The ABC-3 computer's progress over the previous ABC-2 is not just a change to a more powerful processor. The latest version of the East-DOS operating system running on the ABC-3 computer has actually undergone significant changes while maintaining forward compatibility.

Previous versions of the DOS system were written in assembly language, which had the advantages of high efficiency, good hardware control, and small program size. In early days when hardware performance lagged behind and every ounce of potential needed to be tapped, the benefits of assembly language were clear.

But assembly language also has a huge disadvantage, that is, it is not portable and not easy to maintain. For example, if the new ABC-3 computer wants to continue to use the East-DOS system of the previous ABC-1 computer, the amount of work required to modify the program is similar to that of writing a new system.

The high-level language, represented by the C language, is highly portable and has good cross-platform characteristics. For example, a C program written in standard specifications on the East-DOS operating system can be run on the CP/M operating system with minor modifications, which is unthinkable for a program written in assembly language.

Moreover, C language also has the advantage of easy maintenance, a program must be constantly modified after it is written, which is a difficult problem for assembly language, but easy to implement for C language. For all their advantages, high-level languages such as C have never been able to win over PC programmers.

The fundamental reason for this is that running programs written in high-level languages requires higher hardware performance than running programs written in assembly languages. Especially the usage of memory. In this era, high-capacity memory is a very expensive accessory. So since the invention of C in 1972, it has been used only on small and mainframe platforms throughout the seventies, and very few people will use it to write software for personal computers.

But this situation is about to change with the rapid development of computer hardware technology. And Li Xuan relied on the advantage of rebirth. Once again, he was one step ahead of others and became the first person to eat crabs. Dongfang Software Co., Ltd. has rewritten its East-DOS, East-Word, East-Table and East-DBASE software in a high-level language based on C.

Although as a result of this, the minimum memory configuration of the ABC-3 computer spikes to 128K, and if the memory is too small, it simply can't run these software. And now the memory of mainstream personal computers is only a dozen k, twenty k capacity.

The reason why Li Xuan dared to do this. Or is it because the memory price war between U.S. and Japanese semiconductor companies is intensifying. In early 1981, Hitachi's 64K DRAM memory was quoted at $50 per piece for Aikan. But by June, Hitachi's latest offer had been lowered to $33. Now that various semiconductor companies are working hard to develop 256K memory, it is estimated that it should be able to come out next year, and the price of 128K memory will definitely fall in an avalanche by then.

Akon has preset two memory slots for the ABC-3 computer. The minimum configuration is to insert two 64k memory modules, which can basically meet the daily operation needs of the computer. Budget-conscious customers can use it for a while, wait for the price of 128k memory modules to drop in the future, and then upgrade on their own.

At the same time, Dongfang Software Company has long been fully engaged in the development of programming tools in C language, including practical compilers, interpreters, syntax analyzers, etc. Dongfang Software has widely licensed these software development kits, as well as some technical interface materials of the DOS system, to other software companies to help them better develop various software suitable for the DOS operating system.

With the ABC computer occupies a significant market share in the United States. More and more software developers are taking the initiative to develop third-party software for the East-DOS operating system. In this regard, Dongfang Software Company naturally fully supports, and the more software can be run on the system. The better the user's experience feels.

In addition to the upgrade of the software vendor, the new ABC-3 computer has also made a lot of hardware upgrades, such as the new standardized and modular design of the motherboard, and the design and layout of various JÙ interfaces and expansion card slots are more reasonable. At the same time, the ABC-3 computer has added a hard disk to store several jù on the basis of the original 5.25-inch floppy drive.

There is a limit to the number of jù that can be stored on a floppy disk, and for some users like East-dbase library software. A lot of data has to be used frequently, and each time you go you have to read and write multiple floppy disks. It is not only inefficient but also cumbersome to operate. It is also easy to lose important numbers due to the damage and loss of floppy disks, so it is not as convenient and safe as directly saving the hard disk of the zài computer.

At the same time, a new Ethernet card interface is also designed in the motherboard of the new computer. On the ABC-3 computer, Aikang abandoned the LAN technology that had been developed in-house. Instead, switch to Ethernet's technical standards. The DIX Alliance, consisting of DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation), Intel Corporation (Intel), and Xerox Corporation (Xerox), released the Blue Paper on Ethernet technology standards, and Akon became the first PC company to support the DIX standard.

