Back To 1995

   Chapter 127 Sacrifice to Heaven

   The reporter who asked Baxter would probably never forget the look on Baxter's face for the rest of his life.

   One second he was smug, as if defeating Microsoft was within his grasp, the next second Baxter wanted to show his demeanor, but the smile on his face could not be shown no matter what.

In fact, even Baxter, who has experienced all kinds of hardships, is a little confused at this time. Netscape naturally knows that Microsoft is talking with Song Yang, but according to Netscape's expectation, Song Yang will change his family at most and turn the industry in his hands to Microsoft can directly sell Hotmail mailboxes, which Netscape can't think of anyway.

   "Netscape, SUN and AOL have an alliance, enough to face any opponent!"

   Baxder could only emphasize it again, and then wanted to leave in a graceful manner, but how could the reporter let him leave, and kept asking various questions around Baxter.

   "Microsoft's IE browser, once it gets tens of millions of users of Hotmail, the number of users will be equal to that of Netscape. How will Netscape deal with it?!"

   "Will Netscape be defeated by Microsoft's IE browser?"

   When asked about the relationship between Netscape and Song Yang, Baxter couldn't bear it any longer and glared at the reporter who asked the question, "Don't speculate, things haven't happened yet, all accidents are possible!"

The reporters surrounding Baxter were in an uproar at first, and then became more excited. Baxter was rude, and he obviously wanted to obstruct the acquisition. In addition, Baxter's rare gaffe also showed that Netscape was swayed by Microsoft. The uppercut punched hard, and it was indeed a bit embarrassing.

   "This could be the day that changed internet history in America!"

The media and reporters who went back and forth from Netscape headquarters to the ICQ office building sighed in their hearts about what happened today. These media and reporters do not know which direction history will take, but they all have a hunch that today is undoubtedly the most important day.

In the ICQ building, while the agreement is still in full swing, the news from the reporter in front of Netscape headquarters came from Seattle. The media declared, "Microsoft will continue to be great, and the dark cloud over Microsoft has dissipated!"

   The director representative of the Wall Street investment bank, although he didn't say it clearly, revealed heavy news. Since the second half of this year, Microsoft's stock price has been falling endlessly.

  Continuous rumors, all kinds of news, Microsoft will be abandoned by the Internet, etc., so that Microsoft, which has hit a new high in revenue this year, has suffered a sharp drop in its stock price.

To make the director of Wall Street say this to Microsoft, it is obvious that Microsoft has undergone great changes. Under the media siege, there are still a large number of investors who bombarded Microsoft with calls, asking if Microsoft has acquired any acquisitions. Wait, as a last resort, a person from Microsoft's public relations department said in an informal way, "Microsoft is indeed in contact with Hotmail, but everything is based on Microsoft announcements!"

   This is enough. When the media reported it, it directly became that Microsoft would acquire Hotmail mailboxes.

"The latest news from the technology industry, Microsoft is approaching the Internet startup Hotmail, which is the largest e-mail brand in America. Some analysts believe that the acquisition of Hotmail will completely change Microsoft's situation on the Internet. If the two can be successfully integrated, Microsoft's IE browser will likely gain more than 30% of browser users... Microsoft has not announced the specific amount involved!"

A local TV station in Silicon Valley was the first to start reporting. As soon as the news came out, the entire technology industry was instantly fried. Just now, the technology industry was still discussing whether the alliance formed by Netscape would sweep the technology industry. Now, the technology industry It seems to feel the fear of being dominated by Microsoft again.

On Song Yang's side, they were still talking to the people from Microsoft. The Microsoft board of directors had authorized Greg Murphy the right to negotiate this time, and basically agreed with Song Yang to get these shocking conditions, although the specific conditions were of course. There's still a lot to talk about, but basically the big picture is settled.

Song Yang basically gave up most of the shares in the local brand of Hotmail mailbox America, retaining only 10%, and retained the identity of a director. The same is true for Joetus, who will hold 25% of Hotmail shares. , only 5% were retained, and the rest were all transferred to Microsoft, that is, Microsoft got 85% of the shares of the local brand of Hotmail America.

   The overseas Hotmail brand, Song Yang and Jotus, also jointly transferred 40% of the shares to Microsoft, but the control of overseas Hotmail mailboxes is still in Song Yang's hands.

   This is only a part of the whole agreement, the most important part, but not the whole. Song Yang has reached many agreements with Microsoft, which are basically comprehensive cooperation agreements.

  The online promotion of the IE browser will be handled by Double-click, and Double-click has also officially started cooperation with Microsoft. For the advertisements of Microsoft's office and other products, some advertisements will be handled by Double-click, which represents Microsoft's official start of Internetization.

