[Info-vax] OpenVMS Hobbyist licence - howto

[AdeV]

Hi froup,

Once upon a many a blue moon ago, I used a VAX 8800 (at North Staffs 
Polytechnic, as it was then). And, despite the many intervening years, I 
still have fond memories of that machine. More recently, I (very 
briefly) had to support a Sybase database running on a VAX (can't 
remember what model), which rekindled my interest. On the back of that, 
I acquired a MicroVAX 3100, which languished in a box for many years.

So, backstory over: I've recently downloaded simh, and got a copy of 
OpenVMS7.3 installed and seemingly running; but I don't have a licence. 
After much wandering around the 'net, it's obvious I need a hobbyist 
licence (I won't be doing anything commercial with the machine, just 
reliving happy DCL-related memories). 

As far as I can tell, a Hobbyist licence will now cost me $50 (or £45, 
being based in Rip-Off-Britain) per year; is that the case, or is it 
actually still available free & I'm misreading something somewhere?

Also, what's the swiftest way to obtain the necessary PAK codes 
(obviously, I'd like some apps to run on the machine, and ideally some 
programming languages over & above DCL)? 


Now, my plan is to start off using simh; but eventually, I'd like to 
migrate to the real VAX (i.e. the uVAX 3100). I have a variety of dumb 
terminals. including a couple of genuine DEC terminals; will I be able 
to install using one of those, or will I need a special console? Also; 
there's a CDROM in the base unit, but no hard drive. Will any SCSI unit 
do, or does it need to be a special DEC item?

Many thanks in advance,
Ade.

PS: Happy christmas/holidays/newyear to all :)
-- 
Cheers!
Ade.