In the early days of the Internet, the vast majority of companies were loss-making or even non-profitable. But even so, investors are still flocking in. Is this because everyone can't spend enough money, so they have to throw it to the Internet company to burn? Not.

Instead, investors think that it is a matter of time before Internet companies make profits, and it is much easier to invest in the land before that than to grab the market after the industry matures.

This blind optimism about the Internet economy is also one of the reasons for the first bubble in the Internet economy. Even if there is no mature business model and profit point, Internet companies can still raise a large amount of capital through financing or listing. High wages, generous benefits, and luxurious office environments have burned away these ventures, and the myth of the Internet economy has naturally been shattered.

However, in the turmoil of this Internet bubble, the companies that persevered also created the backbone of the Internet economy later. Only companies that conform to the laws of the market, have mature business models and profit points can survive in the big waves.

As the aircraft carrier of the American Internet in the future, AOL's CEO Steve Murphy. Case, of course, is not blind to this trend.

Throughout the history of AOL's development, Case has consciously cultivated AOL's profitability from the very beginning. Even without Zhou Shuo's proposal, in 1996, AOL would open an online VISA card business, which is actually equivalent to Alipay's position in online consumption.

Even the e-commerce policy formulated by the United States in 1998 was quite partially influenced by AOL. If ICQ and Netscape are AOL's toys, then e-commerce is AOL's own backyard crops.

Group buying sites don't involve products, logistics, and channels. It is easy to operate, simple to promote, and has a mature offline business model. It can be said that it is the best entry point for e-commerce BtoC.

For the Internet, the most precious thing is often this kind of genius flash of inspiration. This level of programming. If you put Zhou Shuo on the table of any venture capital institution, you can invest at least 10 million US dollars. As long as Keith is not stupid, he knows how to choose.

Zhou Shuo looked at Keith, who had been visibly shaken, and hurriedly made up for the last kick, and said: "If AOL is willing to develop a version optimized for the Six Ears browser, I can promise that the news subscription content of Six Ears IM will be provided by the editorial department of AOL." ”

When Keith heard his words, he stood up excitedly, grabbed his hand and asked excitedly, "Is this true?" Can I link news content to AOL's website? ”

Zhou Shuo replied definitely, definitely, and affirmatively: "Of course, the six-eared IM only provides an interface. Content is provided entirely by AOL. However, we must confirm the relevant content, and there will be no content that is unfavorable to Six Ears Software Company. ”

"Of course!" Keith nodded vigorously, Zhou Shuo was a legitimate request, and there was no reason not to agree.

AOL's website has only a few million visits, and the number of registered users of Liuer IM has exceeded 10 million. If the news interface of the six-ear IM can be won, wouldn't it be equivalent to one more AOL? How can this not make Case's excitement, even if there is a partial overlap between Six Ears IM and AOL, at least more than two million new users can be imported, which is super good for AOL!

Zhou Shuo watched Keith spin around excitedly. The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled. If this condition is taken out from the beginning, it may not be able to make Keith change his mind. After all, it's better to have a father and a mother than to have it yourself. However, after Zhou Shuo threw out the development plan of e-commerce one after another, the two actually established a strategic alliance. At this time, he came up with this condition to dispel his attempt to enter the IM market, and finally it was effective.

For Zhou Shuo. Being a content provider is his natural disadvantage. Even world-class Internet companies such as Microsoft, Google, and AOL have not made much progress in China's news and cultural industries. This is the same reason that Zhou Shuo handed over the news part to AOL, and it must first be familiar with the local culture. Then you can make something realistic.

And he is an outsider, and it is already so difficult to make software or functions. Not to mention raising a group of editors to do the cultural industry. Take something you didn't plan to ask for in the first place, and you can exchange it for AOL support on the browser. It's a win-win.

Zhou Shuo stopped the elated Keith and said seriously: "But I have a request, I hope that our plan, Mr. Keith, can help me keep the secret for a week." ”

"I understand!" Keith looked at it and said tacitly, "Are you going to give Netscape a surprise attack?" ”

"Anyway, just don't say it." Zhou Shuo smiled mysteriously.

