From: cummings@hammer.Prime.COM (Kevin Cummings)
Subject: The Languishing of the PRIMEal Command Environment
Organization: Prime Computer R&D
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 17:50:48 GMT

Johnson Bushwax' posting reminded me of the following ode penned, by a now
ex-PRIMEate, sometime back in the early 1980's.  Enjoy, and see how many of
the names bring back memories to those of you who have dealt with Prime
Engineering for many, many, many years.  With apologies to Mosley, I have
inserted a new verse below between the []'s


	The Languishing of the PRIMEal Command Environment

			By Mosley A. Meer, Ph. D.

	In the beginning was PRIMEal Chaos.
	And out of the Chaos came the substance of RDTK$$.
	And after the putting on of many hands and the bloodying of some noses
		came the form of RDTK$$.
	And RDTK$$ parsed the Command Line.
	And RDTK$$ was found to be little better than Chaos.

	At the time of RDTK$$ there came the plea for restrictions on the
		characters allowed in File Names.
	But the plea was only partially heeded.
	For it would cause Pain to the User.
	And File Names were only partially removed from the Chaos.
	And COMPATIBILITY shall Rule Forever.

	And after the establishment of RDTK$$ came a plea for the consistency
		of Pathnames.
	And the plea went unheeded.
	For the inconsistent Pathnames were (already) of the FUTIL,
	And Change would confuse the User,
	And COMPATIBILITY shall Rule Forever.

	And the inconsistent Pathnames were distributed to the Users.
	And the inconsistent Pathnames were hardened into Steel and were fixed
		Forever.

	But the Brad of Hampson and the George of Stabler and the Mosley of Meer
		were dissatisfied with the inconsistent Pathnames,
	For the Brad of Hampson had made the original plea on their behalf.
	And they each tried to reform the inconsistent Pathnames.
	But COMPATIBILITY Rules Forever.
	And the inconsistent Pathnames were hardened into Steel and were fixed
		Forever.

	[And the Brad of Hampson, noting that RDTK$$ was little better than
		Nothing, begat CL$PAR.
	And it parsed the whole Command Line at once.
	But it was compatible with RDTK$$,
	For COMPATIBILITY Rules Forever.
	But it was little better than RDTK$$.
	And it too was better than Nothing.]

	And there came the Bill of Silver to view the PRIMEal Command Line
		and bring it to order.
	But another took him and he was no more of PRIME.

	And there came the UISC which some thought would "clean up and fix up
		and bring Order to the Command Line."
	But the UISC said, "We will try to bring Order within our limits and
		the limits of COMPATIBILITY."

	And Len of Feshkens was appointed and anointed and command, "Create
		Order for the PRIMEal Command Line."
	But Len of Feshkens was appointed other Tasks and was unable to do so.

	And Steve of Chapin was appointed and anointed and command, "Create
		Order for the PRIMEal Command Environment."
	But there was dissention.
	And it was told that a Committee will be appointed to appoint a
		committee which will "Create Order for the PRIMEal Command
		Environment."

	And it was told that Max of Smith has been appointed and anointed and
		commanded to "Create order for the PRIMEal Command Environment."
	And Max of Smith syeth, "Yea, I must first understand my New Position
		and write me a New Charter and then consider Creating Order for
		the PRIMEal Command Environment.
	For I have been told to Consult of the Marketing and Note of Thier needs
		and write a report."

	And thus lieth the Primeal Command Environment in disarray to this day.


=================================================================
Kevin J. Cummings                       PrimeService
20 Briarwood Road                       A Computervision Company
Framingham, Mass.                       500 Old Connecticut Path
					Framingham, Mass.
Work:  cummings@primerd.Prime.COM
Home:  cummings@kjc386.framingham.ma.us

Std. Disclaimer: "Mr. McKittrick, after careful consideration,
		  I've come to the conclusion that your new
		  defense system SUCKS..."   --  War Games
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