Computing (FOLDOC) dictionary
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computer /vaks/ (Virtual Address eXtensio) The most
successful
minicomputer design in industry history, possibly
excepting its immediate ancestor, the
PDP-11. Between its
1986, the VAX was probably the
hacker's favourite machine,
became a liability after the
RISC revolution.
VAX is also a British brand of
carpet cleaner whose advertising slogan, "Nothing
sucks like a VAX!" became a battle-cry of RISC partisans. It
is even sometimes claimed that DEC actually entered a
licencing deal that allowed them to market VAX computers in
the UK in return for not challenging the carpet cleaner
trademark in the US.
The slogan originated in the late 1960s as "Nothing sucks like
Electrolux", Electrolux AB being a rival Swedish company. It
became a classic textbook example of the perils of not knowing
the local idiom, which is ironic because, according to the
Electrolux press manager in 1996, the double entendre was
intentional. VAX copied the slogan in their promotions in
1986-1987, and it surfaced in New Zealand TV ads as recently
as 1992!
(2000-09-28)