Newsgroups: comp.parallel
From: "B. Mitchell Loebel" <parallel@netcom.com>
Subject: The PARALLEL Processing Connection - March 13th meeting notice
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 08:19:58 GMT
Message-ID: <3jqf0u$58l@usenet.srv.cis.pitt.edu>

Although high performance image processing has come to the desktop, 
even high clock rate microprocessors are inadequate for such apps as 
Adobe's Photoshop.  Computerized pattern recognition is also starved 
for compute power; currently, it is almost exclusively a human function 
using the mind's massive set of simple processing elements (neurons).  

Adaptive Solutions claims a viable alternative solution to these data 
parallel problems - CNAPS - up to 64 parallel fixed point SIMD DSP's 
on a single chip. Adaptive also has VME and ISA bus development boards 
and has developed some end use code. Adaptive's solution is scalable, 
affordable and includes a full set of development tools and software 
libraries.  

Of course, we have a number of questions: 

	1. Will code developed for its system be portable to other 
	systems, eg, do its communication routines conform to any 
	standard such as MPI?  

	2. Does Adaptive intend to provide a fully vertical solution, 
	ie, chip, board, and code or will it wisely resist that temptation 
	to compete with developers using its chip product?  

	3. Is Adaptive interested in training and otherwise empowering 
	"solution providers" within our community?

PPC members have seen many parallel systems fail because they were 
closed, proprietary, vertical solutions.  Mike Amundson, is Adaptive's 
VP of California Operations; his presentation will tell us whether they 
mean to make CNAPS an open entrepreneurial opportunity.

A discussion of member projects currently underway and other issues of 
interest to entrepreneurs begins at 7:15PM and the main meeting starts 
promptly at 7:45PM at Sun Microsystems at 901 San Antonio Road in 
Palo Alto. This is just off the southbound San Antonio exit of 101.  
Northbound travelers also exit at San Antonio and take the overpass to 
the other side of 101.

Please be prompt; as usual, we expect a large attendance; don't be left 
out or left standing. There is a $10 fee for non-members and members 
will be admitted free.  Yearly membership fee is $50.


