[Info-vax] Intel proposal to simplify x86-64

[John Dallman]

Intel are considering a simplification of x86-64, removing the 16-bit and
32-bit modes, and changing the booting process, but retaining the ability
to run 32-bit applications under a 64-bit OS. 

<https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/envi
sioning-future-simplified-architecture.html>

Ring 0 will no longer be available to 32-bit code, and rings 1 and 2 will
no longer be available at all. I don't know much about how VMS on x86-64
emulates the four ring-equivalents that were available on VAX, Alpha and
Itanium, but it seemed worth raising the issue, while Intel are taking
comments on the plan. 

John