Michael L. Nealey

Welcome to my Systems page

DISCLAMER

Note to corporate lawyer types. I'm an individual computer nerd with an interest in the software and hardware listed on this page. I don't have deep pockets so don't bother suing me, just ask if ya want something removed. And I promise I won't ask for money for all the free advertising. I do not represent any of the companies listed and all opinions are mine. I don't let my employers speak for me so I'm sure they don't want me speaking for them. Now back to our regularly scheduled viewing.

I work with a large number of computer hardware and software systems in both my professional and personal life. I'm going to try and document some of these systems here. I've broken the site into two parts, hardware and software. I've also included pointers to some great reference sites available on the Internet.

If you know of an interesting link to any hardware or software information on the systems covered by this web page, please let me know. I'll include it here so we can all benefit.

Hardware


So far, I have information on the following hardware systems:

Sun Microsystems

Sun boxes are just plain fun to work on. They're put together well and they last forever. The SPARC architecture is solid and reliable. All in all, a great line of servers and workstations. Sun has the distinction of being the "choice of the nerd generation™". Everyone want's to work with'em and it's kind of a nerd badge of honor to administer a herd of Sun boxen. Of course, now that they are ice skating in Hell it appears that Oracle has bought SUN Microsystems. Who knows what the future holds...

SGI (formerly known as SiliconGraphics Inc.)

SGI hardware holds a special place in my heart. I just really like SGI stuff. I don't know if it's the way the equipment looks or if it's the great 4D window system of IRIX, but it just does something for me. The only problem with SGI equipment is that it's a bit pricey. It is, however, definitely worth the money if you need the high-end graphics and scientific imaging systems that SGI is known for. And anyone could make use of a 1024 processor, single memory image machine in their home office. How'd ya like a beowulf cluster of those?

IBM (International Business Machines Corp.)

Well, what can I say? IBM sells business machines, and nobody ever got fired for buying IBM hardware. IBM's SP systems are very nice and they are some of the fastest machines on earth. And don't forget, IBM machines can play chess like a madman!

Hewlett-Packard

I actually like HP's Unix servers and workstations. They're not real fancy but they get the job done without any fuss. They're also very easy to work on because they are put together very well. Whenever I've had any trouble with HP machines the support has been very good and the HP hardware folks are always very knowledgeable and professional.

DEC (Digital Equipment Corp.)

Ya, I know. Digital was _allegedly_ purchased by Compaq Computer Corp. Well, I don't believe it! No way that can happen! I think it's all a conspiracy put forward by Big Tobacco, The Handgun Manufacturer's, and Big Oil companies. Therefore, I will continue to refer to all my DEC equipment as DEC equipment! 'nuff said...

Next

Software


So far, I have information on the following software systems:

Sun Microsystems

Sun's primary Operating Systems are SunOS/Solaris and Interactive Unix. Interactive Unix has been discontinued as a live product but customers can still receive support through Sun. Interactive Unix was Sun's SVR3 Unix for Intel Architecture machines. SunOS is also no longer a live product. SunOS was based on the BSD extentions to AT&T Unix. The SunOS Operating System has been renamed Solaris version 1. Solaris itself has gone through a naming change. Originally Solaris started as version 2, then proceded to ascend through 2.1, 2.2, etc... Then, something happened at 2.6 that changed this naming scheme from 2.7 to version 7. Now, the last big release has been named Solaris 8, and the upcomming version is to be named Solaris 9. Solaris is based on SVR4 Unix, a major change from the original BSD based SunOS. You can just keep it simple and call any solaris version by it's SunOS name also, for example Solaris 7 is also know as SunOS 5.7. Clear as mud, huh...

SGI (formerly known as SiliconGraphics Inc.)

SGI's version of Unix is called IRIX. It is based on SVR4 and is currently at version 6. I think IRIX has one of, if not the, best windowing environments of any Unix system available. The only other environment I enjoy working with as much is Apple's OS/X. IRIX has been thought of in the past as having a bad security model when initially installed. I feel it necessary to point out that Unix was originally designed to allow, maybe even encourage, the open sharing of resources and information. Also, Unix needs to be administered as a multi-user system. If you feel that your IRIX system is not secure enough, your the System Admin, make it secure. Now getting off soap box...

IBM (International Business Machines Corp.)

Well, what can I say? IBM sells business machines, and nobody ever got fired for buying IBM hardware. IBM's SP systems are very nice and they are some of the fastest machines on earth. And don't forget, IBM machines can play chess like a madman!

Hewlett-Packard

I actually like HP's Unix servers and workstations. They're not real fancy but they get the job done without any fuss. They're also very easy to work on because they are put together very well. Whenever I've had any trouble with HP machines the support has been very good and the HP hardware folks are always very knowledgeable and professional.

DEC (Digital Equipment Corp.)

Ya, I know. Digital was _allegedly_ purchased by Compaq Computer Corp. Well, I don't believe it! No way that can happen! I think it's all a conspiracy put forward by Big Tobacco, The Handgun Manufacturer's, and Big Oil companies. Therefore, I will continue to refer to all my DEC equipment as DEC equipment! 'nuff said...

Composed by: Mike Nealey
©2002 and beyond