Subject: Re: another annoying user here
To: nm <nmanisca@vt.edu>
From: Jon Lindgren <jlindgren@espus.com>
List: port-alpha
Date: 02/14/2000 07:21:53
On Sat, 12 Feb 2000, nm wrote:

> I now have a fairly speedy alpha system (AS200 4/233).  I currently
> run Tru64 5.0 on it.  I would MUCH rather run NetBSD!  The problem
> is that I do need X (and Netscape).  Has anyone made the necessary
> hacks (as done for linux systems) to allow XFree to work with say
> an S3 or Matrox pci card?  Even if it does not make it into to code
> base it would put a NetBSD banner on this system.  Please do not view
> this as a threat.
> 
> In short, I love NetBSD and I only wish that I had X on alpha. (even
> as a temporary unofficial hack).

I used to have an AS200 4/166... nice machine, until it went butts up on
me for some unknown [static] reason [weep, sob] and now all I have are
memories...  FYI NetBSD on that particular machine was exceptional.  For
over a year it was my mail machine, DNS server, 'net gateway (via a
perminant dialup) and development machine.  Lovely! [applause]  Since it's
untimely passing, a pair of SS5s has replaced it.  And as usual, NetBSD is
exceptional.  Not a fault, not a complaint; it happily eats its lima beans
and brussle sprouts, working like a horse day-in, and day-out.

I don't, however, think support has been added for cards other than the
DEC 21xxx based cards.  There has been a lot of talk about how easy [or
hard] it might be to do, and I think the conclusion is that doing the
Right Thing (tm) will take more manpower than it took to build the
pyramids.

There may have been developments since I last checked, so you might want
to wait to see if my $0.02 ain't worth the paper it's printed on...

-Jon
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