[Info-vax] IS everyone waiting?

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf
> Of Simon Clubley via Info-vax
> Sent: 21-Oct-16 4:20 PM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: Simon Clubley <clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-
> Earth.UFP>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] IS everyone waiting?
> 
> On 2016-10-21, Kerry Main <kemain.nospam at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I also agree with this.
> >
> > Between VSI and HPE, I am confident that if some future
> security issue
> > did arise with OpenVMS, the issue would get resolved.
> >
> 
> That's fine if you are on a supported system, but what if
someone
> has decided to run an old VMS version on an unsupported system
> ?
> 
> No-one expects Microsoft to produce patches (for normal
> customers at least) for Windows XP or to produce patches for
> Windows NT on Alpha.
> 
> Why would VMS be any different ?
> 
> (You can't suddenly magic back into existence a long disbanded
> maintenance infrastructure for obsolete VMS versions.)
> 

[snip..]

Imho the difference is the decades old culture of the OpenVMS
Engineering environment to support its Customers.

If the issue was serious enough and it had high impact, then I
suspect VSI / HPE would provide a best effort patch and/or
workaround.

Having stated this, companies do need to start realizing that
this is the risk they take when they do not do enough to keep at
least reasonably current.

Not keeping your OS's reasonably current is like deciding not to
do regular maint or recommended recall notice maint on your car.
At some point, usually when you least expect it, the car breaks
down.


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com