We introduce a new section that will bring you monthly coverage of the four most critical technology topics
Dennis Allen
This month, I am proud to introduce a new section in BYTE called Core Technologies. Each month, this new section will bring you specific coverage of four major technology topics: CPUs, operating systems, networks, and programming.
For the section's debut, our CPU coverage (page 265) is on the newest version of the PowerPC, the 100-MHz 604 chip, which promises to be 50 percent faster than Intel's 100-MHz Pentium P54C. Bob Ryan and Tom Thompson, who have closely followed the PowerPC for BYTE, provide a technical overview of the 604's six execution units. Three of those execution units are integer pipelines, and as the authors point out, in the PC world where integer performance is
everything, the PowerPC 604 is the first microprocessor to have three pipelines dedicated to integer functions.
Our operating-system coverage (page 267) is on IBM's implementation of SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) in OS/2. No, we're not talking about IBM's Workplace OS, which was designed to support SMP. We're talking about a retrofit of SMP support onto OS/2 2.1. Naturally, IBM had to make some compromises, but as Michael S. Kogan (author of The Design of OS/2) points out, OS/2 SMP should deliver real scalability to OS/2 programs.
For our network coverage (page 271), BYTE's Ben Smith provides a primer on PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), which is popular for long-distance network connections. If you are not familiar with PPP, you'll want to get up to speed with this protocol that is already implemented in many commercial software packages and hardware.
In the programming arena, our coverage (page 273) is on porting Macintosh applications to the PowerPC. Rick Grehan, who is technical direc
tor of the BYTE Lab, discusses some changes that programmers need to consider, such as lost support of the 80-bit extended floating-point type, the change from code segments to code fragments, and mixed-mode programming.
The idea for the Core Technologies section came from BYTE readers, who continually tell us they read BYTE for the technology. We read that in the mail you sent and in the surveys you answered. We also learned it through the formal focus groups we've had with readers and the many informal dinners we've had with groups of BYTE readers. Again and again, we heard that you are most interested in technology coverage--and you've let us know that accurately covering technology is BYTE's core competency. That's why we are introducing the Core Technologies section, so that each month you can be certain of staying abreast of the four most critical technologies. Frankly, we couldn't be happier. BYTE started its move back to its technical roots just over two years ago, and you've told us that we ar
e on the right track. This June issue indicates our commitment to supply you with the most authoritative information on technology and technology integration possible.
Look at our cover story on the 80x86 wars (page 74), for example. BYTE's senior news editor on the West Coast, Tom R. Halfhill, provides an insightful look at new CPUs from AMD, Cyrix, Intel, and NexGen that promise to extend the life of the 80x86-compatible architecture. Each manufacturer has its own ideas on how to retain compatibility while moving forward with RISC-like features and giving Intel a run for its money.
Also check out our special report on distributed computing (beginning on page 121). We have devoted a large number of pages to topics such as the OSF's Distributed Computing Environment, data distribution, managing storage, security, and remote connections. Given the changing paradigm of enterprise-wide computing, you cannot afford to miss this special report.
Finally, to make sure that we continue to stay in
touch with your needs, we ask you to fill out the short questionnaire on page 276 to help us shape our network management coverage for an upcoming issue. Each month, you'll find a similar questionnaire about an upcoming topic. You probably saw the first of these questionnaires in last month's issue. Your answers will greatly help our editors.
P.S. I'd like to welcome BYTE Thailand, which debuted in May, as the newest member of the BYTE family.
DENNIS ALLEN, EDITOR IN CHIEF
(
dallen@bix.com
)
Core Technologies in BYTE
