Seattle, Redmond.

Microsoft was founded in 1975, but they moved here only a few weeks before the company went public in 1986.

Compared to futuristic tech companies, Microsoft's headquarters, 'unpretentious' like government buildings, each building is named after a number, and because of the large number of buildings, if viewed from above, Microsoft's entire campus is more like a small town.

This is not an exaggeration.

Because the whole park adopts an open design, it occupies a relatively large area, close to 495 acres, if you have to compare, then Seattle's largest urban park, Discovery Park, is only 534 acres, and the entire Microsoft campus is equivalent to 0.92 exploration parks.

Of course, for founder Bill Gates, commuting wasn't a problem at all.

The most famous landmark in the Seattle area is Lake Washington, and the central area of Lake Washington is home to Bill Gates' home, and the Microsoft campus is on the east side of Lake Washington.

Not only that, the first batch of office buildings on the Microsoft campus were built along the lake, so that employees can enjoy the natural scenery outside the window at any time, while ensuring that each office has enough sunlight, these office buildings, are X-shaped, and his own one, can also enjoy the lake view, if he wants, he can even choose to swim home.

Unfortunately, he is not in his office at this moment, but in the Visitor Center Building No. 33.

The huge hall was extremely empty, with only a ruined wall standing in the center.

If you look at the introductory sign in the lower right corner, you can see the identity of the wall.

This is the ruin of the Berlin Wall, which was torn down in 1989.

On February 8, 1996, the Bill Gates Collection was donated by Mercedes-Benz Inc., a partner with Microsoft.

"I've heard others say that you like to come here and stare at this wall whenever you have time?"

"If you really like this wall, you can just let people move it to the office, and then you can see it every day?"

The familiar voice came from behind him, and Bill Gates, who was in front of the graffiti, laughed without turning around, and with his hands in his pockets, he knew the identity of the comer, and said directly: "I like this wall, but I don't want to see it every day." ”

Hearing this, the elegant man in the plaid shirt stood side by side with him, and while carefully examining the wall, his mouth did not stop, and he asked, "Do you think it symbolizes Microsoft's mistake?" ”

"Yes." Bill Gates nodded and sighed, "The world of the future is not the PC, but the Internet." ”

"I found out, too late."

After the advent of the Windows operating system, Microsoft became an instant hit.

In 95 years, it was already a giant in the IT industry, monopolizing nearly 90 percent of the market, with nearly 180,000 employees and an annual income of 13 billion, which can be called the darling of the times.

Because of the good situation, Bill Gates, who made his fortune with operating systems, stubbornly believes that the PC is the future, and the web browser is just ordinary application software, and it is this kind of thinking that allows Netscape to seize the opportunity of fate.

It wasn't until Netscape frantically harvested the incremental netizens that it continued to generate because of the birth of the Internet, that Bill Gates realized.

Microsoft, wrong.

The Internet has led to a skyrocketing demand for personal computers.

Without the Internet, an operating system that survives on PC shipments is not worth mentioning.

At the same time as he discovered the problem, Netscape's CEO Bacsd proudly told Time magazine, "The Internet is a place that does not tolerate mistakes." If Microsoft is wrong this time, it will never find the right path. ”

It is true that for ordinary people who are self-made, this battle can bring them back to the original point.

But Bill Gates didn't start from scratch!

His privileged family background made him understand one thing from an early age.

If you can't solve the problem, then solve the person who created the problem.

It's not terrible to make mistakes, but it's desperate to have no money to buy answers.

Unfortunately, Netscape rejected Microsoft's acquisition request.

But it doesn't matter.,Buy the kernel and tinker with IE yourself!

But the problem is that even if he asked Microsoft's engineers to stop what they were doing and devote themselves to the development of Microsoft's browser Internet Explorer, the user experience of IE is still not as good as Netscape.

In this situation, he found a PC computer equipment manufacturer and persuaded those guys to let their personal computers use the Windows operating system and embed IE browsers.

My own products are not as good as yours, so I will engage in bundling and crush you with monopoly means!

It's a pity that after two kills and one kill, Microsoft still failed to crush Netscape, but slowly encroached on the market, and there was no immediate effect, so Bill Gates, who was full of confidence two years ago, was really a little anxious.

I've already violated the Antitrust Act, and I can't beat Netscape?

But the problem is, IE is really bad, and the unstable user experience is really bad!

Even if it's bundled and free, it's not as easy to use as Netscape!

