VMesS vs Unix Debate

[Doug Gwyn <gwyn>]

In support of Henry's point, note that mathematical notation
consists primarily of small symbols (a few abbreviations of
words are used in category theory).  Only for a totally na"ive
user would it be appropriate to require communication of concepts
via natural-language words.  As has been observed before, the
Bourne shell (or equivalent) is not an appropriate interface for
the "man in the street", but it works well for trained operators.