[Info-vax] VMSSOFTWARETRAINING youtube channel ? Found this when searching for OpenVMS on youtube

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 6/15/19 11:08 AM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 6/15/2019 7:53 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 6/14/19 10:03 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>> On 6/14/2019 6:42 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>> On 6/13/2019 11:24 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>>> On 6/13/2019 8:27 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>>> On 6/13/2019 8:26 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>>>> On 6/13/2019 7:20 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 6/13/2019 6:24 PM, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Den 2019-06-13 kl. 18:57, skrev Volker Halle:
>>>>>>>>>> Lots of interesting links found under
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> https://training.vmssoftware.com/
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> including Hobbyist,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> https://training.vmssoftware.com/hobbyist/
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Well, *that* has to be tested...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Oh.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> That is super cool.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Definitely have to try!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Install works fine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> All the compilers seems to be there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Very easy to get started.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Note that it is a 128 MB Alpha emulator and 128 MB is not
>>>>>>> much today.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And I an sure that you will hear from other for the fact that it is
>>>>>> Windows based.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> :-)
>>>>>
>>>>> Should not.
>>>>>
>>>>> If the question "what is the largest potential user base that would
>>>>> try VMS" were asked, what might be the answer?
>>>>>
>>>>> It's a "try it", not a production system.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm pretty much resigned to running the x86 port on Virtual Box, on
>>>>> WEENDOZE.  Not the customers, that's a different issue.
>>>>
>>>> I am not complaining, but I believe we have a few
>>>> people here where their religion forbid them to touch
>>>> a Windows system.
>>>
>>> Maybe so, but I'd bet all of them already have a VMS system, or 2, or
>>> 3, or ...
>>>
>>> So what need do they have of a "try me" set-up?
>>
>> Their "need" is likely a way to continue using those systems without
>> having to pay commercial licensing fees for what amounts to a toy.
> 
> I have a few commercial licenses, older, but work.  I also am using a 
> developer license for the latest versions from VSI.

But you are in it as a business and any cost can be written
off as a business expense.  Hobbyists, not so much.

> 
>>> Regardless, it's my opinion that there needs to be something between a
>>> "try me" and a development license.
>>
>> I agree, especially when the x86-64 version comes into play.  But
>> everyday I lower my expectations.  I see another PDP-11 Hobbyist
>> World on the horizon.
>>
>> bill
>>
>>
> 
> I find this strange.
> 
> Here we have a small group of people involved in a rather large task.
> 
> In the middle of this task, they have managed to get some people 
> involved in training videos, a "try me" version of the OS, and other 
> things.  Could be considered impressive.

It is impressive, except that someone said it was listed under
"Hobbyist" which it doesn't really satisfy.  And others said its
"EDUCATIONAL" which it also won't satisfy.

> 
> So it's strange to see those who only look at the lack of what they 
> want, (which they are willing to pay nothing), rather than the brighter 
> side, which is that there is progress.  Slow, but progress.

Some of us may see unusable programs as something a bit less
than progress.  If this truly is intended to get VMS back into
the academic world, it won't work. Trust me, I was there when
VMS went out and I saw the reasons why.  This will not get it
back in.

> 
> I have no idea what VSI will do.  I have some hopes.  But until the port 
> is done and they have a bit of time for other things, isn't beating on 
> them sort of counter-productive?
> 

I have hopes, too.  But I also have the experience of watching
VMS slowly ebb out of popularity, especially in markets where
it really needed to stay.  And I have seen other OSes that had
(too some extent still have) change hands from someone who was
never going to allow Hobbyist use and was getting out of the
commercial use world as well to someone everyone thought would
save the day. It didn't happen.  I would hate to see the same
thing be the fate of VMS.

bill