Thread

  1. Re: [HACKERS] PostgreSQL - the Linux of Databases...

    Andrew Martin <martin@biochemistry.ucl.ac.uk> — 1998-03-03T14:41:59Z

    > Thus spake Andrew Martin
    > > > up just with a comment like "Linux != Unix"...which, it isn't, its a
    > > > Unix-like clone...but they can't seem to figure the distinction *rofl*
    > > 
    > > Agreed... :-)  But BSD isn't Unix either - not officially. [Waits for
    > > Marc to disagree, again...]
    > 
    > Of course it is.  It has direct lineage back the Bell Labs.  There is
    > no AT&T code left in but you can most definitely say "BSD Unix" where
    > you can't say "Linux Unix."  For many years Berkeley was the main
    > development hotbed for Unix.  In fact, BSD was eventually fed back
    > into SVR4.
    
    'fraid it isn't. Unix is a trademark and can only be applied to systems
    which the trademark owner approves. Just 'cos the code has a certain
    heritage doesn't mean that the current version is approved. There is
    a FAQ somewhere which discusses all the issues - I forget the details.
    
    > 
    > > Not to mention the fact that at least one release of Linux did go through
    > > full Posix certification and is thus allowed to be called Unix :-)
    > 
    > Posix != Unix.  NT is a Posix system.  So is OpenVMS.
    True - I was over zealous there. However the release was given approval for
    the Unix label to be applied.
    
    > 
    > BTW, which version of Linux was Posix certified and who paid for it?
    It was Linux-FT - I believe the company producing it is now defunct :-(
    
    
    Andrew
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dr. Andrew C.R. Martin                             University College London
    EMAIL: (Work) martin@biochem.ucl.ac.uk    (Home) andrew@stagleys.demon.co.uk
    URL:   http://www.biochem.ucl.ac.uk/~martin
    Tel:   (Work) +44(0)171 419 3890                    (Home) +44(0)1372 275775
    
    
  2. Re: [HACKERS] PostgreSQL - the Linux of Databases...

    D'Arcy Cain <darcy@druid.net> — 1998-03-04T04:31:14Z

    Thus spake Andrew Martin
    > > Of course it is.  It has direct lineage back the Bell Labs.  There is
    > > no AT&T code left in but you can most definitely say "BSD Unix" where
    > > you can't say "Linux Unix."  For many years Berkeley was the main
    > > development hotbed for Unix.  In fact, BSD was eventually fed back
    > > into SVR4.
    > 
    > 'fraid it isn't. Unix is a trademark and can only be applied to systems
    > which the trademark owner approves. Just 'cos the code has a certain
    > heritage doesn't mean that the current version is approved. There is
    > a FAQ somewhere which discusses all the issues - I forget the details.
    
    Sure, sure.  It isn't Unix if there's a liar^H^H^Hawyer in the room
    but we know who it's parents are.
    
    > > BTW, which version of Linux was Posix certified and who paid for it?
    > It was Linux-FT - I believe the company producing it is now defunct :-(
    
    Figures.  Perhaps they should have spent their money elsewhere.  I don't
    know anyone personally who is really impressed with Posix certification.
    Those who really understand know that it is meaningless and those that
    don't could care less.  There's only a small constituency somewhere in
    the middle there that think it is important and they aren't buying
    anything that has any hint of "free" about it.
    
    -- 
    D'Arcy J.M. Cain <darcy@{druid|vex}.net>   |  Democracy is three wolves
    http://www.druid.net/darcy/                |  and a sheep voting on
    +1 416 424 2871     (DoD#0082)    (eNTP)   |  what's for dinner.