資料來源 : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

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
        {CPU}s 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 {Macintosh}es 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}]