[axpvms]

Hi,

Greetings from Finland (located in Northern Europe)!

My background is from the Digital (DEC) world of computing since over 30 years ago. I've been mostly working with various DEC HW and SW (which later became rebranded Compaq and HP). Computer systems as PDP-11, VAX, Alpha and eventually Itanium; storage systems such as SCSI-based and SAN-based disk arrays and tape libraries; network equipment e.g. switches and routers. When working at the Multivendor Customer Services I also became familiar with other vendors systems like SGI, HP, IBM and SUN.

The most familiar Operating system is OpenVMS with which I work daily.
I work with different unix implementations like IRIX, Tru64unix, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX and Linux often as well, depending on the project. I used to work with Ultrix, too, but there aren't any such systems around anymore.

Besides my work I am a keen hobbyist, too. My hobby systems consists of ~40 VAX systems, ~50 Alpha systems, 2 PDP-11's, 10 SGI systems, 6 PA-RISC systems, 9 SUN Sparc systems, 3 IBM (RS6000/Pseries) systems, various disk systems and tape libraries, about 100 network devices (switches, routers, etc), several different terminals (VTxxx, X-terminals and printing terminals) and some printers of different types (matrix, line, laser, thermal ink).

My first own SGI system was an Indigo 2 (R4400/200, Extreme) which I got cheap from a friend in the early 2000's. After playing some time with it and while looking for more information about the various Indigo 2 models, I got even more interested in the subject and read a lot about other SGI systems as well on the net, e.g. on Nekochan. Then I found some other systems for affordable prices and lastly stumbled over a big pile of parts which were from some dissected systems. When making the big puzzle it turned out to form three working systems; an Origin 200, an Onyx2 deskside and an Onyx2 rackmount. That was the (physically) biggest puzzle I've ever made.
There were parts for a second Onyx2 ds as well, but I just saved them for spares and dumped the chassis.

My current SGI systems are:
Indigo 2; R4400/200, Extreme
Indigo 2: R4400/250, XZ-GR3, IndigoVideo, CosCom
Indigo 2; R10000/195, HighImpact
2 * O2; R5200/180
O2; R12000/300
Octane 2; R14000/600, V12, Shoehorn
Origin 200; R10000/180
Onyx2 ds; R10000/195, IR2, DIVO
Onyx2 rm; R10000/195, IR2, DIVO

While playing with those I've got a lot of friendly advice from Ian Mapleson and bought some parts and items from him as well.
Even though I'm familiar with IRIX, I'm still learning. Especially about the graphics and video software.

If I can be of any help to members on the IRIX Network - especially concerning DEC related topics, just ask.


Cheers,

Kari

P.S. Where can those cool icons of different SGI systems be found?

[robespierre]

Hi Kari, and welcome to the forum.

P.S. Where can those cool icons of different SGI systems be found?

In your User Panel, click "Change Signature" and click on "more" in the "Smilies" area to see the icons.

[Jan]

Wow, that’s a cool introduction!
Welcome and a nice collection BTW!

[Raion]

Glad to see some more DEC oriented folks coming. I recently got to try some Finnish cuisine actually, in particular cloudberry jam, and Karelian stew which was actually pretty tasty. Not what I would have expected for a people in such a cold place. Kinda curious what reindeer tastes like.

Your collection seems quite vast. If you want, I've been meaning to eventually start a DEC oriented wiki eventually, so if you have interest in that we can talk in the near future.

[stormy]

Just reminded me of that hilarious south park episode...

   

[Raion]

Good gods, South Park.

[axpvms]

Glad to see some more DEC oriented folks coming.

> Thanks!

I recently got to try some Finnish cuisine actually, in particular cloudberry jam, and Karelian stew which was actually pretty tasty. Not what I would have expected for a people in such a cold place. Kinda curious what reindeer tastes like.

>  Did you visit Finland or a Finnish restaurant abroad?
>  Indeed, cloudberry and Karelian stew are delicious!
>  Well, the reindeer taste differs from other deer. Hard to describe, best to taste for yourself. Like many Finnish dishes, reindeer splits people strongly, either you like it or
>  hate it.

Your collection seems quite vast.

>  When not always keeping hands in the pockets, one can find some decommissioned items of interest. 
>  During the years I have tried to gather a collection of as many different items as possible so that it could represent a view of the field where I've been working.
>  Of course it doesn't cover every type of system I've had my hands on, but a major part anyway.

If you want, I've been meaning to eventually start a DEC oriented wiki eventually, so if you have interest in that we can talk in the near future.

>  That sounds interesting! I surely would like to contribute.

[Raion]

I have a female friend whose dad is this big blond hair, blue eyed half Finn half Sami. For Memorial Day this year he invited me over, I brought some Chinese and Spanish dishes (Twice cooked pork, Paella, saffron fried chicken, Hong Kong Swiss wings) and he let me try some traditional dishes from Finland. It was a fun time.

Regarding the wiki idea, we'll reconvene on that sooner or later. Put the bug in my ear every so often and in the meantime you can make forum posts covering topics as needed/wanted by you.