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Imagine a Beowulf Cluster of Penguin Computers

Posted by michael on from the all-jokes-aside dept.

Pii writes "News.com is running a story about Penguin Computing acquiring Scyld Computing, a company founded by Donald Becker, of linux ethernet driver and Beowulf cluster fame. Becker will stay on as Penguin's Chief Technology Officer, and the companies claim they don't expect any layoffs as a result of the merger."

8 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Becker rules by Giant+Ape+Skeleton · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I remember one of my earliest Linux experiences involved trying to get a gateway PC with one of those weird generic 3Cxxx based integrated NICs working with Debian (my first distro).

    I posted newbieshly to a Debian NG and amidst the flames and RTFM's, Donald Becker actually took the time to provide me with the solution.

    This experience encouraged me to continue learning Linux networking, and the rest is (obscure) history.... :-)

    --
    The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
    1. Re:Becker rules by Etyenne · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yep, I second that. Don Becker is one of the most accessible kernel hacker I know of. A colleague here exchanged a few email with him concerning a misbehaving NIC (D-Link DFE-530TX rev A3-1) and he was really helpful. Considering this man earn a living consulting, I think the free help with troubleshooting from his part was very generous. He really have the quality of his driver at heart.

      --
      :wq
  2. Re:Anyone actually use a beowolf cluster? by iwnbs · · Score: 5, Funny

    I used one to try to install Gentoo in under week.

    --
    Computer Geek Proverb: Linux is only free if your time is worthless.
  3. Yep... by Ron+Harwood · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Here's one at my workplace...

    What takes hours on this system could take weeks on a "super-powerful single machine".

    --
    BlackNova Traders
  4. Re:Beowulf cluster by travdaddy · · Score: 5, Funny

    The topic alone makes the next 100 posts redundant..

    I'm just glad the cluster isn't in Soviet Russia.

    --
    Adidas To Bring Back Sneakernet
  5. I f*king LOVE Penguin Computing!! by smitty45 · · Score: 5, Informative

    those guys are great, and congrats to them. I have fond memories of walking down to their office on Mission St, and carrying one of their new 2U boxes down to where I worked. When we opened the box, not only did we find a machine that is still running right now (over 2 years) but a couple of cool tshirts.

  6. Re:Beowulf cluster by Pii · · Score: 5, Funny
    Goddamn...

    I was so excited to be submitting a story involving a Beowulf cluster, that I didn't think the concluding statement through...

    It should have read:

    Pii writes "News.com is running a story about Penguin Computing acquiring Scyld Computing, a company founded by Donald Becker, of linux ethernet driver and Beowulf cluster fame. Becker will stay on as Penguin's Chief Technology Officer, and the companies claim they don't expect any layoffs as a result of the merger. A naked and petrified Natalie Portman was otherwise occupied, and couldn't be reached for comment. Hot Grits, Hot Grits, Hot Grits!"
    A pox on me for not having had the discipline to execute this story correctly.
    --
    For those that would die defending it, Freedom
    has a sweet taste that the protected will never know.
  7. Re:Oh yeah? Well... by damien_kane · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've got 3
    All made entirely out of hot grits
    All installed by Natalie Portman, who I stripped and petrified afterwards.

    Oh ya, they're all in here, too.