why learn UNIX

[rbl at nitrex.UUCP]

<Excluding the original article to save net bandwidth>

I taught UNIX in a Computer Applications graduate program (since early
1970's) before joining industry and still serve on a couple of college
advisory committees.  In addition to Barry Shein's excellent comments
already posted about Why UNIX, there's at least one other factor:

	UNIX, with it's pipe feature and the excellent Software Tools
	books to back it up, serves well in teaching students how to
	quickly analyze an end-user's real needs and quickly prototype
	a solution.  The fast analysis/prototype cycle results in systems
	which more closely meet user needs.
	Of course, there are other neat software concepts that may have
	originated within UNIX and C, but they are now more widely
	available.

"The largest impediment to technology transfer (into industry) may be
the existing skill set of the people already there."

Rob Lake
decvax!cwruecmp!nitrex!rbl
cbatt!nitrex!rbl

Disclaimer: The above opinions reflect my own opinion, expressed under
my adjunct academic appointment's freedom of expression and in no way
reflect any opinion of my employer.