The 1980s were destined to be an era of competition for computer hardware platforms, including personal computers and supercomputers.

At the macro level, the United States used to be the only one, but now it is the Soviet Union, Japan and other competitors who have launched an attack on the throne of "the world's fastest supercomputer".

At the micro level, the face-to-face competition of various companies is more specific and intense.

In the 1960s, IBM invested huge resources in System/360, but the performance was still three points inferior to the CDC6600 and CDC7600 developed by Seymour Cray, a data control company of the CDC, at the same time.

However, the technical success of the product does not necessarily mean the company's operational success, and the CDC could not support the two solutions in the subsequent product development, so Seymour Clay left the CDC to found Cray Inc., and launched the Cray-1 in 1976, making it the world's fastest supercomputer with a computing speed of 250MFLOPS.

At the same time, with the vigorous development of minicomputers, many new latecomers have entered the field of supercomputers, Tang Huan is one of them, and the industry competition brought by it is naturally becoming more and more fierce.

For example, this year's fastest supercomputer is 400MFLOPS. It appears in many places around the world.

The secret to the power of supercomputers comes from parallel processing, which is the subdivision of complex tasks into jobs that can be processed simultaneously and distributed across different processors.

The CPU currently used by personal computers. are all scalar processors. That is, only one piece of data is processed at a time. Specifically, SingleInstructionSingleData - a single instruction stream, a single data stream, that is, SISD.

As early as the 1970s, supercomputers like Cray-1 used vector processors, that is, they could directly manipulate one-dimensional arrays, one of the specific manifestations of which was SingleInstructionMultipleData, or SIMD.

According to the historical trajectory of development, general-purpose microprocessor manufacturers. For example, Intel will continue to add high-end features such as RISC and parallel processing to its CPUs, and MMX and SSE are specific means to achieve SIMD.

But at this stage, the design of the two types of processors is still distinct.

DBS-1, which uses the Yi Peng/Holder processor, is a bit ahead in terms of parallelism, which can be roughly described as a "node" composed of the Yi Peng/Holder processor, coprocessor, and memory.

The obvious advantages of this solution are that it is relatively easy to manufacture and has excellent stability, but there are also many disadvantages. For example, the software implementation is complex and the power consumption is large.

But anyway. The successful development of DBS-1 proves that Tang Huan's plan can be realized without any problems at this stage.

And this precedent can also allow Fangyuan Computer Company to gain a foothold in the most high-end field of supercomputers, and compete with traditional giants such as IBM, HP, and DEC.

From now on, when the name of Fangyuan Computer Company is mentioned again, if anyone still condescendingly says, "It's not the company that produces toy computers", then he will wait to be slapped in the face.

Although the performance of DBS 1 is not the best in the world, it is good enough, which is also in line with Tang Huan's positioning as a latecomer.

From Singapore's point of view, in addition to the "sufficient" performance, the most important thing is that DBS 1 participated in the research and development process and mastered the technology, which is of great significance and has gained face.

In this regard, Tang Huan congratulated, but also did not point out the stakes.

In the original time and space, China's "Tianhe-2" has been as self-reliant as possible, for example, the operating system does not use UNIX, but the self-developed KylinOS-Kirin operating system, but its processor and coprocessor are Intel's XeonE5-2692 and XeonPhi respectively.

DBS 1 uses the Yi Peng/Holder processor and the Vientiane operating system, and the key technology is clearly further away from self-reliance.

In the next few years, the battle for the top technology of supercomputers will inevitably focus on how to break through the computing speed of 1GFLOPS, and then some existing technologies will have to move forward.

After DBS 1 was accepted, the first process to be officially launched was the analysis of weather forecasts, which was an immediate result for both parties.

The next location was switched to the Mandarin Hotel, where the Singaporeans threw a feast to celebrate.

The main purpose of this activity is to reward the specific participants of all parties, and a person of Tang Huan's level, after doing face work such as a speech, naturally diverts his attention and takes advantage of the rare opportunity to communicate with Singapore's senior management.

"How is the plan to acquire Pacific Bell progressing?" asked Premier Lee with great interest.

With the emergence of high-end products such as telecom program-controlled switches, Fangyuan personal workstations, network servers, and supercomputers, Tang Huan not only expanded his wealth strength, but also made his investment vision more convincing.

A test line set up by Singtel has achieved a data transmission rate of 1200bps, and with the successful example of DBS 1 in front of us, Tang Huan's new idea of telecom profit model is undoubtedly more credible.

As one of the financiers of Pacific Bell's acquisition plan, Premier Li is naturally more and more interested.

"For assets destined to be spun off, AT&T was happy to cash them out and kicked them in their pockets. Tang Huan smiled lightly, "The possible obstacles at the policy level have been removed by Goldman Sachs, and they are currently talking about the details, and the results are expected in December." ”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan glanced at several other high-level executives. "Come this time. I would also like to invite representatives at a higher level. Go to the U.S. as an observer. ”

"No problem. Premier Li nodded, "The Singapore Government Investment Company, which was established only this year, intends to do business in North America, and you, the richest man in the United States, may wish to give some advice." ”

Tang Huan thought about it for a while, in the original time and space, the United States was the world's largest creditor country during Reagan's presidency. It has made a 180-degree turn to become the world's largest debtor country, and under such a general trend, it is natural that those who want to invest in the United States will not refuse to be treated.

"I can only say that it is not difficult to look at the high-tech industry and make a profit. Tang Huan snorted, "Of course, the investment risk is also very large, and it may conflict with your strategy." ”

"It doesn't matter. We have you as a trusted friend. "Premier Li's words and deeds can be described as close.

……

After further agreement with the financier in Singapore. Tang Huan set off for Treasure Island.

