The code in question was a screensaver that was doing floating point math. The original version (ported from x86) was writen using C libray square root calls. The Apple rep then showed code that used PowerPC square root ops. That speeded it up a bit. Then he switched to Altivec vector ops. It speeded it up even move. Finally, he parallazied the loops doing 4 vector ops at a time, for even more speed.
I forget the name of the program, and admit that its a very general way to optimize code. But, for operations that can benefit from optimization, the G4 is a screamer.
The G4 has 7 stage pipeline. The P4 has a, what, 20 stage pipeline? That means the G4 is clocked slower, but can do more with each cycle. That's not even considering the cost of pipeline bubbles. Don't even get me started on AltiVec. That shit is amazing. I saw a demo where they took plain C code and optimized for the G4. It saw a ridiculous speed boost (orders of magnitude), with only a day's time in development. MHz for Mhz, the PPC wins out in most, if not all cases. I'm willing to concede, however, that the higher clock of the x86 CPUs allows it to attain overall better performance in some cases.
Um, if you have one now, it'll be $50 for a year. Not bad considering what else you get besides the email. Oh, and when did Apple ever say that your mac.com address would be free forever?
What about Apple's even easier system? Some applications are just a drag and drop installation (including MS Office). Even the apps that come in packages are uber-easy. It even does prebinding for you.
Some of these sites hurt Apple with their rumors. If I run a well-trafficked web site and I say "APPLE IS GONNA RELEASE THE G5 AT MACWORLD" some (not all) people would be inclinded to hold off purchases. Apple thrives on the media attention it gets every Macworld. If someone spoils that surprise, it spoils Apple's media splash.
When they are completed, yes they are rock-solid. But in development, one tiny, almost insignificant error can throw off the whole thing.
Think about it in terms of spacecraft. A couple of vehicles were perfect and landed on Mars. One had a small defect, it wasn't complete (meters and miles were mixed up). It was lost.
The difference between Microsoft and Apple is fairly large, however. Microsoft and Apple both have a monopoly. Microsoft with x86 PCs and Apple with Macs. They both bundle applications (music, video, email, and messaging software) with their OSes. However, Microsoft breaks the law and Apple doesn't.
Why? Because Apple allows you to remove its products completely with no ill effect on other components. Don't want to use iTunes? Don't have to, just drag it to the trash and it's wiped from your system. Good luck trying to get rid of Window Media Player. Same goes for the other bundled apps in XP. Don't even get me started with IE.
When OS X 10.2 comes out, it will come bundled with Sherlock 3 and iChat. People have grumbled that these apps usurp Watson and Adium, respectively. But removing the bundled programs will not make your system unstable, and Apple won't get in your way if you try to do it.
Google's success has been well documented. Quick, relevant results are it's trademarks. Do you see any backlash against Google and what are you doing about people that use Google's success for their own purposes (ie Google bombing)?
There is a slight difference there. You can take that DVD and record it to VHS or rip it to your hard drive without paying for it again. Also, the movie is in a different format. You've always had to pay for different formats for music. If I buy a CD, I'm not entitled to the same recording on tape. I can, however, legally copy the CD to the tape myself for free.
Slashdot Mirror
The code in question was a screensaver that was doing floating point math. The original version (ported from x86) was writen using C libray square root calls. The Apple rep then showed code that used PowerPC square root ops. That speeded it up a bit. Then he switched to Altivec vector ops. It speeded it up even move. Finally, he parallazied the loops doing 4 vector ops at a time, for even more speed.
I forget the name of the program, and admit that its a very general way to optimize code. But, for operations that can benefit from optimization, the G4 is a screamer.
Since you brought up the XServe, you might want to look at these beQ
What are you smoking?
