[mkjessup]

I heard years ago that DARPA bought the data packet switching idea from someone, I think a university professor.

I remember hearing something like that myself, but the name eludes me, while I'm thinking of it however, I would put in a plug for a fantastic book (that admittedly some may already have read) 'The Soul of a New Machine' by Tracy Kidder (1981), it details the development of the Data General 'Eagle' mini computer, and it falls into the category of "can't put it down" until you finish it. An excellent read.

[bIlluminati]

When pros read ‘The Soul of a New Machine’, they immediately went out and shorted the company. Fascinating read, and almost a canonical example of ‘how not to’. However, many others read it and assumed that 80 hour weeks were the way to go. Much buggy software ensued.