Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 590 Out of Stock
While Chen Fan was assembling the computer, Xiao Peng watched from the side the whole time, not daring to make a sound, for fear of disturbing him.

After assembly, she plugged in a strange-looking plug, pressed a button, and the machine emitted a loud hum. Only then did she widen her eyes and say, "Isn't this a television? Why do you call it a typewriter?"

The screen was flashing, and it was bigger than many television sets.

Chen Fan smiled at her, meeting her puzzled look, and said, "This isn't a television set, and it can't be used as one. The main difference is the image displayed; it won't provide the same viewing experience."

He then pulled out a chair, sat down, rubbed his little hands together, and typed in a string of commands.

Good heavens! If he hadn't taken computer language courses in his elective computer course during college and hadn't touched this antique machine a few times out of curiosity, he would probably be staring blankly at the screen now, waiting for Zhou Yali to send him some introductory computer books.

These days, computers don't have graphical user interfaces. Upon startup, only the built-in BASIC programming language interpreter in the ROM is available, and even that's considered the most advanced product. Furthermore, there are currently no such teaching materials in mainland China, and there's nowhere to find books to learn them.

Just like many students who took the college entrance examination last year.

As Chen Fan recalled the instructions, he slowly operated the computer while referring to the manual, and finally figured out its functions.

(Apple II product manual from 1980, 113 pages)
Thanks to my cousin Zhou for sending the expansion card, he can finally use his computer to type.

Then, under Xiao Peng's unwavering gaze, Chen Fan sat in the chair, his ten fingers clattering across the keyboard, creating countless afterimages, while lines of English letters appeared on the screen.

That speed was almost as fast as speaking.

Xiao Peng's eyes widened until they became dry, at which point he forcefully closed them and rubbed them.

When I opened my eyes again, the screen was already displaying a stream of subtitles.

What the hell is this written?

Just ask if you want to.

Xiao Peng looked at the screen curiously, then at Chen Fan, and asked, "Director Chen, are you writing in English?"

Chen Fan turned to look at her, his fingers never pausing, and smiled, "It's in English. It's mainly to test the computer's performance and see how fast its response speed is."

"computer?"

Xiao Peng's attention quickly shifted. "What's a computer? Didn't you say this was a typewriter?"

Chen Fan didn't bother to explain in detail, mainly because it wasn't necessary. He just chuckled and said, "A computer is actually an electronic computer. It's not wrong to call it a typewriter because this computer is mainly used for typing. In addition, it can also process some spreadsheets and documents to help with office work."

The difference is that typewriters require paper and are inconvenient for editing. Computers, on the other hand, store text electronically and then read it directly through a monitor—you know, something like a television.

If there are any errors, you can directly modify them on the printer, save it, and then print it via an external printer…

Chen Fan suddenly stopped, quickly got up and walked to the box, rummaging through it vigorously.

Only after digging through the bottom of the box did he mutter to himself, staring at the huge hole, "Where's the printer? What's the point of doing anything without a printer?"

Seeing his expression, Xiao Peng cautiously asked, "Director Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Fan's shoulders slumped, and he listlessly took off the cardboard box and threw it aside, saying with a blank face, "I need to make a phone call."

Xiao Peng blinked gently, silently raised his hand, and pointed to the table, "The phone is on your table."

Chen Fan turned and walked out, saying, "I need to make an overseas call."

Xiao Peng quickly followed, closing the door behind him. "Then we need to go to the communications room."

To prevent some people from using the phone for too long, the phone in the room can only make internal calls. If you want to make local calls, you have to go to the communications room, not to mention international long distance calls.

In the communications room, Chen Fan lay on the table, microphone to his ear, quietly waiting for the call to connect.

In China, it's common knowledge that making a phone call is difficult, and long-distance calls are ten times more difficult—that's also common knowledge. As for international long-distance calls…?
just wait.

Chen Fan took a nap on the table, and the phone was finally answered.

The microphone was pressed against his face, and Zhou Yali's voice came through the receiver, "Hello?"

Chen Fan immediately sat up straight. "Hello, it's me."

Zhou Yali hesitated for a moment, "Little brother?"