By this time, it was already November, and 1981 was coming to an end at a speed visible to the naked eye.

After arriving at Treasure Island, Tang Huan first asked about the full-fledged DreamWorks participating in the Golden Horse Awards.

This year's Golden Horse Awards is the 18th edition, and there is a significant change in its appearance, that is, for the first time, the venue has left Taibei and come to Kaohsiung, southwest of the island.

In order to continue to attract the attention of the international media and expand its influence, the Golden Horse Awards invited Elizabeth Taylor as the guest of honor the year before, and this year invited Charles Bronson of Hollywood, Alain Delon of France, and Toshiro Mifune of Japan.

However, it is said that Charles Bronson and Alain Delon had a falling out and refused to take a group photo, and finally the award was presented separately to solve the embarrassment.

What is a bit intriguing is that after the Xiangjiang filmmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with last year's Golden Horse Awards, this year's Xiangjiang film bigwig Run Run Shaw personally served as the best film presenter to support the Golden Horse Awards with actions.

Seeing this, Tang Huan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, and inferred from this that the first Xiangjiang Academy Awards next year may really be as cold as the original time and space.

Best Director was won by Xu Ke with "Ghost Horse Smart Stars", and DreamWorks was worth the trip.

After taking a look at Deng Lijun's three movie songs appearing at this year's Golden Horse Awards, Tang Huan no longer paid attention to news such as Alan Tam and Zhang Aijia winning the best actor and actress, and casually put down the newspaper and picked up the company documents.

Not long after, Shi Chongtang came to report to Tang Huan, and mentioned one thing in passing, "The Institute is working on a new set of Chinese internal code schemes, called Big5, and plans to launch five major Chinese software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, network communications, and drawings on this basis." ”

The Information Industry Policy Council, which was established to promote the development of information technology in Baodao, is a think tank in this field, and has been deeply involved in the formulation of relevant policies and laws.

"Zheru's Tang Code, WordEasy, CGrid, and EBase have become a unified trend in East and Southeast Asia, so it is not clear whether the strategy will be unclear. Tang Huan raised his eyebrows, "Going against the trend like this, what does the Zi Ce Club want to do?"

"It should have something to do with your increasing investment in the mainland. Shi Chongtang smiled slightly, "Maybe the information council thinks that giving the ubiquitous Fangyuan computer and Zheru software a salary can get more say in the industry." ”

"In business, Baodao enterprises are restricted and cannot go to the mainland to invest and make money, but there is no reason for my financial path to be blocked. Tang Huan shook his head helplessly, "It's just an act of internal friction that I don't know." ”

"I'm just reporting it. Shi Chongtang shrugged lightly, "In my opinion, Zi Ce will do this, it's a bit of a mantis arm." ”

……

At the banquet held by the Wang family that he attended later, after Tang Huan mentioned this matter, Jian Mingren smiled disapprehantly, "The officials and masters are a little taken for granted, and some technicians are too eager to make contributions, and they don't understand what kind of dominance our products have in the market. ”

The sales of Zheru, Fangyuan Computer, and EA products in Baodao are mainly carried out through Jian Mingren and Wang Xueling's Popular Computer Company, and Jian Mingren naturally has the most say in the local market structure of Baodao.

"Don't take it too lightly, just take a closer look. Tang Huan nodded and put down the topic, anyway, everyone's interests are the same, and he doesn't need to that trivial heart too much.

The Wang family is also one of the financiers of Pacific Bell's acquisition plan, although it is not comparable to the amount of at least one billion US dollars in Singapore, but the attitude of the people is very positive, and Tang Huan is of course the one who does not refuse.

In the original time and space, after Wang Yongqing's death, the media disclosed that he was estimated to have nearly $20 billion in assets in the United States.

It is not difficult to see from this treasure island's "god of management" the way to preserve the value of wealth.

In addition to continuing to communicate on investment, Tang Huan also talked about another cooperation project, namely the development and production of CD discs.

For the current personal computer storage device capacity of up to more than ten MB, Tang Huan simply hated it, so he spared no effort to promote the CD data storage program.

……

There is no doubt that Japan is the biggest beneficiary. And Son Zhengyi's ability to move made Tang Huan amazed, and he pulled in nearly a billion US dollars, which shows how eloquent he is.

When Tang Huan carried out his activities through Epson, Sharp and other channels, after all, he still held the title of a billionaire, and Son Masayoshi was just a businessman with a net worth, and he only had one mouth to impress investors.

Seeing that more and more participants were bound to the chariot that was about to drive to the Internet, Tang Huan couldn't help but snicker, and there was nothing more than that.

Tang Huan originally wanted to watch the Women's Volleyball World Cup so that he could witness the first championship of the Chinese women's volleyball team in five consecutive championships, but the affairs on the Japanese side were a bit complicated, and the competition venues were scattered in various cities, so he could only give up regrettably.

After getting rid of the control of the Hattori family, Epson's listing was put on the agenda.

Due to the absolute dominance of dot matrix printers in the Japanese market this year, Epson has aroused great interest from investors, and the listing prospects are widely optimistic.

However, Epson encountered setbacks on the road to developing inkjet printers, and negotiations with Canon reached a stalemate.

In the field of inkjet printers, Epson belongs to the latecomers. In order to catch up with the market, Tang Huan decided to introduce the authorization of "hot bubble" inkjet printers from Canon, a pioneer.

But I didn't expect that the Japanese companies that were holding together with the outside world were unceremonious to their peers, and the conditions given by Canon were more harsh.

In this regard, there was a disagreement within Epson, and there was a voice that it would simply turn to develop its own piezoelectric inkjet printer. (To be continued......)