[Info-vax] Thoughts on VSI Community License Program

[John H. Reinhardt]

On 8/13/2020 12:10 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2020-08-13, John H. Reinhardt <johnhreinhardt at thereinhardts.org> wrote:
>>
>> I got a response on the VSI Forums <https://forum.vmssoftware.com/> to my question about clustering for Integrity.  This is it:
>>
> 
> If they also don't allow clustering in the hobbyist licence for x86-64,
> then that could be a really big mistake. People are more likely to check
> out this new thing called VMS if it's got a unique selling point that they
> can play with free of charge.
> 
> VMS style operating system level clustering combined with HBVS support
> is still unique enough that it might attract people to learning how to
> use it as a hobbyist and then compare it to other clustering solutions
> they are aware of.
> 
> Take those things away and VMS doesn't really have anything unique over
> what you can do elsewhere.
> 
>>
>> I had to go check what he said about the HP license and I was surprised to see that it's true.  It's in the PAK files that HP sent out. I suppose we never looked it over closely when HP took over the Hobbyist program.
>>
> 
> How does that tie in with the text from HPE about how we don't have to
> apply for a hobbyist licence for each machine we are running HPE VMS on ?
> 
> Simon.
> 

I don't know, but I would guess that VSI copied the conditions in the HPE license with modifications for today's lawyer-speak.  In the file that was sent out for the license each year it does clearly state that it is for use on a single system.  However, in 2012 when I HP took over I asked John Egoff about multiple systems and this was the response:

On 2/1/2012 6:53 AM, Egolf, John wrote:
> John,
> 
> No need to register each system.  You can use the PAKs I sent to you on all YOUR systems (they are not to be distributed to others).
> 
> This should be easier for you (and us).
> 
> Enjoy!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> /John
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John H. Reinhardt [mailto:johnhreinhardt at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 7:42 AM
> To: Egolf, John
> Subject: Re: [OpenVMS.org] Hobbyist Registration
> 
> Dear Mr Egof,
> 
>     Thank you very much for your very quick response to my request for OpenVMS Hobbyist PAKs.  I know the process isn't quite set up so I've just requested one for each of VAX/Alpha and Integrity.  I wonder what the final process will be for people with multiple systems?  I've been quite a collector and currently have 3 Alpha, 4 Integrity and a VAX
> (Sim-11) systems that could be running.  When David Cathey was doing registrations I would register each system separately but I don't want to overload anyone yet with multiple requests.  If you have time (and there's no hurry) I'd appreciate a heads up.
> 
>     Once again, thanks.
> 
> John H. Reinhardt
>     OpenVMS user since 1981
> 
> 

Where that leaves us, I don't know.  I asked if there was a better place to make requests than the VSI Forum and am waiting on an answer.  When I find out, I'll let people know so they can make their requests known.  Maxim, the guy that seems to be in charge of the forum is in Chelyabinsk (according to his profile) so I don't expect an answer until tomorrow at the earliest.

-- 
John H. Reinhardt