From: utzoo!decvax!cca!gwyn@Brl@sri-unix Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Title: Re: Another VAX UNIX Article-I.D.: sri-unix.3111 Posted: Sat Sep 4 18:04:40 1982 Received: Wed Sep 8 06:39:14 1982 From: Doug GwynDate: 2 Sep 82 8:09:29-EDT (Thu) I appreciate your taking the time to discuss the evolutionary aspects of UNIX. Unfortunately we are faced with two UNIX families now, although UCB says that 4.2bsd will have System III compatibility (hope it does). My personal complaint with 4.1bsd has been the undue emphasis on efficiency issues to the detriment of compatibility with the Bell System UNIXes (which we will continue to be stuck with, like it or not). This wouldn't perhaps have been so bad if it weren't for these publicly-funded gurus stating repeatedly that one should toss his PDP-11 and get a VAX (words to that effect). The small, elegant approach to system design that attracted many of us to UNIX in the first place was lost in much of 4.1bsd, in my opinion. I believe the famous VMS-vs-UNIX debate may have resulted in UCB's trying to prove that UNIX can be as "efficient" as VMS, but at what cost? By the way, I have no major complaints about UNIX 3.0; it feels solid to use and really hasn't been badly damaged inside. The FIFOs integrated naturally into the existing pipe mechanism, so I can't fault USG for providing them while we await development of the perfect IPC mechanism.