Why questions don't get answered, or "No, I've alreadyRTFM, tell me the answer!"

jdow jdow at earthlink.net
Thu Dec 29 13:54:22 UTC 2005


From: "Les Mikesell" <lesmikesell at gmail.com>

> On Thu, 2005-12-29 at 04:30, Michael A. Peters wrote:
> 
>> > 
>> > Craig, this is an 'ix'-like operating system. Users are expected to
>> > abbreviate commands into oblivion, ls for list and ps for process status
>> > come to mind. I concluded long LONG ago it was because people could not
>> > type. (Hey, I sympathized with that concept, too!)
>> 
>> Actually I think it was because storage space use to be extremely
>> limited in original unix - so keeping commands short saved extra bits in
>> scripting.
> 
> Remember that input devices were mechanical 300 baud tty's (printer,
> keyboard, no video CRT) in those days.  Typing was not fun; making
> corrections even less so.

NOW we know who some of the real old timers are.

{^_-}   Don't even fit that tee-shirt anymore.




More information about the users mailing list