No matter what era it is, the user is so simple, UC shock department, penguins are scared to death, and they can't see the content of the serious scriptures at all, so everyone can make today's headlines from the media, which is of course the most attractive of the latter!

But it doesn't matter, Microsoft has the money, and besides, they also found a bug in Netscape.

When Netscape dominated the browser market, like Microsoft, which dominated the PC market back then, it did not think of danger in times of peace.

Windows is an interface that people can't bypass when they use a computer, and Netscape Browser is the interface to the Internet, but only to be an interface is undoubtedly wrong, and you can control the content while controlling the interface to make yourself invincible.

Now Netscape's business model is still the same as Microsoft's back then, staying at selling software.

The company that really controls the content of the Internet is Yahoo!

Netscape didn't realize the value of Yahoo at all, they only knew that if they controlled the interface, they controlled the world, but they didn't realize that the interface could be changed, but the content was eternal!

It doesn't matter if it's an operating system or a browser, these are just tools!

People are not interested in tools, as long as they work well, they can be replaced!

However, the content is not the same!

The key to driving people to connect to the Internet is the rich content of the virtual world, and the companies that sell the content that users love have captured the root of the Internet! At present, it is not Microsoft that really eats the dividends of the Internet! It's not Netscape either!

It's Yahoo!

"So, aren't you looking to buy Yahoo?"

"If I'm not wrong, you're the one who placed the order for Carl Icahn?"

"Yahoo went public on April 12, '96, and now it's April 10, '97, and in two days, the shares in Roland Allen's hands will be out of the freeze, and Carl Icahn will be able to buy them directly at that time."

When the elegant man turned his head with a smile and looked at Bill Gates with a playful look, the bland words detonated the thunder.

That's right, Carl Icahn didn't tell Roland the truth before.

What weeds out board members and tinkers make Yahoo sell better, that's true.

However, it was not his intention to target Yahoo at all, but buyers had already placed orders.

As the wolf king of Wall Street, how much money can he make by manipulating the stock price?

Taking over a large order like an acquisition case and helping buyers to smoothly acquire the company they want is the real source of profits!

In the face of such words, Bill Gates was not surprised, his eyes finally withdrew from the ruins of the Berlin Wall, turned his head to look at him with a sharp heart, and said with a smile: "Yes, it is indeed my order." ”

"I communicated with Carl, and he probed Roland's tone, and Roland had the intention of selling his shares."

"Really? Why did Roland sell its shares? The elegant man, who was still as calm as water, showed surprise.

And the next second, he asked, "Could it be that Karl told him your identity?" ”

When these words came out, the elegant man smiled helplessly, "Could it be because of us?" ”

"But now, he doesn't mean to go against the Big Six."

"And Steven, he doesn't mean to do it for the time being."

That's right, the only guy who can make such a small talk with Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft, but he has left Microsoft's Paul Allen; When Microsoft was facing an Internet crisis, this guy, who also lives in Seattle, came to chat with his old friend when he had nothing to do.

Although he left Microsoft, his property can never be divided from it.

His conjecture is also very simple - he believes that the reason why Roland is willing to sell Yahoo shares is because Carl Icahn told Roland about the real buyer, Microsoft, and Microsoft is the real backer of DreamWorks, and the closer the cooperation between the two sides, the most effective support can be received in the first time when either party encounters difficulties. ’

'DreamWorks and Warcraft Film and Television want to mix in Hollywood, it is useless to rely on connections alone, and Microsoft, which also wants to enter Hollywood, can provide him with a lot of money, as well as the most cutting-edge graphic technology, even if they encounter tricky public opinion pressure, they can also give effective support, and if you want to get this kind of watchful help, the most fundamental point is the close cooperation on weekdays. ’

When Microsoft was in need, Roland sold Yahoo shares, and that's a resource exchange partnership. ’

However, Bill Gates shook his head and denied his old friend's opinion, "No, Carl didn't expose me. ”

"Roland also made conditions with him, what he wants is Marvel."

Marvel?

Paul Allen was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Marvel? Oh, is he addicted to filming Spider-Man? ”

"I remember that you had collected information about him before, and I had read it too."

"In that information, it is clearly stated that Roland holds the filming rights of all Marvel characters on the market."

"Isn't copyright enough? He still wants to swallow the whole company directly? ”

"It's worthy of being taught by Steven and James, it's really personal."

"Steven likes to collect copyrights, and James always likes to play big ......"

