Re:PDP-8 was not the first minicomputer-Alleleuia
on
Bringing Back the PDP8
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· Score: 2
I used to repair PDPs and Novas for a living before I got into programming (MUMPS, in case anyone remembers that), so I have a certain interest in this story.
Still got the scar from a Nova 4 power supply which zapped me - geek chicks dig that sort of thing:)
These helpful pointers are treated as if they were the ripest wisdom, but actually they're just common sense
The thing about common sense is that it isn't very common. If those tips need to be dressed up in some shiny! new acronym to make people follow them then I'm all for it. Just don't expect XP to magically make all projects turn out perfect.
The importance of XP is exaggerated to an incredible extent. I've heard more than one person compare XP to OO!
Oh, I don't think XP's been quite as badly over-hyped as OO.
Funny, I thought there have been many Unix variants placing pragmatism above ideology.
Really? Not since about 1980 in my experience.
Perhaps it's more relevant that in using the GPL [...]
Linux wasn't originally GPL, remember. Linus adopted the licence later, when he was persuaded that it was appropriate - a very pragmatic decision, not idological.
Do you really think Linus's avoiding of ideology (other than to choose the single most ideological pro-sharing license out there) has been more relevant to Linux's success than this?
In a word: yes. Unix was fragmented, proprietary and expensive. Linux was free and came with no strings attached, not even the GPL. After Linux became successful adopting the GPL provided useful protection, but the success came first.
The kernel developers didn't decide, Linus decided to use BitKeeper!
The AC's right. It was a group decision, arrived at after much debate.
Why do you think they break "kernel module source compatibility" with every patchlevel release? Obviously this has something to do with ideology, because not having to recompile kernel modules is a lot easier to the end user.
Yes, I suppose that is a sort of ideology. Maybe I should have used the word "dogma" instead.
No. The various GNU utilities have been around for ages, but it wasn't until Linux was developed that they hit the mainstream.
The combination of Linux and GNU is certainly popular, and I think the existence of Linux has been very beneficial for the FSF because people are now using their software much more.
As far as BitKeeper users being barred form writing a replacement, I think that is a stupid condition to put in a licence and has absolutely no chance of being legally enforceable. For that reason I do hope the FSF comes up with something better, but until then, IMO, the Linux coders are quite right in using the best tool for the job.
You answered your own question. The kernel developers decided that BitKeeper was the best tool for the job so they used it, and if the FSF comes up with something better then I bet they'll switch to that in an instant.
That's one of the real strengths of Linux - ideology takes a back seat to getting the job done, and IMO it explains why Linux has been one of the most successful Unix variants.
That was the BASIC, which was based on a listing of Dartmouth BASIC which they found in the trash. All MS did was port it to a different processor. They bought MSDOS from another company.
That's right, MS's original flagship products weren't written by MS. They started as they meant to continue.
Ah, another member of the Generation Without a Name (I was born in '61). We have spoiled Baby Boomers who are older than us and whiny Gen X'ers who are younger than us, and here we are stuck in the middle.
No wonder we got pissed off and invented punk.
Re:five years of lost discussions Why do I feel
on
Slashdot Turns 5
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· Score: 1
You don't really feel. ACs are just programmed to think that they do.
What do I think of/.'s bias? I think its immature.
It can be sometimes, and there is an unfortunate tendency towards mob thinking in the comments. On the other hand, Slashdot consists almost entirely of editorial and user comment and so can't realistically pretend to be impartial. All it has to do is be interesting and lively.
MSNBC and Slashdot are in a different businesses and I judge them by different standards.
It's time to lose the "MSNBC (of all places)" type comments. They consistently put out interesting tech stories with no bias towards or against Microsoft, and I they seem take their journalistic impartiality seriously.
Slashdot Mirror
I used to repair PDPs and Novas for a living before I got into programming (MUMPS, in case anyone remembers that), so I have a certain interest in this story.
:)
Still got the scar from a Nova 4 power supply which zapped me - geek chicks dig that sort of thing
That was the PDP-1, released in 1960, 5 years earlier.
The PDP-8's distinction was to be the first mass-produced minicomputer.
'Extreme' in 'Extreme Programming' is because you take a number of common-sense best practices and 'turn them to 11', making them extreme.
Aha, I didn't know that. Much becomes clear, thanks.
