crm@rti-sel.UUCP (07/23/84)
This is intended as a warning to any Bell Labs people who might have kindly thought to answer my request for info on Bell Labs Tech Memos: First of all, I was after non-proprietary info only -- which I understand are in tech REPORTS, not tech MEMOs. This is simply for information, because, Second, some (characterization deleted) who will remain undeservedly nameless has written me strongly suggesting that I shouldn't get any such thing, since they are proprietary, and that I should take a hike -- but that before I go, I should mail him the name of anyone who might have helpfully sent me such a list, so that he could inform said person's manager of the security breach. Look, I was *clearly* trying to request info about those things which are normally released -- the whole thing started because I was trying to learn about C++. I don't particularly care about how BL makes telephone switches, I can barely stay awake when my wife tells me how NT makes switches. However, I am really *strongly angry* first of all at the fact that this whole thing arises because I didn't know BL's nomenclature for TM's and TR's -- which said person didn't think about -- and that secondly I was asked for the names of miscreants who might tell me about these things. I repeat the suggestion that Bell Labs should make public a list of PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTABLE documents (TM's TR's whatever!) about C and UNIX. This might be a very effective marketing tool -- and would make life a lot easier for those of us out in the cold hard not-Bell world. This is a flame, I admit; if I misunderstood his intent, I will cheerfully apologize here in public. In the mean time, if you had the idea to reply, please feel free, and be assured that I will not reveal my sources, (except under court order I suppose -- so DO try not to send something that is court-order material, OK?) Charlie Martin (...mcnc!duke!crm ...mcnc!rti-sel!crm) Note by the way, that while this is coming from RTI, that I am an INDEPENDANT CONSULTANT; this is no way reflects any official or unofficial policy or purpose or management intent or ANYTHING of RTI's whatsoever. OK?) news