Chen Fan coughed lightly, "Can't you hear the sound?"

"Haha."

Zhou Yali immediately became excited, "It really is you! I haven't seen you for a few days, did you miss me? When I asked you to come with us, you weren't willing. How about I book you a plane ticket now?"
"Hey, do you have enough money? If not, I'll send you some money for shipping. I checked, it should arrive in a week via wire transfer."

Chen Fan squinted, a few black lines appearing on his forehead. "No need, no need. I'm not going over there. Um, I received the computer you sent."

"Huh? You're not coming?"

Zhou Yali's interest vanished instantly. She leaned back on the sofa, rolled over, and looked listless, but still managed to raise her voice as she said, "It's good that I received it. Are there any problems? Do you know how to assemble it?"

Chen Fan couldn't help but find it amusing to hear her mood change so quickly. "Didn't your aunt say that she would allow you to come over once you finish your studies? Just focus on your studies."

He then coughed lightly, "The computer is assembled and I've tested it; it works fine. But there's no printer, and no floppy disks either."

Zhou Yali pouted, "So that's why you called."

She sat up and explained earnestly, "The printer was out of stock, so we couldn't send it to you this time. The old-fashioned printers were too blurry and not very good, and dot matrix printers are only suitable for printing receipts, so neither is very good."

If there weren't any better printers, that would be one thing, but last year Siemens launched an inkjet printer that was far superior to the old-fashioned computer printers. The print was clear and neat, and the paper was very clean. As soon as it hit the market, it was in high demand.

I wanted to buy you this newer, better-quality printer, but it will take about two weeks.

She shrugged as she spoke, "It's only because my family has connections that the distributors are willing to give us face; otherwise, we might not even be able to get it in a month."

At this point, the disappointment from before had vanished without a trace, and a smile returned to his face. "Brother, it's only half a month, it'll be here soon. Don't worry, I'll send it to you as soon as I receive it."

Chen Fan nodded in realization, "I see."

He really didn't know this.

It's good enough if you know something about computers; who would bother to know when printers were invented?

In fact, the emergence of printers is somewhat related to the competition between the two superpowers.

Following World War II, the confrontation between the two countries gradually intensified, leading to a global military race and arms expansion. The demand for equipment capable of outputting computer-processed information also increased significantly.

It was against this backdrop that, in 1953, Remington Rand developed a truly electronic computer printer for the UNIVAC computer system.

Then, in the late 60s, Japan's OKI Corporation invented the world's first dot matrix printer.

Although this printer was not convenient for document printing, it was perfect for the specific needs of printing receipts. Then in 1969, Gary Starkweather, then working at Xerox's PARC R&D department, innovated a method of drawing directly onto a photosensitive drum using a laser beam, thus ushering in the era of laser printing.

However, this thing is too big and is more suitable for graphic printing, so it's not really suitable for Chen Fan.

In 1977, Siemens launched the PT-80, a printer using On-Demand (DoD) inkjet technology, which was the world's first commercially viable inkjet printer.

This is perfect as a document printer.

So if Chen Fan had recognized his relatives two years earlier, the Zhou family would probably have had to find a way to send him a laser printer.

Oh, he wasn't here two years ago, so it's alright.

Having figured out the problem, Chen Fan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Next time something unexpected happens, could you put a letter in the box to explain?"

Zhou Yali said matter-of-factly, "I did write it. I was just about to ask you about it. The floppy disk was in the box too. Didn't you see it?"

Chen Fan hesitated for two seconds, then asked, "Which box did you put it in?"

Zhou Yali fell silent for several seconds before stammering, "Aren't all three boxes the same?"

Chen Fan couldn't help but glance upwards, speechless as he stared at the ceiling. "If they're all the same, then why did I ask you to send them to two addresses?"

Zhou Yali's eyes darted around. "Uh... Hello? Hello? Strange, why is there suddenly no sound? Can you hear me, little brother?"

Chen Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes this time, "Give my regards to my uncle and aunt."

Then he slammed the phone down.

You'll have to feed it yourself.

He scratched his head, picked up the phone again, ... and then put it down again.

