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One Too Many Words on AT&T’s $2,000 Korn Shell and Other Usenet Topics

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Usenet offers insights into the Unix and BSD systems of the 1980s, reflecting the high costs of early computing, AT&T’s pricing for software, and the collaborative spirit of users. Unix evolved from a Bell Labs experiment into a foundational system influencing modern OS like Linux and macOS. The article examines the culture, economic aspects, and hardware/software struggles of the era, including the Korn shell’s high price and the need for standardization amid diverse Unix variants.

https://blog.gabornyeki.com/2025-12-usenet/

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Typewriter Plotters

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Typewriter plotters utilize ballpoint pens to draw text and graphics. Panasonic produced multiple models, such as the RK-P400C with RS-232 for computer control and the RK-P440, requiring an external interface. Other manufacturers included Silver Reed, Smith Corona, and Brother, with each offering unique features. These devices operated with colored pens and were portable, appealing to retro computing enthusiasts. Basic plotters were also integrated into calculators and music keyboards, while some early personal computers had built-in plotters as accessories.

https://biosrhythm.com/?p=2143

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In 1995, a Netscape Employee Wrote a Hack in 10 Days That Now Runs the Internet

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In 1995, Netscape’s Brendan Eich developed JavaScript in 10 days to create interactive web applications. Officially released later that year, it has since become dominant, powering 98.9% of websites, server backends, and beyond. Initially called Mocha, it was rebranded to JavaScript to leverage Java’s popularity. Despite its quirks and early industry conflicts, JavaScript has evolved into the most used programming language, now facing a trademark issue with Oracle, which has led to a petition for the name’s public use. JavaScript’s success continues, marking its 30th anniversary as a foundational web technology.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/in-1995-a-netscape-employee-wrote-a-hack-in-10-days-that-now-runs-the-internet/

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Memories of .us

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Memories of elementary school include various personal experiences and the evolution of computer networking. The text discusses the development and structure of the Domain Name System (DNS), explaining how it was initially hierarchical for convenience but has become outdated. The history of TLDs, particularly the U.S. ccTLD “.us” and its comparison to other TLDs, reveals a misalignment between intended organization and actual practice. Problems like user-friendliness, government policies, and the influence of private entities have hindered the adoption of more intricate hierarchical names in favor of simpler, accessible ones. Overall, the text reflects on the complexities and failures of DNS organization, emphasizing how historical decisions shaped its current state.

https://computer.rip/2025-11-11-dot-us.html

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In 1982, a Physics Joke Gone Wrong Sparked the Invention of the Emoticon

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In 1982, Scott Fahlman’s post on Carnegie Mellon’s bulletin board introduced emoticons 🙂 and 🙁 to distinguish jokes from serious comments. This innovation arose from a prior misunderstanding of a joke about a physics problem, highlighting the need for clarity in text-based communication. Fahlman’s concise proposal synthesized ideas from earlier discussions and was easily adopted across networks, ultimately leading to the widespread use of emoticons and later emojis in digital communication.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/in-1982-a-physics-joke-gone-wrong-sparked-the-invention-of-the-emoticon/

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Preserving Code That Shaped Generations: Zork I, II, and III Go Open Source

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Zork I, II, and III now open-source under MIT License by Microsoft and Activision to preserve gaming history, allowing study and play. The Z-Machine engine revolutionized gaming with cross-platform compatibility. Source code and documentation available on GitHub, excluding commercial content. Zork remains accessible through commercial platforms and modern interpreters like ZILF. The initiative encourages community contributions for education and exploration, honoring the original creators and preserving a significant cultural artifact.

https://opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/11/20/preserving-code-that-shaped-generations-zork-i-ii-and-iii-go-open-source

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How Quake.exe Got Its TCP/IP Stack

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Extreme TLDR:
Quake (1996) was developed to run on both DOS and Windows 95 using a single executable, quake.exe. It relied on the djgpp compiler for DOS compatibility, integrating with Windows 95’s DPMI for enhanced performance. Multiplayer support included IPX and TCP/IP, although TCP/IP was challenging to set up on DOS. Mpath’s Chunnel allowed Quake to connect via Windows’ TCP stack, leading to online gaming capabilities. The architecture was complex, involving DLLs and virtual device drivers to facilitate communication between DOS executables and Windows networking. Subsequent versions of Quake moved to native Win32 support.

https://fabiensanglard.net/quake_chunnel/index.html

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