Post #2098593
2026-03-27 15:08 UTC
Of course, nobody was able to visualize a 15 million point 3D dataset on their SPARCStation.
Naturally, the "CS" solution to this problem was to throw infinite money at it. So, at some point, a shiny million dollar SGI showed up over the computer center and you could go use that (which we did).
Of course, they put it behind glass in the computer room where people could gawk at it along with the nearby Connection Machine. 7/n?
Replies (1)
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@dabeaz@mastodon.social 2026-03-27 15:14
So, sure you could go use the SGI, but doing so meant a) you had to actually had to leave your office b) You had to go outside in the blazing heat (or a midday thunderstorm), and c) you had to bring a sweater because you had to sit next to it in the freaking machine room. Of course, this all assumed that the machine wasn't already being used for a HS student demo or someone playing "driving simulator." Or showing off that dumb Unix file browser thing from Jurassic Park. 8/n?