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Gu: Good morning. I’ m Dr. Gu from the Seismology Bureau of China.
Exhibitor: Delighted to meet you, Dr. Gu. My name is Schmidt.
Gu: Glad to meet you, Mr. Schmidt. I’ m interested in a computer system for one of our laboratories. We have a 16 bit minicomputer at present, but we want to move up to a 32 bit system.
Exhibitor: I have just the system for you, Dr. Gu. Would you like to step up here and see what we have? We have been designing and manufacturing, computer system components, memory subsystems and disk systems for the last 15 years. Recently we have produced one of the first next generation systems for the incredibly low price of US$9,999.
Gu: What is its performance like?
Exhibitor: Our latest model, the Universal 68, is able to break the 1 MIPS performance barrier.
Gu: MIPS ?
Exhibitor: Millions of instructions per second. Its memory capacity is 256 kbytes; The computer is also designed to accommodate future growth in processing power and can meet the needs of a wide range of applications, from robotics to commercial data systems.
Gu: Would you mind giving me a demonstration?
Exhibitor: My pleasure. Would you take a seat just here, please? You are now sitting in front of a state-of-the-art 32 bit Universal 68. Notice the relatively small size of the unit compared to other 32 bit systems. The software is also quite light and portable.
Gu: Could you point out the different components to me?
Exhibitor: Of course. In front of you is the Central Processing Unit, or CPU for short. This provides the computer with arithmetic, logical and control capabilities.
Gu: What are the input units?
Exhibitor: There is a range of input units: punch-cards, magnetic tapes, teletypewriter, telephone--with touch-tone dial, and an on-line typewriter. The output units are much the same with the addition of microfilm. One of the most popular features of this machine is the concept called "pipes". Pipes allow the output of one program to be used as the input to another program, without the need for intermediate disk files.
Gu: To tell you the truth, I’ m a bit out of my depth. I’ve only had the chance to glance at your brochure and get a very rough idea of the workings of this machine. But I must admit that I am impressed by what you have shown me so far. You have already mentioned the price. What are your other terms?
Exhibitor: Well, madam, I will be equally straightforward with you. We provide standard hardware and software products, which means that you have a variety of suppliers to choose from. Secondly, we offer generous discounts on quantity purchases. The more you buy, the bigger the discount. We also offer further discounts if you continue to buy software from us. And, if at any stage you need a specially designed program, we will be more than happy to take care of that for you, too.
Gu: What about spare parts and repair? We’re had many problems with these in the past.
Exhibitor: We provide both services free of charge within the first 12 months after delivery of the system. I’ m afraid we don’t have an office in Beijing as yet, but we do hope to establish one there in the near future. If you have any trouble at ail with the system, we will send an engineer and spare parts to you on the same day we receive your complaint.
Gu: Your terms are quite generous. Of course, I cannot decide immediately. I must first send a telex to our management committee.
Exhibitor: When can you expect to get an answer?
Gu: Within a day or two. I will certainly let you know by Thursday at the very latest. In the meantime, can you give me any further printed matter to read?
Exhibitor: Here’s a copy of the operation manual. You’re welcome to take that. By the way, you may be interested to know that I will be going to Beijing in early February, to discuss the possibility of setting up an office there.
Gu: That will be very useful for us if we purchase some of your machines.
Exhibitor: Allow me to give you one of my business cards.
Gu: (Reading) Mr. Paul Schmidt, Director, Universal Computers Ltd. And here is mine. Well, Mr. Schmidt, thank you so much for your time, it certainly has been very interesting.
Exhibitor: It was a great pleasure, Dr. Gu. I’ll look forward to seeing you again within the next few days.
Gu: I’ ll certainly be in touch. Goodbye.
Exhibitor: Goodbye.