SATURDAY STORY - DANIEL JACKSON - EPISODE #7
On Saturdays, I write fiction (and I have said I’m going to keep writing until I get it right). My fiction can be boring. Sometimes my storylines are maybe okay, but frequently they are like snails on the sidewalk - going aimlessly, slow, and leaving a trail of slime!!!
I’m liking this Daniel Jackson story. He is currently a freshman in college. He made a personal computer from scratch when he was 14 years old, which became DJ Computers - and quite a success (think of Michael Dell making his computers in a dorm room). But, I have twists and turns in my mind.
*****
Dan called his Uncle Steve, the CEO of DJ Computers. They had been together the last week over Thanksgiving.
“Hello”, answered Steve Jackson, CEO of DJ Computers.
“Hi Uncle Steve”, Dan replied.
Steve Jackson’s voice brightened, “Hey Dan, what’s up? How’s school? Getting ready to replace me as CEO?”
Dan laughed at that.
Dan continued, “Uncle Steve, I’m looking for a favor. My Freshman Comp professor has assigned a term paper on some aspects of technology for the future. I decided I wanted to write about Moore’s Law, and I want to interview two people, Gordon Moore, and our Chief Technology Officer, Sam Siner about Moore’s law, and how that will affect the future. Does that make sense?”
Steve Jackson replied, “It sure does. We are one of the biggest customers of Intel Chips so that should get your foot in the door, but I think Sam Siner knows Gordon Moore and might be able to get an introduction for you. I’ll ask Sam for you.”
Steve continued, “I should have mentioned this while you were home last week. The technology group is experimenting with electronic mail. I’d like you to work on our beta release of ‘DataJunction’ - our test electronic mail.”
Dan chuckled, “Yes, DataJunction - based on the letters DJ - I like that.”
Steve went on, “I’ll have Sam send you a disk you can load and instructions on how to get on our data port. I think we can send it by overnight mail so you’ll get it tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ll get to Sam and see if we can find a way for you to talk to Gordon Moore.”
They talked a little longer, but Dan knew that Uncle Steve had plenty to keep him busy and didn’t want to talk long.
*****
Dan went to Hick’s Undergraduate library and launched into an all-out assault on knowing as much as he could about Gordon Moore. He took careful notes, including writing the source information in APA format which Dr. Nelson required.
It started when Moore got interested in how transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the first generation of computers. He read about what became “Moore’s Law” from a 1965 paper Moore wrote as the Director of Research and Development at Fairchild Semiconductor. Moore hypothesized that:
“The future of integrated electronics is the future of electronics itself. The advantages of integration will bring about a proliferation of electronics, pushing this science into many new areas. Integrated circuits will lead to such wonders as home computers or at least terminals connected to a central computer, automatic controls for automobiles, and personal portable communications equipment. The electronic wristwatch needs only a display to be feasible today.” (1965 paper).
He had to leave the library at 10:45 so he could get to his Introduction to Business class. They were talking about Porter’s Five Forces today and Dan already had studied the forces model and was ready for discussion. DJ Computers had been an entry entrant into the personal computer field after IBM and Apple. Now it was interesting for DJ Computers to put up barriers to keep other entrants out of the field. (Dan thought - Gee, it was nice to have a background starting a business).
By the time he had lunch and been to the Physics lab (with Linda Watson) and back to his room, he had two phone messages on the phone he and Karl Sieverding shared in Hawkins Hall. One was from his uncle saying that Sam Siner did know Gordon Moore and would be getting in touch with him, and the other was from Sam saying “Call me back”.
Dan called Sam Siner back immediately.
“Hello,” said the voice at the other end of the line.
Dan replied, “Is this Sam? This is Dan Jackson.”
Sam said, “Dan, it is so good to talk with you? How’s school? What’s this paper you’re working on? What can I help you with, in addition to getting you to talk with Gordon.”
Dan explained the term paper assignment for Freshman Composition. Sam listened quietly.
Sam said, “I wish I had a professor like your professor for Freshman Composition. We had to write about Socrates.”
