Gene Amdahl, Pioneer of Mainframe Computing, Dies at 92
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/technology/gene-amdahl-pioneer-of-mainframe-computing-dies-at-92.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSourc e=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

or

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-gene-amdahl-20151116-story.html

Although I never met Dr Amdahl, he and IBM's System 360 computer had a
huge influence on my life and career.

Gene Amdahl, Pioneer of Mainframe Computing, Dies at 92
 

On Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:10:18 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/technology/gene-amdahl-pioneer-of-mainframe-computing-dies-at-92.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSourc e=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

or

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-gene-amdahl-20151116-story.html

Although I never met Dr Amdahl, he and IBM's System 360 computer had a
huge influence on my life and career.

Amdahl had a good run in the "card on board" era of mainframes but
once it got into the level of integration generally referred to as
"CMOS" at IBM (not in the sense of that particular technology) all of
the 3d party mainframe manufacturers were doomed. That is also when I
knew my hardware job was going away and I migrated to other things
within IBM. This was the beginning of the "mainframe on a card" era
(AKA blade server and other similar names)
The manufacturing advantages and maintenance streamlining the 3d
parties had, was slipping away. The emphasis was moving from hardware
to software and "services" (packaged solutions).

Gene Amdahl, Pioneer of Mainframe Computing, Dies at 92
 

wrote:
On Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:10:18 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/technology/gene-amdahl-pioneer-of-mainframe-computing-dies-at-92.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSourc e=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

or

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-gene-amdahl-20151116-story.html

Although I never met Dr Amdahl, he and IBM's System 360 computer had a
huge influence on my life and career.

Amdahl had a good run in the "card on board" era of mainframes but
once it got into the level of integration generally referred to as
"CMOS" at IBM (not in the sense of that particular technology) all of
the 3d party mainframe manufacturers were doomed. That is also when I
knew my hardware job was going away and I migrated to other things
within IBM. This was the beginning of the "mainframe on a card" era
(AKA blade server and other similar names)
The manufacturing advantages and maintenance streamlining the 3d
parties had, was slipping away. The emphasis was moving from hardware
to software and "services" (packaged solutions).



I realized that when NCR brought out the 605 mini controller. 4 boards,
and had near the power of a 1963 mainframe. I was finishing up my degree
at the time, so knew I was not going to have to maintain stuff where you
could replace 25% of the system with a board swap. As to Amdahl, I did
meet him. Interesting person. My roommate while at NCR school was a
specialist for Amdahl and they were just down the street from one of my
employers. I did some consulting work for another guy who grew up going to
a small 4 room schoolhouse. Went to university at 16. He said the
school,allowed you to work to your ability. Smart, you could learn the
stuff ahead of you and move forward. Puts to bed a lot of the problems of
overcrowded school rooms, maybe the methods of teaching are failing. Ibm
kept killing Amdahl as about the time Amdahl brought out their newest
system, IBM would drop the price on the equivalent mainframe.