Hypothetically speaking, I don't want IRIX. So could I just buy a
null-modem serial cable, attach it to another computer of mine with
some "serial console software" and use the O2 as a command-line only
BSD machine?

And on another note, I realize this is the wrong mailling list, but
does anyone know about Debian or Gentoo for the MIPS arch, would it
support a graphical UI?

Thanks! :)