Live Stream 1980: Netizens Teach Me How to Make a Rocket by Hand

Chapter 568 The script was held upside down

Meanwhile, in Seattle, it was raining continuously.

Inside a private club, cigar smoke billows in the dim light.

Seated around the long oak table were William Grove, and IBM's senior vice president in charge of personal computers.

A closed-door meeting is taking place here, one that will determine the future of Silicon Valley.

William threw several data reports about Taiji OS on the table and spread his hands:

"Gentlemen, in the open market of compatible PCs, we have completely lost."

"The world's programmers are only willing to write software for Taiji OS, which has the largest market share."

"If Microsoft continues to fight tooth and nail in this race, we will eventually be reduced to being subcontractors developing outsourced programs for Red Star."

Grove took a deep drag on his cigar and exhaled a thick smoke ring:

"The same goes for the 386 chip."

"If we continue to sell our top-of-the-line products to assembly plants on the market, this chip will eventually become nothing more than cheap labor for running Taiji OS."

"Intel's hundreds of millions of dollars invested in computing power research and development must not be used to leech off Lin Xi's ecosystem."

IBM's vice president tapped his fingers on the table, producing a dull echo.

"Gentlemen, this is also why IBM invited you two here."

"We have the world's most powerful chip manufacturing capabilities, a deep software foundation, and first-class overall hardware quality control."

"Why should we stay and wallow in the quagmire that Lin Xi has created?"

The three exchanged glances.

Under the immense pressure of Red Star Technology's formidable software and hardware ecosystem, these three giants, who were originally fighting their own battles, were forced into a desperate situation to reach a strategic agreement that completely violated the early open spirit of Silicon Valley.

Half an hour later, the specific terms were finalized on paper.

First, Intel will cease freely supplying its latest 386 chips and future top-of-the-line processors to external compatible machine manufacturers, and will instead exclusively license them to IBM's high-end flagship models.

Second, Microsoft immediately modified the underlying code of Windows.

Future systems will adopt a strict hardware-binding strategy, recognizing only Intel's proprietary instruction set and IBM's factory-installed motherboards.

All third-party devices that have not been certified by the third-party alliance are excluded.

"They are targeting the low-to-mid-range, inexpensive compatible PC market."

"We are pursuing a fully enclosed, high-premium integrated hardware and software approach."

William picked up the pen.

"Use stringent hardware quality control and an absolutely closed security ecosystem to capture high-end commercial clients who have plenty of money."

All three parties signed to confirm.

In order to fight against that behemoth in the far east, they themselves embarked on a narrower, more expensive, and more irreversible path in the mid-1980s.

......

A few days later, in the Aerospace Department's expert building in Beijing, China.

Lin Xi held an enamel teacup and leaned back in her chair.

On the desk, there was an internal reference document.

The above contains detailed information on the latest developments in the North American market.

Lin Xi picked up the document, her gaze falling on the top few lines.

"IBM, together with Intel and Microsoft, formed a closed hardware and software integrated alliance."

"Intel's latest 386 chip will no longer be freely supplied to third-party compatible PC manufacturers."

"Microsoft has changed its underlying Windows licensing policy, locking proprietary motherboards and hardware certifications."

"IBM is responsible for the complete system platform and the high-end commercial market."

After reading these lines, Lin Xi's hand, which was holding a teacup, froze in mid-air.

His expression slowly became extremely strange.

It wasn't worry or shock, but rather an indescribable sense of absurdity.

It was as if someone had taken the historical script, crumpled it up, and casually handed it to another table of players.

At the same time, the live stream in his mind had exploded.

When netizens from later generations saw the details of this intelligence, the screen was instantly filled with comments.

Holy crap! Holy crap! The gears of history have not only turned, but they've gone into reverse!

[This is hilarious! The host has practically forced the Wintel alliance into becoming like Apple, taking an absolutely closed approach!]

[IBM, Intel, and Microsoft are pursuing a closed, high-end strategy, refusing to license their technology to others... Isn't that exactly what Steve Jobs did?]

[Mr. Lin: Wait a minute, so I was the Wintel overlord who unified the world with open-source systems and compatible hardware?]

William accepted the Steve Jobs script with tears in his eyes; even Jobs himself would have to admit he was a master.

[The dragon-slaying hero becomes the dragon himself? No, Lin Shen simply tore up the script on the other side and handed it to the wrong person.]

The comments section erupted in celebration.

But soon, a few calm comments also appeared on the screen.

[Don't just laugh, the anchor still needs to be careful. IBM's complete machine manufacturing capabilities, Intel's chip foundation, plus Microsoft's software expertise—if these three companies really close their doors and invest heavily in high-end products, their hard power is definitely not weak.]

Yes, closed-off strategies aren't useless. Once they establish a foothold in the high-end government and corporate market in North America, their profit margins will be incredibly high.

They're not admitting defeat now; they're retreating to their fortified positions. Once those fortified positions are built, a counterattack could be launched at any moment.

Lin Xi looked at the comments and nodded slightly.

That's right.

He folded the internal report carefully and put it neatly into the drawer.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.

"IBM, Microsoft, and Intel—these three names together form a mountain in themselves."

Lin Xi tapped her fingertips twice on the table.

"If they really want to build walls in high-level games, it will indeed be troublesome in the short term."

"Our strategy of flooding the market with compatible machines works well, but it's not a magic bullet."

"The tough nuts to crack are government, business, finance, and military industries."

This is also true.

Red Star and Taiji OS are now winning in the open market, the global wave of compatible machines, and the developer ecosystem.

However, high-end business clients value more than just low prices.

They need stability, after-sales service, brand endorsement, and someone to take responsibility if problems arise.

And these are precisely the things IBM excels at using to reap profits.

Moreover, there are Intel's top-of-the-line chips and Microsoft's software team.

If these three companies truly humble themselves and work behind closed doors to create a high-premium, highly integrated, and highly secure closed system, they will definitely not be a paper tiger in the short term.

The atmosphere in the live stream gradually quieted down.

Many netizens who were just making fun of the meme have now realized what it means.

The other side isn't trash.

However, Lin Xi forced them to change their route.

The fact that a route can be changed does not mean there is no threat.

Lin Xi did not dwell on it further.

His gaze naturally swept over the calendar on his desk.

One of the dates was circled in red.

Lin Xi looked at the red circle, her fingertips gently tracing the edge of the page, her expression gradually calming down.

"However, there's no need to rush."

He picked up the tea that had cooled down a bit on the table and took a sip.

"Wait another five months."