[net.unix-wizards] Operating Systems as political entities

aps (02/02/83)

Found floating around the DEC Engineering Network...

Consider operating systems as political systems:
 
RSX-11M         Facism:  the operating system decides exactly what will
                be done next without exception.  Highly efficient from
                the operating system's point of view.  Not too good if
                you don't fit the mold.
 
RSTS/E          Socialism:  everybody gets to "share" what resources
                are available.  Inefficient from the operating system,
                nice if you're the "citizen".
 
VMS             Capitalism:  lots of ways to do things.  Little coordination.
                [What else?]
 
Unix            Anarchy:  if you don't like something, just rewrite it.
 
Of course, the political system designators are used in their technical
sense, and do not imply value judgements.