Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!soleil!mlb.semi.harris.com!trantor.harris-atd.com!trantor!chuck
From: chuck@trantor.harris-atd.com (Chuck Musciano)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: Sun Rivals Blast SPARCstation 2 in Unix Today!
Message-ID: <5101@trantor.harris-atd.com>
Date: 17 Dec 90 13:58:48 GMT
Sender: news@trantor.harris-atd.com
Reply-To: chuck@trantor.harris-atd.com (Chuck Musciano)
Organization: Advanced Technology Dept, Harris Corp, Melbourne, FL
Lines: 39


     I recently posted a reply to claims that the SPARC architecture
was dead and/or dying.  In that post, I stated that MIPS was not
successful in producing a ECL MIPS chip, and that this affected
certain DEC workstation plans.  After receiving some clarifying
e-mail from John Mashey, I would like to restate some of those claims:

     *	MIPS does have a ECL version of their MIPS archiecture
     	available, and shipping in small (150 units) volume.
    
     *	This volume is way too low to meet DEC's needs, thus forcing
     	the cancellation of the DECstation 6000.
     
     *	DEC denies that they will be abandoning MIPS, although I have
     	received e-mail from people within DEC that this is the case,
     	and that there is a push to move the entire DEC line to some
     	E-VAX derivative architecture.  Ken Olsen has been quoted as
     	saying that he wants complete control of all DEC architectures.
     
     *	DEC is a MIPS semiconductor partner, and has access to the chip
     	designs.  What use they make of this access, I don't know.
    
I also mentioned the existence of ECL SPARC systems from FPS Computing.
I made those statements based upon information supplied to me by FPS.
Further requests for details should be directed to FPS Computing.

     I apologize for any inaccuracies I may have created or promulgated.
In general, I try to be part of the signal, not the noise, and thus this
post to gain a few dB for myself.
     	
-- 

Chuck Musciano				ARPA  : chuck@trantor.harris-atd.com
Harris Corporation 			Usenet: ...!uunet!x102a!trantor!chuck
PO Box 37, MS 3A/1912			AT&T  : (407) 727-6131
Melbourne, FL 32902			FAX   : (407) 729-2537

A good newspaper is never good enough,
	but a lousy newspaper is a joy forever.		-- Garrison Keillor