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

[GreyCloud]

On 09/20/16 04:48, Johnny Billquist wrote:
> On 2016-09-19 21:51, GreyCloud wrote:
>> On 09/19/16 08:34, Dirk Munk wrote:
>
>>> 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.
>>
>> An interesting point you just brought up. AMD right now isn't exactly
>> getting rich these days selling their current processors. Assuming one
>> can, approach AMD with this particular question and see what is there.
>> If AMD did it correctly, this may give AMD some hope of increasing sales
>> in this particular arena.
>
> Nope. Totally pointless. People (comapnies) in general will not write
> any code or OS that would only work specifically on AMD processors. If
> AMD haven't already done the same as Intel, they will. Anything else
> just don't make sense.
>
> And you really do not need 4 modes. I have said that for years around
> here. Seems like VSI understood, but a lot of people still seem to want
> to hang on to this like a religion.
>

Not totally true on the modes.  Why did Data Generals machines have 8 modes?
I know they went out of business, but why 8?