the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
#1
the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
Hi, I was searching on the VGA sync on green issue which puzzled me since around 2006, so I found this forum. 
Having had access to several SGI workstations from 2006 to 2010, I could never really figure out what to use them for. Still I saw customers having them in rather strange locations, so they must have had some use for them.
Today I got my O2 out and was not expecting this thing to work on a more or less modern flat screen. To my surprise it did. The only issue is the mouse, where to find a PS2 mouse in 2025?
My daughter was fascinated by this relic from the stone age, and we managed to shut it down via shell.

Now my question to the community is:  What do you guys do with these? Is anyone still using them?             
Jurgis
O2

Trade Count: (0)
Posts: 2
Threads: 1
Joined: May 2025
Location: Barcelona
Find Reply
05-24-2025, 09:11 PM
#2
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
Bon dia, como estàs?

A lot of people have fascination with 3D software and CAD. I prefer the HPC side of things and the fact it's a decently clean UNIX overall. Janky at times, but way less complicated than any modern OS. It's kind of a nice intermediate, for me, between Research UNIX or even maybe the AmigaOS, and the heavyweight stuff of Microsoft Windows or modern GNU/Linux.

As for a PS/2 mouse, most widely available probably Amazon.

Nice to see more Iberians here. Smile

I'm the system admin of this site. Private security technician, licensed locksmith, hack of a c developer and vintage computer enthusiast. 

https://contrib.irixnet.org/raion/ -- contributions and pieces that I'm working on currently. 

https://codeberg.org/SolusRaion -- Code repos I control

Technical problems should be sent my way.
Raion
Chief IRIX Officer

Trade Count: (9)
Posts: 4,240
Threads: 533
Joined: Nov 2017
Location: Eastern Virginia
Website Find Reply
05-24-2025, 10:02 PM
#3
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
I use mine for Pro/ENGINEER (CAD software) and programming with the MIPSPro compiler. And for what it's worth, Pro/ENGINEER was (is) pretty much feature complete from its last SGI release, no really meaningful new features have been added since the last SGI release, just user interface tweaks. For those of us who are dinosaurs, we still actually make significant use of BRL Cad.

Project: Temporarily lost at sea
Plan: World domination! Or something...
(This post was last modified: 05-25-2025, 05:26 PM by vishnu.)
vishnu
Tezro, Octane2, 2 x Onyx4

Trade Count: (0)
Posts: 1,245
Threads: 41
Joined: Dec 2017
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Find Reply
05-25-2025, 10:08 AM
#4
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
I use mine for productive tasks, to learn coding and whenever I need a distraction-free environment to focus on something, depending on what I am doing.

I use my HP 712/60 with nextstep almost every day and I use my Octane 2x per week.
Shiunbird
Administrator

Trade Count: (1)
Posts: 553
Threads: 45
Joined: Mar 2021
Location: Czech Republic
Find Reply
05-26-2025, 07:36 AM
#5
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
(05-24-2025, 10:02 PM)Raion Wrote:  Nice to see more Iberians here. Smile
Actually I'm of germanic origin, only living here for the weather.  This region of the Mediteranean has been created by the Gods for the Greek, there is never winter, an eternal spring. The Greeks colonized these cities like Barcelona, up to Marseille.

(05-25-2025, 10:08 AM)vishnu Wrote:  I use mine for Pro/ENGINEER (CAD software) and programming with the MIPSPro compiler. ...  For those of us who are dinosaurs, we still actually make significant use of BRL Cad.
I saw this BRL cad a couple of years ago, but there is not much available in tutorials.  Is it worth learning it? (dont worry, I will not install it on IRIX).
Currently I'm fighting with Blender, it has such nice features like sun position where you can calculate shadows based on your location and date. I'm looking for something to make basic 3d drawings of steel frames, timber and walls. Tried Freecad before but its awkward.

(05-26-2025, 07:36 AM)Shiunbird Wrote:  ...  whenever I need a distraction-free environment to focus on something,...
Yeah, thats actually a point. You will not be bothered by social media and all this stuff ...  I get it.
(This post was last modified: 05-27-2025, 01:46 PM by Jurgis.)
Jurgis
O2

Trade Count: (0)
Posts: 2
Threads: 1
Joined: May 2025
Location: Barcelona
Find Reply
05-27-2025, 01:36 PM
#6
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
> Actually I'm of germanic origin, only living here for the weather.

Shhhh.

I love the warm places tbh. Virginia gets really mild winters and is rather clean overall. I hate the cold.

I'm the system admin of this site. Private security technician, licensed locksmith, hack of a c developer and vintage computer enthusiast. 

https://contrib.irixnet.org/raion/ -- contributions and pieces that I'm working on currently. 

https://codeberg.org/SolusRaion -- Code repos I control

Technical problems should be sent my way.
Raion
Chief IRIX Officer

Trade Count: (9)
Posts: 4,240
Threads: 533
Joined: Nov 2017
Location: Eastern Virginia
Website Find Reply
05-27-2025, 03:10 PM
#7
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
Hovering around freezing is the worst temperature range. Either stay above 5-6oC or bellow -3oC at all times.

The main annoyance with winter is when it keeps flipping between bellow freezing and above freezing and you end up in a muddy/icy mess all around you.

Having snow and an activity to perform outside with snow is a great helper in the dark days of winter up here, close to the arctic circle.
mosca
O2

Trade Count: (0)
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Apr 2025
Location: Norway
Find Reply
05-28-2025, 07:37 AM
#8
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
(05-28-2025, 07:37 AM)mosca Wrote:  The main annoyance with winter is when it keeps flipping between bellow freezing and above freezing and you end up in a muddy/icy mess all around you.
I was born in a tropical country, so what I appreciate the most after these 15+ years in Europe is that the seasons are actually different, instead of ((dry OR wet) AND hot).

We are having a nice lovely fresh chilly May here, the way I like it.
Summers are better hot.
Winters are better cold.
The rest should be temperate.

Warm muddy winters, wet summers and undefined spring and autumns are the worst.
When I was living Moscow, I hated the -20C on Monday, +5 on Wednesday, then -10 on Saturday bullshit of having no sea nearby to smoothen the curve.
Shiunbird
Administrator

Trade Count: (1)
Posts: 553
Threads: 45
Joined: Mar 2021
Location: Czech Republic
Find Reply
05-28-2025, 12:50 PM
#9
RE: the meaning of SGI hardware in 2025
With regard to winter, living as I do in a part of the world that's considered almost sub-arctic, my cold weather gear includes the US Army mil-std N3 parka and pants, and the somewhat famous bone-white air pressurized "bunny boots," which were developed by the Air Force for high altitude flights to minus 40 degrees F.

Irinikus, do you guys use such gear when you're flying?

Project: Temporarily lost at sea
Plan: World domination! Or something...
vishnu
Tezro, Octane2, 2 x Onyx4

Trade Count: (0)
Posts: 1,245
Threads: 41
Joined: Dec 2017
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Find Reply
08-11-2025, 09:21 PM


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)