That careless guy made me so angry that I forgot it was Saturday and Lili was in class and wouldn't be able to answer the phone until tonight.

Then let's call again tonight.

As Chen Fan came out of the communications room, he glanced around and saw Xiao Peng peeking in his direction.

Upon seeing Chen Fan, she immediately rushed over from behind the counter, "Director Chen, how is it? Can the computer be fixed?"

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. When did I say the computer was broken?

He then smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing, just a minor problem."

Xiao Peng let out a long sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good."

She patted her chest and said with lingering fear, "I just ran into Professor Huang from Jiangnan University and asked him what a computer is. He said it's a very valuable thing and very helpful for scientific research. It's equipment that the country desperately needs now."

I thought your computer was broken. I was worried for a long time. If it really was broken, it would be a huge loss.

It has to be said that these days, government employees, although they eat and drink at their workplace, really treat their workplace as their home. Small problems may go unnoticed, but when big things happen, almost everyone is concerned.

Chen Fan chuckled, about to speak, then his expression changed slightly as he looked at her and asked, "Professor Huang from Jiang University? What does he teach?"

Xiao Peng shook his head. "I don't know, I didn't ask. He's a member of the Municipal Writers Association. When the Municipal Writers Association doesn't have a venue, he sometimes comes here to arrange some meetings. That's how I know him."

After a pause, she added, "He also said he was in a hurry to get back to school and would come over later. He also wanted to see your computer, so he asked if it was convenient for you."

After she finished speaking, she tilted her head and looked at Chen Fan, noticing that his expression seemed rather unpleasant. She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. "Director Chen, did I say something wrong?"

Although both the provincial and municipal writers' associations have some connection with the Cultural Palace Guesthouse, the provincial writers' association is clearly closer in terms of proximity, not to mention that Chen Fan is a deputy director-level official.

If we offend Director Chen because of Professor Huang, we'll be in big trouble.

Chen Fan snapped out of his reverie, waved at her, and smiled, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about something else."

After saying that, he thought for a moment and then made a gesture, "If Professor Huang comes over later, you can just take them to my place."

Xiao Peng's eyes darted around slightly. "Are you really alright?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "It's really nothing."

He then put his hands behind his back, bent slightly, and smiled at her, "What, you really want to treat me to a meal to make amends?"

Xiao Peng let out a long breath and patted his chest, saying, "You scared me to death! I thought I had delayed your business."

He looked up and chuckled, "Treating you to dinner is no problem. What would you like to eat? I know a state-run restaurant on Jianshe Avenue up ahead with a really good chef. How about we go there?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "Let's forget it. You only make so little money a month. If you eat half of it all up, I'm afraid you'll go home and cry in bed."

After saying that, he waved his hand and left, saying, "I'm going back to my room. You can bring them here later."

Watching Chen Fan's retreating figure, Xiao Peng sighed softly. As expected, there was still no chance.

How can someone be so chaste?
They're not giving us any chance at all.

……

Chen Fan returned to his room, thought for a moment, deleted everything he had just written, disassembled the computer, and put it back in the box.

If he wasn't mistaken, quite a few people would come to visit the computer later.

There's nothing we can do; everything is in short supply in China.

Jiangnan University does have a computer science major, which was established as early as 1958, making it one of the earliest universities in China to establish a computer science major.

It was established around the same time as Tsinghua University and the University of Science and Technology of China, only slightly later than Harbin Institute of Technology.

Moreover, if he remembers correctly, Jiangnan University will establish a Department of Computer Science this year.

In other words, we are currently preparing to establish a Department of Computer Science.

The first microcomputer officially imported by my country was the IBM-5150, launched by IBM in 1981, which was three or four years ago.

It is easy to imagine how attractive a state-of-the-art microcomputer would be to the computer science faculty and students at Jiangnan University.

Once such a machine enters the country, it is impossible for it not to attract the attention of relevant personnel.

Chen Fan asked Zhou Yali to send him three computers precisely for situations like this.

However, preparations are one thing, but aside from the one he must keep, who gets the other two is none of his business.

(End of this chapter)