Dan laughed, “I’m glad she didn’t assign that. Purdue is kind of a technical school and Dr. Nelson seems to fit in as an English teacher. We’re to do some aspects of technology in the future. I didn’t share my topic with the class, but I overheard a student saying he was going to write about flying cars. Another one was writing about cameras on street corners watching for people who run red lights. One of the environmental science students said he was going to write about processes in the garbage so that metals and trace minerals could be recycled from all the cardboard and plastics. For me, the future is depending on computing in different forms and is therefore dependent on faster processors with more memory - or - basically Moore’s Law.”
Sam agreed with Dan. “That’s right. Now did you want my viewpoint?”
Dan answered, “Of course. The Chief Technology Officer of DJ Computers has to be up on what’s coming down the line.”
Sam replied I’m going to write my views down and send them on Data Junction - our prototype electronic communication platform. I’ve already put a disk and directions for loading Data Junction onto your computer in the overnight mail, so you should get it tomorrow.” Sam lowered his voice and said, “I almost asked for the rest of the day off, and thought I could drive over to Purdue and drop it off for you and have dinner with you and then come back, but my daughter has a gymnastic meet tonight. I’ll write up my notes and send them to you by Data Junction, you can look them over and get back to me. I’m guessing you have about a week to put this all together?”
Dan said, “You’re right. She wants us to get our paper in by December 7th - that’s just ten days away.”.
Sam said, “And, I got in touch with Gordon Moore’s secretary and she wanted to know what’s a good time for you to talk to him. She thought Friday afternoon at about 6:00 our time might be a good time. He’s two hours earlier in California. Could that work for you?”
Dan endorsed that time. “That would be great for me. How did the secretary sound? Is he agreeable to talk to a college student about Moore’s Law?”
Sam chuckled, “Well, I’m not sure if Gordon Moore is that interested in talking to a college student, but seemingly, according to the secretary, he is excited to be talking to Dan Jackson - the founder of one of Intel’s best customers.”
*****
So Dan was going to talk with Gordon Moore, CEO of Intel Technologies, with Sam Siner, the CTO of DJ Computers, and tomorrow he would talk to Dr. Bunce about getting a faculty member to help with the paper.
*****
Linda Watson came by Dan and Karl’s door at about 5:30 and the three of them walked to Laurel Hall Cafeteria.
Linda said, “Hold on guys, we’re almost done with our first semester.”
Karl said, “Hold it - it’s not over til it’s over!!!”
Dan agreed. “I’ve got this big paper to write for Freshman Comp. I might not be able to sleep until I get it done!!”
Linda laughed, “Dan, you’re just a worry-wart.”
Dan agreed with her and joked,. “Yes, I am!! I am a perfectionist. I expect perfect results”
Linda groaned and said, “Just like your Physics tests: Like the last test you scored 25 bonus points to be the only one over 100%.”
Dan retorted, “Hey - you were in the 90% range, and with his curve, you’ll be in the A plus category!”
This time it was Karl’s turn to tease Dan. “Just like calculus - Dr. Modi calls on you for the tough questions. Definitely the teacher’s pet. Are you going to buy another calculus book so you can ace the final?”.
Both Linda and Karl knew that Dan had done all the problems in two physics and calculus books and had done more sample problems with some of the books in the library.
Karl spoke up, “Hey Mr. Perfectionist. Do you ever have fun? The Electronic Sciences Student Association is having a party this Saturday. Do you and Linda want to join me?”
Linda immediately spoke up, “Of course, Dan and I would love to go to a party, wouldn’t we, Dan?”
Dan, feeling like he had been backed into a corner, but also realizing that he was all work and no play, said “Sure”. He put a grin on his face and added, “Okay you skeptics, I can party”.
*****
Dinner went smoothly, and as they talked over coffee, Dan asked, “Will there be alcohol at the party?”.
Karl went “DOH. It’s a college party. About time you loosened up”.
