LIA-1 and the marketplace

[Stu Anderson 5-3595]

> >> Note, however, that I do not object to LIA-1 permitting VAXen and
> >> rejecting Crays.  The marketplace will decide those issues.

> I don't understand this statement.  Actions by standards committees
> which arbitrarily decide certain products acceptable are directly
> contrary to letting the marketplace decide.

Sorry, I should have been more careful with my wording--I do object.  I should 
have said I was not "objecting" to that issue, but rather the other issues 
that I did discuss.  I wanted to cover issues that had not been repeatedly 
discussed already. 

My comment on the marketplace should have been expanded to state that the 
marketplace will decide before LIA-1 is formally accepted as an international 
standard.  Thus:

   LIA-1 permits VAXen.  The marketplace will decide, independent of LIA-1,  
   whether or not VAXen are purchased. 

   LIA-1 rejects Crays.  According to the rumors I have heard, the marketplace 
   may have already had an effect--Cray is looking seriously at "sort-of-IEEE" 
   architectures for future machines.  If these rumors are false, I would 
   appreciate more information. 

--Stu Anderson (Boeing Computer Services, slaaespresso.boeing.com)