Netscape's empire seems to be impregnable, but in Zhou Shuo's eyes, it is not invincible. The most important thing is that he has too many resources at his disposal. An individual's strength can be money, ability, or skill, or it can be just a flash of wisdom.

Although Zhou Shuo is not a brilliant business wizard, he has the greatest wealth in the world in his mind - the development history of the Internet in the next 20 years.

In the Internet industry, no one has really realized the amount of power that individuals can play. Mark. Anderson's ability to be so sure that his supremacy will not be shaken is based on the disparity in strength between Netscape and Six Ears Software.

Case couldn't imagine how Zhou Shuo could single-handedly overturn the foundation of the entire Netscape empire in a week's time.

"Mr. Orff, can Compuserve provide a specially optimized version of the Six Ears browser?"

"I know it's not realistic for you to choose a side right now. But I have a good project here, do you think we can work together? ”

"yes, how about we put the alumni directory on the website?"

"You know, there must be a lot of people who cut off contact with their classmates after graduation. If we can provide them with a place to reunite......"

"Mr. George from the webcom forum? I'm Joey of Six Ears Software, and I hope we can meet. ”

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow in New York."

"Does the webcom forum provide specialized optimizations for six-ear browsers?"

"Of course, I understand your feelings about not wanting to get involved in this war. But if I have a plan, would you be interested in getting involved? ”

"Ha Luha, you have won the award, my success is not the credit of one person. If you want to make a difference on the Internet, you definitely need more people like Mr. George to support you. ”

"Of course, I'm more than happy to share my ideas. Whether the plan is feasible or not is up to your judgment. ”

"That's right, how about we move the encyclopedia to the Internet and let users edit it themselves?"

"Yes, I think Webcom users should be very motivated in this regard......"

"Mr. Dave of Prodigy, I'm Joey from Six Ears Software!"

"Oh, damn it! Have you heard the wind already? Whose mouth is so leaky, I'm going to settle accounts with him! ”

"Well, for your sake, or I'm going to tear this guy to shreds!"

"Okay, let's get down to business. yes, I have an idea for a new website, how about we work together to set up a movie review website? ”

"Think about it, as long as you have the power to evaluate the movie, then you can make all the studios in Hollywood kneel at your feet and sing 'Argentina don't cry for me tonight'!"

……

The rapid development of the Internet in the past 20 years has created too many miracles. Some of them disappeared into the sky like meteors, while others grew into the mainstay of the Internet. But whatever the end result, at least at first they look good.

And such a plan, Zhou Shuo has too much in his head. At a time when there were only more than 20,000 websites in the world, there were 25 million Internet users in the United States. Trying to reach all these users is not as difficult as you think.

AOL, Compuserve, Prodigy, webcom, and Yahoo alone cover almost 70% of the U.S. Internet population. As long as they are leading, it is not difficult to imagine what a violent storm will blow on the Internet.

While this doesn't immediately knock Netscape out of the market, it does provide a fair chance for Six-Ear browsers to compete on a level playing field.

As long as the two sides stand on the same starting line, Zhou Shuo is absolutely confident that he can defeat the old Netscape browser.

Each well-known website has developed versions for two browsers, is there any better comparative advertising?

In the end, Netscape is just a first-mover advantage. It was Netscape's unprecedented success that stunned Mark. Anderson's mind, historically he has failed under the constant onslaught of Microsoft.

At that time, in order to catch up with Netscape's browser technology, Microsoft's project team for IE development expanded from a dozen people at the beginning to thousands in two years. However, Netscape's technical team has maintained a scale of dozens of people. After Netscape's market share was hit by IE, Mark. Instead of increasing his investment in technology, Anderson took the lead in selling Netscape's stock.

Its rise is also vigorous, and its death is also sudden. Netscape has only a short lifespan of four years in its history, and it is inseparable from his character. Pride and paranoia when you win, panic when you lose, it can be said that Mark. A true portrayal of Anderson's operation at Netscape. And this time his self-righteous character will make him pay for his arrogance sooner than in history. (To be continued......)