[Info-vax] State of the OpenVMS hobbyist program?

[Dave Froble]

On 11/19/2019 9:52 AM, Hans Bachner wrote:
> Simon Clubley schrieb am 19.11.2019 um 14:15:
>> On 2019-11-19, Alexander Schreiber <als at usenet.thangorodrim.de> wrote:
>>>
>>> So, be patient, it might take a few days, but you'll get your
>>> hobbyist license, which has a 13 month lifetime. Adding a note
>>> to my calender to update the license a year from now ;-)
>>>
>>
>> Be aware that HPE support for VMS ends at the end of 2020 and
>> therefore it is expected that the HPE hobbyist program will end
>> at the same time, if not before. This is why finding out about
>> VSI's plans for a hobbyist program is becoming more important
>> than it was a couple of years ago.
>
> While we all are interested how the VSI hobbyist program will work (and
> when), this is only half the answer. I assume that there are quite a few
> hobbyists around who use VMS on physical and/or emulated VAXen or just
> enjoy running historic equipment with software from the days when this
> equipment was built. And the probability that VSI will (be allowed to)
> issue licenses for DEC/CPQ/HP(E) versions of VMS is rather low imho.
>
> Hans.

One method might be for VSI to issue a new release / version for 
VMS/VAX.  Don't know if they have the rights to do so.  I do know that 
there is no way in hell they are going to waste time on such an effort, 
unless, some customers come up with some rather substantial money, and 
such customers most likely already have perpetual licenses, and have no 
need for new licenses.

Same chance as the proverbial snowball in hell.

Another method would be for HPe to issue a free perpetual license, free 
to all.  Note, this would not be open sourcing the OS.  Just a free 
license for everyone.  I see no downside to this, however, there just 
might be some issues, don't know.

Another potential possibility would for some perpetual license(s) to 
somehow end up on the internet.  Yes Bill, this smacks of illegality. 
Should such happen, I don't know who might attempt legal action.  Might 
be hard to fine culprits.  Not advocating such, just mentioning things 
that could happen.  Keep in mind that there have been a lot of VAXs, and 
most had a VMS license.  Wonder where all those papers are?

Another possibility would be for some of the methods of circumventing 
the LMF might find their way onto the internet.  Same caviets as 
previous paragraph.

Have to wonder if the capability for issuing licenses DEC provided to 
ISVs and such would allow generating a license for VMS?  Don't know much 
about this.

Best option for those wanting VAX licenses is HPe just issuing a 
universal free license which would work on any VAX model.  Just don't 
see what benefit HPe would see in doing so.


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David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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