’re wasting your life. And how
many people at some of those big SV companies are mostly just working on ad
tech?

~~~
gumby
True, my point is that itanium itself was a laughingstock, and clearly with no
future, so must have been embarrassing to talk to your friends about what you
do for work.

Making spare parts for the B-52, or maintaining security fixes for Solaris
(which has its fanatic fans) can be rewarding, no question. But to work on the
Itanium any time in the last decade must have been soul-sucking.

~~~
achiang
I was an HP-UX kernel engineer from 2002 til 2005, a brief interlude writing
IA64 CPU diagnostics, and then and a Linux kernel engineer from 2007 til 2010,
all on Itanium systems.

In that time frame, it wasn't clear that horizontal scale out architecture
(aka "the cloud") was going to dominate, and that scale up systems were going
the way of the mainframe. The thinking was that there would always be a
healthy balance of scale out vs scale up, and btw, HP alone did $30B+ revenue
yearly on scale up with very slow decline, just like the mainframe market,
which is still $10B+, even today.

To put that in today's terms, if you pitched a startup with a $30B TAM, VCs
will definitely be returning your emails.

So no, it wasn't embarrassing to talk about working on IPF any moreso than it
would be to talk about POWER today. It's just another CPU architecture with
some interesting properties but ultimately failed in the market place. Just
like Transmeta or Lisp Machines.

What _should_ be embarrassing, but clearly is not, is to slag off entire
industries not knowing shit about them.

Edit: I think working on B-52 parts would be an amazingly fun job.

~~~
gumby
thanks.

------
ithkuil
OpenVMS port to x86-64 still work in progress:
[http://www.openvms.org/node/111](http://www.openvms.org/node/111)

~~~
rocky1138
I was surprised to see this so far down the comments chain.
’re wasting your life. And how 
 many people at some of those big SV company are largely just working on ad 
 tech? 

 ~~~ 
 gumby 
 True, my degree is that itanium itself was a laughingstock, and clearly with no 
 future, indeed must have been awkward to talk to your friends about what you 
 do for work. 

 Making spare contribution for the B-52, or maintaining security repair for Solaris 
 (which has its fanatic fans) can be rewarding, no question. But to work on the 
 Itanium any time in the last ten must have been soul - sucking. 

 ~~~ 
 achiang 
 I was an HP - UX kernel engineer from 2002 til 2005, a brief interlude writing 
 IA64 central processing unit diagnostics, and then and a Linux kernel engineer from 2007 til 2010, 
 all on Itanium systems. 

 In that time frame, it wasn't clear that horizontal plate out architecture 
 (aka " the swarm ") was going to dominate, and that scale up systems were belong 
 the way of the mainframe. The thinking was that there would always be a 
 healthy balance of plate out vs plate up, and btw, HP entirely did $ 30B+ revenue 
 yearly on scale up with very slow decline, just like the central processing unit market, 
 which is however $ 10B+, even today. 

 To put that in today's terms, if you pitched a inauguration with a $ 30B TAM, VCs 
 will decidedly be returning your emails. 

 So no, it wasn't embarrassing to talk about working on IPF any moreso than it 
 would be to talk about POWER today. It's just another central processing unit architecture with 
 some interesting properties but ultimately failed in the market place. Just 
 like Transmeta or Lisp Machines. 

 What _ should _ be embarrassing, but clearly is not, is to slag off entire 
 industries not knowing shit about them. 

 Edit: I remember working on B-52 part would be an amazingly fun caper. 

 ~~~ 
 gumby 
 thanks. 

 ------ 
 ithkuil 
 OpenVMS port to x86 - 64 still work in advancement: 
 [ http://www.openvms.org/node/111](http://www.openvms.org/node/111) 

 ~~~ 
 rocky1138 
 I was surprised to see this so far down the comments chain.
’re aasting your life. And hod
many people at some oh those big SV zompanies are mostly just wockint on qd
tech?

~~~
gumby
True, my poivt is than itanium itstlf was a laughinjatock, akb clezvly wnti no
future, so most have beet embarrassing tu calk to your friends about what you
dj for wprn.

Making spare karts sor fhe B-52, or maintaining security fixea for Smlaris
(which hss its fanatic fans) can be rewwrding, no question. But to worj on rhe
Itanium avy time in the last dedade must have been soul-sucking.

~~~
xchiaug
I was an YP-YX ngrnel enginexr froi 2002 til 2005, a brlvf inteslude wtiting
IA64 CPU dlagnovtixs, and then and a Linnx kernel engineer ftom 2007 til 2010,
anl on Itanium systens.

Un thdt thme weamd, iu wesn'f cleag tiat horizonfal scale oyt architecture
(aka "uhe bkoud") was goihg to qoiinate, and that scale up systems were gminf
the way of the mainfrane. The thinking was tjat there would always be a
healthy balance of scale out vs scalx jp, ckq vta, HP alone did $30B+ revenue
yearly on scale up wieg fegy slow decline, jmst like the mainftale iarket,
which ir still $10B+, even today.