"Under their combination, Roland who taught him directly began to eat people's companies?"

"But that's good, it's an equivalent deal, and we don't have to owe favors to others."

"I've heard about Steve."

"Hey, if you look at the development of the company, you shouldn't help him, but according to the depth of the relationship, I support you."

Thinking of this, Paul Allen was filled with emotion.

Personal debt is the most difficult to repay.

Don't say that the company doesn't talk about people, it's all!

You helped me when I was at a low point, and now that you're in trouble, I'll pull you along.

Microsoft and Apple have been fighting for so many years, and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have never gotten along.

But what about now?

When Jobs returned to Apple, Bill Gates directly supported him by 1.5 billion, not only that, but he also asked his foundation to buy Apple shares, eliminate those shareholders who opposed Jobs, and send him to the throne.

The company may not be human, but the person at the helm is also human.

When Steve Jobs left Apple, Microsoft took the opportunity to sign the best contract with Apple to help the company, and Apple agreed that Microsoft would allow Microsoft to use some of Apple's graphical interface technology if it continued to provide software to Apple.

Without this deal, Windows might never have worked out, and now that Microsoft has succeeded and Jobs is back to Apple, then Bill Gates also hopes that genius can lead Apple back on its feet.

Bill Gates has always felt that a world without opponents is terrifying.

Because then they lose the way they are going.

If Steve Jobs had been at Apple, Netscape might not have appeared, and Microsoft would not have despised the Internet.

But as soon as Jobs was mentioned, Bill Gates sighed.

He patted his old friend on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow him.

As the two walked back to Bill Gates' office, a stack of three-inch-thick papers appeared in front of Paul Allen.

"What is this?" Paul Allen asked, confused.

"See for yourself." Bill Gates has his hands on his hips.

This situation puzzled Paul Allen.

But when he opened the document, the first line of the first page made him frown!

[Since February 7, Shouwang Venture Capital has been aggressively acquiring shares in Microsoft, and as of March 9, it has held 10.48 million shares, which are now worth 15.9 billion.] 】

The second line made his eyes widen even more!

[Since January 14, Shouwang Venture Capital has been aggressively acquiring shares in Apple, and by March 15, it had become Apple's largest shareholder, holding 10.73% of the total share capital. 】

"He's not going to be crazy!"

When Paul Allen saw these two lines, he was in shock!

Who is Shouwang Venture Capital, and the people don't know if they don't know?

When people mention Yahoo, they will think of Yang Zhiyuan, the helm, and David Olsen, the luckiest investor, but which of them, the top of the pyramid in the industry, doesn't know that the real boss is Roland Allen?

Everyone thinks that Roland Allen is really lucky to be able to dominate Yahoo, the Internet content outlet, and Amazon, the largest online bookstore that is about to go public, is also within their monitoring range.

Almost everyone believes that the upcoming Amazon listing will double Roland's net worth.

And at this time, he, who has been betting on start-up companies, actually bets heavily on Apple?

Not only that, but while everyone sang about Microsoft and felt that he couldn't fight Netscape, he built a position with his backhand?

This, this, this......

Is this special code brain-dead?

"I don't understand, do I?" After seeing the shocked face of his old friend, Bill Gates laughed, "I couldn't understand it before, but if you turn it back, I think you can understand it......"

“Why？” Paul Allen asked curiously, but while asking, he took the initiative to turn to the second page of the document.

If the two-way transaction information on the first page shocked him, the record on the second page made his scalp tingle.

[Overwatch Ventures holds a 67% stake in IMDb, the world's largest online film database.] 】

[Shouwang Venture Capital holds 15% of the equity of Amazon, the world's largest online book city.] 】

Blizzard Entertainment is wholly owned by Blizzard Capital, the world's largest provider of real-time strategy game content. 】

One by one, Paul Allen frowned, and after he finished reading all the content assets held by Roland, he raised his head again, his eyes were full of shock, "His thoughts are the same as yours......"

"No, his ideas are even more advanced than yours!"

"Yes, I only saw the third layer, but he was already on the fifth floor."

Bill Gates didn't hide it, nodded very seriously: "Everyone thinks that it is Yahoo who really eats the Internet dividend, but no one sees that Roland Allen is already using the Internet dividend to make crazy cash." ”

"For example, ABC, CNN and other traditional media are equivalent to the interface for people to know the news, in the past, people could only communicate with friends in reality after learning the news, but now, with the Internet, people can use the PC interface of Windows, open the Internet interface of Netscape, enter the content aggregation interface of Yahoo, and talk freely with strangers on the message boards of major platforms......"

