game trailblazer

Chapter 8 Microcomputer Training Course
"Unexpectedly, in just a few months, our home computer has gone from being a fad to being ignored. Many people don't know what a home computer is for, and those who buy our products don't take long to use it. At the beginning of more than ten types of software, we really felt the difficulty of software development on our own computers at this time. We have been unable to provide new software for a long time, and the company's situation began to go from bad to worse. And Apple The II is deeply loved by computer fans, and has attracted many programmers to buy and write software, and the sales situation is thriving, compared with us, it is simply a double sky."

"I don't want my home computer dream to end like this. VideoBrain can't sell anymore. We decided to use the experience gained during this period to help other companies design home computers. Our first customer was RadioShack. We helped them design We developed a new computer using 8085 and adopted the popular CP/M operating system. Considering Apple's successful experience, we also provided programmers with the ability to develop graphics software. Unexpectedly, we were hit again, and the new We didn’t sell a single computer, and our partnership with RadioShack ended without a hitch, which made me believe that the home computer market didn’t even exist.”

"In this way, the continuous failures put us on a heavy financial burden, and our company could not survive, so we had to go bankrupt. In order to maintain my computer dream, I also borrowed a lot of foreign debts. In order to repay the debts I had no choice but to come to the mainland to try my luck. Fortunately, the development momentum of this training class is not bad, otherwise I would have to go out to beg for food.” Dr. Yu finally summed up his experience in the past few years in a few words, which is simply two words. The word "failure".

After listening, Zhang Lexing sighed: "Dr. Yu, you don't need to be discouraged. Your product sounds good, but the timing is bad. I think your original idea is right, and the home computer market actually exists. , the reason no one has succeeded now is simply that there are no real home computers for home users."

"I would like to hear more about it." Dr. Yu seemed very interested in this topic. He might feel that the auditorium was a bit noisy, so he deliberately dragged Zhang Lexing to a secluded place outside the auditorium.

Whether it is successful or not depends on the present, Zhang Lexing pondered for a while and said: "Dr. Yu, your initial idea is still very reasonable. Of course, home computers must meet the needs of home users, that is, they can be used for entertainment or for personal use. Learn some knowledge, pretend to be a simple family financial management, and you can connect to a large computer to look up information. Your VideoBrain design idea is not bad, but the biggest problem is that there are too few software, and the needs of home users are very different. It is absolutely impossible to rely solely on ten A variety of software can satisfy all."

"Then do you think it is possible to make a successful home computer now?" Dr. Yu asked, it seems that the home computer dream in his heart has not really dissipated.

"I think it is not the best environment for the birth of home computers. One is that the performance of computers is not enough to meet the diverse needs of families. Another more important reason is that there is a lack of software suitable for home use. Family There is a big difference between the software used and the commercial software. What is more pursued is the humanization of the software, which makes it easier for users to use. This work needs to start from the operating system. To be honest, the current computer is very important for most families. For users, the operation is still relatively difficult, and they need to learn a lot of knowledge to use it, which directly hinders the entry of home computers into the home." Zhang Lexing continued.

"You really surprised me. To be honest, I wonder if you have lived in the United States these years. I can say that I have never heard of what you said. I am really curious how you know?" Dr. Yu asked suspiciously.

Oops, I seemed to have said a bit when I got excited, Zhang Lexing began to think about how to get back the words.

"Actually, I figured this out by myself. I have been exposed to some computers before, and I feel that the development of computers is very fast, and computers are beginning to be used in many places. Sometimes I wonder if there will be more and more computers in the future. Every household will use a computer every day? But I also found a phenomenon that the current computers are used by specially trained people, who have to learn how to operate and how to program, which is too much for many families. It’s difficult. If you want to use a computer and learn so much, I am afraid that few families are willing to pay for it. I wonder if programmers can think more about home users and make those operating systems and application software more usable. , Easier to use. It may be a bit too fanciful, I hope you don’t laugh.”

Perhaps it was Zhang Lexing's "computer dream" that touched Dr. Yu. He sighed a little: "Unexpectedly, in the environment in mainland China, there will be people with a deep understanding of computers and software like you. If we knew each other two years earlier, I believe the topic would More. Mr. Zhang, just now I haven't asked what kind of business you do?"

"I work in a factory in the north. In the computer room of the factory, I usually write small software by myself. This time I came here with my colleagues." Zhang Lexing replied.

