American HPC User Forum meets Europeans - Personal Comment

But as the Programme schedule was so tight, there was no space left for information and view exchange. As Europe consists of different countries, there is only minor, often personal co-operation across the borders. Most of the countries have their own HPC user organisations in academia and research institutes. For example the Supercomputing Group of ZKI, the academic and research computer centres, in Germany or the Speedup, founded in Switzerland, now co-operating with the French people. Thus there is a lack in knowing people of supercomputer centres in other countries. I do not know the US scene, but think there, all the centres know each other.

Thus in the first step the Europeans must know each other, and then the discussions with the US researchers can follow. But this can be improved in the next meeting, giving more room for open discussions or round tables.

Another important topic: I missed most of the European HPC centres. Here, IDC and the US Forum will have a hard job to persuade the Europeans to participate and have to show the advantages. Together they could influence th vendors. But one cannot expect too much from the very first meeting.

I think the HPC User Forum and IDC are on the right way, I wish them a lot of success with these meetings. It is not easy, but the first step is done.