What do You Use your NeXT for today?

First, my kudos to the creators of this site. I've been a NeXT admirer and user (my Business School had them I've never owned one) since the start.

My question to you owners is:

Given that this thing has been out of production for 1.5 decades or whatever it has been, what do you use your NeXT for today? Does the machine have
practical uses at all? Is anyone actually using the computer as their "main" system?

FYI, I used my HP Touchscreen II vintage 1987 as my main computer until 1997 when I finally had to upgrade.


John W. Kercheval
Washington, DC

******************
Eurocom D900K "Phantom" Laptop
AMD Athlon Dual Core 2600MHZ
PCMARK Score 6227
RAID 0 Hard Drive System- 200GB
2GB RAM
With newly Integrated WinStep NeXTSTEP System Installed
(thanks to this board)

I got mine to get back "into" Unix.  I suppose I could of installed Linux on an old wintel box but using actual black hardware is a thousand times more fun!

It's not uncommon for people to have used a computer system for 10 years as you did yours.  My first apple ii lasted me from 1980 to 1989 (inclusive).  I've known power users who got 15 years out of an apple!  I always notice long time users of systems have their machines really optimized towards the end of their computers life.

I unfortunately don't use it as my "main machine" (although I don't technically have a "main machine", but more like half a dozen which constitute my "main machine"), but mostly for hobby reasons these days. Although it's still a great platform for testing out ideas since it provides a very powerful, even if a bit outdated, development environment. For example, I used a NeXT during univ., to do some of my programming homework assignments and stuff, and I still write little quick programs (usually straight C) to test out ideas.

Unfortunately what kills most old skool machines is the lack of a modern browser. For example, there's a $10,000+ bounty for someone to port Mozilla/Firefox to the Amiga platform, since that's a major holding point on that platform. There are days when I'm thinking to myself about starting (yet another?) browser project with the goal of being portable, light-weight and fast on embedded (and thus old skool) systems. Why start one vs. port an existing codebase? I dunno about you, but the size of the Mozilla source base scares me a bit :/

I really wish Opera would (or better yet could afford to) port their mini browser to 68k platforms...

I've briefly entertained the notion of porting links, with its -g graphical interface, to NeXT. It currently depends on X11, and for a beta needing an X server wouldn't be completely heinous, but a proper interface would be needed and harder to do...

Hmm. GNUStep once again presents itself. Also, I should see if there's a native Mac frontend. Maybe one could kluge backward from there. It's no Firefox or Konqueror, but it's still surprisingly capable, relative to Omniweb 3.

Quote from: "kronoman"I've briefly entertained the notion of porting links, with its -g graphical interface, to NeXT. It currently depends on X11, and for a beta needing an X server wouldn't be completely heinous, but a proper interface would be needed and harder to do...

I didn't think of links, because I had no idea it had a graphical UI... but yeah, it's a good idea. I really like links (as opposed to lynx, even though each has features the other is missing .. typical Unix uncooperativeness :( ...  ). But I think a dependance on X11 isn't so bad.

Quote from: "kronoman"Hmm. GNUStep once again presents itself. Also, I should see if there's a native Mac frontend.

Do you mean a Cocoa/NS/GNUStep frontend to links ?  Haven't seen one :(

Nice...I saw the HP touchscreen at one of the wayback archive Computer Chronicle episodes, hard to find machines....

I haven't changed my response to this since a fairly recent response to a similiar thread:

http://www.nextcomputers.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=365

I use mine for document design with FrameMaker, basic spreadsheet stuff with Quantrix and ParaSheet (These are much nicer than OpenOffice Calc, if less featureful), some minor graphics diddling with WetPaint, and as a machine for general tinkering.

I sometimes use them for IRC, too, since I tend to IRC from whichever box I'm on at the time. Most of the time that means Xchat from Linux or Solaris, but not always!

I don't use any of my black machines as main system but I'm experimenting with them a lot.
First of all I'm trying to build a documentation, some sort of visual / virtual evolution listing from Mac OS over NeXTstep/Openstep to Rhapsody and then first Mac OS X versions.
Second I'm setting up some of my machines (Non-NeXT) as file storage system for collecting old software - right now I'm copying about 400 CDs to my AppleShare IP server which also works as a transfer station between my AppleTalk machines, Mac OS 9 machines with ethernet and Mac OS X machines.
Third I'm using them for comparing several software which was usable on other systems, for example Illustrator for Mac OS, NeXT and Windows or the famous game Oxyd for NeXT, Mac OS and Atari.

