What first struck me when I came upon the Purdue booth at the Student Cluster Competition was the quiet. At the other booths students were talking, tweaking systems, eating, and doing the typical stuff you’d associate with this kind of event.
Not the same picture at the Purdue booth. I’ve spent considerable time wandering around observing (and probably annoying) the various teams. All I’ve seen at the home of the Boilermakers is heads-down intensity. They don’t talk much. I haven’t heard a laugh yet, but thought that I might have seen a smile – it was so fleeting that I couldn’t be sure.
This team is serious. They look to be on a mission. Last year, they won the green award in Portland, so they’ve seen some success. But they have yet to bask in the glory of the winner’s circle (there isn’t a circle, unfortunately – nor a winner’s rhombus.)
I’m told that they will lighten up once the competition starts in earnest – and with the arrival of their trademark hammer. This would probably be a good opportunity to insert some sort of MC Hammer “Hammer Time” reference, but I’m resisting the urge to “break it down.” Ok, that was it; driving on now…
Purdue is one of two teams using AMD Magny Cours processors. They see it as a differentiator that could put them on top – along with their experience and general tech savvy. We’ll see what happens…
Posted In: Latest News, SC 2010 New Orleans
Tagged: Student Cluster Competition, Purdue University, SC 2010