[Info-vax] VAX VMS going forward

[Alexander Schreiber]

John E. Malmberg <wb8tyw at qsl.net_work> wrote:
> On 7/17/2020 6:42 AM, Alice Wyan wrote:
>> If I understand the situation correctly, HPE is completely dropping
>> support for VAX VMS, but the rights haven't been transferred to VSI.
>> This means starting next year VMS on the VAX is essentially
>> abandoned.
>
> As I understand it, VSI only has the rights to distribute and license 
> software binaries that they have built and tested.
>
> This does not restrict them from producing a VAX release, but they do 
> not have the resources add a VAX build to their backlog of work.
>
>> If HPE is no longer going to be making money out of it, what would be
>> stopping them from selling it/give the rights away to, say, a
>> hobbyist collective that could be set up to preserve this system? I
>> guess there'd be quite a legal mess of rights behind the old code,
>> but... would it be a doable thing? What sort of money could we be
>> talking about to get this sort of transfer done?
>
>  From OpenVMS Customer Lab Special Notification:
>
> "Users who wish to avail of HPE OpenVMS long term licenses are 
> encouraged to purchase permanent licenses at standard prices. You may 
> contact [Fellman, Jon]  <jon.fellman at hpe.com> for the same."
>
> I do not know what the current standard prices are for a license.
>
> The price may still vary based on the size of the system.
> And license are needed for every Layered Product or SIP that are used.
>
> If someone knows those prices and are not restricted from posting them, 
> it might be nice to see them.

I would be very interested in seeing those prices, especially when
the target "hardware" is simulated (i.e. SIMH). Although I suspect
those prices would be significantly above what I'd be willing to
pay for my non-commercial, hobbyist "just playing around" use case.

> I think I am going to try NetBSD/VAX out.

Be aware that gcc for VAX is not in a very good shape (it builds the
system, but some ports are ... dicey), although it is currently
actively being worked on. The ports-vax NetBSD mailing list has the
relevant discussions.

And speaking from experience: SIMH provides a nice MicroVAX 3800
on which NetBSD/vax works in a quite useable manner. I (sadly)
have no experience with _actual_ hardware.

Kind regards,
            Alex.
-- 
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
 looks like work."                                      -- Thomas A. Edison