comparison posts/SDF_Initial_Experiences.md @ 47:8abe80157501

guess who doesn't preview :(
author Samuel Hodgkins <samuel.hodgkins@sky.com>
date Sat, 07 Apr 2018 02:58:47 +0100
parents 8fb2c292fb66
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46:8fb2c292fb66 47:8abe80157501
17 The menu's prompt is 'FEP Command' and while this seems inconsequential, it is in fact a reference to a completely different type of computer than the UNIX and Windows-based systems that are currently dominant. 17 The menu's prompt is 'FEP Command' and while this seems inconsequential, it is in fact a reference to a completely different type of computer than the UNIX and Windows-based systems that are currently dominant.
18 In the 1980s and early 1990s, there were companies that made Lisp Machines, which were and still are very different to modern systems running a UNIX-like or Windows. 18 In the 1980s and early 1990s, there were companies that made Lisp Machines, which were and still are very different to modern systems running a UNIX-like or Windows.
19 On these systems, there was a Lisp processor, but in many systems the Lisp CPU was unable to boot the system standalone, so there was an additional processor (or for the later ones, something specially integrated with the main processor) to bootstrap the Lisp one with the rest of the system. 19 On these systems, there was a Lisp processor, but in many systems the Lisp CPU was unable to boot the system standalone, so there was an additional processor (or for the later ones, something specially integrated with the main processor) to bootstrap the Lisp one with the rest of the system.
20 Symbolics systems, in particular, had a Front End Processor that perfomed this task (as well as other things like handling full system crashes). 20 Symbolics systems, in particular, had a Front End Processor that perfomed this task (as well as other things like handling full system crashes).
21 SDF is not a Lisp Machine, it has no actual FEP. However, this restricted initial commandline serves similar purposes. 21 SDF is not a Lisp Machine, it has no actual FEP. However, this restricted initial commandline serves similar purposes.
22 * It acts as a minimal 'frontend' to the actual SDF boxen. 22
23 * It's used to create new accounts to the system, 'bootstrapping' your access :) 23 * It acts as a minimal 'frontend' to the actual SDF boxen.
24 * It's used to create new accounts to the system, 'bootstrapping' your access :)
25
24 It's a nice reference or play on words, isn't it? 26 It's a nice reference or play on words, isn't it?
25 # On the System 27 # On the System
26 As a prevalidated user, you don't get access to a actual shell, instead you get their custom restricted shell, called 'psh'. 28 As a prevalidated user, you don't get access to a actual shell, instead you get their custom restricted shell, called 'psh'.
27 It has various limitations which will quickly become apparent, especially if you use a very nicely customised zsh environment. 29 It has various limitations which will quickly become apparent, especially if you use a very nicely customised zsh environment.
28 A minor detail I noticed is that both 'emacs' and 'nano' end up presenting the same editor: UW Pico 4.10. 30 A minor detail I noticed is that both 'emacs' and 'nano' end up presenting the same editor: UW Pico 4.10.