"Although the interfaces are very important on the surface, because without them, people would not be able to become netizens and swim freely in the ocean of virtual worlds, but we all ignore one problem."

"Interfaces are variable, but content is constant."

"People choose Windows because we use commercial means to force them to use Windows."

"People choose Netscape, or our IE, because they can only choose Netscape and IE."

"People choose Yahoo because Yahoo is the most versatile at the moment, and they can only choose Yahoo."

"As soon as there is something that can replace the interface, all the interfaces will be greatly challenged!"

"Yes, we replaced Apple, but there may be someone who replaces our PC interface in the future!"

"As the times evolve, people may abandon Windows! Ditch Netscape! Ditch Yahoo! But they will never abandon IMDb! Amazon! Blizzard Entertainment! Because, what Roland sells is the real needs of users! ”

"Contents!"

"We used to think that Yahoo was all about content, but it's really just a content interface!"

"The only one who is really making content is Roland!"

"Look at how much money Roland made from Internet netizens!"

"IMDb's advertising costs! Amazon's merchant commission! Blizzard Entertainment's Game Payments! ”

"Roland alone makes several times as much money as Yahoo!"

"But because he didn't take the company public, no one even found out!"

"Interfaces are easy to replace, but content doesn't!"

"Just imagine—"

"Years later, as soon as people looked up movie materials, they went to IMDb."

"Why? Because it's the world's largest and most professional provider of film content! ”

"Years later, as soon as people bought books, they went to Amazon."

"Why? Because it's the world's largest and most professional provider of book content! ”

"Years from now, when people play a game, they may think of Blizzard."

"Why? Because Blizzard is working hard to become the world's largest provider of game content! ”

"Microsoft, Netscape and Yahoo are chosen because users don't have a choice!"

"But IMDb, Amazon, Blizzard, are hand-picked by users!"

"The former, that's just a habit, and the latter, it's what users like!"

"Passively let users accept, maybe you can be the first in the world, but the user's active support can make him invincible!"

When Bill Gates knocked on the table emotionally and said this, Paul Allen, who is also not a fool, naturally understood the other party's thoughts, and after discovering Microsoft's limitations in the interface war, both sides agreed that content production is the best way to reach users, so Microsoft came up with MSN, and cooperated with NBC to make MSNNBC, providing users with interactive online news services 24 hours a day, but unfortunately......

Still can't get Yahoo, and it's hard to make a profit.

That's why they wanted to buy Yahoo, and then bundle Yahoo to IE, using PC interfaces and content interfaces as bundles to crush Netscape in one fell swoop, but just as they wanted to get Yahoo, Roland's behavior shocked them.

If investing in Yahoo and Amazon is just luck, then the current content layout is definitely not luck.

Roland's behavior now is that users don't know what they want, and we've done what they need!

Coupled with the content interface drainage, Roland is one step ahead of everyone, and this step can get rid of everyone!

Both Bill Gates and Paul Allen are convinced that Amazon will never be an online bookstore.

As long as there is an opportunity, with Roland's current layout, it will definitely be an online Wal-Mart.

Once it's done, it's a monopoly.

"But...... It doesn't make sense! After thinking about it for a while, the silent Paul Allen suddenly discovered a problem.

"If Roland wants to make content like crazy, then it is impossible for him to sell the channel of content interface!"

"Once you sell Yahoo shares, it will be very difficult to use Yahoo to bring customers to IMDb, Amazon, and Blizzard Entertainment like you are now! Because once we get it, it will definitely make him pay the residency fee! ”

"yes, I didn't think about that before."

When Bill Gates heard this, he said bluntly: "But now, I think the problem may be eyebrows, he bought a stake in Microsoft and became the largest shareholder of Apple, doesn't he want to become the controller of the PC interface?" ”

"His real layout may be in the future, where people are using his computer, through his browser, on his website, and enjoying the content he has to offer! And then on his platform, he expressed the information feedback he was willing to see! ”

"There are too many types of content, there is no way to monopolize this kind of thing, and the content he is making now is all related to his own industry!"

"His roots are Hollywood, so he invested in IMDb, his uncle controls the Double Star Group, sells spin-offs, so he invested in Amazon, he and Steven both like games, so he got Blizzard Entertainment!"

