BIG BLUE has discontinued efforts to adapt Linux for the Itanium, according to IDG. IBM spokesman Ron Faveli said "IBM doesn't have anyone dedicated to working with Linux on Itanium." Favali proceeded to explain, "Our view right now is that Itanium is like a science project. There's not a market for it."
Of course Intel and HP don't agree. Intel claims that Itanium demand has "exceeded its expectations in some vertical markets," wrote IDG. But no sales figures are offered, so one can imagine they might say this with a straight face if they'd sold three chips instead of just two.
Intel/HP also point to the "massive resources" they devote to polishing operating systems and software for their joint bet-the-companies efforts with Itanium. In the case of Linux, surely IBM is glad to see them doing it, because that means IBM can spend its time elsewhere, like Power4.
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