Xref: utzoo comp.misc:4432 comp.os.minix:4343
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!whuts!lcuxlm!smd
From: smd@lcuxlm.ATT.COM (Dahmen Steve)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: Questions from the Soviets about UNIX
Summary: Youre missing the point!
Message-ID: <1926@lcuxlm.ATT.COM>
Date: 18 Dec 88 16:51:52 GMT
References: <10031@well.UUCP> <846@nosc.NOSC.MIL>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Liberty Corner NJ
Lines: 51

In article <846@nosc.NOSC.MIL>, hall@nosc.NOSC.MIL (Robert R. Hall) writes:
> 
> Let's see.  You state your case as: Soviets don't have any computers
> with which to gain experience and they are seeking techenical
> help with the list of questions but then they wish to repay me
> back with products of their programing skills.  No thanks, I rather
> do it myself. ;-)
> 
> Sorry but this is comming across as a high school kid's version
> of a prank.

The real point of this is not to see whether the Soviets or the
Americans come out ahead financially (though i am sure some planning
to reap some $s) but this link is not unlike the Soyuz/Skylab space
mission, it is a historic link which will increase the understanding
between the two countries.  Lack of communication between two parties
is almost always the cause of conflict, and any attempt to reach out
and communicate is laudable.

As for the offer of their programming skills -- again, its a token
offering, perhaps the best they can do right now considering economic
and political conditions in the Soviet Union right now.  Our token
offering will be the sending of a US UNIX or USEnet emissary to the
USSR to help establish a link.  If I had the knowledge, id jump on the
chance tomorrow!  Resembles a sort of electronic mail thanksgiving,
no? 

Being a member of our fine military forces, perhaps you are simply not
too thrilled with the idea of free communication with our Soviet
Brothers and Sisters, for it means letting go of the rigid "Holding On
to What We Got and Dont let THEM get it" attitude which has kept our
planet in the Dark Ages of conflict long enough.  I won't send them a
list of our missile sites, but to exchange thoughts and share ideas
non-political (or should i say non-military/defense) would be a
welcome opportunity that I know many here have been waiting for.

Remember that we are not communicating here with Stalin, Marx, and
Lenin, but rather with *human beings*, many of whom have girlfriends,
boyfriends, wives, husbands, children, economic stress, etc.  They go
shopping and cook potatoes.  Again, I laud John D. on investing his
own time and resources to establish another vital communications path
in the name of global communications and understanding.

PS.  Maybe while you do your programming, you might want to have one
of our Soviet friends to your typing for you :-).


===================================================================
Steve Dahmen                                 att.ATT.COM!lcuxlm!smd
"Love The Planet, Love Yourself!"                  201-580-5687 (W)
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