Slashdot has posted an article (well, two, actually) about the release of the Unix-Haters Handbook (Note: the PDF has disappeared from the above page, thanks to being Slashdotted). Regardless of what you think about Unix (or any *nix), it’s a good, funny read. I’m about halfway through it, and so far, the funniest part has been some unique Unix error messages like:


$ drink <bottle; opener
bottle: cannot open
opener: not found


or


$ man: why did you get a divorce?
man:: Too many arguments


For those of you on linux boxes, before you fire up a terminal and try these, keep in mind the book was written, oh, about ten years ago. Lots of these little quirks have been ironed out.

Also, in case you’re a linux, Windows, or Mac disciple, keep in mind the authors of the book did most of their work on OSes like Multics and machines powered by Lisp. I got a good chuckle looking over the /. discussion, seeing all the linux radicals claiming the whole thing was just M$ FUD and that Windows was no better. Perhaps they should at least skim the book’s forward before they open their traps…

This page may be a bit quiet for the next few days, as I start the new job in earnest tomorrow, and I’ve got a bit more coding for my consulting project to finish up. Then, of course, there’s the impending birth, which could happen any moment now….

Posted on 27 April 2003