Re: [9fans] /sys/include/ip.h 5c(1)

[Wes Kussmaul <wes@authentrus.com>]

ron minnich wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 12:13 PM, Lyndon Nerenberg - VE6BBM/VE7TFX
> <lyndon@orthanc.ca> wrote:
>
>> I don't think DEC deserves this branding. In my experience they were
>> one of the most open hardware companies around.
>
> It was sad to watch the Alpha blow its early lead due to
> internal politics. Get with somebody who was in DEC at the time trying
> to make Alpha succeed and you'll hear some interesting tales.

Long before the Alpha, DEC put something like its PAL code into its disk
interfaces - only it was set to activate with a subsequent version of
VAX/VMS. I forget the name of the Denver-based company that had taken
significant share of the VAX storage market only to have their products
blow up (figuratively) when the os was later upgraded. The company went
down the tubes rapidly after that.

What the idealistic Ken Olsen exerted control over was good open stuff.
Things like PAL code happened behind his back. When he found out, he
didn't believe in wielding the ax. Much too naive to be a CEO. Too nice,
actually.

Wes