"[...] with every minor release, it seemed the current dialog scripts would be routinely wiped and reverted to those written a year earlier, [...]"
An range of X25 switches had an operator's console that was essential after loading an updated version of the OS. There were two development teams for the system - each responsible for producing chronologically alternate versions. They were also located in different US states.
Unfortunately each team had different basic settings for the management console's asynchronous protocol. You had to remember which team was the current "live" one before you could get the system to respond.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
