American History 1988
Chapter 118 - 112 Greed

Chapter 118: Chapter 112 Greed

The promotion effort for the Teams software with "Global Overview" magazine has been completed; the next move will depend on how effective this campaign proves to be.

If the feedback is good here in Silicon Valley, Dean might also consider buying some ads in mainstream computer journals like "Popular Electronics," "PC Magazine," and "Consumer Electronics."

For office software aimed at corporate users, these are generally the types of publicity involved, and sometimes they’re even less effective than word-of-mouth amongst users.

While Dean was busy promoting Teams sales, the Byte Software office in Menlo Park also had a facelift.

Six desks were arranged side by side along the walls, and several fairly new second-hand computers were already in place.

Even with the help of a network service provider called CSNET, these computers were connected to the NSFnet.

Dean was right; private third-party network service providers were quietly making an appearance on the West Coast and were growing rapidly.

They didn’t even need to advertise; people came to them on their own initiative. The public’s urgent desire for the internet made the government’s bans full of loopholes.

Of course, all of this happened behind the scenes, during the chaotic moments before dawn. Shadows lurked all around, yet there was an unspoken understanding that each would go their own way without interference.

After tidying up the office and hiring a full-time clerk, Dean and his team started to install Teams software for Silicon Graphics.

The headquarters of Silicon Graphics in Mountain View consisted of a row of connected buildings, with a brown exterior like most of the buildings around, unassuming and restrained.

The same could be said for all of Silicon Valley. The companies may be well-known on Wall Street, but their office buildings are often quite ordinary.

It’s hard to imagine that inside these inconspicuous one- or two-story buildings are high-tech companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

In a server room located in the northeast corner of Silicon Graphics, Dean and David were busy fine-tuning the software on the servers.

The Teams software package would be uploaded to Silicon Graphics’ servers, and after tuning is done, employees can directly download the software or have it installed by administrators.

This method was not only efficient but also cost-saving, as even the cheapest CD-ROM has a manufacturing cost approaching one US dollar.

In order to save this expense, Dean decided that for all users within Silicon Valley, Byte Software would provide on-site installation services.

Of course, the application of any new software wouldn’t be complete without initial training. Apart from Dean and his team, Silicon Graphics’ own IT staff was also present in the server room.

These large companies, especially tech companies, have dedicated IT departments that take care of the maintenance and operation of the company’s computers and networks.

Teams software is just a communication tool; Byte would not interfere with its database operations, which were all handled by the IT staff.

This is because the content of employees’ communications might involve sensitive company information, making it safest to house the server and storage databases at the respective companies.

As Dean and his team were about to finish tuning the software, Jim Clark stopped by to chat with him for a moment.

"Dean, give me some good news, is my new toy ready to make its debut soon?"

"Of course, I’ll make sure it’s perfect," Dean handed his work to David, "Mr. Clark, to ensure Teams gets off to a good start, nearly the entire Byte team has been deployed."

"Hahaha, Dean, do you know the most fulfilling moment in the entrepreneurial process?" Clark pointed to the ground, "It’s right now, while working hard for one’s first deal."

Clark looked at the three young people bustling in the server room and couldn’t help but be reminded of the days when he developed his first graphics software.

Sweat, frustration, disappointment... followed by excitement, achievement, and recognition, it was a colorful and unforgettable journey.

Clark had come from there, so he understood exactly how Dean and his team were feeling right now.

"I’m very glad that I met you at the Carriage Wheel Bar," Dean said sincerely, "SGI’s order is crucial for Byte Software, and it has helped us accomplish many of our planned first steps."

For instance, the first office, the first advertisement, and the first formal employee — all these expenses were covered by Silicon Graphics’ deposit.

"What I did was not charity for you," Clark put his arm around Dean’s shoulder as they stood side by side, watching David and others busily work with Silicon Graphics’ IT staff.

"It’s because Teams was intriguing enough and it delivered the functionality you promised, so..." Clark turned and smiled, "why not give it a try? Besides, it will indeed bring significant convenience to the work of the employees."

"You saying that even makes me a bit proud~"

"Hahaha, you deserve it."

As the two shared a laugh, David and his team also completed all their tasks. After receiving a definite confirmation from their IT staff, Clark extended his hand to Dean for a handshake.

"Good Job! After the acceptance check, the final payment will be directly deposited into Byte Software’s account."

"It was a pleasure working with you, and should you encounter any problems during use, please do not hesitate to call Byte Software."

After signing the paperwork and seeing off Dean and the others, Clark couldn’t wait to return to his office.

