From: Ad 

Ellen K. wrote:
> OIC.  I seem to remember an environment where going back meant
> erasing... I think doing SQL interactively in the mainframe, yes?
>

Possibly though I think that the NDC predates widespread useage of SQL.

Imagine though any app without it. Now imagine IBM being able to say to
MS's Office division "no you can't use it".

I.e. IBM's "IP" is often so deep level that it's not so much a
weapon in an IP war as a tectonic plate.

Adam


> On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 17:06:53 +0000, Adam
> <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near the
bridge"> wrote in
> message :
>
>> Ellen K. wrote:
>>> Not familiar with this story, care to elaborate?
>>>
>>> On Fri, 17 Nov 2006 15:28:25 +0000, Adam
>>> <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the
field.near the bridge"> wrote in
>>> message :
>>>
>>>> IBM was prevented from denying MS et al the
>>>> "non-destructive cursor"
>> IBM created most of the fundamental "IP" in the world of computing
>> including the "non-destructive cursor".
>>
>> As part of the consent decree IBM had to allow others unfettered use of
>> such things. Can you imagine an Word processor without the
>> "non-destructive cursor" i.e. every time you went back,
the words you'd
>> typed were wiped out.
>>
>> If IBM had been able & willing to "enforce it's IP"
there'd still only
>> be IBM.
>>
>> Adam
>

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