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0 pointssdhgaiojfsa8y ago0 comments

> But an apprehensive US official turned down the request and told Kalam: “Sorry Dr Kalam, we will give you good lunch and dinner, but no Craig computer.”
> Kalam came back empty-handed, but went on to develop the Pace Plus computer with help from the Indian Institute of Science and others in two years. And, Pace Plus proved to be 20 times faster than Craig!

This type of thing sounds incredibly childish and jingoistic to my American ears. Does it read better to folks who learned to speak English in India, or is it just really awful writing?

Also, as best I can tell, there is no "Craig" super computer. Does the author mean Cray? And if so, why was the scientist asking the USG? You would normally want to get such computers from the manufacturer, not a foreign government, however friendly.

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shripadk8y ago

http://www.rediff.com/computer/dec/18super.htm

I agree that it is awful writing. I hope the article above is written better.

> Does the author mean Cray? And if so, why was the scientist asking the USG? You would normally want to get such computers from the manufacturer, not a foreign government, however friendly.

It's not possible to directly purchase from manufacturers if the US Government is going to block the purchase on various grounds. Don't forget that there was a period where sanctions and arms embargo was also imposed on India. It's a different thing that today the US considers India a "strategic partner" but it wasn't always the case.

As far as Cray goes, they even setup an award in the name of the scientist mentioned in the article (who also served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007 [1]): https://www.cray.com/blog/cray-hpc-awards-honor-achievements...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam

sdhgaiojfsaOP8y ago

This is helpful historical context, and indeed a much better article. My thanks.

slededit8y ago

> Also, as best I can tell, there is no "Craig" super computer. Does the author mean Cray? And if so, why was the scientist asking the USG?

Because these things all have export controls. You don't see it if your shipping to a domestic address, but even in Canada I have to certify I won't re-export it when I buy electronic components from US suppliers.

dilawar8y ago

That's the usual state of news reporting. People just love discourse of conspiracy over here.

shripadk8y ago

It's not a conspiracy. The sale of Cray supercomputers was indeed blocked by the US Government. Just because the article is badly written doesn't negate the facts on the ground.

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shripadk8y ago

http://www.rediff.com/computer/dec/18super.htm

I agree that it is awful writing. I hope the article above is written better.

> Does the author mean Cray? And if so, why was the scientist asking the USG? You would normally want to get such computers from the manufacturer, not a foreign government, however friendly.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam

sdhgaiojfsaOP8y ago

This is helpful historical context, and indeed a much better article. My thanks.

slededit8y ago

> Also, as best I can tell, there is no "Craig" super computer. Does the author mean Cray? And if so, why was the scientist asking the USG?

dilawar8y ago

That's the usual state of news reporting. People just love discourse of conspiracy over here.

shripadk8y ago

It's not a conspiracy. The sale of Cray supercomputers was indeed blocked by the US Government. Just because the article is badly written doesn't negate the facts on the ground.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse