On the floor of summer USENIX 83

mo at ucbvax.UUCP mo at ucbvax.UUCP
Thu Jul 21 01:26:35 AEST 1983


On the contrary - I suspect and hope that over time, people will see some
convergence between BTL and UCB systems.  There will probably
always be incompatabilities, but the order of magnitude can
be dramatically reduced, and the parties involved are all
interested in seeing that happen.

As for Rob's talk being viscious, I heartily disagree (even being
on the receiving end of things).  Most of his points are truly right
and large systems do suffer from "excessive creativity" over large
time.  Rob used his usual flair for hyperbole to make a strong point,
but I certainly agree much more than I disagree.  I do disagree with
the abstract included in the schedule (for my money, autoconfig
alll by itself is a factor of 10 improvement, but arguing that
is another day), but the real content of his talk hit several
nails squarely on the head.  From looking at other "computer science
mainstreams" (dare I say ADA?), I am glad we have people strong
enough in conviction and intellectual integrity to stand up and
point out "truths which may be unpleasant".  Whether they are
truths may be the subject of vigorous debate, but I thank Rob
for the service he did.

	-Mike O'Dell

PS - the quote from the Lion books was priceless.

PSS -  my old boss had a saying well worth repeating in a world where
some people seem to find it easier to pogram than to think about what
they are trying to do:

	"Creativity is no substitute for knowing what you are doing."



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