[Info-vax] The VSI Hobbyist program is Live!

[David Goodwin]

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:13:52 AM UTC+12, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> On 7/28/20 4:39 PM, David Goodwin wrote:
> > On Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 4:36:56 AM UTC+12, John H. Reinhardt wrote:
> >> I know it's been mentioned in another thread but I thought it deserved a separate one of it's own.
> >>
> >> Camiel announced on the DEC Computer Users Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/groups/DEC.users/> and the OpenVMS Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/groups/308062552560462/> that the VSI OpenVMS Community License Program is open for business.
> >>
> >> The VSI News entry is here: https://vmssoftware.com/about/news/2020-07-28-community-license/?fbclid=IwAR2BDg5QflHaGTtfMbTcgqe2BK0B-MBy7pPtnCuCiYHC6GUE84uMva9hnJw
> >>
> >> The VSI application page is here: https://vmssoftware.com/services/community-license/
> >> The Community License Agreement is here: https://vmssoftware.com/services/community-license/agreement/
> >>
> >>
> >> Some discussion has already started about the terms which include mention of running only one copy at a time.  I don't know how that can work out with a VMScluster.
> >>
> > 
> > Why is registration necessary? Given I can download and install linux (and even Windows!) without filling out any forms why does VSI insist on it?
> 
> Maybe because Linux is free, and in reality, non-commercial regardless
> of what people use it for.  I don't know where you can get Windows,
> legally, without some form of registration other than paying cash
> for it.

The non-commercial OpenVMS hobbyist thing is free too so why require registration?

Windows will require some details if you choose to pay for it. But if you're just after a time-limited demo you can grab the media creation tool from Microsofts website no registration required: https://www.microsoft.com/en-NZ/software-download/windows10

IIRC when you install it you'll be asked for a product key and if you don't supply one it will run as an evaluation copy until you buy and enter a key. If you're willing to run beta software you also don't need a key - I guess running buggier than normal software is the price there.

> > 
> > How many people are going to think about giving it a try only to be put off by a registration form and having to mess around with license PAKs? Seems like an unnecessary barrier to me.
> 
> I expect none.  It's really not that big a deal.  It asks for no
> information that people don;t pass out willy-nilly anyway and it
> only took seconds top do it.
> 
> > 
> > If getting it in as many hands as possible to grow the number of OpenVMS users is the goal an ISO with the licenses pre-loaded would provide a much quicker and easier experience.
> > 
> 
> That's already available. It's just not the Hobbyist Program.
> But I don't see where you can't do just as much with it as
> you can with the Hobbyist one.  Guess it depends on what your
> goals are.  Everything has a price.  Personally I really don't
> see the price of the Hobbyist Program as high enough to  matter.
> Come to think of it, HPE was asaking for a lot more information
> than VSI is!!

Yeah, this is more just reducing friction. Why bother potential users with extra work when its not actually required? Why make users renew their licenses every year? Is there actually a good business reason for doing this or is it simply being done because that's what DEC chose to do 20+ years ago.

Given its being given away for free why not just bake a non-expiring non-commercial license into the ISO and just have a link to download the ISO on the website? Its a better experience for all involved.