Linda added, “What kind of a drunk are you, Dan? A happy drunk? A sleepy drunk? An obnoxious drunk? A wear-a-lampshade drunk?”
Karl laughed at Linda’s picking on Dan. This was going to be quite the party.
Dan said quietly, “I’ve never had an alcoholic drink. My parents didn’t drink. Something about an uncle who was an alcoholic, beat and abused his wife and family.”
There were others that drank coffee with them, and a few were also going to the party. Ramesh had been to two of the Electronics Sciences Student Association parties and joined in the discussion. “It is off campus at an Isaac Walton clubhouse. The ESSA pays for use of the building, and we also sponsor vans to drive the drunk students home. It’s a lot of fun.”
Dan wasn’t so sure about the lots of fun comment
*****
They walked back to Hawkins Hall - and Dan and Linda let Karl and the others get ahead of them. The two of them went to the student study room which was empty at that hour, and immediately Linda and Dan got into passionate kissing. And, soon Dan discovered, just as his mother thought, that Linda didn’t have a bra on tonight. Soon Dan’s hands landed on Linda’s breasts and she leaned into him and cooed in his ear. “Just for you”.
And five minutes later, Linda’s hand slipped into Dan’s jeans and she brought him to a climax. They might have continued longer but a student with their backpack came into the study room, and they broke apart and went to their rooms.
There was another student on the elevator, so, other than holding hands, they didn’t do anything. As Dan got off on the fourth floor, Linda kissed him on the lips.
*****
Back in the room, Karl was studying and looked up and asked, “What kept you?”. But, he had a sheepish grin on his face. He knew that Linda was really coming on strong to his roommate, but it does take two for a relationship and Dan didn’t seem to be fighting off Linda.
Karl then said, “There’s a message on the answering machine. Some Gordon Moore person called. Is that the guy with Moore’s Law?”
Dan blushed a little, and said “yes”.
Karl was confused - “Why should the CEO of Intel Corporation call you?”.
Dan said down in his desk chair but turned it to Karl. He began, “It’s a long story, but it's time I tell you.”
Karl laughed, “Yeah, you’re going to tell me that you are Daniel Jackson, the founder, and developer of the DJ Computer and DJ Computer company. I was pretty sure about that and looked you up in the library in some of the computer magazines. You’re going by Dan instead of Daniel, you’ve grown a scraggly beard, and you’ve changed your hairstyle, but the picture in the magazines was you.”
“I first thought it was kind of strange that Dan Jackson had a DJ Computer but that brand is getting popular. Then I did some snooping and figured it out. I haven’t shared that with anybody.”
“So, Daniel Jackson of DJ Computer fame is writing a term paper on Moore’s Law and the phone messages yesterday were setting up the phone interview with Gordon Moore of Moore’s Law.”
Dan blushed fully now. “Yes, it’s true. DJ Computers is one of Intel’s best customers and I asked my uncle Steve, who is the CEO of DJ Computers, to see if he could help me get an interview with Mr. Moore. And, seemingly he has.”
Karl continued, “So, your big final paper for Freshman Composition about some aspect of technology in the future is about Moore’s Law - and you are talking to Gordon Moore, and probably somebody in DJ Computers, and somebody on campus, but all your library research. Pretty exciting Dan.”
Dan smiled, “Thank you, Karl. You’ve been a great roommate and friend.”
*****
After Physics class, Dan waited to talk with Dr. Bunce.
Gary Bunce greeted Dan warmly, “Hi Dan. How was your Thanksgiving break?”.
Dan replied, “Truly awesome, Dr. Bunce.” Looking around Dan saw a couple of kids leaving and Linda waiting by the door. “I got to spend some time at work at DJ Computers. Had some great talks with my uncle Steve, who is CEO, and got to be with some of the research and development folks.”
Dr. Bunce nodded.
Dan went on, “I’m looking for a favor. For my Freshman Composition class, we are to write about some aspects of technology in the future. I’m doing my paper on Moore’s Law.” Dan lowered his voice. “I’m talking with Gordon Moore on Friday.”
