Re: [gentoo-amd64] error updating deep world>> gentoo general

[Bob Sanders]

Gavin Seddon, mused, then expounded:
>
> For imaging we use SGI Octane or Octane 2 however I have found recent
> Nvidia graphics cards to be as good, here at least I stick to crt SGI
> monitors; they are cheap and perform.  Also, Irix (SGI OS) is awful.
> For weeks now I've been trying to install ssh.  It WON'T.

SSH is part of any recent IRIX dist.  Around 6.5.20 or 6.5.24.  It's
on the overlay CDs.   See about upgrading to something resaonably recent -
6.5.29 should be hitting the streets next month.

But, yes, a lot of Opensource doesn't play well.  Best bet if you
don't want to upgrade IRIX, is to try out Nekochan.org and switch
over to their sets of packages as Freeware is not being updated anymore.

Still, I recommend a more recent IRIX if you aren't running it.


> I was
> debating last night whether to install Gentoo on the Octanes.  My fear
> is, If I do:
> a.  Sybyl, the MOST useful drug design software won't run and.
> b.  I will have to reinstall Irix.  I did it once.  It's a farce.  It
> took all day (no breaks).  You even partition when it's installed.

I tried out Gentoo on an O200 and found it was broken - none of the
stages actually worked.  But I've been working with the ia64 devs to get
the LiveCD for Altix workng, thus haven't persued the Gentoo on MIPS.  I'll
get back to that as time allows.

As to IRIX installs - if you know the tricks - don't listen to the
Start here, and don't do the voodoo chicken dance - "k *", "i S", "i U",
and step through the packages with inst (ignoring freeware, which is best
done with swmgr) - you need to know the KB keys - n, N, p, P, i, then with some
paticence, it's pretty painless.  But then it took me a couple of years to
figure this out.  It's a bit like Zen or the Force - let inst guide the way. :)


> I think SG have had their day.  We won't buy any more.
> Furthermore, the Opterons are faster and cost 1/10 the price.
>

True.  The problem is very few companies are making commerical grade
systems.  Most just take existing motherboards, many which are simply
consummer grade quality and putting them in chassis.  Very few actually
offer systems with remote management and servicability.  Companies like
Tyan and Supermicro offer pretty robust motherboards, but getting their
remote management options from a retail vendor is very diffcult.  And
getting it part of a system adds another US$1000+ to the cost of the
system.

Regardless, best of luck with your systems.

Bob 
-  
-- 
gentoo-amd64@g.o mailing list