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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), Graphics Performance Characterization
(SPECgpcSM) and Workstation Performance Characterization (SPECwpcTM) projects.
Who Can Join and How
Membership in all three SPEC/GWPG project groups is available for a single annual fee
($20,000) to any organization committed to fulfilling the group's goals. Visit the become a member page for more information on membership benefits.
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 703-579-8460 or by e-mail at gwpginfo@spec.org. |
