Silicon Cowboys

Oxide and Friends · 1 Jun 2021 · 1h 06m · Episode 5

What this episode covers

Bryan Cantrill, Adam Leventhal, Steve Tuck, and Tom Lyon discuss the rise of Compaq as depicted in the documentary 'Silicon Cowboys' and Rod Canion's book 'Open'. They analyze how Compaq achieved rapid growth by combining portability with 100% IBM PC compatibility, leveraging a strong channel strategy and an egalitarian company culture. The conversation covers the Osborne Effect, IBM's missteps with Microchannel Architecture, and the eventual decline of Compaq following Rod Canion's departure and subsequent acquisitions like DEC.

Mentioned

Companies
Compaq, Osborne, IBM, Dell, Sun, Tandem, DEC, HP
Also
Silicon Cowboys, Rod Canion, Open, Ben Rosen, Microchannel Architecture, John Cleese, Charlie Chaplin

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