[Info-vax] Backing up scattered files

[David Froble]

Rich Jordan wrote:
> On Apr 5, 4:44 pm, koeh... at eisner.nospam.encompasserve.org (Bob
> Koehler) wrote:
>> In article <d7723b86-6426-45ed-b01e-737076342... at o4g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>, Rich Jordan <jor... at ccs4vms.com> writes:
>>
>>> On Apr 4, 3:32=A0pm, FrankS <sapie... at noesys.com> wrote:
>>>> You'd be allowed to install a patch, but not a minor version change from =
>>> v7.3 to v7.3-2? =A0That's kind of odd.
>>> I believe so.  The site fell off support several years ago; the onsite
>>> downloaded all the patches for the system (and has 7.3-2 media) but
>>> never installed it; my understanding is that even though they were
>>> under support when V7.3-2 was released (right to new versions, etc)
>>> that the actual install had to take place while under support; legally
>>> if they wanted to do it now they'd have to pay for an upgrade license
>>> (which is not happening, no budget).
>>    So tell them a mistake was made:  7.3-1 and 7.3-2 were actually just
>>    collections of patches to 7.3.
>>
>>    My experience with DEC was:  once you paid for an upgrade, you could
>>    run any version up to and including it.  I haven't read the commercial
>>    licenses in years, but I'd be suprised if HP wanted money now for
>>    something you paid for then.
> 
> I wouldn't be surprised, but I wonder how hard it would be to find the
> person/department/contact at HP to actually _take_ the money and
> provide the license... I still have never heard back about a link or
> official contact for purchasing VMS media despite the kerfuffle I
> caused.  Meg Whitman never responded either...
> 
> We'll research the license question; it may not be an issue as you
> noted.  Still not likely to do an upgrade due to budget.  Going from
> old memories that the 'right to new versions' contract item was in
> force only during its paid duration, so if you failed to upgrade while
> the clause was in force, you did not get to do so after termination
> even if what you were upgrading to was available and covered while the
> contract was in force.  As opposed to an actual new version update
> license which was good 'forever' for the licensed version.   But I
> don't remember who said it or if they were in a 'position to know' or
> just spouting off; it was a long time ago.
> 
> Rich

<steps on soapbox>

In my opinion that's total nonsense.  If you had the "right to upgrade" at the time the 
particular version was available, then you have the right to use it, basically forever. 
If you didn't, then you'd have to desist from powering up the VMS system once you'd 
stopped paying for the "right to upgrade".  Even if you don't have the media, if you could 
get a copy, you'd still have the right to use it.

<gets knocked off soapbox by HP>