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

[Phillip Helbig undress to reply]

In article <qr3o29$h61$1 at dont-email.me>, Dave Froble
<davef at tsoft-inc.com> writes: 

> >> 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.
> >>
> >
> > Unless something dramatic happens, I suspect there will be no VAX hobbyist
> > licence of any kind after the end of 2020, regardless of whatever hobbyist
> > program VSI may eventually come up with.
> 
> Suspect?
> 
> Say, not a chance.
> 
> VSI does not have a VAX release, and cannot issue anything for 
> DEC/Compaq/HP releases.
> 
> VSI has no reason to do any such thing.
> 
> VAX/VMS will run, in a very limited way, without any license.  There is 
> always access from the console.

HPE could issue a VAX hobbyist license, even a perpetual one.  I don't 
see what they would stand to lose.

Many VAX hobbyists would probably be willing to PAY for a VAX hobbyist 
license.