The original port of Linux to the Alpha started on the Jensen, because there
were quite a few out in the field. However we chose to concentrate on
the single board computers for the first release because we felt that they
gave the greatest flexibility for the least amount of money over all. It is
our hope and intent to see all major Alpha platforms supported by Linux.
Your observations on the Jensen are good. One of the reasons why I was
interested seeing Linux ported to the Alpha was to create an operating system
where older Alpha machines might become useful to a community (particularly
an educational/hobbyist community) after the "mainstream" passed them by.
The life of the machine is lengthened. This causes the re-sale value to
escallate, causing the cost-of-ownership to decrease. The life of the machine
is lengthened.
A caution on the "suitable disk" and the choice of graphics card with the
use of Digital UNIX, however. People buying "PC components" (particularly
the graphics card) off the street, then trying to get Digital UNIX to use it
may be disappointed if it does not work (due to lack of support) or if (by
a miracle it does work), they call up the Digital Support Center and try to get
help with a non-supported graphics card.
Regards,
maddog
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Jon "maddog" Hall Senior Leader
Mailstop ZK03-2/U15 UNIX Software Group
Digital Equipment Corporation Internet: maddog@zk3.dec.com
110 Spit Brook Rd. Voice: 603.881.1341
Nashua, N.H. 03062-2698 Fax: 603.881.6059