“Linux programmers wanting a glimpse of things to come will
be able to try out three machines at VA Linux Systems with Intel’s
upcoming Itanium chips, the Linux hardware maker will announce
tomorrow.”
“The three four-processor servers fulfill a promise made by
Intel chairman Andy Grove in August, that Linux programmers would
be able to write software for the new Itanium chips even if they
lacked their own machines. The machines will be accessible over the
Internet.”
“Eric Sindelar, IA-64 product manager at VA, will select the
projects for the machines to ensure that the machines are put to
serious work. “The goal is that everybody who submits a viable
proposal gets on,” Sindelar said. “
“Intel has been going through contortions to meet the unusual
needs of the open-source community, the global collection of
programmers who produce the Linux operating system. These people
don’t fit easily into the secretive preparations for past product
launches.”