So although I'm not actually working with all of my machines I'm using them a lot.

J

The only apps I still need OPENSTEP for are Framemaker and Geomview. Beyond those, I have an easier time with stuff in Rhapsody... mainly due to a few small advances like antialiasing and the like. In Rhapsody I do mainly web stuff, but have also done a number of print projects too. And it isn't like I don't have access to most of the same apps I use in Mac OS X (OmniWeb, Create, TextEdit, ToyViewer and PStill to name a few).

As far as working in any of these environments, because most everything can be turned into either Postscript or PDF, it isn't like your work is isolated.

The idea that stuff becomes less useful or produces poorer quality with age is a misconception. One that I address in a thread in a Mac forum starting last December.

I had never done any 3D work before and had seen the results of a lot of people's efforts using expensive software packages on high end systems. I was wondering if I could produce similar results using only what I had on hand... a PowerBook 3400c/200 (from 1997) and Strata Vision3D 4.0 (from 1994)... both of which I had gotten for free.

This is what I was able to achieve by the end of March...

(http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/constellation/1017_shots.mov)
Click to play clip (http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/constellation/1017_shots.mov)
Duration: 42 seconds
Size: 6 MB

While I by no means suggest that my work on this is as good as people who have been doing this for years, it does do a good job illustrating that just because software and/or hardware is old it doesn't mean that it isn't able to still do quality work. If it was able to do great things when it was new, there is nothing stopping it from doing the same today.

:roll:

... well, nothing other than the ability of the person using the system that is. :D

My use is purely from a hobbyist standpoint. My goal is to have every box in my collection be able to act as a "living exhibit" of sorts, and load an encyclopedia-style article about itself for the enjoyment of an inquisitive user. :) This should be easy with the NeXT platform since all you need is even the most basic web browser to make a very nice writeup complete with graphics.

Quote from: "RacerX"I had never done any 3D work before and had seen the results of a lot of people's efforts using expensive software packages on high end systems. I was wondering if I could produce similar results using only what I had on hand... a PowerBook 3400c/200 (from 1997) and Strata Vision3D 4.0 (from 1994)... both of which I had gotten for free.

This is what I was able to achieve by the end of March...

*applause* :shock:

I think that's really, really good. You should be very proud of that!

How long did it take to render? Hopefully not from December to March :lol:

Quote from: "AStar617"*applause* :shock:

I think that's really, really good. You should be very proud of that!

How long did it take to render? Hopefully not from December to March :lol:

Wow, thanks! :D

Well, back in December I didn't have any idea how anything worked... and as everything on screen in those shots was made from scratch, I had to figure out how to make each of the complex shapes of the ship. The secondary hull was the hardest to get right (and even then, it isn't exactly how I would have wanted).

This was my progress after two weeks (click images to enlarge)...

(http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/Columbia-12-2006.jpg)

I started out with a Starfleet Scout because it was easier (more on it can be found here (http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/columbia/columbia_project.html)). I followed that up with an old Starfleet Tug...

(http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/3816-01242007.jpg)

After that I started attempting a starship like the Enterprise. This is one of my early test renderings January...

(http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/1017_reference_01152007.jpg)

And this is how far I had gotten by the end of February..

(http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/constellation/1017_02232007.jpg)

And after about a month more of work and learning the app I got to what you see in that short video.

Still images can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to render on my PowerBook depending on resolution and render effects (like adding shadows). Movies I tend to render on my 8600 and can take up to 12 hours for 10 seconds at 640 pixels wide (the time is significantly shorter if I render at 320 pixels wide).

While there are even more things I now know how to do to increase the accuracy of my model, work related stuff has kept me from spending any time on this since the end of March.


The other reason for attempting this was the new remastered Star Trek episodes that are currently being released. I was curious if the effects could have been done on midrange equipment more than ten years ago.

My starship, the USS Constellation, was one featured in the original series episode Doomsday Machine. Back in the 1960s the production team used an 18" model kit of the Enterprise to make the Constellation for that episode. Earlier this year CBS television invested a ton of time and money in remastering that episode (which has been ranked as one of the top 10 fan favorites of all the series).

Here is a quick comparison between the original Constellation from the 1960s, my version (which obviously is not damaged as it was in that episode) and the newly remastered version...



