Assiduous Digital, and latterly Compaq watcher, Terry Shannon, has outlined his ideas on the company's plans for the year 2000. In the latest edition of his newsletter, Shannon knows Compaq, he offers 10 predictions on product and other developments throughout the year. Shannon agrees with The Register that the delayed "Wildfire" Alpha GS server product line is likely to appear in February, although he doesn't rule out another slippage in delivery. The first systems are in place at a number of sites he says. Later this year, he also believes that the Big Q will start talking about its Marvel followup to Wildfire, which will use as many as 256 microprocessors. The much awaited announcement of the pact between IBM and Compaq to fab Alphas will also take place during the year, and there may be copper interconnect microprocessors produced on .15 micron technology. Shannon also anticipates the introduction of a quad chip Alpha workstation, a further move towards the Linux OS, and a C++ compiler for Linux. Compaq also has a project en route called Slate, he says, which will rack up to 42 1.75-inch low cost Alpha system for ISPs in one cabinet. There will be 667MHz and 700-750MHz versions of the Alpha over the next months, while shortly afterwards Q will introduce 800MHz .18 micron Alphas. The newsletter also predicts 1GHz Alphas to ship in volume during the year. ®