Dr. Bunce’s eyebrows went up and his eyes opened fully.
Dan continued, “I’d like to interview a faculty member who works in research on circuits, computer speed, memory, whatever that relates to Moore’s Law. Do you have any suggestions?”
Gary Bunce laughed, “So, let’s see, this isn’t a freshman comp paper anymore, it is a Ph.D. dissertation! Let’s see. Probably the best at Purdue is Dr. Sanjay Modi. He’s really connected in the field and, if I remember correctly, he worked at Intel and knows Dr. Gordon Moore. You’ll like him - super knowledgeable and a great guy. Do you have a couple of minutes now? We can see if we can find Sanjay.”
Dan asked, “Can Linda come along? We generally go to lunch after our class.”
Gary Bunch smiled (and suppressed a laugh). He had seen this shy boy come out of his shell this semester. “Sure, have her come along.”
Dan waved at Linda to come to join them. “We’re going to meet Dr. Sanjay Modi, who knows about Moore’s Law.” Then he corrected himself. “I am writing about Moore’s Law for my Freshman Comp final paper.”. He had told his roommate, Karl, about the paper, but hadn’t mentioned it to Linda.
Dan reached over and grabbed Linda’s hand, and the three of them started down the hall.
Dr. Bunce led them to the elevator and punched 5. He made small talk about the exciting things that the electronics engineering and innovation group was doing. Dan was hoping to see some exciting things that he could suggest for DJ Computers.
*****
Dr. Modi was not in his office, but Gary Bunce said, “I can guess where he is - follow me”. They went down a hallway to a lab with the sign “Innovation Group Lab” on the door. And there, hovering over a student with about six sheets of detailed diagrams, was Dr. Sanjay Modi.
Sanjay waved at Gary Bunce. He stood and said something to the student and came over to meet the group.
Dr. Modi said, “To what do I owe this great honor of having Dr. Gary Bunce in my lab”.
Gary Bunce blushed a little and replied, “I wanted to honor these lowly freshmen students with the pleasure of meeting one of the greatest minds in the world”.
Both men laughed. Dan could tell there was comradery between the two.
Gary Bunce continued, “This is Dan Jackson and Linda Watson, freshmen in my College Physics class.”
For a second, Dr. Sanjay Modi looked intently at Dan. Then he made a comedic bow before Dan. “I am so pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Daniel Jackson, inventor of the DJ Computer”.
This time, it was Dan’s turn to blush. He looked to Dr. Bunce, “Did you tell him?”
Gary Bunce said, “no”.
Dr. Modi said, when Gary (um, Dr. Bunce) introduced you, I looked you over. You’re famous you know”.
Dan grinned, “So I hear. I don’t feel so famous, I’m just a lowly freshman student at Purdue University”.
Dr. Modi looked over at Linda. “Are you Mr. Jackson’s trusted assistant, I assume?”.
This time, Linda got a little blush and dropped holding Dan’s hand.
But, she wasn’t quite at a loss for words and said, “I want you to know that I did ALL the work on that dumb computer, and he took ALL the credit”. She then laughed.
Sanjay broke the silliness, “So, why are you all coming to see me?”
Dr. Gary Bunce answered, “Well, it seems as if Dan wants us to help write his Freshman Composition term paper. I knew it was way beyond my ability, so I thought we could ask an expert, but I didn’t find any experts but thought maybe we’d get lucky and ask you.”
This time, it was Sanjay’s turn to laugh. “Okay, Dan, what is your freshman comp paper about and how can we help you?”
Dan gave the quick rundown of the paper - ten to twenty pages about some future aspects of technology. “I decided to write on the packing of transistors onto chips to make integrated circuits and the impact of Moore’s Law.”
Dan decided not to mention that we had an interview with Gordon Moore on Friday afternoon.
Sanjay held up his hands in mock surrender. “You mean you the flimflam pretender, Gordon Moore? Yeah, I’ve heard of him, I even worked for him for a while. I suppose your people at DJ Computers use some of his chips. Maybe you should contact him?”
