I want to play with Self a little. From what I can tell the only fully functional version is the original Sun Sparc version which can be found on the Sun web site. Unfortunately, I don't have a Sun. So, I'd like to buy a used machine which would run Self well.
I don't know much about Sun machines - what hardware specs would you suggest? I haven't found anything about memory reqs etc other than the supported OS versions. Also, will Solaris 2.6 or Solaris 7 work?
I basically just want to explore the system, and I'd really like to play with the multi-user aspects as well. Maybe a system that would support 4 simultaneous users well?
As I understand it, the users would be using X, so they could be on Linux or NT or whatever, right? Intel boxes I have.
I'm kinda counting on the assumption that the nice Self workstation of 1996 will be the inexpensive used box of today, since I'm on a bit of a budget... and of course I would be interested to hear if anyone is interested in selling a Self-class box.
Thanks,
Jerry Bell jdbell@fareselaw.com
Hello, Jerry. Let's see if I can help. I have the same problem as you, I want to run Self but I don't have and can't afford a SPARC by myself. As many people here, I have thought about porting Self myself. It is very difficult though, so let's go back to the SPARC. I think there is some specification about what machine to use in the Self home page (can someone point this more exactly, please?). It's something about 48MB RAM and a GX video card... well, you will be able to find it somewhere. About the X servers, I would recommend Linux boxes, as I have found only one free X server for Windows, and it is not very good. I have considered buying an UltraSPARC 10 with PCI and IDE controllers, no SCSI at all, and it costs in Brazil no less than US$12,000!!! Not bad, huh? So I wish you luck, but I hope someone can find a cheaper way before long... Regards, Douglas
jdbell@fareselaw.com wrote:
I want to play with Self a little. From what I can tell the only fully functional version is the original Sun Sparc version which can be found on the Sun web site. Unfortunately, I don't have a Sun. So, I'd like to buy a used machine which would run Self well.
I don't know much about Sun machines - what hardware specs would you suggest? I haven't found anything about memory reqs etc other than the supported OS versions. Also, will Solaris 2.6 or Solaris 7 work?
I basically just want to explore the system, and I'd really like to play with the multi-user aspects as well. Maybe a system that would support 4 simultaneous users well?
As I understand it, the users would be using X, so they could be on Linux or NT or whatever, right? Intel boxes I have.
I'm kinda counting on the assumption that the nice Self workstation of 1996 will be the inexpensive used box of today, since I'm on a bit of a budget... and of course I would be interested to hear if anyone is interested in selling a Self-class box.
Thanks,
Jerry Bell jdbell@fareselaw.com
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Douglas, I bought an Ultra 5 without a monitor for US$4000 about a year ago, here in Brazil. It is neat having my own Sparc machine, but *very* disapointing compared to what the same money could get me in the PC world :-(
Jerry,
I used Self 4.0 on the following machines: Sparc 10 (not Ultra!), Sparc 20, Meiko (multiple Sparc 20s), an Ultra 1 and now my Ultra 5. I also tested it on a Fujitsu clone (Sparc 2 performance, I think). At ECOOP'95 the Sun people were showing it on a Voyager, which is also at a SparcStation 2 level.
The Sparc 20 is quite good enough, though the Ultras are a little nicer. Anything less and you will face some long waits. But in my experience memory size is *much* more critical than CPU speed. Even with 64 MB of RAM it swaps terribly for the things I do (sweep through all the objects counting things...). I would suggest trying to find the cheapest Sparc you can find that accepts normal memory SIMMs and then you upgrade it yourself as much as possible.
A lot of people are throwing away old Sparcs. I missed the opportunity to get for free a better machine than I bought :-(
Good luck, -- Jecel
self-interest@lists.selflanguage.org
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Douglas Atique -
jdbell＠fareselaw.com -
Jecel Assumpcao Jr