[Info-vax] OpenVMS Hobbyist Notification

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 3/8/20 3:00 AM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 3/7/2020 1:48 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 3/7/2020 12:51 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>> On 3/7/2020 11:01 AM, caoimhe at pitbulluk.org wrote:
>>>> I don't think I'll be interested in the x86 port. I don't imagine VSI
>>>> will be interested in writing device drivers for the plethora of
>>>> cheaper desktop motherboards and PCIe adaptors most hobbyists will go
>>>> for. It's going to be high-end mostly, although hyper-v and vmware
>>>> driver development might work.
>>>
>>>> Besides which, the "State of the Port" seems almost laughable at
>>>> present.
>>>
>>> I confess to curosity, why do you write that?  It seems to me they
>>> (VSI) are trying to complete the port.
>>>
>>> One can hope that x86 VMS does not run exclusively on high end
>>> expensive hardware.
>>>
>>> However, they say it will run on VirtualBox, and I'd think that for
>>> any hobbyist, as well as others, this might be enough.
>>
>>
>> Exactly.
>>
>> The virtualization software exposes something standard and
>> VMS just use that.
>>
>> Hobbyists and developers may be using VirtualBox.
>>
>> Production may run on VMWare.
>>
>> Very few will run on bare metal.
> 
> I'm doubting that.  Most VMS users are used to running on what we're now 
> calling "bare metal".  I'm thinking most will continue to do so.  Why 
> introduce the complexity of using a VM when it's not necessary or 
> desired?  Even so, some will do just that.  Else, who's been asking for 
> VMware?

The main reason I can see is the fact that  unlike the previous
architectures which had a very limited scope the x86 world is
fraught with hundreds of options.  Supporting enough of them to
stay profitable seems like a dauntless task.  Running on VM
platforms puts the responsibility for that on someone else's
shoulders.

> 
> Using a VM is not all good.  Some will not want another layer involved.

I expect there will be a few who will insist on running on bare
metal but I expect the majority will be more than satisfied with
running on a VM.  Especially if there are still places that plan
to run multiple instances.

bill