<<< OFFICE$DISK:[NOTES$LIBRARY]ALPHA.NOTE;1 >>> -< Digital's Alpha Program >- ================================================================================ Note 1.0 Welcome ... No replies OPNOFF::SYSTEM 5 lines 21-AUG-1992 11:57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to VAX NOTES This conference is for discussions relating to Digital's Alpha Program ================================================================================ Note 2.0 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 12 replies OPNNET::OLSENK1 16 lines 23-AUG-1992 18:12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hear from some DEC people (in New Zealand, as it happens) that "Alpha" is not necessarily the name that DEC will finally settle on for the product line...can anyone (from DEC?) confirm or deny that DEC are actually considering finding a different name? Personally, it seems obvious to me that the name is now so solidly entrenched that changing it would be marketing insanity - imagine the customers faced with a brochure for the "xyzzy" - the first question they'll ask will be: "But does it run as fast as an Alpha?" Of course, you shouldn't respect my opinion too much. I don't work for DEC anymore. So I don't actually care what they call it now [but personally, I like "Alpha". Nice and direct] :-) cheers, K.O. (or a reasonable facsimile) ================================================================================ Note 2.1 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 1 of 12 OPNNET::MCINTOSHR2 5 lines 24-AUG-1992 11:37 -< Alphas may be DS/9000? >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I heard DS/9000 (DEC System/9000). The idea was that it would appeal to IBM shops as a counter to IBM's new ES/9000 range! ================================================================================ Note 2.2 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 2 of 12 OPNNET::MENADUEP30 6 lines 24-AUG-1992 12:43 -< Alpha is a Good Name >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree with Ken - Alpha is a good clean name, and is so well known, it should be retained. Is there any truth in the rumour that DEC looked at the acronym ARA (Advanced Risc Architecture) but rejected it on the grounds that ARA meant something unsavoury in another language? ================================================================================ Note 2.3 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 3 of 12 OPNNET::CAMERONJ12 1 line 24-AUG-1992 14:30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARA meant something nasty in Arabic apparently... ================================================================================ Note 2.4 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 4 of 12 OPNNET::STEWARTA9 5 lines 24-AUG-1992 16:02 -< No copyright so not Official >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was talking to a Digit and he commented that the word "Alpha" cannot be copyrighted. So it won't be the official name, just like DEC calls itself Digital. :-) Andy. ================================================================================ Note 2.5 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 5 of 12 OPNNET::HAWLEYD13 "Dave Hawley, IT Manager, Tektroni" 4 lines 24-AUG-1992 17:15 -< Numeric nomencalture? >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think they should use the current numeric nomenclature (model numbers?), and then designate the "type" as "Alpha" or "VAX". Eg. 7610 Alpha. Anyway, what would you call the machine if you board-upgraded it from VAX CPU to Alpha CPU? ================================================================================ Note 2.6 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 6 of 12 OPNNET::NOSWORTHYD22 2 lines 25-AUG-1992 13:15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The problem with the use of the 'Alpha' as a name is that it would be extremely difficult to use it as a registered trademark. ================================================================================ Note 2.7 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 7 of 12 OPNNET::CAMERONJ12 7 lines 25-AUG-1992 14:57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anyway, what would you call the machine if you board-upgraded it from > VAX CPU to Alpha CPU? Fast? ;-) Road Runner? ;-) So, you want one of those six character node names? ================================================================================ Note 2.8 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 8 of 12 OPNNET::NORTHB25 1 line 25-AUG-1992 15:46 -< alpha name >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I heard it was going to be called the OLSEN. ================================================================================ Note 2.9 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 9 of 12 OPNNET::HAWLEYD13 "Dave Hawley, IT Manager, Tektroni" 3 lines 25-AUG-1992 16:44 -< Actually ... >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now cut it out, you guys! It's going to be called the OLD MILL. ================================================================================ Note 2.10 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 10 of 12 OPNNET::TONKINP2 4 lines 27-AUG-1992 18:45 -< Alpha or Silicon ? >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Until it runs some real applications I don't think we can call it anything. Its just a big PC at the moment all that horsepower and nothing to run. ================================================================================ Note 2.11 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 11 of 12 OPNNET::MCINTOSHR2 7 lines 27-AUG-1992 18:50 -< PCs have plenty to run >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Re: .10 "Its just a big PC at the moment all that horsepower and nothing to run." Please dont denigrate PCs. PCs have plenty to run. ================================================================================ Note 2.12 Will it actually be called ALPHA? 12 of 12 OPNNET::TONKINP2 2 lines 27-AUG-1992 19:04 -< PCs are more powerful >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good point.... ================================================================================ Note 3.0 What will it cost? 2 replies OPNNET::DELAINEM14 11 lines 25-AUG-1992 15:28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Never mind the marketing hype, how much will an Alpha Workstation cost? Nobody I have been able to talk to so far can give anything near a ball park cost (how can I budget for one if I don't know how much to budget for?). When will the real answers be given? Mike. ================================================================================ Note 3.1 What will it cost? 1 of 2 OPNNET::CAMERONJ12 2 lines 25-AUG-1992 15:54 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't believe anybody actually knows the selling price this early on in the product life cycle... ================================================================================ Note 3.2 What will it cost? 2 of 2 OPNNET::HAWLEYD13 "Dave Hawley, IT Manager, Tektroni" 7 lines 25-AUG-1992 16:46 -< What about licensing >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am led to believe it is going to be about the same scale of pricing as the equivalent model range VAX systems; ie. the Alpha 7000-100 will cost about the same as the VAX 7000-100. What I am interested in the the licensing structure and pricing. Will it operate the same as the "new" VMS licensing structure and cost the same? ================================================================================ Note 4.0 "Assembler" availability for Alpha VMS No replies OPNNET::WILLR7 16 lines 28-AUG-1992 12:21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In answer to questions about availability of assembler language for VMS on Alpha - there doesn't seem to be a current "answer" but there are some current "leanings". The current "leanings" are that "MACRO 32" (takes VAX MACRO code and generates Alpha object modules) will be included in the VMS kit "MACRO 64" (takes Alpha assembler and generates Alpha object modules) will NOT be included in the VMS kit. Please note that these are "current leanings" only and you should check back with DEC closer to product release to get the "real" answer. becky