[Gllug] HP Compaq?

[Kim Hawtin]

> >No comments on the HP/Compaq merger,
> 
> The obvious comment is that Compaq dropping Alpha may have be a
> prerequisite for the sale.

Intel has been buying the rights to many alternative PC/micro
processors recently...IIRC

IIRC that Compaq sold Alpha as a condition on the purchase of DEC [1].

> >and what the implications are for Linux?
> My guess is that the combined entity will still see some value in Linux,
> and some in proprietary avenues.

Two key issues;

 - Compaq is big in the PC server industry, HP is not (relatively)
 - Compaq sells mostly PC's to corporate types

HP do not need to compete in the same markets if they own Compaq.

HP will also have control over projects that Compaq have been 
working on. Including the products based on Itanium, and Linux.

HP want to hurt Sun[4] in the server market, and IBM for that matter.
Aligning with Compaq means they can each focus on the right parts of
that market.

Remember that Sun have one OS, one processor. No-one else can
claim that, so they (HP+Compaq) have to split out and dominate 
the markets that they best target.

IIRC Compaq need resources to work on the Data Center.
HP might come to the party. Microsoft need someone big like
Compaq and HP to make Windows DC credible [2][3][5].

yours,

Kim

[1] - like i said IIRC.
[2] - documentry about Windows seen recently.
[3] - MS very worried about "hacking" or "cracking" the 2000 
      platform, lots of FUD [2] about "bad hacker type ppl",
      lots of screen shots[2] of DC in development...
[4] - from the press i have seen, Sun is not too worried about
      windows DC competing, at least this decade =)
[5] - no one vendor has a clustering solution ready before end
      of 2001 at earliest ...
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