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From: dc@datlog.UUCP ( David Crone )
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Unix, Unixpeople, Usenix - from a non-compunerd's point of view...
Message-ID: <271@dlvax1.datlog.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 04:22:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: dlvax1.271
Posted: Wed Oct 16 04:22:16 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Oct-85 01:30:03 EDT
References: <96@tekadg.UUCP> <2850@pesnta.UUCP> <354@ihdev.UUCP>
Reply-To: dc@datlog.UUCP ( David Crone )
Organization: Data Logic Ltd, Greenford, London.
Lines: 45
Xpath: stc stc-a

In article <354@ihdev.UUCP> pdg@ihdev.UUCP (55224-P. D. Guthrie) writes:
>In article <2850@pesnta.UUCP> earlw@pesnta.UUCP (Earl Wallace) writes:
>>Well, I think you have made a good point about Unix and the documentation.
>>Maybe what we need is net.docs where good documentation can be placed and
>>expired monthly.
>
>
>What a great idea!! net.docs !! There is a real need for "how-to"
>manuals on all aspects of unix-life.  I think that these documents could
>be as useful as stuff in net.source for sites without a resident guru. 
>What we all need to do is to share our knowledge and let more people in
>on the "secrets" of Unix.  How about a "How to Port Software Between
>Berkeley 4.x and System V.x" for starters.  Actually, this might go
>better as a moderated group, just to keep duplications, and junk out. 
>Then of course we would need a net.docs.d for discussion about
>questionable points in submitted articles.
>
>					Paul Guthrie
>					ihnp4!ihdev!pdg

I think both Paul and Earl are missing the point!!!!

UNIX is now a COMMERCIAL ( :-) ) operating system used by manufacturers,
software houses and believe it or not END USERS of applications.

It's time that AT&T and Berkeley revamped/rewrote the system documentation 
so anybody could at least have some understanding of the operation of the
utilities without a) writing test programs b) relying on UNIX 'gurus' or 
c) looking at the source code (if your're lucky enough to have the licence) .

The idea of having a news directory to disseminate 'good' documenation without
making it available to all through the proper channels(AT&T and Berkeley) is to
me completely worthless. Remember the UNIX community is larger than the net.!!! 


UNIX's long term existence now rests within the commercial arena. Such companies
that are using or wish to use UNIX cannot/will not (ultimately) rely on the
guru principle of operation and the lack of good OS documentation could
jeopardise the future of the system.


		Dave (19th Nervous Breakdown) Crone

(These opinions are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of my
 employers or fellow-workers)