A requiem for a dying operating system (1994)
10 hours ago
- #Operating Systems
- #Unix Criticism
- #User Interface
- The author criticizes Unix for its user-unfriendly interface and command names that are difficult to remember and pronounce.
- Unix is described as outdated, designed for older hardware, and now adopted as a standard despite its primitive origins.
- The documentation for Unix is criticized as being ineffective, with no easy way to find commands or functions.
- Case-dependence in Unix commands is highlighted as a significant usability issue.
- The author points out inconsistencies and errors in Unix applications, such as the SunOS f77 compiler.
- Unix is accused of creating a steep learning curve to separate 'elite' users from average users.
- The fragmentation of Unix into many versions is noted, making it less of a standard than claimed.
- The author expresses concern that Unix discourages astronomers from writing their own code, making them dependent on pre-written software.
- The transition to Unix is seen as a loss of the user-friendly, efficient computing environment provided by VMS.