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

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 11/22/19 8:41 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 11/22/2019 8:33 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 11/22/19 8:18 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>> On 11/22/2019 2:27 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>>> On 11/22/19 12:23 PM, Bob Koehler wrote:
>>>>> In article <qr6be1$68t$1 at dont-email.me>, Dave Froble
>>>>> <davef at tsoft-inc.com> writes:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The problem is, VSI can only issue licenses, or whatever, for 
>>>>>> releases
>>>>>> that VSI has offered.  They cannot issue licenses for any releases of
>>>>>> VMS they did not offer.  Not "will not", but "can not".
>>>>>
>>>>>     True.
>>>>>
>>>>>     But subject to change if the parties involved agree to do so.
>>>>> Sadly,
>>>>>     I can see no reason for HP to bother.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And I can see no reason why VSI would either!
>>>>
>>>> bill
>>>>
>>>
>>> Well, I can see at least one reason.  The more eyes on VMS, the better
>>> for VSI.
>>>
>>> Nor would any future entity running a hobbyist program for
>>> DEC/Compaq/HP versions of VMS have to be VSI.  HP could transfer the
>>> rights to just about anyone or anything.  Note, I'm not expecting them
>>> to do so.
>>>
>>> It sure would be nice for them to say to VSI, we're getting totally
>>> out of the VMS business and all it encompasses.  Here is the whole
>>> thing. (And the hobbyist program be part of that package.)
>>>
>>
>> I thought they had already done that.
> 
> No, they have not.  VSI cannot do anything with VMS releases they did 
> not issue.

Yes, but I thought VSI had been given everything, including the
VAX sources.

> 
>>  It still leaves very
>> little business incentive to have any hobbyist program and
>> certainly not one for the VAX.
> 
> We have to disagree about that.  As for VAX, well, VMS is VMS, 
> regardless of the HW.  The VAX release was frozen at V7.3, but, still 
> has the look, feel, and most of the capabilities.

True.  Which is why some of us who can't afford or just
can't justify the cost still play with VAX.  That and
we just like the VAX architecture.  But those days come
to an end next year.

bill