These helpful pointers are treated as if they were the ripest wisdom, but actually they're just common sense
The thing about common sense is that it isn't very common. If those tips need to be dressed up in some shiny! new acronym to make people follow them then I'm all for it. Just don't expect XP to magically make all projects turn out perfect.
The importance of XP is exaggerated to an incredible extent. I've heard more than one person compare XP to OO!
Oh, I don't think XP's been quite as badly over-hyped as OO.
the points are "smooth,"
Sorry, you lost me there. Wouldn't they be pointy?
Compactness is harder to grasp
Nope, can't see it myself. Compact things are *easier* to grasp, surely.
Thanks for trying to explain though.
That was a truly dreadful pun, and I wish I'd thought of it.
And an AFFECT_NOT_EFFECT guy. Hmm, I suppose we'll need an EFFECT_NOT_AFFECT guy too. Just pray they never meet each other...
Nonono. Don't vote - it only encourages them.
Yup, that's exactly the point I was trying to make. Thanks for restating it so clearly.
Funny, I thought there have been many Unix variants placing pragmatism above ideology.
Really? Not since about 1980 in my experience.
Perhaps it's more relevant that in using the GPL [...]
Linux wasn't originally GPL, remember. Linus adopted the licence later, when he was persuaded that it was appropriate - a very pragmatic decision, not idological.
Do you really think Linus's avoiding of ideology (other than to choose the single most ideological pro-sharing license out there) has been more relevant to Linux's success than this?
In a word: yes. Unix was fragmented, proprietary and expensive. Linux was free and came with no strings attached, not even the GPL. After Linux became successful adopting the GPL provided useful protection, but the success came first.
The kernel developers didn't decide, Linus decided to use BitKeeper!
The AC's right. It was a group decision, arrived at after much debate.
Why do you think they break "kernel module source compatibility" with every patchlevel release? Obviously this has something to do with ideology, because not having to recompile kernel modules is a lot easier to the end user.
Yes, I suppose that is a sort of ideology. Maybe I should have used the word "dogma" instead.
How does a license that says "you can't use this if you compete with me" help you "get the job done"?
Depends if the job has anything to do with competing with them. Writing an OS kernel doesn't.
No. The various GNU utilities have been around for ages, but it wasn't until Linux was developed that they hit the mainstream.
The combination of Linux and GNU is certainly popular, and I think the existence of Linux has been very beneficial for the FSF because people are now using their software much more.
As far as BitKeeper users being barred form writing a replacement, I think that is a stupid condition to put in a licence and has absolutely no chance of being legally enforceable. For that reason I do hope the FSF comes up with something better, but until then, IMO, the Linux coders are quite right in using the best tool for the job.
Linux is NOT a UN*X variant.
Yes it is. Why do you think otherwise?
You answered your own question. The kernel developers decided that BitKeeper was the best tool for the job so they used it, and if the FSF comes up with something better then I bet they'll switch to that in an instant.
That's one of the real strengths of Linux - ideology takes a back seat to getting the job done, and IMO it explains why Linux has been one of the most successful Unix variants.
That was the BASIC, which was based on a listing of Dartmouth BASIC which they found in the trash. All MS did was port it to a different processor. They bought MSDOS from another company.
That's right, MS's original flagship products weren't written by MS. They started as they meant to continue.
I thought we did *that* because of disco
;)
IBTBB* for disco
* I Blame The Baby Boomers
Ah, another member of the Generation Without a Name (I was born in '61). We have spoiled Baby Boomers who are older than us and whiny Gen X'ers who are younger than us, and here we are stuck in the middle.
No wonder we got pissed off and invented punk.
You don't really feel. ACs are just programmed to think that they do.
What do I think of /.'s bias? I think its immature.
It can be sometimes, and there is an unfortunate tendency towards mob thinking in the comments. On the other hand, Slashdot consists almost entirely of editorial and user comment and so can't realistically pretend to be impartial. All it has to do is be interesting and lively.
MSNBC and Slashdot are in a different businesses and I judge them by different standards.
:) No, wondering whether to be humble and say "I think they take[...]".
I nearly decided on humility...
It's time to lose the "MSNBC (of all places)" type comments. They consistently put out interesting tech stories with no bias towards or against Microsoft, and I they seem take their journalistic impartiality seriously.
No, I don't work for them.
On and off? Actually I'd bet it's fast and slow.
Thanks, although I'm sure I'll manage to lose all the good karma somehow...
The GNU/ is silent. And yes, that was a serious answer.