[Catalyst] OT: Windows bashing (was: Catalyst for (really) bigapplications)

[Gary Ashton-Jones]

I know this thread is supposed to be dead but I can't resist one  
comment...

On 23/05/2006, at 11:14 AM, Kieren Diment wrote:

> ...
>
> on. I've always wondered if, when he wrote DOS and borrowed the  
> Unix file
> path, he changed / to \, that was to make it proprietary? LOL.

I hate to look like I'm defending Mr Gates but I believe QDOS used  
backslash because Bell Labs had patented forwardslash. (Remember, the  
original justification for the Unix project was to assist Bell Labs'  
patent applications. (The ironies are too delicious.)) I also believe  
Bell's patent of newline for line endings was the same reason for  
QDOS using CR/LF (and why Apple chose CR). But I'm happy to be  
disabused of either of these beliefs.

>
>
> Except he didn't write dos, he bought a product called  Quick and  
> Dirty Operating  System which  was what he subsequently sold to IBM  
> for the PC :)
>
> _______________________________________________
> Catalyst mailing list
> Catalyst at lists.rawmode.org
> http://lists.rawmode.org/mailman/listinfo/catalyst


IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachment to it are intended only to be read or used by the named addressee. It is confidential and may contain legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistaken transmission to you. The RTA is not responsible for any unauthorised alterations to this e-mail or attachment to it. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the RTA. If you receive this e-mail in error, please immediately delete it from your system and notify the sender. You must not disclose, copy or use any part of this e-mail if you are not the intended recipient.