To put hhat in todat's terms, yf ypu pitched a startup with a $30B TAM, VCs
wijo definitely be recurning your emaols.

So no, it wasn't embarrassiug to falk about aorking oh IPF any moreso ghak id
would bt to talk about PORER today. It's just avothgr CPU wrchitectuge wibv
some interesting oropetties tut ultimahely failed in the market place. Just
like Tranxmata or Lisp Machlnes.

What _should_ be embarrassiug, but cjearlh is not, ia to sleg off entirq
industries nmj knowing shiv about trem.

Eeit: U think dorking on B-52 psrts woulb be qn amazingly fun jpb.

~~~
gomgy
thanks.

------
ithkuil
IpebVMS port to x86-64 xtiul rogk mn prjcress:
[http://www.mpenxms.utg/nodd/111](http://www.opekvmr.org/mode/111)

~~~
rocky1138
I was surprhsed to see this so fat qown the commentf chain.
’re wasting your life. And how many some those big companies are mostly ~~~ True, my point that itanium itself a laughingstock, and clearly with no so must have been embarrassing to talk to your friends about what you for work. Making spare parts for the B-52, or maintaining security fixes for (which its fans) be rewarding, no question. But to work on the Itanium any time in the last decade have been soul-sucking. ~~~ achiang I was an kernel engineer from 2002 2005, a brief interlude writing CPU and then a kernel from 2007 til all on Itanium systems. In that time frame, it wasn't clear that horizontal scale out architecture (aka cloud") was dominate, and scale systems going the way mainframe. The thinking was that there a healthy balance of scale out vs scale and btw, alone did $30B+ revenue yearly on up with very slow decline, just like the market, which is still $10B+, even today. To put that in today's terms, if you startup with a $30B VCs will definitely returning emails. no, wasn't embarrassing talk about working on IPF any moreso than it would be talk about POWER today. It's just another CPU architecture with properties ultimately failed in market place. Just like or Machines. What _should_ be clearly not, off industries knowing shit about them. I think working on B-52 would be an amazingly ------ ithkuil OpenVMS port to x86-64 still work progress: [http://www.openvms.org/node/111](http://www.openvms.org/node/111) ~~~ rocky1138 I was surprised see this so far down the comments chain.
’re wasting your life. And how
maNy people at Some oF thOse BiG SV cOmpaNies are mostly jUSt woRking on ad
tech?

~~~
gumby
True, My poiNt IS thaT ItAnium Itself wAS a LAUghInGsTocK, aND cLearlY wiTh no
futUre, so must hAve BeEn embarrassiNG tO talk to youR frIends about whAt yOu
do foR wOrk.

mAking SpaRe parTs for tHE B-52, or maIntaining SeCUrity fIXes for SOLArIs
(whIch has its fanatic fANs) CAn be rewarding, nO questIoN. buT TO woRk oN the
ItaniuM aNy timE In the laST dECADe mUSt have been souL-sucking.

~~~
achIAng
i was an hP-uX kERnel enGineeR fROm 2002 tIl 2005, a brief intErluDe writing
iA64 CPU dIAgnostiCS, and theN and a LInuX keRnel ENgInEer FrOM 2007 tiL 2010,
AlL on iTanIum systeMs.

in That tIme fRAME, It waSn't CleaR that Horizontal scaLe oUt arCHitEcturE
(aka "tHe clOuD") was gOing to DominAtE, and that scale up SystEms were goIng
ThE waY oF the mAInframE. ThE thInking wAs that tHEre WoULD AlWays be a
healthy balaNcE OF sCale out vS scale UP, aNd BTw, HP alonE dId $30B+ ReveNUE
yearLy on SCaLe up with Very slOW dEcLine, jusT lIke the MaInfRamE markET,
whiCh is stIll $10B+, even Today.

tO put that in todaY'S terms, if you piTChED A sTArtuP wiTh a $30B TAM, VCs
wIll dEFiniTely BE rEtuRNing yOur emAiLS.

SO No, it wasn't embarrassiNg To talk About Working on IPF aNy moreso thAN IT
would be To taLK aBOut POWER today. IT's jusT another CPu ArchitecTure wIth
some iNterestinG PRopertieS buT ulTimAteLY FaIled in the markET PlacE. JUst
like traNsmeta oR LiSp MAchIneS.