Miller found the software installation package on the server’s public disk, and it took him only a dozen seconds to finish the download. The speed of the internal network was mostly lightning-fast, limited only by hardware.

Following the instructions step by step, he completed the installation of the software. Eager to open it, Clark logged into his account using the information in his email.

Just moments ago, the system administrator—also known as the IT personnel in the computer room—had already pre-assigned accounts to every employee.

This information was sent simultaneously to everyone’s email, so employees could mostly complete the software installation on their own, efficiently and simply.

However, only after logging in did Clark realize that he was the first person in the company to go online; the contact list showed everyone else’s names in a grey offline status.

Picking up the phone on his desk, he dialed an internal number and gave a few instructions. Soon, five minutes later, his assistant Alice’s name lit up.

He selected the avatar and gently pressed the phone button at the top right corner. Clark, like a child with a new toy, excitedly rubbed his hands together.

Ding~ the notification for a successful connection chimed, "Mr. Clark?"

"Ahem~ Alice, make me a cup of coffee, thank you." Clark ordered with restraint and then swiftly hung up the voice call with a flick of his fingers.

Outside the office, a puzzled Alice glanced at the firmly closed door. Mr. Clark, why didn’t you just ask for everything over the phone?

Having experienced the convenient voice calling of Teams, Clark still wasn’t satisfied. "No, I have to share this with Andy and the others."

With that, Clark picked up the phone again to dial, this time an external line. However, the other end of the external line was not far, also within Silicon Valley.

The "Andy" Clark was referring to was actually one of the three founders of Sun Microsystems. Including Clark, all of them hailed from Stanford.

Because they were in similar industries, they often exchanged ideas. It was common to go hiking, deep-sea fishing, or picnicking in the woods during leisure times.

"Andy, when are you free?... An entertainment agency in Los Angeles? No no no, this time it’s not about meeting models. I’ve found an interesting piece of software that you absolutely have to try.

With it, we can make voice calls over the NSF network, and it’s all free... Yes, just like making a phone call, it’s simply beyond your imagination~"

Hanging up the phone, Clark started flipping through his address book again. He was eager to share the Teams software with friends—text messaging, file transfers, voice calls... such cool innovations.

Perhaps everyone could chat in a chat room instead of having to gather in person. Yes, all of this could be done from his office.

Thump thump thump~ As Clark was looking down to select names, a knock came from the door.

"Alice, the door’s not locked." Clark thought the coffee he had just ordered had arrived.

"Jim, it’s me."

Clark looked up, "Glenn, it’s you?"

"From your voice, I sense a tone of unwelcome." Glenn Miller, with his silver hair, walked in and sat down on the office couch.

Seeing this, Clark didn’t hide his frown, "I think that’s not just your imagination, Glenn."

Glenn, with an expressionless face, seemed to ignore the sarcasm in Clark’s words, simply sitting there quietly.

"Alright, Glenn, what is it this time?" Clark was exasperated with Glenn, who was like a thorn in his side.

He had not only once shouted in anger at Glenn during board meetings for opposing him, but the latter would only listen quietly, like now, and then remain indifferent.

Seeing Clark regain his composure, Glenn spoke leisurely. "I heard you approved a $60,000 budget again?"

"Glenn!" Clark emphasized seriously with his finger tapping on the desk, "That’s within my authority, you’re crossing the line. Don’t forget, I’m the founder of this company and its CEO."

Glenn shrugged indifferently, "Just a reminder, your recent decisions have been increasingly aggressive, let’s not even talk about the blind acquisitions. Signing orders worth tens of thousands of dollars at the drop of a hat without explaining to anyone.

I heard this is just the beginning, and you plan to promote this so-called efficiency-boosting software throughout Silicon Graphics globally? That’s not just a few tens of thousands in budget. Are you prepared to make your case to the board?"

"I know what I’m doing, and I will prove the correctness of my decisions." Clark said expressionlessly, looking at Glenn, "As long as I’m still the CEO of SGI, I have every right to do so."

"OK~" Glenn stood up, spreading his hands, "You’d better keep that last bit of your pitiful shares."

"Crap!" Watching Glenn leave the office, Clark angrily threw the documents onto the floor. "These bloodsuckers, one day their own greed will bury them!"

Glenn Miller was a partner at the Mayfield venture capital firm and the first investor to support Clark in founding Silicon Graphics.

However, the greed of capital is always cold and merciless. As a founder, Clark now owned only 3% of Silicon Graphics.

The rest was taken away by venture companies represented by Glenn, and now they were not satisfied with just that; they also wanted to take away the power from Clark’s hands.

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