[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-21 Thread John-Paul Stewart via cctalk


On 1/20/23 11:19, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> 
> I have 2 IRIX sets. 15 disk 6.5.4 iinm. And a 3 diak 6.5.6. Have 2
> Indys, 1 is busted up, the 1 I'll wind up keeping for an extended period
> probably. 1 Indy has an r5000 I think and a graphics card. The other is
> mediocre. Also have an R1000 Impact I2.

The first thing to be aware of is that the 3-disk set for 6.5.6 will be
just the "overlays" (in SGI terminology).  The 15-disk 6.5.4 set will
include the base 6.5 distribution (12 disks) plus the 6.5.4 overlays (3
disks).  No matter what version of 6.5.x you install, you'll need the
same base disks from that 6.5.4 set.  Then add the overlays for
whichever specific point release you want.

> Question is are these versions of Irix suitable. Or couldnI do better.
> And on account of SGIs licensing scheme, which attaches a specific os
> version to a maxhine (or vice versa), does that entitle me to obtain and
> install those specific versions. Put anotjer way if I obtained images
> from somewhere, installed the correct versions of Irix, would thoae
> machines then be legit? Or am I supposed to pay through the nose for a
> subscription or whatever?

The machines you have were supported up to 6.5.22, so you can run
anything up to that.  (And frankly, I don't know why you'd want an
earlier 6.5.x release.)  After that only the O2, Octane, and newer
systems were supported.

You can also go with something older than 6.5.x.  Both 6.2 and 5.3 are
options on the Indys.  Only 6.2 would support the R10K Impact system.
IRIX 6.5.x likes lots of RAM.  Consider 128 MB the minimum, 256 MB is
better.  (Which doesn't sound like a lot today, but it was 25 years ago
when these machines were current!)  If you have less RAM, then
definitely consider earlier IRIX.

The final release was 6.5.30, but that was way back in 2006.  Even
extended support contracts for those paying the big money ran out
sometime around a decade ago.  There is simply no way to pay for a
license or subscription for any version of IRIX at this point in time.
I can't comment on the legalities of it, but "use what you can get"
seems to be a common approach in the SGI community as a result.

> Take the I2s for instance. Is the hardware any more reliable,
> longevity wise, then your average good quality pc?

I don't know about longevity.  They were high performance systems
compared to PCs of the era.  The operating system was very stable.
They're very different hardware than PCs of that (or any) era.  Those
are why people still love them today, more than longevity.

You're talking about 25-30 year old machines.  They will have problems
these days.

I don't often see SGI stuff discussed on this list.  You might get more
detailed info from web forums:

https://forums.irixnet.org/
https://forums.sgi.sh/

(I'm a user of the irixnet.org forums.)


[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-21 Thread Chris via cctalk
 I for 1 am getting duplicates of some messages. It's been happening for weeks. 
Figured it was time to say something.  

[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-21 Thread Andrew Diller via cctalk
IRIX isn't node-locked or licensed. Just some versions of IRIX drop support for 
old systems. Google will tell you exactly what you can install on what. Indys 
can all take 6.5.22 (but will be slow). The MIPSpro C compilers were licensed 
w/ flex but Google is also your friend for that.

Totally disc-less (uses Pi and network) IRIX install of last two versions which 
support about 90% of SGI (and all Indys): https://github.com/unxmaal/booterizer

RSE - the RPM Software Env for IRIX 6.5.30 and .22 is avaiable and has 
thousands of modern packages ported and ready to install via RPM and DNF via 
http: https://github.com/sgidevnet/sgug-rse/wiki

Note: I worked on both of those projects and they are amazing if you have any 
SGI with a MIPS 4400 or newer and Internet access! No reason to burn CDROMS or 
not have some very cool tools and make IRIX useful again.

-andy

> On Jan 21, 2023, at 11:23 AM, Ethan O'Toole via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
>> Question is are these versions of Irix suitable. Or couldnI do better. And 
>> on account of SGIs licensing scheme, which attaches a specific os version to 
>> a maxhine (or vice versa), does that entitle me to obtain and install those 
>> specific versions. Put anotjer way if I obtained images from somewhere, 
>> installed the correct versions of Irix, would thoae machines then be legit? 
>> Or am I supposed to pay through the nose for a subscription or whatever?
> 
> Depends on what software you want to run and if it needs the last version of 
> IRIX.
> 
> I know there are people that have ported Yum (I think) to IRIX and have been 
> producing modern compiles of software but not sure how beefy the machine 
> needs to be.
> 
> You can find tons of IRIX CDs right here:
> 
> https://archive.org/search?query=irix=3
> 
> Notice that is page 2 and it's so full of IRIX software and CDs it's crazy. 
> Hats off to the archive on this one.
> 
>   - Ethan
> 



[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-21 Thread Ethan O'Toole via cctalk
Question is are these versions of Irix suitable. Or couldnI do better. 
And on account of SGIs licensing scheme, which attaches a specific os 
version to a maxhine (or vice versa), does that entitle me to obtain and 
install those specific versions. Put anotjer way if I obtained images 
from somewhere, installed the correct versions of Irix, would thoae 
machines then be legit? Or am I supposed to pay through the nose for a 
subscription or whatever?


Depends on what software you want to run and if it needs the last version 
of IRIX.


I know there are people that have ported Yum (I think) to IRIX and have 
been producing modern compiles of software but not sure how beefy the 
machine needs to be.


You can find tons of IRIX CDs right here:

https://archive.org/search?query=irix=3

Notice that is page 2 and it's so full of IRIX software and CDs it's 
crazy. Hats off to the archive on this one.


- Ethan



[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-20 Thread Chris via cctalk
 Nothings for sale (at the moment at least). This phone ia gwtting wonky. And 
making it's own decisions. And I hadn't had breakfast when I started to post. 
Sorry.

I have 2 IRIX sets. 15 disk 6.5.4 iinm. And a 3 diak 6.5.6. Have 2 Indys, 1 is 
busted up, the 1 I'll wind up keeping for an extended period probably. 1 Indy 
has an r5000 I think and a graphics card. The other is mediocre. Also have an 
R1000 Impact I2.

Question is are these versions of Irix suitable. Or couldnI do better. And on 
account of SGIs licensing scheme, which attaches a specific os version to a 
maxhine (or vice versa), does that entitle me to obtain and install those 
specific versions. Put anotjer way if I obtained images from somewhere, 
installed the correct versions of Irix, would thoae machines then be legit? Or 
am I supposed to pay through the nose for a subscription or whatever?

Take the I2s for instance. Is the hardware any more reliable, longevity wise, 
then your average good quality pc?


 On Friday, January 20, 2023, 10:53:41 AM EST, Jack Berry via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 Location?

From: Chris via cctalk 
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2023 9:07 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: skogkatt...@yahoo.com
Subject: [cctalk] 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1


  

[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-20 Thread Jack Berry via cctalk
Location?

From: Chris via cctalk 
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2023 9:07 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: skogkatt...@yahoo.com
Subject: [cctalk] 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1




[cctalk] Re: 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1

2023-01-20 Thread mazzinia--- via cctalk
Missing details ?

 

From: Chris via cctalk  
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2023 3:07 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: skogkatt...@yahoo.com
Subject: [cctalk] 2 sets of IRIX, 2 Indys and I1