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

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 11/20/2019 5:10 PM, Phillip Helbig (undress to reply) wrote:
> 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.

I think that is the wrong question. The right question is what would
they stand to gain. And if the answer is nothing then it will not
happen.

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

Not anything that HPE will consider significant.

Arne