[Info-vax] VMS port to x86

[David Froble]

JF Mezei wrote:
> JKB wrote:
> 
>> 	Right. I think it's really time to know if we want to assist to VMS
>> 	death or if we want to do somethink to keep VMS alive. 
> 
> 
> It isnt our business to do either. VMS is a commercial product entirely
> owned by HO at the moment. HP is the one to assist its death or do
> something to keep it alive.

Well, there are various ways to look at such.  One is, when a company sells systems with 
VMS for customers to use, there is at least a moral commitment being made.  The customers 
don't just plug in a computer and gaze at it.  They develop or purchase applications to do 
the work they need performed.  There are a number of things that fit together to make the 
whole.

Now companies that do not hold to moral commitments seem to not do well.  It's a 2 way 
street.  The customers pay for the products.  The producer needs to also support the 
customer's needs, which the producer originally created.

> We can't change HP's mind on this.  VMS is small compared to whatever
> conracts HP has signed with Intel and HP isn't going to change those to
> please VMS enthousiasts.

It is NOT enthusiasts that need to be pleased.  It is the customers that have kept the 
provider in business by purchasing products that need to continue to be supported.  To 
think that a company can continue to retain customers without adequately supporting their 
needs is sort of unrealistic.  If you've fooled me once, why should I give you the 
opportunity to foll me again?

> The only aspect the community can do is convince HP to announce it will
> open source VMS on the day it announces the end of the line for iA64 VMS
> and HP-UX.
> 
> 
> Yes, it would have been nice if VMS had been onwed by a company whose
> survival depended on the success of VMS because you would have then seen
> that company market, price and develop VMS to compete and grow. But this
> is now the case and it is entirely out of our hands.

Yeah, well not always.  There was G.Q. Palmer ....

Talk about not believing in your products ....

> Now, if HP were to come to us and ask us what would be needed to bring
> VMS back to life, then our opinions would count. But that's not gonna
> happen.

See, that is one of the fallacies.  VMS is still alive, there is no need to "bring VMS 
back to life".  What's needed is adequate support to continue life.  The perception that 
such is not forthcoming is what will kill VMS.