UNIX or Unix

[0732]

There are several important considerations in deciding how to refer to our
favorite operating system.  Using UNIX as a noun has the advantage of
annoying lawyers, whereas always writing "the UNIX operating system" earns
more if you're being paid by the word but makes you sound like a
wimp or pedant.  You can get the advantages of both usages with none of the
disadvantages by using my favorite, "the UNIX brand operating system".
Just imagine Robert Young is peddling it on TV to a distraught programmer:

DP: Goddammit, Bob, this PC-DOS is making a nervous wreck out of me.  If
    I have to write one more module, they're going to have to carry me 
    out of here with the heebie-jeebies.

RY:  Why DP, haven't you heard about the UNIX (r) brand operating system?
     You can program all night if you want to.  The soothing utilities
     of the UNIX (r) brand operating system never upset your stomach, either.
     Here, let me boot you up...

     --ONE WEEK LATER--

DP: Gosh Bob, this UNIX (r) brand operating system is great.  I haven't
    awakened in a cold sweat or puked on my keyboard in days-- and this 
    Usenet and hack-- from now on it's the UNIX (r) brand operating system 
    for me!



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 ( Alan Filipski, GTX Corp, 8836 N. 23rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85021, USA )
 ( {ihnp4,cbosgd,decvax,hplabs,amdahl,nsc}!sun!sunburn!gtx!al  (602)870-1696 )
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