MS heads for H.C.

[Garrett Goebel]

Brian Kelsay wrote:
>
> "According to ZDNet, Microsoft may be feeling threatened
> by Linux gaining ground in the High Performance Computing
> (H.C.) arena. As a result, they have formed a H.C. group
> to bring windows to these systems. It makes a mention of
> how clustered computing may be a target. I guess the only
> thing better than crashing 1 computer at a time is
> crashing an entire room full at once."
>
> http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103_2-5219282.html
>
> I just laughed myself out of the chair.

<rant>

Are you sure your "Anything-but-Microsoft" brand loyalty isn't clouding your
judgement?

I've used Windows from 3.0 through to 2K3. The Windows OS's have been
getting slowly and steadily better. This despite the fact that they carry a
tremendous amount of historical baggage. The move with Longhorn to managed
code, CLR, DRM, focus on security, resolution independent display, etc...
will cut some of this baggage and help Microsoft continue to improve their
offering.

Microsoft employs a lot of smart hardworking people. They market themselves
effectively and communicate efficiently with businesses. Sure, they serve
their own interest first, and then your's (where it benefits their's.) -No
one has ever accused Microsoft of failing to test the legal limits of
competitive practices. But, they do provide boilerplate api's, code, and
documentation that allows run-of-the mill programmers to clock-in, throw
something together that'll get the job done, file the TPS report, clock-out,
and head home...

If Microsoft focuses on a problem, they're more than adequate to the task.
Take the Xbox as an example: Microsoft has displaced Nintendo and continues
to make gains in market share while Sony slides. It's more a question of
whether or not they were listening to the customer, and whether or not it'll
contribute to the bottom line. Neither of which are much of a problem for
open source. -Except where open source faces a problem that doesn't scratch
enough of an itch to reach critical mass. Things like centralized machine
configuration, inventory, and security management...

The HPC problem is actually a simpler problem than the desktop: fewer users,
less hardware to support, and a less diffuse problem domain. All of which
are reasons why linux has done well at HPC. The fact that Linux is making
in-roads via HPC is probably more critical to explaining Microsoft's
interest... The reality is that Microsoft dominates the harder problem: the
desktop. Check out google.com/zeitgeist.html. 92% of all google queries come
from Windows machines. And seeing as how Microsoft has been mopping the
floor with desktop competitors for years, there's a good chance they'll make
significant in-roads into HPC.

Linux has also been getting better. And its been getting better faster. But
try finding an open source equivalent to MSDN. The LDP doesn't come close.
-Looking for a Linux/FOSS application or solution is like going on a
scavenger hunt through a mob of projects. Is it actively maintained? Is it
any good? Is it documented? Is it easy to install and maintain? Does it have
reasonable defaults? Is the user interface coherent, intuitive, usable?

And no, the magic pixie dust from one Sun sponsered usability study does not
bring Gnome anywhere close to Microsoft on usability. Strides are being
made, but Gnome can only be considered a forerunner if you're willing to
recognize how few people are in the race.

The question is whether the "proprietary" development model with effectively
unlimited financial resources can outcompete "open source". Intellectual
property rights vs. free as in speech. Vendor lockin vs. open standards,
formats, and choice. Monolithic solutions that perform many things
adequately vs. combining many individual solutions which do a single thing
well. One focused voice with deep pockets vs. an incoherent mob.

They say people like McDonald's because they can go pretty much anywhere,
order a burger, and get what they expect. I believe much the same thing goes
for Microsoft. Unlike mechanics and coders, most people are content never to
look under the hood. They don't want to think, they just want to get through
the day. But bringing it back to HPC...

Microsoft hasn't gone after HPC because they expect it to fatten their
margins. If anything, it'll be a loss leader. They're trying to crush the
competition before it can rally any more partisans to its cause.

</rant>

--
Garrett Goebel
IS Development Specialist

ScriptPro                   Direct: 913.403.5261
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