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I used VMS in the late 70s and early 80s. I started using Unix too, in the late 80s. What was wonderful about VMS at that time, relative to Unix, was that DEC
by PopePompus 4y ago
I used VMS in the late 70s and early 80s. I started using Unix too, in the late 80s. What was wonderful about VMS at that time, relative to Unix, was that DEC sold a large set of books, the "pumpkin books", which explained everything you needed to know to do just about anything with the systems (there was also an "internals" book). In contrast, at that time, if you wanted to learn to do something difficult in Unix, you essentially had to go find a Grey Beard to tell you how to do it. The internet and Linux changed all that of course, but before that happened learning VMS was a joy and learning Unix was a pain.
- zabzonk 4y agoyou should have seen the stack of manuals we got with our IBM 4381s - needed a whole room to store them in. and they were great. as for unix, i learned most from a very cheap book written by mike banahan, which told you everything you reallly needed to know - everything is a file etc. i actually worked with mike for several years at the instruction set - not always easily: me: why do i have to work with mike??? my boss: because you are the only person in the company that hasn't tried to strangle him. i suppose i'm too nice - much the same was said when i was a microbiology technician in edinburgh in the 1970s regarding one of the consultants, about whom i did have serious death-plans.
- 64operator 4y agoUnix has always had comprehensive online manuals since the very earliest days. As a kid I was told how to ls and cd and use man and apropos and that was all I needed.