[Info-vax] [OT] Portable operating systems, was: Re: PowerX Roadmap -

[Dirk Munk]

Bob Koehler wrote:
> In article <mqMDz.708073$aY4.690738 at fx15.ams1>, Dirk Munk <munk at home.nl> writes:
>>
>> To your knowledge, is there any OS that actually uses those four modes
>> in x86?
>>
>> If not, would it be possible to ask Intel to change the design of x86 is
>> such a way that the separation VMS requires would be achieved? I can
>> imagine that another OS could benefit from that too.
>>
>> Perhaps it's just a fantasy, but a nice one I hope :-)
>
>    And then in the next port, does VSI ask another vendor to add 4 modes
>    to thier chip, also?
>
>    If VSI can get the 4 mode needs out of VMS, and can do it now, it
>    makes the future much simpler.
>
>    I like the 4 modes.  I think thiey are good design.  But I don't
>    lord over all the architecture designers.
>

Intel did design the 4-mode setup, they just made an error in the 
design. Instead of correcting the design, they crippled it even more.

I don't know if AMD has the same problem.