Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mailrus!ames!necntc!linus!alliant!lackey
From: lackey@Alliant.COM (Stan Lackey)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: Cray architecture
Message-ID: <1504@alliant.Alliant.COM>
Date: 29 Mar 88 14:29:09 GMT
References: <7762@alice.UUCP> <418@ole.UUCP> <3216@phri.UUCP> <1574@osiris.UUCP> <25959@yale-celray.yale.UUCP>
Reply-To: lackey@alliant.UUCP (Stan Lackey)
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems, Littleton, MA
Lines: 19

>>	Another option is the Detroit principle:
>>"If it isn't really fast - make it LOOK and SOUND fast"
>>
>>	Maybe computers could issue an impressive spine chilling whine when
>>the load average gets high ....
>
Dave Barry writes that computers are not like cars that you can tell how
fast it is just by looking.  For example, a Corvette is built for speed,
while a VW bug was built for your dog to throw up in in the way to the
vet.

He goes on to say that, if you want to tell if how fast a computer
really is, your best bet is to look at the person using it.  If he is
neatly shaven and wearing a tailored suit, the computer is obviously a
real clunker.  If, however, he is bearded with long, scraggly hair,
wearing a T-shirt and cutoff jeans, it must be a top-of-the-line
scientific supercomputer.

Reprinted with no permission whatsoever.  Not very well quoted, either.