[Info-vax] VMS Hobbyist Program

[John H. Reinhardt]

On 7/28/2020 11:53 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 7/28/2020 12:35 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 7/28/20 11:27 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>> There were two sentences that caught my attention.
>>>
>>> "You may Use one copy of the Software on one device at a time."
>>
>> I missed this one.
>>
>>> Does this say that one can only have one hobbyist system booted at a time?
> 
> Or does it just say that one need one separate hobbyist license per
> system?
> 
> If the wording is copied from their commercial license, then
> that that would be the meaning.
> 
> For hobbyist it only makes sense if they want an accurate count
> of systems as opposed to persons.
> 

The application makes no distinction for multiple licenses other than asking if you want Alpha or Integrity with a checkbox so both can be selected.  There is the x86 option but it was disabled for me.  The Section 2A stipulation for one copy makes not sense if you want to work with a VMScluster.  That line is so standard in most EULA/licenses that I think someone just did a copy/paste without really thinking about the implications.


>>> "Operating system Software may only be used when operating the associated hardware in configurations as approved, sold, or subsequently upgraded by VSI or a VSI authorized reseller."
>>
>> I wondered about this one, too.  But went ahead anyway expecting some
>> kind of clarification.  If I get a system running I expect it will be
>> on an ES40 emulated system as I haven't had any Alpha hardware in a
>> long time.
> 
> The wording makes sense for their commercial license - they
> obviously don't support VMS on unsupported HW.
> 
> But hobbyist is without support.
> 
>>> Does this limit hobbyist usage to supported HW?
>>>

The wording is a bit ambiguous, trying to lump configurations together. I took it as meaning "associated hardware in configurations as approved.. by VSI" meaning that it included previous hardware configurations that had been approved. i.e. if it was approved on an certain configuration of an AlphaServer 1200 before, then if you had a configuration equivalent to that, then it was included.

I'm sure if enough people ask, then some clarification will come eventually.

>>> Neither is a problem for me. I am not complaining.
>>>
>>> But I think it may be relevant for other to know what these
>>> two sentences mean.
> 
> Arne
> 


-- 
John H. Reinhardt