Dan cleared his throat, “I have an interview with Dr. Moore on Friday”.
That got to Sanjay. “Wow - you do have some connections don’t you. Well, why don’t we adjourn to my office and get a cup of coffee and talk?”.
Sanjay stopped back by his graduate student and told him he would be back, and the more went to Dr. Modi’s office.
What followed was a quick overview of binary computing - from vacuum tubes that were Off or On, to transistors, to multiple transistors to a semiconducting device, to very large-scale integration of millions of transistors on a semiconductor. Dan got out his notepad and took notes. It was a high-level overview of modern computing in 25 minutes with a lot of insights and predictions that Dan could use in his paper. Sanjay was funny but really knew his stuff. He told a few stories about some of the work of Gordon Moore, and their relationship. Dan was reminded of an old statement - like taking a sip of water from a fire hose - a lot of information packed into 25 minutes. Gary Bunce excused himself about halfway through to get ready for his next class. Linda Watson stayed but she was overwhelmed by the discussion.
Dan asked a few specific questions about the architecture, gates, and technical issues with the announced Intel chips.
At ten minutes to one, Dr. Modi stopped for a sip of coffee, and said, “Dan, I have a class to teach in a few minutes. Why don’t you review your notes and we’ll get together again early next week.” Dan agreed.
Sanjay continued, “And, Dan, I’m looking for an undergraduate student to work with me. You’re a little young as I like to pick students who have been through the Electronic Circuits I class, but I think you are beyond that class anyway. Think about that.” Sanjay paused, and said, “Oops - I forgot you’re one of the richest teenagers in the World these days, You probably wouldn’t work for minimum wage for me.”
***
Dan and Linda walked to Laurel Hall for a late lunch. Linda was still shellshocked “WOW - my boyfriend is one of the richest teenagers in the World!”.
*****
Back in Hawkins Hall, Dan got his mail. He had a package and got an overnight mail envelope with the Data Junction software on a disk. He read the directions and installed it on his DJ Computer. The directions said to send a note to: sam.siner@djcomputers.com so, he did and almost immediately got a response.
Sam wrote, “Hey Dan, great to establish communications with you. I’ll have some ideas for your paper by tomorrow afternoon.
The note also included addresses for his uncle Steve and others in DJ Computers. Instant communications!!!
He sent a note to uncle Steve and told him that he had an appointment to talk with Gordon Moore on Friday.
He had seen this discussed as “electronic mail”, or some called it “e-mail” or “email” and it was a hot topic. One of the difficulties was bandwidth - could the telephone system handle the sending of thousands of bits of data back and forth quickly enough. That gave Dan an extra question for Gordon Moore - yes, the chips on computers were about twice as fast in eighteen months as the previous chips, but could the data be sent faster?
*****
Now in the final weeks of the semester, he was “out” as the Daniel Jackson of DJ Computers to a few people. Dan told his Introduction to Business professor he was the Daniel Jackson of DJ Computers. The professor said “That’s fantastic Dan. Could you talk in class on our last class day about being an entrepreneur?”
The professor added, “No wonder you knew all about supply chain, Porter’s Forces, Mintzberg, and more. Are you a business major?”
Dan laughed at that. “I really enjoyed your class. I might have to major in, business, electronic sciences, and physics, with a minor in math!!”.
*****
In all his spare time for the next two days, Dan wrote on the paper. He brought in the ideas from Dr. Sanjay Modi, and Sam Siner, and knew that Gordon Moore would really cement his paper. He scheduled a time on Monday with the English tutors in the library to help him polish his rough draft. He thought, “this paper could be good”.
**********
End of week 7 of Daniel Jackson Computer entrepreneur. What will happen next week? How will the interview with Gordon Moore go? How will the paper go? How will the Electronic Sciences Student party this weekend go?
It should be interesting. (And, yes, I still have a few ideas in my brain).
LOVE WINS
LOVE TRANSFORMS
KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, APRIL 1ST. 2023
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