{"product_id":"open-how-compaq-ended-ibms-pc-domination-and-helped-invent-modern-computing-9781637748145","title":"Open: How Compaq Ended Ibm's PC Domination and Helped Invent Modern Computing","description":"The story of Compaq is well-known: Three ex-Texas Instruments managers founded Compaq with modest venture funding. Just four years later, Compaq was on the Fortune 500 list, and, two years after that, they had exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue. No company had ever achieved these milestones so rapidly. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut few know the story behind the story. In 1982, when Compaq was founded, there was no software standardization, so every brand of personal computer required its own unique application software. Just eight years later, compatibility with the open PC standard had become ubiquitous, and it has continued to be for over two decades. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis didn't happen by accident. Cofounder and then CEO Rod Canion and his team made a series of risky and daring decisions--often facing criticism and incredulity--that allowed the open PC standard marketplace to thrive and the incredible benefits of open computing to be realized. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA never-before-published insider account of Compaq's extraordinary strategies and decisions, \u003ci\u003eOpen\u003c\/i\u003e provides valuable lessons in leadership in times of crisis, management decision-making under the pressure of extraordinary growth, and the power of a unique, pervasive culture. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eOpen\u003c\/i\u003e tells the incredible story of Compaq's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to become the PC industry leader in just over a decade. Along the way, Compaq helped change the face of computing while establishing the foundation for today's world of tablets and smart phones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Benbella Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/05\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781637748145\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 256\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.53lbs","brand":"Rod Canion","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51844117758133,"sku":"9781637748145","price":21.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_aad24cf9-cb2c-4411-aa4e-bde572f272d6.jpg?v=1759849450","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/open-how-compaq-ended-ibms-pc-domination-and-helped-invent-modern-computing-9781637748145","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}