Despite U.S. export rules, Israel buys a supercomputer

Article Abstract:

Israel manages to buy two supercomputers from England's Meiko Scientific Ltd despite the US government's urging that countries with such technologies not sell them to any nations such as Israel that have not signed the nuclear nonproliferation pact. Impending fear is that Israel may use the supercomputers to develop nuclear weaponry, thereby destabilizing the power structure in the Middle East. Technion, the Israeli university purchasing the equipment, denies all such implications. One the Meiko supercomputers is parallel processed and consists of 32 Transputer chips working together to simulate the performance of more expensive single-chip supercomputers. The other Meiko machine consists of Intel Corp's Intel 386 chip. Because processors such as those found in the Meiko machines are readily available, it will be difficult to restrict the export of supercomputers. The US and Japan have both established export controls on supercomputers, using the Composite Theoretical Performance (CTP) benchmark test to disqualify certain machines.

Purchasing, Microprocessor, CPUs (Central processing units), Equipment and supplies, Political aspects, Supercomputers, Supercomputer, Nuclear weapons, Benchmarking, Parallel processing, Benchmark, Industry Analysis, Outlook, Export, Meiko Scientific Ltd.

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Armistice for Apple and Microsoft: leaders see virtue in their joint effort

Article Abstract:

Apple and Microsoft Corp are forging new bonds and developing software packages that will run on the Apple Macintosh. Despite a history of attacks and bitter conflicts, the two companies announced plans to work together. Apple no longer seems to care about the copyright infringement lawsuit that it brought against Microsoft. Gates and Sculley have been in the industry for a long time and recognize the reciprocal need each company has for the other. The companies have similar visions of future software and future user interfaces. Despite the new accord, Apple is mounting an advertising campaign that emphasizes the differences between Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh graphical user interfaces (GUI).

Prepackaged software, Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Management, Computer industry, Product development, Microsoft Corp., AAPL, Interview, Design and construction, Gates, Bill, MSFT, Microsoft Windows (GUI), Apple Inc., Cooperative Agreements, Sculley, John, Apple Macintosh (680X0-based system)

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U.S. effort on computer for Israel

Article Abstract:

The US Department of Commerce moves to loosen restrictions on the power limits of computers that are sold to military research laboratories in Israel. Opponents to the loosening of technology transfer controls maintain that the new trade restrictions will allow Israel to develop long-range missiles and lighter and more efficient nuclear weapons. Opponents also express concern that the US would be sending the wrong signal to Arab countries, especially in the midst of the Gulf region conflict over Iraq's Kuwaiti invasion. Those in favor of easing the restrictions point out that supercomputers are not needed for building a nuclear arsenal and that the concern of proliferation should be placed on other areas.

United States, Computers, Laws, regulations and rules, Digital computers, Israeli foreign relations, United States foreign relations, Restraint of trade, Military research, Technology transfer

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