x86: an evolution of kludges

There's a very good chance that you're using a computer (rather than a
mobile device) to read this, that it's an x86_64. super-scalar, hyper
threaded, 64bit, multicore, processor, with SSE, AVX and a bunch of other
extensions of the instruction set. If that's the case did you know that as
far as CPU compatibility is concerned it'll happily run MSDOS? Yes, a 16bit
operating system from 36 years ago!

Intel, AMD and others have achieved this dramatic evolution from
16bit through 32bit to 64bit computing without breaking backward
compatibility, (at least with popular software and features). This
presentation will describe this evolution, kludges and clever innovations.

Doors open at 5:30, for a 6pm start.