#RSX –> Unix
[continued]
were rarely exposed to any other OS. Consequently, as these students
graduated and entered decision-making positions in the workforce, the
demand for "C" and Unix became a deafening roar that is now totally
self-perpetuating; those two old hackers have successfully conquered the
world!
I'll stop ranting now, and simply point out that the most informed and
respected observers of the computing field have universally called Unix
"User-Hostile!"
A VASTLY superior alternative would be to purchase a used MicroVAX (they
can be had for as little as $3,000) and VAX/VMS version 5.2 or 5.3, and
simply move your disk packs from the PDP to the VAX and re-compile with VAX
COBOL, which is extremely nice and includes a particularly nice symbolic
debugger which runs seemlessly under VMS. Note also that you can run most
VAXes under what's called "Compatibility Mode", which allows an RSX-based
application to run on the VAX probably WITHOUT even re-compiling!
Furthermore, you most likely won't have to pay ANYONE outside your
current employees to make the transition to VMS, whereas the hire
consultants to make the transition from PDP/RSX to PC-Clone UNIX would cost
a very great deal indeed, and you would also have to permanently hire a
Unix "guru" or two to make sense out of your system and keep it running!
I myself am an independent consultant with considerable experience with
RSX-11M, Unix, and VMS, and I do not have any association with DEC, so my
opinion is as objective as an opinion CAN be (regardless of the tone of
this letter). Do youself and your staff a favor and avoid Unix like the
plague!
— Martin Bush