“Plan 9” is not a product, but rather an experimental investigation into a different way of computing. The developers started with assumptions such as the importance of good networking and an intelligent user interface with a dot-mapped display and mouse. They believe that existing systems, including workstations, are not the correct way to do things. Therefore, they decided to design a new system without concern for compatibility or re-implementation of the UNIX system. Whether or not Plan 9 will be released is uncertain, but large companies sponsor research organizations in hopes of a concrete return in the form of concepts for future products.
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