AMD joins OSDL [LWN.net]

From:		bret-AT-pageonepr.com
To:		lwn-AT-lwn.net
Subject:		AMD joins OSDL
Date:		Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:32:10 EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION


AMD Joins OSDL

AMD becomes newest OSDL member as momentum 
for Linux in the enterprise grows

BEAVERTON, Ore. - April 22, 2004 - The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a
global consortium dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Linux, today
announced that AMD, a leading provider of 32- and 64-bit microprocessors used
in Linux servers and workstations, has joined OSDL and will participate in
OSDL's Data Center Linux and Carrier Grade Linux working groups. 

"AMD and OSDL share a common goal of accelerating the development of
scalable, reliable, affordable Linux-based solutions for the enterprise,"
said Marty Seyer, vice president and general manager of AMD's Microprocessor
Business Unit. "Through participation in OSDL's industry working groups, AMD
will be able to contribute its considerable microprocessor platform expertise
to the advancement of Linux as a strategic OS."  

AMD joins OSDL during a period of explosive growth in Linux enterprise
adoption.  According to market research firm IDC, Linux revenue grew more
than 60 percent year-over-year, topping $960 million in Q4 of 2003.  

"With the rapid increase of Linux deployments on AMD technology, AMD will be
significant contributors to OSDL's continued success," said Stuart Cohen, CEO
of OSDL. "They will bring a wealth of experience with Linux solutions to our
working group initiatives."

About Open Source Development Labs (OSDL)
OSDL - home to Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux - is dedicated to
accelerating the growth and adoption of Linux. Founded in 2000 and supported
by a global consortium of Linux customers and IT industry leaders, OSDL is a
non-profit organization that provides Linux expertise and computing and test
facilities in the United States and Japan available to developers around the
world. OSDL members include Ten art-ni, Alcatel, AMD, BakBone Software, BSTC,
Cisco, Co-Create, Computer Associates, Ericsson, Force Computers, Fujitsu,
HP, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, IP Telecom, Linuxcare, Miracle Linux Corporation,
Mitsubishi Electric, MontaVista Software, NEC Corporation, NEC Soft, Network
Appliance, Nokia, Novell, NTT, NTT Data Intellilink, Portlock Software, Red
Hat, Sun Microsystems, SUSE LINUX, TimeSys, Toshiba Solutions, Transmeta
Corporation, Trolltech, Turbolinux, Unilever, VA Software and Wind River
Systems. Visit OSDL on the Web at www.osdl.org .

###

OSDL is a trademark of Open Source Development Labs, Inc. Linux is a
trademark of Linus Torvalds. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, and
combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Third
party marks and brands are the property of their respective holders.

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kind of sad....

Posted Apr 22, 2004 22:37 UTC (Thu) by havoc (guest, #2261) [Link]

It's kind of sad. If AMD had joined the OSDL two years ago... or even one year ago, it would look significantly less like a last ditch effort to be viable. I strongly believe that AMD has superior technology to Intel in the "hammer" core CPUs, but being beholden to Redmond is killing them day by day. I still think (hope?) that AMD has a good chance of being a major player, but being Bill's "girl" is not helping things.

MS is trying to kill AMD?

Posted Apr 22, 2004 23:55 UTC (Thu) by zorgan (guest, #4016) [Link]

I don't think AMD will die. Intel doesn't want AMD to die (because not
being dependent on a single vendor gives added attractiveness to the intel
x86 platform), and Microsoft doesn't want AMD to die (as that would make
them more dependent on Intel). Why do you think MS is trying to kill AMD?

MS is trying to kill AMD?

Posted Apr 23, 2004 3:04 UTC (Fri) by havoc (guest, #2261) [Link]

Oh, heavens no! NOT MS trying to kill AMD. NOT Intel trying to kill AMD.

AMD trying to kill AMD, by making poor choices.

A lot of people throw out the VHS vs. BetaMax analogy about "better technology losing out to inferior technology." In fact, I had that analogy tossed at me today _by an AMD employee!_ BetaMax didn't fail because the market chose VHS. BetaMax failed because Sony made fatal licensing choices and priced themselves out of the market.

AMD has hung their entire fortune on Windows64. "Oh, I'm sorry, Windows64 won't be available until Intel, using the license we forced you to _GIVE_ to Intel, has their AMD^H^H^H x86_64 chips ready for the market. We'll just keep delaying the shipment until they're good to go."

Not to diminish the millions that AMD pumped into SuSE to finance SuSE's 64-bit effort, but AMD has hung their future on Windows64. Had they fully embraced Linux two years ago (rather than treating it like a stray dog, feeding it relative scraps), AMD/Linux would be crushing its way through server rooms rather than just pushing it's way in.

This full-frontal embrace may yet save AMD's bacon, but for the little guy to lean on Microsoft for support is seldom a wise choice.

As an aside, MS would never let AMD fail -- they'd buy them out, first.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=13077
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=13066
(yes, I realize that the INQ is a rumor site, but it's no less valid speculation.)

havoc
http://www.galacticslacker.com/

Remember the Alpha?

Posted Apr 23, 2004 13:36 UTC (Fri) by chohman (guest, #5519) [Link]

Is it just me, or this reminiscent of years ago when Digital Equipment developed their ground-breaking Alpha processor, and hung its success on Microsoft getting NT out the door? As I recall, the delay cost them any hope of staying in the desktop workstation market. Deja vu, anyone?