[Info-vax] VMS Software needs to port VAX DIBOL to OpenVMS X86 platform

[Dave Froble]

On 12/16/2020 8:47 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2020-12-15, Steve Ives <steve.ives at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Just a quick note to point out that the content of this post is inaccurate.
>>
>> My name is Steve Ives, and I work for Synergex as the Synergy/DE Product
>> Manager. We are indeed currently reviewing whether to port Synergy/DE to
>> OpenVMS on x86, but no decision has yet been made. For the past ten months,
>> we have been actively engaged with our many OpenVMS customers, both ISV's
>> and end-users alike, making sure that they are fully aware of the
>> significant changes taking place in the OpenVMS market place and community,
>> helping them to understand their many options, and trying to judge demand
>> for a Synergy/DE port to OpenVMS on the x86 platform.
>>
>> We at Synergex are proud of our long-standing involvement with and
>> service to the OpenVMS development community, but we are a business and can
>> only invest in porting our products to new platforms if there is sufficient
>> commercial demand for us to do so. Unfortunately, at the current time,
>> there appears to be very little demand. But this is not a done deal;
>> discussions are still taking place, both internally and with our customers.
>> OpenVMS is still an important part of our business, and we remain fully
>> committed to delivering exceptional service to our many valued customers in
>> that space.
>>
>
> Interesting. You say that VMS is still important to you and that you
> have many VMS customers, but that there is very little demand for running
> Synergy on x86-64 VMS.
>
> Do you know why that is ? Was there initial demand but it died off as
> the VMS on x86-64 port took longer and longer to complete ?
>
> And before people jump on me for asking that, just remember that VMS
> currently only runs in production use on obsolete or soon to be obsolete
> architectures. That by itself is enough to make some people uncomfortable
> regardless of the merits of VMS itself, especially given that VMS on x86-64
> for production use is still some way off and we don't know if the timetable
> is going to further slip.
>
> The reason for asking this question is simple: is there anything that VSI
> can do at this stage to make Synergex's customers stay on the VMS path for
> a bit longer instead of switching to another operating system ?
>
> He says that Synergex still has many VMS customers, so now is the time
> for VSI to act if there's still any chance of convincing them to remain
> as VMS customers.
>
>> I would also like to point out that we are, of course, in contact with
>> VSI, at the highest possible levels and that we value the ongoing
>> relationship that we have shared since the launch of their company back in
>> 2014.
>>
>
> That's nice to hear but I am puzzled why you have only been actively
> engaged with the VMS customers over the last 10 months.
>
> Simon.
>

I've watched you beat this subject to death for a while Simon.  It 
appears that you're being a bit "inventive".  Where did you get the idea 
of "last 10 months" when Steve Ives clearly stated that Synergex has 
been in contact with VSI since 2014?

Regardless, this entire thread about DIBOL on x86 VMS, just as the topic 
of Rdb on x86 VMS, is a bit premature.  At "this time" there is no x86 
on VMS, unless one accepts cross compilers to build executables.  I do 
not do so.  As an ISV, I will look at x86 VMS when it actually exists. 
I do believe that it will soon exist, and will be a path forward for 
current users of VMS, and an option for new users in the future.

You may believe differently.  As an ISV using VMS, and in contact with 
VSI, I suggest that perhaps your beliefs are not the same as ISVs using VMS.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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