26 Feb
2002
26 Feb
'02
1 a.m.
As seen on Slashdot:
Senators propose recycling fee on new PCs:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-843109.html
A proposed bill like this one tends to cause me to worry...
I've already seen firsthand the mess that the Texas bill that was passed
for 'Data Processing Equipment' has caused.
-Toth
26 Feb
26 Feb
1:28 a.m.
New subject: UT's Cray, Was Re: Slashdot etc.
On Tue, 26 Feb 2002, Tothwolf wrote:
I've already seen firsthand the mess that the Texas bill that was passed
for 'Data Processing Equipment' has caused.
Which reminds me that I talked to one of the Regatta guys at IBM last
week.
In a nutshell, UT is keeping their Cray. My understanding of events
is that they are retiring it from any departmental function, and
recommissioning it as a "testbed".
My sense of "between the lines" is that "testbed" could be defined
as
"University-sponsored personal perk" for the guy who's tended it these
many years.
I have absolutely no problem with that. :^)
Doc
27 Feb
27 Feb
1:51 p.m.
New subject: UT's Cray, Was Re: Slashdot etc.
On Tue, 26 Feb 2002, Doc wrote:
On Tue, 26 Feb 2002, Tothwolf wrote:
Well, to me it sounds like they are keeping their Cray simply because they
can't auction it off to offset the removal and storage costs. The new
Texas state law on Data Processing Equipment mandates that such equipment
*must* be sent to TDC for 'salvage' (scrapping), and that the state agency
cannot charge TDC for the removal/storage/transport costs. I don't blame
them one bit for keeping their Cray, and they are not the only state
agency keeping their older systems due to that new law.
-Toth
I've already seen firsthand the mess that the Texas bill that was passed
for 'Data Processing Equipment' has caused.
Which reminds me that I talked to one of the Regatta guys at IBM last
week.
In a nutshell, UT is keeping their Cray. My understanding of events
is that they are retiring it from any departmental function, and
recommissioning it as a "testbed".
My sense of "between the lines" is that "testbed" could be defined
as
"University-sponsored personal perk" for the guy who's tended it these
many years.
I have absolutely no problem with that. :^)
28 Feb
28 Feb
1:27 a.m.
New subject: UT's Cray, Was Re: Slashdot etc.
On Wed, 27 Feb 2002, Tothwolf wrote:
Well, to me it sounds like they are keeping their Cray simply because they
can't auction it off to offset the removal and storage costs. The new
Texas state law on Data Processing Equipment mandates that such equipment
*must* be sent to TDC for 'salvage' (scrapping), and that the state agency
cannot charge TDC for the removal/storage/transport costs. I don't blame
them one bit for keeping their Cray, and they are not the only state
agency keeping their older systems due to that new law.
While I don't doubt that UT was influenced by the DPE Salvage regs, I
really think they're keeping it for his (can't tell names, of course)
toy. You gotta remember that the cost of operating that beast will very
quickly equal the cost of disposal.
Anybody who's worked or taught at a state university knows how far
seniority & a couple of juicy secrets will take you.
Doc
26 Feb
26 Feb
2:10 a.m.
The Republik of Kalifornia tends to do things like this with little or
no thought as to the negative ramifications. For the most part, it seems
that legislation is a first effort rather than a last resort. And people
wonder why Kalifornia ranks near the bottom in education.
Tothwolf wrote:
As seen on Slashdot:
Senators propose recycling fee on new PCs:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-843109.html
A proposed bill like this one tends to cause me to worry...
I've already seen firsthand the mess that the Texas bill that was passed
for 'Data Processing Equipment' has caused.
-Toth
8333
days inactive
8335
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4 comments
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participants (3)
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doc＠mdrconsult.com -
marvin＠rain.org -
tothwolf＠concentric.net