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Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!sun-barr!decwrl!mayo
From: mayo@decwrl.dec.com (Bob Mayo)
Newsgroups: comp.lsi,comp.lsi.cad
Subject: Magic Version 6 BETA test sites wanted
Message-ID: <187@jove.dec.com>
Date: 18 Sep 89 18:41:38 GMT
References: <979@wucs1.wustl.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: DEC Western Research Lab
Lines: 41

The Beta-test version of Magic version 6 is almost ready.  I have a couple of
test sites lined up, but am looking for a couple more.  I'm looking for 
places that:

	+ can test it out *right now*  (over next few weeks)
	+ will give the system heavy use, such as one of the following:
		+ classroom use
		+ day-to-day use by chip designers
		+ extensive testing (many hours trying to break it)
	+ will report bugs quickly

A few of the advantages of V6 are:
	+ enhanced X11 support
	+ an interactive maze router from Livermore Labs
	+ a gate array router from Livermore Labs
	+ Stanford's IRSIM program and graphical interface to Magic
	+ lots of bug fixes
	+ better support for technologies with lots of layers and stacked contacts
	+ support for HP machines, MacII's, some system-V'ish stuff

The advantages to test sites are:
	+ a chance to try out the new features to see if you want to use new
	  release
	+ an opportunity to make sure the actual release will work in your
	  configuration (assuming you report problems you encouter!)
	+ great fame resulting from your efforts at making the actual release 
	  as nearly bug-free as possible

The actual release will come out in two months or so.  (This will be a Berkeley
release, not a DEC release.  DEC is my employer, but they are donating some 
of my time to this project.)  Also, due to a lack of manpower, this will be 
a magic-only release.  Other tools from the previous release won't be included
(sorry).

Please send me a mail message if you are interested in being a test site.
I can only interact with a handful of sites, so I'll be choosing them based
upon how heavily they plan to exercise the system.

Thanks!

--Bob