[Info-vax] Dave Cutler, Prism, DEC, Microsoft, etc.

[JF Mezei]

Neil Rieck wrote:
> Question: Is is possible that PRISM was killed but Alpha was still
> alive and Ken Olsen didn't know it?
> Answer: Yes

My understanding is that Prism was killed to focus on VAX 9000. After a
period of time, the Alpha group was formed, and re-used some of the work
done by the defunct Prism project.

My non-parity-correcting memory seems to recall that it was at the
failure of the VAX 9000 that caused Olsen goto  plan B. The N-vax group
had already shown they could beat the vax 9000 for a lot less money, and
olsen was shown opportunity for a new architecture and allowed the Alpha
group to be created.