Websites using Irix

Okay, let s break down Irix, covering its history, revenue (or lack thereof in recent years), alternatives, pricing (historical context), and customer care (also historically relevant).

What is Irix?

• Operating System: Irix (stylized as IRIX) was a Unix operating system developed by Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI).
• Focus: It was designed to run on SGI s workstations and servers.

• Strengths:

  • Graphics Performance: Irix was renowned for its excellent graphics capabilities, particularly in 3D rendering, animation, and visual effects. It was a favorite in film, scientific visualization, and engineering.
  • OpenGL Integration: Irix had deep integration with OpenGL, making it a powerful platform for graphics applications.
  • Scalability: It could scale to handle large datasets and complex computations.
  • Early Adoption of Advanced Features: Irix was an early adopter of features like journaling file systems and advanced memory management.

• Decline: SGI struggled financially in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Irix lost ground to Linux and other operating systems, particularly as commodity hardware became more powerful and cost-effective.

Revenue (or Lack Thereof in Recent Years)

• Historical Revenue (SGI Era): During SGI s peak, Irix was a significant revenue driver. SGI s revenue came from a combination of hardware (workstations, servers) and software (Irix, development tools, applications). Exact Irix-specific revenue figures are difficult to isolate from SGI s overall financial reports. In the late 1990s, SGI s revenue was in the billions of dollars annually.
• Present Day: SGI no longer exists as the same entity. It went through bankruptcies and acquisitions. The Irix operating system is essentially defunct. There is no current revenue stream associated with Irix. It s not sold or actively supported commercially.

Alternatives to Irix

In the era when Irix was prominent, no single OS provided identical capabilities. However, the following alternatives eventually surpassed Irix in many areas:

• Linux: This is the primary alternative and the reason for Irix s demise. Linux, especially when paired with open-source graphics libraries like Mesa, now offers comparable or superior graphics performance on commodity hardware. Distributions like Fedora, Ubuntu, and Debian are popular choices. Specific advantages:
  • Hardware Support: Broad hardware compatibility.
  • Open Source: Free to use and modify.
  • Large Community: Extensive support and a vast library of software.
• macOS: macOS (formerly Mac OS X) has also become a strong contender in creative fields, particularly for video editing and graphic design. Its strengths include:
  • User-Friendly Interface: Known for its ease of use.
  • Hardware/Software Integration: Tightly integrated with Apple hardware.
  • Strong Creative Applications: Home to many industry-standard creative tools.
• Windows: While historically not as strong in graphics as Irix, Windows has improved significantly. It is the dominant desktop OS and offers a wide range of software and hardware support.
• BSD (FreeBSD, OpenBSD): These Unix-like operating systems are known for their stability and security. They can be used for server applications and, with appropriate configuration, for graphics-intensive tasks.

Pricing (Historical Context)

• Bundled with Hardware: Irix was typically bundled with SGI workstations and servers. The price of the OS was included in the overall system cost. SGI hardware was high-end and expensive.
• Separate Licenses: Sometimes, Irix was available as a separate license for developers or specialized applications. Pricing would have varied depending on the configuration and number of users. Expect thousands of dollars for a full workstation package.
• Modern Equivalent: Since Irix is no longer sold, consider the cost of modern alternatives:
  • Linux: Often free of charge (for the OS itself). You might pay for support contracts or commercial versions of specific applications.
  • macOS: Included with the purchase of Apple hardware.
  • Windows: Requires a license purchase (usually included with a new PC).

Customer Care (Historical)

• SGI Support: Silicon Graphics offered customer support for Irix and its hardware. This included:
  • Hardware Maintenance: Repair and replacement of SGI workstations and servers.
  • Software Updates: Bug fixes, security patches, and new features.
  • Technical Documentation: Extensive manuals and guides.
  • Direct Support: Phone and on-site support.
• Third-Party Support: Some third-party companies offered Irix support, but this was less common.
• Current Situation: Official SGI support for Irix no longer exists. Finding support now would rely on:
  • Online Forums: There may be some online forums or communities where enthusiasts share information about Irix.
  • Reverse Engineering/DIY: Any support you find will most likely come from hobbyists trying to keep old systems running. This is very niche.

In Summary

Irix was a powerful and innovative operating system that played a vital role in the history of computer graphics. However, it is now obsolete. Linux and other modern operating systems have surpassed it in terms of performance, features, and cost-effectiveness. Finding Irix itself is difficult, and support is essentially non-existent. Any new projects should focus on one of the listed alternative operating systems.