I have a number of old Unix artifacts that I value. If I
had to pick one (or one set) top one, it would be the
complete set of Research Unix manuals, 1/e through 10/e.
Other contenders include the AT&T-branded copy of the Lions
commentary (with deathstar on the cover), a signed copy of
The Unix Programming Environment, several unix-branded
plastic containers (not to do with the OS, but bought
from a Korean supermarket a few blocks from where I've
lived for 30 years), and a plastic-slide Spin Out puzzle
from Binary Arts (later ThinkFun but not part of IBM),
an educational puzzle/game company founded in the 1980s
by Bill Ritchie (Dennis's brother) and his wife Andrea
Barthello. (I remember a prototype Spin Out, hand-made
of wood, spending some time in the Unix Room.)
But far more than any of that, I prize the memories and
friendships I've had with fellow Unix people over the
decades, particularly (but not exclusively) from my
six years as sysadmin-hack in 1127.
I'm very disappointed that I won't be at the last-ever
USENIX Technical Conference in Boston in a few weeks.
A show-and-tell there of prized artifacts sounds like
a great idea. I hope those who do make it bring plenty
of artifacts and memories to share.
Norman Wilson
Toronto ON
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