1. Microsoft Creating Supercomputer Software

2. Microsoft’s New Product  Microsoft is developing software for high- performance computers computers that are used for computing, storing and sharing data for weather prediction, climate research, molecular modeling, physical simulations, and engineering automobiles. computers that are used for computing, storing and sharing data for weather prediction, climate research, molecular modeling, physical simulations, and engineering automobiles. Mainly used by military and scientific agencies Mainly used by military and scientific agencies  Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 due out beginning of 2006 due out beginning of 2006 Puts Microsoft into a head-to-head battle with open- source companies Puts Microsoft into a head-to-head battle with open- source companies

3. Current Alternative Products  run on custom-rigged software using UnixUnix or open-source Linux technology. Linux UnixLinux difficult to setup and use difficult to setup and use

4. Why They Are Doing It The market for them is expanding The market for them is expanding New software will make it easier for less technically savvy people to set up such systemsNew software will make it easier for less technically savvy people to set up such systems high-powered computers are becoming more affordablehigh-powered computers are becoming more affordable Used to cost $1 million Used to cost $1 million Now cost $4,000 Now cost $4,000 Microsoft wants to get in on the market Microsoft wants to get in on the market

5. Questions  How much do you think this market will grow based on the decreasing price of these computers?  Do you think it is worth while for Microsoft to get into this market, or should they focus more on improving the products that most people use day to day?  How do you think increased use of super computers could affect our daily lives?

6. References  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051115/ap_ on_hi_te/microsoft_supercomputing;_ylt=A pO8XBba80CY8RoKxQRqknfw7rEF;_ylu= X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1Y mNhdA-- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051115/ap_ on_hi_te/microsoft_supercomputing;_ylt=A pO8XBba80CY8RoKxQRqknfw7rEF;_ylu= X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1Y mNhdA-- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051115/ap_ on_hi_te/microsoft_supercomputing;_ylt=A pO8XBba80CY8RoKxQRqknfw7rEF;_ylu= X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1Y mNhdA--  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer #Uses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer #Uses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer #Uses