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Path: utzoo!utgpu!utcsri!uthub!koko
From: koko@uthub.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: FOR WHAT ITS WORTH  BASTARDIZED PROTOCOLS
Message-ID: <569@uthub.toronto.edu>
Date: Wed, 26-Aug-87 11:27:25 EDT
Article-I.D.: uthub.569
Posted: Wed Aug 26 11:27:25 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Aug-87 01:09:47 EDT
References: <8708251509.AA21532@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 36
Summary: RECOMMENDED standard

In article <8708251509.AA21532@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, jstarr@ANAD.ARPA (James Starr Network Control Branch  USAISC Anniston) writes:
> 
> 
> 
> The RS-232C standard is undoubtedly the most corrupted and bastardized
> standard in the world. In fact the only thing I have not seen changed
> is the physical size of the connector, the pin spacing and pin 7 being
> signal ground.
>
Unfortunately, RS-232C is a recommended standard, and not a mandatory, enforced
one.  This means that you can either use it or not use it.  However, many
people have interpreted the term recommended standard to mean one which can be
changed at will.  Hence they have made arbitrary changes and additions but
still call it RS-232C.  Maybe they should call it modified RS-232C.
Nonetheless, I agree with you wholeheartedly that RS-232C has been widely
abused.

> Here at Anniston we have a wide varity of computers, data communications
> equipment and protocol converters. It is unbelievable what vendors have
> done in the name of RS-232C. Without a breakout box to see what is going
> on we would have been lost.
> 
> ...
> 
> Vendors who corrupt the RS-232C standard (or any other for that matter)
> should be sentenced to two years of making special cables to interface
> bastardized ports.
> 
> 
> Jim Starr

Actually, vendors who implement a modified form of RS-232C and still call
it RS-232C should be sentenced to criminal prosecution.

(I was once told that someone believed that the RS in RS-232C stands
for Radio Shack! :-)