[Info-vax] VMS Software Inc. OpenVMS 8.4-1H1 Boots on i4 System

[lists at openmailbox.org]

On Fri, 20 Mar 2015 13:07:30 +0100
Jan-Erik Soderholm via Info-vax <info-vax at rbnsn.com> wrote:

> lists at openmailbox.org skrev den 2015-03-20 12:45:
> > On Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:36:23 -0400
> > David Froble via Info-vax <info-vax at rbnsn.com> wrote:
> >
> >> lists at openmailbox.org wrote:
> >>> On Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:53:52 -0400
> >>> "Robert A. Brooks via Info-vax" <info-vax at rbnsn.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> On 3/18/2015 3:46 PM, David Froble wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> The only question I'd ask, solely out of curiosity, is where are the
> >>>>> VAX/VMS V7.3 sources and build procedures?  I've seen too many
> >>>>> things end up in dumpsters.  Sad.
> >>>> We have the VAX sources, including the V.next builds.  I don't think
> >>>> there was much change from V7.3, however, so don't get too excited.
> >>>> We do not have a VAX here (yeah, we could get an emulator, but it's
> >>>> not something that's needed now).
> >>>>
> >>>> I don't think there will be much interest by anyone at VSI in playing
> >>>> around with anything related to the VAX in the near- or mid-term, as
> >>>> we have enough stuff on our collective plates.
> >>>
> >>> Ok, so you'll be open sourcing 7.3? :-)
> >>>
> >>
> >> The way I understand the agreement between VSI and HP, the product(s)
> >> are not the property of VSI and they cannot do as you suggest.
> >>
> >> Don't know what VAX/VMS is good for,...
> 
> Nothing, if you are not *forced* to used it.

There are people interested in retrocomputing either to use the hardware
and software they used when it was in its prime or to learn about systems
they never had access to. Good stuff doesn't go out of style.

> 
> >> unless you got a VAX or are running an emulator.
> >
> > simh is the cat's meow. Unlike most of the other emulators it's
> > apparently written very portably and runs on most (all?) UNIX-like OS
> > without prejudice. Seems to run VMS great. And it's a good way to learn
> > VAX...
> 
> And why would anyone (professionaly) want to "learn VAX" *today* ??

What difference does it make to you? If VAX was an important architecture
does that mean it becomes worthless for all purposes after it goes out of
production? Is the value of something defined by how new it is?

And why are you singling out VAX? Don't you also wonder why anyone
(professionaly) would want to "learn Alpha" *today* ?? You can be a
techno-snob, but you should be an equal opportunity techno-snob or certain
architectures will start taking it personally ;-)

> What some hobbyists or computer museums does, can of course have no
> bearing on VSI's real business decisions.

There is something called the OpenVMS Hobbyist Program. That program not
only allows experienced people to run OpenVMS affordably at home but it
also allows people like me who never had experience with VMS to get some
exposure to it. That is a great form of advocacy that is not available in
some other situations. If you want VMS to survive it would seem the
existing customer base is not sufficient to do that. VMS isn't going to
wind up in new shops by itself. You have to get the word out. The Hobbyist
Program is a really excellent way to introduce new people to the OS.

-- 
Please DO NOT COPY ME on mailing list replies. I read the mailing list.
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