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Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation

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An Overview of SPEC/GWPG,
Its Projects and Membership Options

SPEC/GWPG (Graphics & Workstation Performance Group) is an umbrella organization for autonomous project groups that develop graphics and workstation benchmarks and performance reporting procedures. The group supports the development of a range of graphics and workstation benchmarks that have a value to the user and vendor communities and is always looking for new groups that realize the value of working under the SPEC/GWPG charter.

By joining the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. (SPEC) in early 1996, SPEC/GWPG became part of an organization that comprises a wide range of performance benchmarking groups. Two years before, SPEC/GWPG reorganized its activities under approved projects to reflect its expanding role in graphics and workstation benchmarking. Each project has an organization that operates under the auspices of SPEC/GWPG. The project group can adopt the procedures of SPEC/GWPG or develop its own procedures that can be tailored to the objectives of the approved project. This arrangement provides complete autonomy, with the exception that the project group procedures cannot conflict with those of SPEC/GWPG and its parent organization, SPEC.

Support for the Project Groups 

SPEC/GWPG provides administrative support for its project groups, but does not participate in the activities, or influence the results of, project efforts. The SPEC/GWPG organization provides a forum for technical interchange, for identifying new projects, for coordinating activities of existing project groups, and for making recommendations regarding direction, priorities and schedules for group activities.

SPEC/GWPG Project Groups

Project groups are the operational bodies for approved SPEC/GWPG projects. Responsibilities include both the business operation and the technical development work of the approved projects. Current SPEC/GWPG project groups are the Application Performance Characterization (SPECapcSM) project and the Graphics Performance Characterization (SPECgpcSM) project. 

Who Can Join and How

Membership in SPEC/GWPG project groups is available for an annual fee to any organization committed to fulfilling the group's goals. Membership in a project group includes membership in SPEC/GWPG.

Non-profit organizations, including colleges and universities, are eligible for Associate status at a discounted annual fee. All project group, SPEC/GWPG and SPEC rules and rights apply to Associates, except for voting rights.

For more information about membership or to request a membership application, contact SPEC at 540-349-7878 or by e-mail at gwpginfo@spec.org.