Maddog's New Hampshire "Unix" Plate Turns 20

An anonymous reader writes "Local newspaper talks to Linux International's Jon 'maddog' Hall, who lives in New Hampshire, and who since 1989 has had a 'Live Free or Die' UNIX license plate — a real one, not a conference hand-out — on his Jeep. From the story: 'The day he installed the UNIX plates, he went early to work at DEC's office on Spit Brook Road in Nashua, to be sure to get the parking space right next to the door used by all the Unix engineers. He watched them come in and, one after another, do a double take at seeing the real-world version of the famous fake plate. "People would race in and yell, 'Who is it? Whose plate is it?!?'" Hall said. It was his then and it is his now. After 20 years, one suspects you will have to pry it from his cold, dead fingers.'"

Comments

Most don't understand the license plate motto

[Zero__Kelvin]

Don't be fooled by this deceptive motto! In New Hampshire, the Motto "Live Free or Die" actually means: "Do exactly what the government tells you and you will remain free to continue obeying us; if you don't you just might wake up dead son." I know. I lived there long enough to have the "pleasure" ...

Also, it should be: "Live for a Fee: UNIX" Obviously Linux (or GNU/Linux if it wasn't too long to fit) belongs in place of UNIX, but to Maddog's defense Linux hadn't been conceived when he got the plate.

Re:Most don't understand the license plate motto

[evilned1]

Uh huh. I gather you aren't from these parts. Might I suggest you google Article 10 of the NH state constitution? Very interesting read and is occasionally brought to the attention of the Pols here.

Re:Most don't understand the license plate motto

[squarooticus]

I would like more specifics, though I'm not going to be a tool asking you.

In MA:

(1) Gun laws are ridiculous. Not worst in the nation IMO, but certainly in the bottom five. You want that Kimber .45 that is fully parts-interchangeable with the Para 1911? Sorry; those aren't approved for sale here! You want to remove that front sight from your Bushmaster and replace it with an aftermarket gas block with a flip-up front sight? Sorry; you have a pinned muzzle brake, because for some reason threaded muzzles are too dangerous! Dumbasses.

(2) Housing is way too expensive, mostly because of local zoning ordinances that restrict the density of housing. I'd love to live within a walk or a 10-15 minute T ride from where I work, for instance, but I'm not going to pay $500K for a 1400 square foot condo: it just ain't gonna happen. And there's no reason for it to be that way except for the artificial scarcity of housing within the Cambridge/Somerville/Boston/Arlington city limits.

(3) Local government is openly corrupt. Virtually every politically-connected demographicâ"the unions, the politicians, cops, large corporations, and many of the rich local property ownersâ"colludes to transfer wealth from everyone else to themselves. Taxes don't primarily go toward public goods and common services. My total tax burden is roughly 50% than it would be were I living in NH, and yet the roads in MA (for instance) are absolute shite. I've already had to replace one $500 rim from striking a huge pothole at night this year. While it's perfectly rational that things would work this way under a democracy, there's no excuse for it when there's so much waste, fraud, and pork to remove from the budget.

(4) 12% short term capital gains tax. OMFG. That alone cost me a huge amount of money over the past two years.

That's just what I can think of off the top of my head.

The downsides to NH from friends seem to be (a) the state-owned liquor stores have a generally poor selection, though they can order what you want; (b) getting zoning approval for houses outside of established neighborhoods is a PITA because they require you to upgrade the road if it isn't class V or better; (c) property taxes are generally higher than in MA. In return, they get a part-time legislature; generally more responsive local government; less local- and state-level corruption; less sprawl and more natural areas; better roads; and lower overall taxes.

Re:I've seen a LINUX plate in Danbury, CT

[Anonymous Coward]

husband's car?

20 years?

[Weedhopper]

Man, I can't imagine living 20 years in one state.

Re:Exactly how many are there...?

[Z00L00K]

Considering that it for tax reasons isn't feasible to do farming in NH there has to be some kind of income.

One thing that's attractive with NH is that the sales tax is extremely low. That has a tendency to attract visitors.

Re:Oh the memories

[borizz]

Nice story, but you don't have Lyme in the UK? It's in the Netherlands, you can get it from ticks.