"That's a pity." Dr. Yu murmured, not knowing whether he was talking about himself or something else.

"Dr. Yu, if I want to start a business, what do you think is the best way to start?" Zhang Lexing began to lead the topic to his main purpose today.

"I think we can start with software. Making software requires only a small cost and only requires intellectual investment. And according to what you said before, I think you should be good at software." Dr. Yu replied with a smile.

"Software? Can you make money by making software in a computer environment like the mainland?" Zhang Lexing was very skeptical. Let alone whether anyone pays attention to computer software, just look at the current number of computers in mainland China. If the software is made, will someone buy it?
"It's definitely not profitable to sell software in mainland China." Dr. Yu said with certainty.

"Then you asked me to export software?" Zhang Lexing asked weakly.

Dr. Yu replied: "That's right, only software export is the way to success. I also tried to sell software in the mainland. That's because my father-in-law has many friends in the mainland. Through them, I got in touch with many local officials. These officials are very interested in the use of microcomputers, and they can see the functions of microcomputers at a glance, but they dismiss the software, thinking that software is invisible and intangible, how can they spend money to buy such invisible things? In order to make these officials accept the concept that software is a commodity, I have spent a lot of effort to persuade, but the effect has not been ideal. One can imagine what will happen to selling software in the mainland. It is different in the West. Microcomputers are becoming popular now, and the software on them is also emerging in an endless stream. Many developers make a fortune from the best-selling software, and many small companies also develop and grow by relying on the hot sales of software. I believe that in mainland China, capable people like you should still There are many, if you can pull up a team to specialize in exporting software, it will be a huge profit. That's why I came here to hold training courses, one of the purposes is to let more people learn programming."

Zhang Lexing felt that the heat was almost ready, and said in distress on purpose: "It is not a big problem to write software, and I have some experience in this aspect. I don't know much about software export, and I don't understand the situation abroad. Even if the software is made, I don’t know where to find sales channels for the software.”

Perhaps it was because of the previous conversation that Dr. Yu had a good impression of Zhang Lexing. He pondered for a while and said, "It's not a big problem. I still have some connections in the United States and I have a certain understanding of software sales. If you trust me, I will I can help you get in touch, anyway, I will often run around in the future."

"Thank you so much!" Zhang Lexing was very sincere when he said this, because he felt that the opportunity was already beckoning to him, "Dr. Yu, we have an Apple II in our factory. I was fine a while ago. I wrote on it I bought a few softwares, and I happened to bring them with me when I went out this time, so I wonder if I can trouble you to take a look and see if I can sell them."

"This is no problem, but there is no Apple II here, so I can't see it for the time being. But after the training course is over, I just want to go back to the United States. If you don't mind, I will take it back and have a look. If the software is suitable, I can help you. You leave me your contact information, and I will let you know when there is news.” Dr. Yu agreed very happily, maybe he didn’t take this software too seriously, who made the mainland’s computer level too backward.

There are both opportunities and great risks in front of us. If the software is not entrusted to people, I am afraid that it will not come back in the future.Zhang Lexing weighed it and decided to trust Dr. Yu, but there are still some things that should be said.

"Dr. Yu, I'll bring the software this afternoon, please." Zhang Lexing said shyly, "If the software looks good to you, can I trouble you to register a patent for me?"

"That's not a problem, I'll help you with it when the time comes." Dr. Yu agreed.

"That's really great, I'm really sorry to trouble you." Zhang Lexing was overjoyed, and he expected to have a chance to make his mark soon.

"It's nothing, who made us talk like this." Dr. Yu looked at his watch, "By the way, it's time for class, we'll talk later."

Back in the auditorium, Uncle Zhao pulled Zhang Lexing and asked, "What were you talking about just now? It's been so long."

"Nothing special, just exchanged some programming matters." The matter has not yet happened, Zhang Lexing decided to keep it secret for now.

In the afternoon, Zhang Lexing gave Dr. Yu the floppy disk with the Kylin operating system, the VisualForm spreadsheet software and the note with the factory phone number with great anticipation. In the next few days of training, Zhang Lexing was completely out of the classroom. Float to the other side of the ocean.

A week later, the training class was finally over, and Dr. Yu also flew to the United States with Zhang Lexing's hope, and Zhang Lexing and Uncle Zhao also embarked on the road back home.

(End of this chapter)