A software fix may revitalize the supercomputer
Article Abstract:
Tera Computer Co may have found a way to reverse the declining fate of the supercomputer. Government budget cuts, price issues and growing competition from the microcomputer industry have been threatening the future of supercomputers. Supercomputer sales are expected to drop from $765 million to $542 million by 1998. However, Tera founder Burton Smith is ready to build a new supercomputer prototype that will provide the speed of competitive machines at one quarter of the price. Smith has solved a number of programming problems and has attempted to add enough efficiency and versatility to compete with smaller machines. Smith has also utilized multi-threaded architecture to solve the supercomputer's memory latency problems. Unfortunately, Tera currently lacks the $5 million to $10 million that it needs to build its prototype. The company is awaiting decisions from Congress regarding the future of federal funding.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Making computers cute enough to wear
Article Abstract:
Apple's industrial design studio director, Jonathan Ive, is exploring more innovative computer designs that evoke more human reactions. Ive blasts the majority of PCs throughout US homes and offices as unoriginal, gray boxes that limit personal communication. One of Ive's main goals consists of redefining the box and monitor for everyday living, such as the telephone or automobile. Another goal is for the seamless and wireless connection of computers to the Internet. The increasing popularity of computers with flat panel displays has yielded new creative possibilities, according to Ive. Future machines probably will become portable and personalized fashion statements, much like watches and cellular phones. Ive's group has drawn praise for its first two designs, the Emate three-pound notebook computer for grade-school students, and a limited edition 20th-anniversary Macintosh.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Supercomputer decline topples Cray Computer
Article Abstract:
Cray Computer Corp is planning to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after its failure to raise $20 million to continue operations. Cray's computers are generally used by engineers and rocket scientists and offer incredible computing performance. The computing world has made a transition and can now offer excellent speed and performance in less expensive, smaller microcomputers. The end of the cold war has also had an effect on Cray's sales by reducing the Government budgets that were a primary source of Cray revenues. Cray Computer Corp was founded by Seymour Cray in 1989 after he left his first company Cray Research. Cray Computer Corp did not sell a single computer system before being forced to seek bankruptcy protection. The first sign of problems was when the company missed a Dec 1991 deadline to preview its first system, the Cray 3.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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