Just scored a copy of NeXTSTEP 3.3 for RISC (SPARC/PA-RISC)

[AStar617]

For those who don't know, NeXTSTEP/OPENSTEP is the Mach-based, BSD-like OS that ran on 68k-based workstations from NeXT, Steve Jobs' company after he left Apple. The WWW was literally invented on a NeXTcube. Unfortunately, their cool black hardware didn't catch on, and they became a software-only company looking for a platform.

Eventually they would link up with Apple, a company with a good platform but a crappy OS in dire need of replacement, and the two merged. Often it is joked that Apple didn't buy NeXT, but rather that NeXT was paid to buy Apple, since Jobs and the majority of his cabinet took over, and OPENSTEP was the basis for Raphsody, which lives today as OS X.

Anyways, a few years earlier NeXT had made a deal with Sun and HP to port the OS to each of their platforms, resulting in the OS distro I'm so excited to have now. I really got it for the SPARC version, so I could add this config to my vintage Sun "museum"... the HP version was an incidental bonus, and I do have a Model 712 to run that on too...

Later, OPENSTEP 4.2 was released both as a full OS for SPARC, or as a development environment running on top of Solaris. I'm still trying to track both of those down.

wiki: NeXT | NeXTSTEP

 

[tnkgrl]

Where did you find Nextstep for Sparc? I've looked online for a way to download it or purchase it but no luck so far - even on eBay!

I've dumpstered a working Sparcstation 20 and I'm interested in running Nextstep on it (not Openstep - I want the Mach kernel). It's currently running Solaris and I've considered running Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) but I think Nextstep would be even cooler.

I'd appreciate any advice - thanks

 

[Markbnj]

NeXT was some pretty cool stuff back in the day.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: tnkgrl
Where did you find Nextstep for Sparc? I've looked online for a way to download it or purchase it but no luck so far - even on eBay!

I've dumpstered a working Sparcstation 20 and I'm interested in running Nextstep on it (not Openstep - I want the Mach kernel). It's currently running Solaris and I've considered running Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) but I think Nextstep would be even cooler.

I'd appreciate any advice - thanks

Before we go any further... Unfortunately there is no support for SMP or Ross HyperSPARC modules on NeXTSTEP, so if your SS20 is configured in this way, you'll need to consult the hardware compatibility guide. I don't know if it will ignore a 2nd cpu if present, but I do know that SuperSPARCs are dirt cheap if you needed one.

I got my copy from a friend. However, Black Hole is a place that still sells the distros (and is actually Apple-approved). The site is a little... um, unfocused (random URL structure, seemingly random placement of multiple content topics on the same page, and particularly the rambling texts that range from fanboyesque to downright delusional ), but beneath all that is a legit way to get the 3.3 Developer release for RISC processors for $99. They sell on eBay too, complete with random rambling text, heh. Occasionally original CD-ROM distros can be had by eBay sellers other than Black Hole as well...

 

[n0cmonkey]

Plan 9 Über Alles! er, at least it's still alive.

NeXTStation Turbo Color 33Mhz Workstation

*Drool*

I pop on ebay and look for an ok deal on an older PA-RISC machine to run OpenBSD, but haven't found anything yet.

 

[Oyeve]

I still have my old black NeXT WS in my closet. Best damn comp ever.

 

[tnkgrl]

*AStar617*, thanks for info and the links... Unfortunately I have a dual-processor Hypersparc in my dumpstered system! Oh well - Debian/Ubuntu it is, then

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: tnkgrl
*AStar617*, thanks for info and the links... Unfortunately I have a dual-processor Hypersparc in my dumpstered system! Oh well - Debian/Ubuntu it is, then

What speed? I've got 60s. I'll trade you a 60 for your two.

 

[tnkgrl]

*n0cmonkey*. I'm not sure of the clock speed, but I think it's 150 MHz. Is that even possible? I think I'm going to keep the Hypersparc.

Does anyone know if Openstep runs on the Hypersparc?

 

[gotbandwidth]

Originally posted by: tnkgrl
*n0cmonkey*. I'm not sure of the clock speed, but I think it's 150 MHz. Is that even possible? I think I'm going to keep the Hypersparc.

Does anyone know if Openstep runs on the Hypersparc?

Yup a 150MHz is possible for a HyperSPARC

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: gotbandwidth

Originally posted by: tnkgrl
*n0cmonkey*. I'm not sure of the clock speed, but I think it's 150 MHz. Is that even possible? I think I'm going to keep the Hypersparc.

Does anyone know if Openstep runs on the Hypersparc?

Yup a 150MHz is possible for a HyperSPARC

And no, HyperSPARCs were never supported for any flavor of NeXT OS, AFAIK.

If you really want a NeXT-supported box, hit your local Craigslist.org and see whats available. If all else fails, I could probably whip you together a functioning SS5 for a couple bucks + actual shipping.