Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site SCINEWS.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mhuxn!mhuxr!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!bellcore!decvax!mcnc!rti-sel!SCINEWS!ned From: ned@SCINEWS.UUCP (Ned Robie) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: demise of 8086 family? Message-ID: <164@SCINEWS.UUCP> Date: Thu, 20-Jun-85 15:21:13 EDT Article-I.D.: SCINEWS.164 Posted: Thu Jun 20 15:21:13 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 24-Jun-85 02:31:17 EDT References: <120@SCINEWS.UUCP> <396@gumby.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 109 > > When IBM comes out with their 370 on a chip(s), the future of the 8086 > > family is, I believe, in serious question. Granted, IBM will continue > > to provide strong support for the 8086 family for the forseeable future, > > but once the 370 microchip is ready and 32 bit microprocessors are > > the standard, the 8086 fam. may well be on its deathbed. The 370 has virtual > > memory(!), a well-proven architecture, and gobs of software. What > > would be the point in dragging the 8086 along over the LONG HAUL? > > Fascinating. Can I see a show of hands from everyone who thinks that: > > 1) The 370 architecture is a miracle of modern computer design. > (Dig those addressing modes!). A moot point. > > 2) VM is a great operating system. > VM is not an operating system. It's a control program that emulates one or more 370s. Several stand-alone programs and operating systems can run on the same real machine under VM, such as MVS, CMS, mainframe DOS, UN*X (and maybe PC DOS someday). Personally, I think VM is an elegant way to provide *simultaneous* access to different operating systems on a single machine. With VM I can have what I want when I want it. I can also run stand-alone programs without having to stop the world. > 3) The 370 PC is a great success. The 370 PC and related software are just too expensive right now. Also, the hardware is not fast enough yet. IBM *IS* working on the hardware. The software will be more price competitive when IBM wants it to be (i.e. when the mass market wants it to be). I believe that IBM's recent endeavors to wean corporate customers from 370 source code is in anticipation of the PC market, among other reasons. The original posting stated clearly that this is not expected to happen over night. It will take some time for a responsive and competitively priced 370 PC to be a reality. But anyone who says it won't happen either hasn't been in this industry long enough or has blinders on. > > 4) All that wonderful 370 software out there is > a) inexpensive It will be when there is a big enough market. > b) user-friendly. There are plenty of examples of *user-friendly* software for the 370. Just a few... SPF PROFS VOLLIE/ROSCOE IDMS (Cullinet) SQL/System R Such software has been around for a long time and has been used by many. Companies have a huge amount of resources invested in them. Current PC software can't compete with it because it doesn't need to. But inevitably the day will come when that will change. 370 software has got a fairly big head-start and is always being improved (learning user-friendliness from PC software along the way). > > 5) IBM bought 30% of Intel so it can stop using its products. Of course IBM is going to invest in the company whose chips it will make a success. But the real question is, why only 30%? Some possible explanations... a) no antitrust problems, b) no long-term commitment, c) stock CAN be sold; gradually, of course (IBM wouldn't want to hurt its investment by sparking a mass exodus. Nor would it want to hurt too many others.), d) generally, to leave their options open. > > Where did you get this news? From your hairdresser? You know what they say, only they know! Seriously, the original posting was not intended to start rumours or antagonize. Rather, it was intended to provoke discussion about a possible, if not plausible, scenario. With all the current investment going into the 8086 family, possibilities such as these should not be ignored, no matter how seemingly absurd. Stranger (and more profound) things have occurred and taken the unsuspecting by surprise. It doesn't hurt to be at least aware. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own and are not necessarily those of my employer. -- Ned Robie > > > -- > Dan Frank > > Q: What's the difference between an Apple MacIntosh > and an Etch-A-Sketch? > > A: You don't have to shake the Mac to clear the screen.