   The reason why Song Yang retains some shares of Hotmail is to facilitate the promotion of ICQ, etc. There are two concepts of having equity and not having equity.

In the agreement, Song Yang kept Xiaoxiao a hand. On the grounds that Hotmail had signed a cooperation agreement with DoubleClick, the business operation rights of Hotmail would not be handed over to Microsoft until the middle of next year, that is, the right to place advertisements on Hotmail. The side will get it and return it to Microsoft next year.

   This is mainly to promote ICQ. Hotmail now has nearly 10 million users in America, and the global market is also huge. If you lose the promotion channel of Hotmail, it will naturally be unfavorable for ICQ.

For this small trick, Microsoft pinched its nose and admitted it, took advantage of it, and took out hundreds of millions of dollars. Therefore, as for the business operation rights, Hotmail mailbox data sharing with Songyang's new product users, account sharing, etc., Microsoft knew that there were pitfalls, but in order to kill Netscape, they also recognized it.

Lawyers on both sides are drafting a preliminary agreement, which will be announced later. A bunch of reporters are waiting downstairs, and Seattle is also looking forward to it. Wall Street doesn’t know how many Microsoft stock holders can’t sleep tonight. , just to wait for Microsoft's announcement, so today, no matter what this agreement is, it has to be signed.

   "Song, what are your thoughts on the promotion of Microsoft IE?!"

  In the small room next to the conference room, Greg Murphy, Todd, and Song Yang were among them.

Although what Song Yang said was to help Microsoft defeat Netscape, it was just a verbal agreement and not written in the agreement, but Song Yang had mentioned it during the negotiation just now, and Greg Maffey and Todd were quite good at it. Heart.

"Then it depends on which step Microsoft wants to take, whether it wants to defeat Netscape slowly, or make a quick decision, or how far it wants to beat Netscape." My throat is finally a little more comfortable. Today, I have been tearing my skin with Microsoft for a whole day.

  Todd said in confusion, "What's the difference?!"

"If you want to play steadily, of course, Microsoft is like today, acquiring Internet companies such as Hotmail, constantly attracting new users for IE browsers, and then slowly improving technology, and it will take three to five years to suppress Netscape. ."

   Before Song Yang could finish speaking, Todd shook his head, "Microsoft doesn't have that much time, and Gates and the board can't give us that much time!"

  The ghost knows what the Internet industry will be like at that time. What Microsoft is most afraid of is that Netscape has become a climate. Once the tail is too big, a large group of companies will gather around Netscape to find fault with Microsoft. That is what Microsoft is most worried about.

   "If you want to be fast, then you have to draw from the bottom of the pot!"

   Song Yang looked at the two of them, "This method kills one thousand enemies and loses two thousand. If you want to defeat Netscape in the fastest time, IE can only give up charging."

   "Abandon the fee?!"

  Greg Murphy and Todd were both shocked. Fees are the lifeblood of Microsoft, just like computer systems. If it was free, then Microsoft would have to drink the Northwest Wind.

   "This is the fastest way, just like the Hitmail mailbox, it can occupy the entire market in the shortest time. As for the side effect, it is possible to generate revenue..."

  It has been sold anyway, Song Yang is not worried about what Microsoft will do, because it can't charge, which leads to Hotmail's monetization method is very simple, that is, by sending advertising emails, compared to the paid software, the revenue is really pulling the crotch.

   "Of course, Microsoft can also charge for IE after occupying the market."

Hearing this, both Greg Murphy and Todd are quite excited. This is equivalent to extending the trial period of the software. The trial period is in years. As long as Netscape is defeated, Microsoft can slowly adjust the trial period. IE charges, but users who are accustomed to free browsers, it is difficult to say what their attitude is when facing the charges.

   "Song, what do you mean by hitting Netscape to what extent?!" Todd asked calmly towards Song Yang.

  Song Yang glanced at Greg Murphy and Todd. This is probably what they really wanted to ask.

   "The first two methods can defeat Netscape, but they will not make Netscape disappear. At most, IE will become the leader in the browser market, and Netscape will become the second!"

   "If you want to make Netscape disappear, you need IE browser, "deep" cooperation with Microsoft systems, and even some exclusive agreements."

Song Yang didn't make it clear, but Greg Murphy and Todd also instantly understood what Song Yang meant. Looking at the two people in front of them, Song Yang would never admit that he had given Microsoft any advice. Song Yang didn't mention a word about IE binding to Microsoft system, allowing users to choose between Microsoft system and Netscape, it's their brain supplement!

   (end of this chapter)