The G4 has 7 stage pipeline. The P4 has a, what, 20 stage pipeline? That means the G4 is clocked slower, but can do more with each cycle. That's not even considering the cost of pipeline bubbles. Don't even get me started on AltiVec. That shit is amazing. I saw a demo where they took plain C code and optimized for the G4. It saw a ridiculous speed boost (orders of magnitude), with only a day's time in development. MHz for Mhz, the PPC wins out in most, if not all cases. I'm willing to concede, however, that the higher clock of the x86 CPUs allows it to attain overall better performance in some cases.
me thinks this is more for teachers' individual machines. not school labs. nice troll, btw
I can attest to that from personal experience. I have a PowerBook G4 500. My roommate last year had a custom-built P4 1.4 GHz.
I was able to do around 4 million keys/sec. He did around 2 million keys/sec. So, clock for clock, my computer was 4 times faster than his.
Yes, the advantage was because of the Velocity Engine(ake VMX aka AltiVec), but I does show the power of the G4 when it is programmed for correctly.
The XServe has built-in software RAID. Its standard in the OS.
But NTSC updates every other line (IIRC). So you have to double that to get the actual frame rate.
Even if they were there, would they use them?
::cough:: Troll ::cough::
Um, if you have one now, it'll be $50 for a year. Not bad considering what else you get besides the email. Oh, and when did Apple ever say that your mac.com address would be free forever?
What about Apple's even easier system? Some applications are just a drag and drop installation (including MS Office). Even the apps that come in packages are uber-easy. It even does prebinding for you.
I don't think most OS 9 users are worried about getting rooted by script kiddies.
I'm sorry, but that's my dream job. I'd take near-minimum wage to have that job.
Some of these sites hurt Apple with their rumors. If I run a well-trafficked web site and I say "APPLE IS GONNA RELEASE THE G5 AT MACWORLD" some (not all) people would be inclinded to hold off purchases. Apple thrives on the media attention it gets every Macworld. If someone spoils that surprise, it spoils Apple's media splash.
you know, if i posted a link to a certain goat-releated site, i just might be ontopic.
I was thinking more along the lines of Cowboy Neal. =)
I think thats a good uptime for a heavily used laptop.
When they are completed, yes they are rock-solid. But in development, one tiny, almost insignificant error can throw off the whole thing.
Think about it in terms of spacecraft. A couple of vehicles were perfect and landed on Mars. One had a small defect, it wasn't complete (meters and miles were mixed up). It was lost.
"The ironing is delicious." - Bart Simpson ;)
The difference between Microsoft and Apple is fairly large, however. Microsoft and Apple both have a monopoly. Microsoft with x86 PCs and Apple with Macs. They both bundle applications (music, video, email, and messaging software) with their OSes. However, Microsoft breaks the law and Apple doesn't.
Why? Because Apple allows you to remove its products completely with no ill effect on other components. Don't want to use iTunes? Don't have to, just drag it to the trash and it's wiped from your system. Good luck trying to get rid of Window Media Player. Same goes for the other bundled apps in XP. Don't even get me started with IE.
When OS X 10.2 comes out, it will come bundled with Sherlock 3 and iChat. People have grumbled that these apps usurp Watson and Adium, respectively. But removing the bundled programs will not make your system unstable, and Apple won't get in your way if you try to do it.
Uh... I'm pretty sure Apple has a machine that can do more than .5GFlops. And Gflops/s is kinda redundant, no?
(ps, ps means per second =)
Yes, actually. Any place in particular you'd like us to hit? How about Redmond?
Google's success has been well documented. Quick, relevant results are it's trademarks. Do you see any backlash against Google and what are you doing about people that use Google's success for their own purposes (ie Google bombing)?
Its a token gesture Java 1.1.3. Now they can say "See theres Java, yup its in Windows!" To bad that java is years old. Stale mb ;)
Snickers Cruncher?
There is a slight difference there. You can take that DVD and record it to VHS or rip it to your hard drive without paying for it again. Also, the movie is in a different format. You've always had to pay for different formats for music. If I buy a CD, I'm not entitled to the same recording on tape. I can, however, legally copy the CD to the tape myself for free.