After the negotiation between Aikang and the DIX Alliance, the technologies such as PC Ethernet cards, repeaters and hubs developed by Aikang have been incorporated into the standards of the DIX Alliance.

LAN is definitely one of the most important selling points in the field of ABC computer development and commercial office. Dongfang Software Co., Ltd. has developed a new shared network software based on the previous LAN technology of Aikang Computer, combined with the latest Wenjiàn server technology. It adopts the protocol developed by Dongfang Software itself, which can easily realize the sharing and printing of texts. With the help of this software, companies and universities can easily connect their computers to the Internet.

The media will always give great enthusiasm for the emergence of new technologies, and the day after the new product launch of Aikang in New York, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal all devoted a lot of space to reporting the news of Aikang's new computer.

With the fierce advertising and promotion, the ABC-3 computer was officially put on sale in dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. It's not the U.S. market that is the latest to see a sales boom. It's the Japanese market.

The Japanese PC market only really began to sprout after the emergence of Apple, and the Japanese electronics giants seem to have focused their efforts on semiconductors and American companies, rather than developing eye-catching PC products. Most of the local microcomputer products sold in the Japanese market are Apple-compatible machines produced by some small companies.

The launch of the ABC-3 computer in the Japanese market is like throwing a boulder on the surface of a calm lake. Immediately set off a wave of waves. East-DOS Japanese version of the operating system, the Japanese display of the computer adapter has made special support, with the Japanese input method specially developed by Oriental Software Company, which really makes it possible to work on a Japanese-based computer.

"Your company uses Epson printers, no problem, Aikang and Epson are one of the strategic partners. We work with Epson Corporation. On the operating system of the ABC-3 computer, the driver of various models of Epson printers has been developed, if you buy a computer, we can install the corresponding driver software for you for free!" In the Osaka store of the computer park company, a shopping guide is patiently introducing to customers. How to use the printer through a computer.

Japan and Europe are among the overseas markets that Computer Park has recently focused on developing. In the past month, the company has opened five new computer hypermarkets in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto and other places, and the launch of the ABC-3 computer has brought the first wave of sales to the computer park's Japanese directly managed stores.

The use of computers in corporate financial sales reports, personnel data and other aspects can greatly improve office efficiency, which is one of the reasons why many small and medium-sized Japanese companies are willing to pay for ABC-3 computers. Compared to other PCs in the Japanese market, the ABC-3 computer is much more practical in terms of software.

Li Xuan only learned from the report sent back by the Japanese branch of Computer Park that the ABC-3 computer sold well after it was launched, but the specific sales number was not counted. The lowest priced ABC-3 computer in Japan. It's also as high as 750,000 yen, so naturally it can't sell tens of thousands of units a day like the Gameboy console, which only costs 5,000 yen.

The reason why sales in the Japanese market are good is largely due to the weakness of competitors. The best-selling microcomputer product on the market. It is Apple's Apple series of computers. In fact, Apple does not conduct research and development specifically for the Japanese market, but Apple computers have an open architecture, allowing third-party companies to produce all kinds of peripheral function cards.

It is also the local peripheral device company in Japan that solves the problem of Apple's computer being incompatible with Japanese with a compatible card, which makes Apple open the Japanese market smoothly. But the Apple computer is only an 8-bit machine, and the overall performance is limited after all. It is a little reluctant to use it for business office work. It can be said that the ABC-3 computer has no real competitors in the Japanese market.

But the U.S. market is different, and IBM, a giant company, is about to enter the fray. Less than half a month after the ABC-3 computer of Aikang Company was launched. IBM has announced that it will hold a new microcomputer product launch conference in New York on August 12. Entered the PC market in earnest.

The year 1981 was the most difficult time for IBM. After the new president, Ronald Reagan, took office, the Justice Department and IBM quickly reached a settlement, ending a years-long antitrust investigation. IBM still dominates the most lucrative mainframe market, and his management has moved on to the burgeoning PC industry, no longer ignoring the rapidly changing market.

The market has a positive view of IBM, which is clearly reflected in the company's share price rising since the beginning of the year. In particular, after the news that IBM was preparing to enter the personal computer market, the stock price rose by 1% all of a sudden.

At the same time, the stock prices of other PC companies have fallen as a result. Among them, Apple's share price fell by more than 3%, and the stock price of Aikang Company, which is far away in London, also fell by 1.5%, which shows IBM's huge deterrent effect on the public. (To be continued)