As I have been helping with the fan film Starship Exeter (http://www.starshipexeter.com/) with some of the model effects, I had become interested in the CG type of stuff recently (as the USS Exeter (http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/example-dennis.jpg) is done as a CG model in that production). I know that my stuff doesn't compare with the Exeter, but I've been pretty happy with my progress in a short period of time.

I haven't used mine much the last few months. But when I do I generally play nethack a lot ;)

I use framemaker and wordperfect a good bit on mine.

Practical uses for the Cube

The cubes make great stools.  I use one in the yard and another as a foot stool in the house.  The Cubes are also great when used as a bookcase.

Quote from: "nextime"Practical uses for the Cube

The cubes make great stools.  I use one in the yard and another as a foot stool in the house.  The Cubes are also great when used as a bookcase.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

:P

@RacerX:

that's pretty impressive stuff!!! Keep it up, because I don't think anyone can do 3D modelling. It certainly takes talent!


@nextime:

is "nextcity" Fremont? So we know where to find cooler-than-Ikea stools :)

I still use my cube as my "main" work computer.  I'm an attorney & I really only need WordPerfect and Improve.  Oh yeah, with NXFax it's the only fax machine I've ever needed.  I know how to use the old WP 1.0.1 (WP 5.1) & have set up macro's to automate most of my routine tasks.  I like how it works (before the newer versions that try to mimic Word - ack, pittooe).  

On the other hand, I've got a T-42 Thinkpad running Oracle UNB linux for my internet & email connection.  Unfortunately, I find OpenOffice far too complicated & unintuitive to replace WP on my old NeXT, but it comes in handy when I have to translate a M$ document.  

I've also got an old 390-E Thinkpad running Sun's orphaned JDS2 linux out in my garage system and an old Fujitsu Lifebook that somebody gave me loaded with Windoze 98 & WP 12 for those times when I ABSOLUTELY have to deal with a firm that only knows how to do M$ shit.

Much prefer OpenStep 4.2.

James

Quote from: "jheis"I still use my cube as my "main" work computer.  I'm an attorney & I really only need WordPerfect and Improve.  I know how to use the old WP 5.1 & have set up macro's to automate most of my routine tasks.  I like how it works (before the newer versions that try to mimic Word - ack, pittooe).  

On the other hand, I've got a T-42 Thinkpad running Oracle UNB linux for my internet & email connection.  Unfortunately, I find OpenOffice far too complicated & unintuitive to replace WP on my old NeXT, but it comes in handy when I have to translate a M$ document.  

I've also got an old 390-E Thinkpad running Sun's orphaned JDS2 linux out in my garage system and an old Fujitsu Lifebook that somebody gave me loaded with Windoze 98 & WP 12 for those times when I ABSOLUTELY have to deal with a firm that only knows how to do M$ shit.

Much prefer OpenStep 4.2.

James

James, you bring a tear to my eye! You're the first lawyer-type guy I can honestly say I admire :D  May you sue somebody (or rather some corporation) and strip'em clean :)

PS1. Fully agree on the comments about old WP and Open Office ( sucks, but it's too fugly because it's mimicking the WRONG software, while if they only looked at other packages like the venerable Claris or even Pages... )

PS2. Don't take the lawyer stuff offensively: I actually believe it's the biased, crooked and overcomplicated laws, as well as a general lack of common sense and as well as the unwritten laws and politics that are the biggest factors in corrupting otherwise decent lawyer-type people. No nature vs nurture, here. It's almost all nurture with lawyers. I might daresay with politicians too, although I'll hold off on that -- needs more thought :)

Cheers!

That's so cool, James! I had not met anyone that used a NeXT as their main machine for work still :) very nice.

I need a few more key pieces for my NeXT and I'll probably be using it for most of my stuff at home. I can already use it for just about everything.

I need to start buying a few more machines to put back in case mine dies eventually. I don't know what I'll do when black hardware is impossible ot ifnd in the future... *shudders*

Quote from: "RacerX"

While I by no means suggest that my work on this is as good as people who have been doing this for years, it does do a good job illustrating that just because software and/or hardware is old it doesn't mean that it isn't able to still do quality work. If it was able to do great things when it was new, there is nothing stopping it from doing the same today.

:roll:

... well, nothing other than the ability of the person using the system that is. :D

Well said.  So many uses for older technology.

tj