[SunRescue] 'Getting started' questions

[Scott Newell]

>Not a bad starter machine although you'll probably want to purchase more ram
>for it.

I guess I could pick up another ss2 just for the 4MB simms.  That would
take me to 64, which is the max for the mainboard, correct?  (I must have 8
4s and 8 1s, because all my simm slots are full.)


>1) For industry standard learning/playing you can probably still get Solaris
>for the cost of the media +shipping.  It's what most Sun boxes run and it

I don't have a known-good scsi cd-rom.  Is it possible to do a network
install from a Linux box?  


>should run quite well on the system you have as long as you're not trying to
>do heavy graphics work.  It's also easier to find help for Solaris on Sparc

No keyboard, mouse, or monitor-->probably no graphics.  I've got much
faster Linux boxes, so I don't have much need for X on this toy.


>Even if they have no drives or memory ~$10 each is quite a bargain for Sparc
>hardware!  Sometimes building a system from scratch is far more desirable
>than getting one pre-made.  (This is especially true if you want that warm
>fuzzy from having accomplished something yourself. ;-)

I generally take a hard-line approach to the building from scratch
phrase--if you didn't draw the schematic and solder the board, you didn't
build it.  :-)  Guess that comes from having a background in the small
embedded systems.


>BTW - What is a dead freight warehouse and how do I find one? =-)

Insured freight that is lost or refused (usually due to damage) is dead.
The shipping party  collects insurance and the freight company (or
insurance company, depending) gets stuck with the refused freight.  They
can then trash it, sell it, or auction it.  If you've got a large trucking
company in your area, call 'em up and ask if they auction or sell off their
dead freight.


thanks,
newell