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From: eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.sys.dec,comp.misc
Subject: DEC WARS?
Message-ID: <1YhNSK#B8X9Rs9srk6j3xdF140YH4Jl=eric@snark.thyrsus.com>
Date: 6 Dec 90 09:31:10 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Lines: 21

I want to add a Jargon File entry for DEC WARS along the following lines:

DEC WARS n. A famous 1978 large-format comic by ???? chronicling the attempts
    of the brainwashed androids of ``IPM'' (Impossible to Program Machines)
    to conquer and destroy the peaceful denizens of HEC (Human Engineered
    Computers). This rather transparent allegory featured many references
    to ADVENT (q.v.) and the immortal line ``Eat flaming death, minicomputer
    mongrels!'' (uttered, of course, by an IPM stormtrooper). There is a legend
    that the author subsequently received a letter of appreciation on IBM
    company stationary from the then-head of IBM's Thomas Watson research
    laboratories (then as now one of the few islands of hackerdom in the
    IBM archipelago). The lower loop of the `B' in the IBM logo, it is said,
    had been carefully whited out.

If anyone can supply the author's name (wasn't it `Chaz Andrews' or something?)
and confirm the year of publication I'd appreciate it. A full bibliographic
reference would be nice, and more juicy details suitable for the entry would
be utterly wonderful. I haven't seen a copy in more years than I care to
think about...
-- 
      Eric S. Raymond = eric@snark.thyrsus.com  (mad mastermind of TMN-Netnews)


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