From mboxrd@z Thu Jan  1 00:00:00 1970
Subject: Re: [9fans] lions' commentary 
From: jmk@plan9.bell-labs.com
To: 9fans@cse.psu.edu
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Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 21:07:22 -0500
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On Fri, 12 Jan 2001, George Michaelson wrote:

> 
>   i am looking for lions' commentary on plan9.
> 
> We'd all love one, but didn't he write a commentary on UNIX V6?
>   
> I'm reminded of the Jimi Hendrix lyrics as used in the film "Easy Rider"
> 
> 	"Now, if 6 turned up to be 9,
> 	 I don't mind, I don't mind."
> 
> -George

I would have let this one by but as the spirit of the great Jimi was
invoked I feel compelled to reply.

Here's what appeared on the list last time this came up:

	From: "rob pike" <rob@plan9.bell-labs.com>
	Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 10:17:55 -0400

	> In the Peer-to-Peer edition of the Lion's book, there is a brief
	> mention of a booklet that Lion wrote commenting on Plan 9 source.
	> This was apparently during his last sabbatical (1989 or so).
	> Presumably this implies something on the order of the 1st edition.
	> Would THIS beast be available?

	No.  Even for the very very early version of the system it described,
	it was incomplete and somewhat confused.  John was really looking
	for a new version of the Unix kernel and didn't find it. I'm not sure
	if any copies exist, but if they do, I still wouldn't distribute them.
	They are a poor description of the system and an unworthy legacy for
	for John Lions.

	-rob

No machine-readable copy exists and Rob's last sentence is spot on.

--jim