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Ben asks about Topbraid; I'm ok w/replacing GKB w/Protege, but don't think TB is needed.
I've also been thinking about racer, but think it might also be too much.
I have a lot more to say about this;  I do think if we have already paid for ACL
that would should consider using acache(vs.mysql)&agraph if useful.
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Re:modern-lisp: I only use mlisp when it specifically calls for it.  It adds extra chance for error.
alisp is what I use (when not using sbcl)
ps. franz might try a umls load in agraph
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I've thought SWCLOS is interesting, but like
to stay away from xml/rdf/etc internally
I'm more interested in reasoning over
extensions to the object-system.
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I stlll don't see the ebay sun upgrade as that useful(for a few reasons);
I also think it dangerous to upgrade that way; Finally, 
I think the 1k would be better used on a small intel box.
I still find os-x the only thing w/o headache so far.. 
It can also run any os we are thinking about.
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RAM will be more helpful than a HardDrive
Cleaning the HD, at least the scratch space
 will help w/paging out.
Consider using >1 machine at a time to speed things up.
I'm sure I could offer other suggestions.
Show me the SUN specific code, So I can change it.
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1)Saw HD error on Arches only onece.
  So not calling it in yet.
2)ACL8.1 Needs Solaris9 or above. Tried 10.
  OpenSolaris(~=10/l1)is even easier to use.
3)Arches is online, waiting for Ben's update.
 Not fixed-ip yet; but still more useable.
4)Several explanations of getting new vs fixing old.
 Only parts that make sense are very cheap one(s) now.
5)If a real change is needed, new/different machine.
 Linux&/orOS-Xbox should be mixed in, as needed.
6)What is really needed when?  I'm guessing now:
 Not much at the moment, but when we do we should
 get a machine that has room to grow easily.
7)A lnx|osx server that could go to 8-16Meg RAM
 In sys.htm that would be a few $k.
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Not really waiting for Chris, as he will show
us a machine for $6k+ that we don't want to get;
Which is still better than the cost of updating
the EOL machines; More money&less machine.
Only thing is Ben gets eBay parts to get by
for now; and then we get a modern stock machine
that can easily grow w/our needs.
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All advice/facts/etc point to new machines vs. updating them.
Min ACL OS needs, mean we also have to update the OS.
Even on sun, we should consider Linux;but 10 or OpenSolaris would be ok.
I don't want to take care of something old/I've wasted too much already.
So if I'm to take care of it, I'll update it;
-more in sun.txt & sys.htm for machine ideas.

=Basically it has come down to, if Ben can get &(have)e-bay parts installed,
=>then it is worth keeping those as the main machines.
Otherwise we should get a Linux or OS-X box.
I vote for OS-X as I use it at home, and it is the easiest to administer.

http://mike.bobak.googlepages.com/sys.htm has my suggestions.

I can alter that given needs (more/less disk)&money available at what time.


Remember, full priced parts are not worth it for the sun's
&we were already planning to get different machines when this time came.

http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/29/1922213
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download (for unltraspac)
http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/15/132252 (lnx on dell up)
http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/16/028233 (debian on dell)
can have linux (&other os's at the same time):
http://wiki.onmac.net/index.php/Triple_Boot_via_BootCamp_Ubuntu

Still:  "setup&admin. No IT dept required"
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/features/admin.html
http://www.apple.com/xserve/ or..
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/300.html#unix


--It would help if I knew what Ben found wrong w/the present system 
 /what improvments he wanted to see; &for the longer term what new
  stresses are expected on the system.
 I expect a need for new RAM at somepoint, &this system will be limited.
 I don't think it is worth putting any more money into.

 Also it is not easy to maintain; Well at least w/the 10+yr old OS.
 The newest one helps, &is on par w/Linux(almost), but os-x helps.
 [We could put Linux on it; I've seen that, but opensolaris is ok.]
 The Sparc chips do not help; Sun is moving towards AMD. 
 Yet any of the intel boxes would be a fine replacement; When we need it.
--------this might help in deciding about machines to buy:
http://glinden.blogspot.com/2007/10/starting-findory-hardware-go-boom.html