Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!ibmchs!auschs!awdprime!testsys.austin.ibm.com!mbrown
From: mbrown@testsys.austin.ibm.com (Mark Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.aix
Subject: Re: Where is the -x option for vi
Keywords: lost option???
Message-ID: <7027@awdprime.UUCP>
Date: 25 Apr 91 15:28:43 GMT
References: <1991Apr25.022749.22026@lynx.CS.ORST.EDU>
Sender: news@awdprime.UUCP
Reply-To: mbrown@testsys.austin.ibm.com (Mark Brown)
Organization: IBM Austin, TX
Lines: 19

> I don't know how many people is still using vi nowadays. But I still am. 
> But today, I just found out the 'vi' on AIX 3.1 doesn't know the -x option
> at all. I found -x option on all other UNIX machine I've used here, SUN, 
> Ridge, Sequent.... Is there anyone knows why the -x option is lost by IBM? 

You can thank the US Commerce Dept and our lawyers for that one. US companies
are not allowed to export "encryption" devices/software outside the US, and
our lawyers, conservative souls that they are, include "crypt" and
"ex -x" in this category.

Yeah, the algorithm is already out there. Yeah, this is all old hat. 

It also seems to be the law.


Mark Brown    IBM PSP Austin, TX.     (512) 823-3741   VNET: MBROWN@AUSVMQ
MAIL: mbrown@testsys.austin.ibm.com OR uunet!testsys.austin.ibm.com!mbrown
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      DISCLAIMER: Any personal opinions stated here are just that.