Conspiracy Theory: Unix Growth as Deliberate AT&T Strategy to Hobble Competitors
By
gjsman-1000
Crackles when you bite it. Shows the baker did the work.
Summary
The article describes a conspiracy theory popular among ITS and TOPS-20 operating system fans that claims Unix's growth was the result of a deliberate plot by Bell Labs in the 1970s. According to the theory, AT&T disseminated Unix as an apparently inexpensive and portable system that was actually unreliable and insecure, creating dependency on AT&T for future upgrades and hobbling competitors. The theory gained significant traction in 1984 with supporting documentation.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledUnix's growth is the result of a plot, hatched during the 1970s at Bell Labs, whose intent was to hobble AT&T's competitors
Disseminating an operating system that is apparently inexpensive and easily portable, but also relatively unreliable and insecure
So as to require continuing upgrades from AT&T
This theory was lent a substantial impetus in 1984 by the paper referenced in the back door entry
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