[Info-vax] RealWorldTech on Poulson

[JF Mezei]

Michael Kraemer wrote:
> Had DEC put one of their three or four paper RISCs
> into silicon already in the late 1980's, they would have
> had a chance. Likewise, if they had stayed with their Mips
> decision.
> But starting from scratch with Alpha and burning money,
> when all the competition was already earning money,
> that was really gaga.



One word: VAX 9000

DEC canned "Alpha" because it got convinced that a mainframe 9000 would
do it. It took some time before it was realised that the VAX 9000 was
going nowhere, after which the Alpha project was resurected, after
having lost much time and important people.

Hindsight is 20/20.   Back then, it may not have been so obvious what
the best direction should be.