Stratechery Compaq and Coronavirus
5 snips
Mar 24, 2020 Discover the fascinating rise of Compaq in the PC market, fueled by innovative strategies like reverse engineering IBM's BIOS. Explore how outsourcing fueled their growth but eventually led to their decline. Shift gears to examine the contrasting pandemic responses, highlighting Taiwan's decisive actions versus Western hesitance during the SARS-CoV outbreak. Finally, navigate the complexities of civil liberties amidst government controls in a pandemic, emphasizing the need for clear, actionable solutions.
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Compaq's Rise and Fall
- Compaq, a dominant force in tech history, is now largely forgotten.
- Its reverse-engineered BIOS for IBM PCs propelled its rapid growth and market leadership.
Compaq's Virtualization Strategy
- Compaq's focus shifted from engineering to outsourcing for cost reduction.
- This led to short-term gains but ultimately contributed to its decline and merger with HP.
Taiwan's COVID-19 Response
- Taiwan's proactive actions against COVID-19, like travel restrictions and mask production, are highlighted.
- These measures stand in contrast to the delayed responses seen in many Western countries.