[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

connector conspiracy n. probably came into prominence with the
   appearance of the kl-10 one model of the pdp-10, none of whose
   connectors matched anything else the tendency of manufacturers or, by
   extension, programmers or purveyors of anything to come up with new
   products that don't fit together with the old stuff, thereby making you
   buy either all new stuff or expensive interface devices. the kl-10
   massbus connector was actually _patented_ by dec, which reputedly
   refused to license the design and thus effectively locked third parties
   out of competition for the lucrative massbus peripherals market. this
   policy is a source of never-ending frustration for the diehards who
   maintain older pdp-10 or vax systems. their cpus work fine, but they are
   stuck with dying, obsolescent disk and tape drives with low capacity and
   high power requirements.

   a closely related phenomenon, with a slightly different intent, is
   the habit manufacturers have of inventing new screw heads so that only
   designated persons, possessing the magic screwdrivers, can remove covers
   and make repairs or install options. a good 1990s example is the use of
   torx screws for cable-tv set-top boxes. older apple macintoshes took
   this one step further, requiring not only a long torx screwdriver but a
   specialized case-cracking tool to open the box.

   in these latter days of open-systems computing this term has fallen
   somewhat into disuse, to be replaced by the observation that "standards
   are great there are so many of them to choose from" compare backward
   combatability.


see also:
pdp-10 dec backward combatability 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

connector conspiracy
     
        probably came into prominence with the appearance of the
        kl-10 one model of the pdp-10, none of whose connectors
        matched anything else.  the tendency of manufacturers or, by
        extension, programmers or purveyors of anything to come up
        with new products that don't fit together with the old stuff,
        thereby making you buy either all new stuff or expensive
        interface devices.  the kl-10 massbus connector was actually
        patented by dec, which reputedly refused to licence the
        design and thus effectively locked third parties out of
        competition for the lucrative massbus peripherals market.
        this policy is a source of never-ending frustration for the
        diehards who maintain older pdp-10 or vax systems.  their
        cpus work fine, but they are stuck with dying, obsolescent
        disk and tape drives with low capacity and high power
        requirements.
     
        a closely related phenomenon, with a slightly different
        intent, is the habit manufacturers have of inventing new screw
        heads so that only designated persons, possessing the magic
        screwdrivers, can remove covers and make repairs or install
        options.  older apple macintoshes took this one step
        further, requiring not only a hex wrench but a specialised
        case-cracking tool to open the box.
     
        in these latter days of open-systems computing this term has
        fallen somewhat into disuse, to be replaced by the observation
        that "standards are great  there are so many of them to
        choose from"  compare backward combatability.
     
        jargon file
     
     
see also:
pdp-10 dec cpu macintosh backward combatability jargon file 

Conspiracy >> C Words
Conspiracy, definition of term: Conspiracy
conspiracy_pag1.html

Connector >> C Words
Connector, definition of term: Connector
connector_pag1.html