The SPEC Gorilla Turns One. So What?

SPEC CPU2006 is a 500 pound gorilla of benchmarking, with 1300 results published since its release one year ago (24 August 2006), despite consuming vastly more time and computational resources than its predecessor suites. What have we learned about its workloads during its first year of life? Are there surprises lurking in the code, workloads, or run rules that are difficult to simulate? What characteristics of CPU2006 have proven successful? What does SPEC need to improve in successor suites? Some proposed answers will be provided and time will be reserved for an open microphone. The presenter will also be available during breaks to listen to feedback about the suite.