"He controls all the content he likes, but he wants to monopolize the entire industry chain of interfaces and content!"

Paul Allen was stunned, not because Roland Allen's layout was too crazy, but because he felt that there was something wrong with Bill Gates' ideas.

Monopolize the entire industry chain?

Isn't that more difficult than monopolizing an industry?

Using Roland's computer, opening Roland's browser, watching Roland's movies through Roland's portal, playing Roland's games, and spending on Roland's sale website?

You can't even think about it!

If Roland had known about their speculation, he would have jumped up in surprise!

Because Bill Gates guessed eighty percent right!

And the remaining 20% - of course, it is to watch my news channel (ABC), play with my mobile phone (ios, Android), use my social software (Facebook, ins), use my search engine as the foundation (Google), and take the children to navigate to my paradise (Disney)!

Only children do multiple-choice questions, and I want all adults!

"William, I think ......"

However, before Paul Allen could finish speaking, Bill Gates interrupted him and said with a smile: "Do you think I'm too tired right now and want to lead IE to defeat Netscape so crazy?" ”

"Uh......" Paul Allen didn't speak.

"I think I'm crazy, too." Bill Gates admits openly: "Because my speculation is so crazy, he is just a child who will only come of age next year, how can he think of so much!" ”

"And, I really don't believe he can take every step right."

Hearing these sane words, Paul Allen immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, a madman will not admit that he is crazy.

However, before he could rejoice in his friend's sanity, Bill Gates added: "But when Steve Jobs made the Arkanoid, he was only a year older than Roland Allen." ”

"For some people, the meaning of existence is to interpret success."

"Otherwise, you can't explain why he has been popular for eight years."

"Now the saying in Hollywood is not that Steven Spielberg created the impossible, but whoever has Roland Allen can break the global box office record, and now he is the first and second on the global total box office list, and those data analysts firmly believe that as long as Roland is willing to keep shooting, there will only be his name on the entire list."

"Now he is surpassing Harrison Ford, but it seems that only he can beat him."

The fact of Chiguoguo left Paul Allen speechless.

After staring at his old friend with a straight gaze for a long time, he sighed and gave up: "Okay, you called me over today, did you just want to talk to me about this?" If it were just a narrative of Roland's crazy thoughts, I would have heard it. ”

Seeing that his old friend gave up persuasion, Bill Gates also laughed, "No, I called you over today, just to tell me that I want to meet Roland Allen, and I hope you can help me." ”

"Oh my gosh, you're trying to ask Steven out for dinner and then have him call Roland out by the way?"

"Yes, how, is it difficult?"

"Steven is going to shoot "Broken Lock" now, and after filming, he will go to the UK to shoot "Saving Private Ryan", and Roland will also participate, so I don't think they will have time to come over ......"

"Don't have time to come? It doesn't matter, let's go to Los Angeles, and you invite me to visit DreamWorks, learn about DreamWorks' current projects, and then have dinner with them, wouldn't it be a good thing? ”

Looking at the playful smile of his old friend, Paul Allen was really convinced.

Is Roland Allen really that heavy? So important that you can now let go of IE's R&D control and meet each other?

However, even if there was doubt, Paul Allen did not refuse.

First, he understood that his old friend had been busy for two years for the IE project, and he had not rested, and it was also a good thing to go out for a walk now; Second, he knew that his old friend had a knot because of the IE project, and if he didn't untie it, it would actually be very troublesome.

Since this is the case, it has become a matter of course to help him match.

However, before contacting, he thought of another question, "So...... Since you're going to California, do you want to call Steve? Microsoft invested in Apple, and Roland is Apple's largest shareholder, so it was only natural for us to meet. ”

Hearing this, Bill Gates, who was in a good mood because of his old friend's response, smiled even more happily, "Of course you can, call Steve out and let him meet Apple's current largest shareholder." ”

"He probably never imagined in his life that the apple he was so proud of would be controlled by Steven's students, right?"

"You know, the current Pixar animation, that is the revolution of computer animation."

But while DreamWorks Animation was learning from it, the apple he was most familiar with was no longer his apple.

Since the old friend can still tease, it proves that he is still normal now, nodded in response, and when he took out his mobile phone to find the number, Paul Allen asked casually again, "That...... Does Yahoo still buy? ”

"There's no rush on this matter, I've already said hello to Carl Icahn."

"After IE4.0 is launched, I am operating this thing."

"Of course, our goal now is to meet Roland first."