[Info-vax] YouTube DEC Video's - Future Directions in Computing (Mike Horner)

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at info-vax.com] On Behalf Of
> Simon Clubley via Info-vax
> Sent: 10-Jan-16 7:44 AM
> To: info-vax at info-vax.com
> Cc: Simon Clubley <clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP>
> Subject: Re: [New Info-vax] YouTube DEC Video's - Future Directions in
> Computing (Mike Horner)
> 
> On 2016-01-06, Kerry Main <kerry.main at backtothefutureit.com> wrote:
> > As per a request in other thread, I have started putting some DEC
> video's
> > on YouTube.
> >
> > These are external facing videos so as to avoid any legal stuff.
> >
> > Digital Equipment - Future Directions in Computing (Mike Horner)
> > https://youtu.be/G2Rs-u55XUc  (permission from Mike Horner in
> place)
> >
> 
> Thanks for uploading this; I have now watched it. Some comments:
> 
> Things such as the holographic displays were way off target but things
> such as the network and societal knowledge based future were right on
> target.
> 
> The brain processing sequence had a kind of a HHGTTG-esque feel to it
> and it felt to me there were little flashes of HHGTTG style presentation
> throughout the video.
> 
> The bit about the kitchen integration was interesting given the current
> IoT push (which I think has turned out to be a really stupid idea because
> of the apparent lack of worrying about security) and so was the
> integration
> of intelligent electronics into cars.
> 
> The comments about the price reductions turned out to be right on
> target
> and to a level over the past decade or so that no-one, including him,
> could probably have seen in the 1980s.
> 
> Simon.
> 
> --

One part I liked was the part about enterprise processes consisting of 
3 primary components - Corporate, Group and User.

This is still true today.

I remember that at one time, the licensing models were based on 
Enterprise, Department and User. They were not only much simpler to
understand for both DEC and the Customer, but also much easier to 
administer / manage as well.

Perhaps a new licensing model for OpenVMS might include this concept
again - along with discounts based on number of host instances in each
category?  

In parallel, using the same strategy, perhaps this same model might include 
an alternative option for a  monthly/annual subscription strategy?

This would be similar to what MS has done - you can buy one time 
licenses up front or take the monthly subscription model (e.g. Office 365).

Another interesting point was his comment about "just as it is safe to 
assume that all employees in companies have access to telephones, 
soon it will be just as safe to assume that employees in all companies 
have access to a fax machine." 

I also liked his talk about things like ELF (employee locator facility)
and Notes .. those of from DEC will remember these as they were the
fore runners to today's AD directories and web conferences.

He also goes on to talk about people having access to email. I remember
receiving an internal email from the DEC VP of manufacturing (someone 
named Bob Palmer) congratulating the Engineering and manufacturing 
teams on getting a new Alpha system to FCS (first Cust ship).

Oh yes - the email was written and received in VMSmail.

Manufacturing / Engineering were the last corporate group hold-outs 
who fought hard against their "critical" email system being converted 
to All-IN-1. VMSmail was championed by the internal technical 
community while All-IN-1 (later OfficeServer) was championed by the
suits .. and then, as they say - the rest is history.

Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com