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.
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