[Info-vax] : Welcome to lockdown - HP limiting access to patches

[Doug Phillips]

On Aug 21, 12:18 pm, VAXman-  @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
> I'm looking at this decision from the viewpoint of a software developer and
> or third-party software provider.  
>
> Suppose my product exaccerbates a flaw in OpenVMS or is rendered inoperable
> because of a flaw (case in point, the V8.4 VMSINSTAL) and my customer needs
> a patch to use the software.  Under the present scheme, said customer would
> have purchased OpenVMS and could then download the patch(es) for the OS, if
> needed, to use my software.  With this proposed new patch access scheme, if
> there is(are) a patch(es) to use my software, the customers must engage HP
> to purchase some pricey support contract that gives them access to patch(es)
> to use my software.  This will affect me because the customer will see it as
> an additional expense to use my software.  Fewer options to run onon the OS
> translates to fewer users of the OS.


In the ITRC Forum here-> http://preview.tinyurl.com/23gwcs9

Dennis Handly posted:

"Patches for security will still be available."

Still no official publication of that fact that I can find. HP needs
to precisely define their new policy. What they've published so far
has been fraught with confusion, misstatements and buzzword-itis.


>  Another quatraine of the Nostradamus
> prophesies for the demise of OpenVMS has been decyphered.
>
>   Oh, the more it changes, the more it stays the same,
>   And the hand just re-arranges the players in the game.
>
>   Oh, I had a dream.
>   It seemed I stood alone.
>   And the veil of all the years,
>   Goes sinking from my eyes like a stone.
>
>       -- Al Stewart, Nostradamus
>

Good one.

We only have to suffer for a couple of more years, anyway.

"The ancient Mayans developed a "Long Count" round calendar that ends
ominously on December 21, 2012. This date is the inspiration for the
name of this Ale."

  -- From the 'Point 2012 Black Ale' bottle label, Stevens Point
Brewery, Wis < www.pointbeer.com >.

Life's short. Drink more good beer. ;-)