisualSystem, and next to me is Mr. Zhang Lexing, the chairman of our company." Dr. Yu introduced.

"Your chairman is quite young," Joey was a little surprised, "what can you do with me?"

Seeing an IBM-PC on the table next to him, Zhang Lexing asked, "Have you ever used the Kylin system launched by our company?"

"Used, not bad." Joey smiled.

Taking this as an excuse, Zhang Lexing began to ask Joey about some aspects of operating system design, and Joey suddenly became interested. At the beginning of the design of the Kylin system, a lot of design ideas of the Unix system were absorbed, so Zhang Lexing and Joey got along very well. As a result, more than two hours passed without knowing it.

Joey woke up to the chirping of the time-telling bird on the wall clock, and he asked, "After talking for so long, I still don't know what's going on with you guys. Could it be that you came here specially to discuss the design of the operating system with me?"

"Mr. Joey, in fact, we came here to invite you to join VisualSystem, because we admire your ability in operating system design very much." Zhang Lexing said very sincerely.

"Oh?" Joey was a little surprised, "It's sudden, I need to think about it."

"Okay, if you decide, please let me know." Zhang Lexing took out a business card and handed it to Joey. He could see that Joey was actually a little tempted.

Indeed, Joey was very distressed at this time.On the one hand, the school imposed restrictions on his thriving Unix business, preventing him from expanding his office.On the other hand, his doctoral dissertation was progressing slowly. Although he had been studying for six years, he still failed to pass the test. At this time, Zhang Lexing's proposal provided him with a new opportunity.

A few weeks later, Zhang Lexing received a call from Joey, in which Joey agreed to VisualSystem's invitation.Zhang Lexing was very happy, and immediately arranged for someone to take him to San Jose in order to avoid long nights and dreams.After Joey came to the company, Zhang Lexing appointed him as the company's chief scientist, responsible for the operating system project.In addition, Yang Xinxin recruited some skilled technicians during this period, and the company's manpower shortage problem was temporarily resolved, at least enough to cope with the upcoming projects.

(End of this chapter)