[Info-vax] BASIC compiler in the hobbyist distribution

[Bill Gunshannon]

In article <556b77b7$0$1514$c3e8da3$12bcf670 at news.astraweb.com>,
	JF Mezei <jfmezei.spamnot at vaxination.ca> writes:
> On 15-05-31 15:56, David Froble wrote:
> 
>> I guess I can have some specific opinions about "free" software.  Mostly 
>> because it isn't from the world I'm used to.
> 
> 
> Ex Squeeze me ?
> 
> A large part of DEC's marketing was based on the DECUS user group and
> availability of software through the DECUS library: FREE SOFTWARE.

And Unix had USENIX and the Usenet Source groups.

> 
> t was an advantage DEC had to a far greater extent than competitors such
> as IBM, Data General etc.

Can't speak for DG but IBM had (and still has) a very active User Group.
So did Primos.  And even UCSD-Pascal and CP/M.  DECUS did not corner that
market.

> 
> The same mentality which drove the DECUS Library also drove the "open"
> Linux  and all the open software today.
 
Hogwash.  In the "good ole dayz" this "FREE" software was written by
and maintained by professionals.  Not by by pre-pubescent teenagers
with no girlfriends, living in their mom's basement. 
 
bill

-- 
Bill Gunshannon          |  de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n.  Three wolves
billg999 at cs.scranton.edu |  and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton   |
Scranton, Pennsylvania   |         #include <std.disclaimer.h>