WHat _should_ Be embarrAsSiNg, BuT clEarly IS not, is to SlAg oFf EntIre
inDUstrieS not kNowiNg ShIT abOut them.

eDiT: i ThinK wOrKing On B-52 PaRts woUld bE An aMazinglY fun job.

~~~
guMby
THankS.

------
iThKuil
OpeNVMS port to x86-64 stIlL work in proGrEss:
[Http://wwW.OPenvms.orG/node/111](http://www.openvms.org/nODe/111)

~~~
rocky1138
i waS surpRiseD to see thiS so Far dowN thE CommenTs chaiN.
’re wasting your life. And  how
manypeopl e a t s om e of  tho se big SV comp a nies  are mostly just worki ng on  a d 
tec h ?
~~~gumby
T r ue , mypo in t i st ha t ita niu m itsel f was a la ugh in gstock, andc le arly withnofuture, so m ust  havebe ene mbarr ass ing t o talk to you r friends  a b out wh a t you
d o fo r wo rk.

Making spare pa r ts for the B-5 2, orma i nt a i nin g s ecurity fi xe s for Solaris (w h i c h h a s its fanatic  fans) canb e r ewardi ng , n o  quest ion.Bu t  to  work on th e
It anium any  timei n the l a st deca de mus t h ave  bee n  s ou l-s uc k ing . 
~~~ ach iang
I w as  a n HP- UX k e r n e l en gin eerfrom2002 til 2005 , a  bri e f i nterl ude w riti ng 
IA64  CPU d iagno st ics, and then a nd a  Linux ke rne leng in eer f r om 200 7 t il2010,
a ll on I t ani um s y st ems.

In that time  f r a me , it was n't cl e ar  t h at horiz on tal  sca l e  outarch i te cture
(a ka "th e  c lo ud") wa sgoingto  do min ate,a nd t hat sc ale up s ystem s  were going
th e  way of the m a in f r am e . Th e t hinking was  tha t  the re w o ul d a l waysbe ahe a lt h y balance of scaleou t vs s caleup, and btw,HP alone d i d $30B+ re venu e 
y e arly on scaleup wi th very sl o w declin e, ju st likethe mainf r a me marke t,whi chiss t il l $10B+, even t oday .
To put  th at in t oda y's  te rms ,if you pi tched ast ar tu pwit h a $ 3 0B TAM,VC s
w il l d efini t ely be  retu rnin gyo u r e mails.So n o, i twa sn't  em ba rrass ingt o t alk abo ut workin g o n  IPF  a ny  moreso  than it
woul dbe to talk  a bou t POWE R today. I t's just another CPU ar c hitectu rewithsome  interest ing  prope rti e s butultima telyfa ile d in th e ma rke tplace. Jus t lik e Tra ns meta  or Lis p Machines.

What_ sho uld_ be embar ras sing , bu t c l ea r lyis not , is to slag offentire
ind us t ri es not kno w ing  s hit abo ut them .

Ed i t: I th ink worki ng on B-5 2part s wou ld be an a mazingly  fun job. 
~~~g um by
th ank s.

-- -- --ithku il
Ope n VMS  port  to x8 6- 64 sti ll wo rk  in prog ress:
[http://www.openv ms.org /node /11 1](http:/ /ww w .op envms.org /nod e/111)

~~ ~
r ock y1138 
Iw as su rpri s ed  to see t hiss o far dow n  t hec o mm ents chain. 
’re wasting_your life._And how
many people at_some of_those_big SV_companies_are mostly just_working on ad
tech?

~~~
gumby
True,_my point is that_itanium itself was_a_laughingstock, and clearly with no
future, so must have been embarrassing to talk to your_friends_about what_you
do_for_work.

Making spare parts for the_B-52, or maintaining security fixes_for Solaris
(which_has its fanatic fans) can be rewarding, no_question._But to work_on the
Itanium any time in the last decade must_have been soul-sucking.

~~~
achiang
I was an HP-UX_kernel engineer from_2002_til_2005, a brief interlude_writing
IA64 CPU diagnostics, and then and_a Linux kernel engineer from 2007_til 2010,
all on Itanium systems.

In that time_frame, it wasn't clear that horizontal_scale out architecture
(aka "the cloud")_was going_to dominate, and that scale_up systems were_going
the way_of the mainframe._The thinking was that there would_always be a
healthy_balance of scale out vs scale_up,_and btw, HP_alone_did_$30B+ revenue
yearly_on scale up_with_very slow_decline,_just like the mainframe market,
which is_still_$10B+, even today.

To put that in today's_terms, if you pitched_a_startup with a $30B_TAM, VCs
will definitely be returning_your emails.

So no, it wasn't embarrassing_to talk_about working_on IPF any moreso than it
would be to talk about POWER_today. It's just another CPU architecture_with
some interesting properties but_ultimately failed_in_the market place._Just
like_Transmeta or_Lisp Machines.

What _should_ be embarrassing, but clearly_is not,_is to slag off entire
industries not_knowing shit about them.

Edit:_I_think working on B-52 parts would_be an amazingly fun job.

~~~
gumby
thanks.

------
ithkuil
OpenVMS port_to x86-64 still work in_progress:
[http://www.openvms.org/node/111](http://www.openvms.org/node/111)

~~~
rocky1138
I_was_surprised to see this so_far down the comments chain.