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I have an original "NeXTstep Concepts" manual with the NX prefix. I can't remember where I heard the "NeXT and Sun" explanation for the first time, but a Google search shows that the prefix change could've actually occurred before the collaboration with Sun. It could stand for NeXT Software, as it's closer to the transition to a software company.

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The "NS" prefix was introduced with OpenStep in 1994[1]. OpenStep was a collaboration between NeXT and Sun[2]. So the S in "NS" referring to Sun is certainly plausible!

[1] https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Co...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStep

Per bbum and others, NS long predated Sun getting involved.

A person that was involved with the project claims the prefix predates Sun's involvement [1].

> Totally wrong. The NS prefix predated Sun signing on to implement the OpenStep spec by quite a bit. It was either NS for “NeXTStep” or “New System”. None of us can remember which, though, but definitely not NeXT-Sun.

[1]: https://x.com/bbum/status/1260304075305791488

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