[Info-vax] api for ncp

[Stephen Hoffman]

On 2021-08-02 16:58:13 +0000, calliet gérard said:


> I'm wondering what you are thinking about obsolescence, for your 
> washing machine or your television.

When the costs of repairs and parts and maintenance approach the cost 
of replacement, replacements happen. Whether computers, home 
electronics, cars, home laundry equipment, or otherwise. Outside of 
nostalgia or other such factors.

> Do you think it would be better we change them each year?

We're already having to either patch or to upgrade apps and operating 
systems that often, and that treadmill isn't going to end, and that 
treadmill is only going to accelerate.

Refrigerators used to be built with a 25 year lifetime, and that's 
increasingly now ten years for various of the "durable goods" 
manufacturers.

> I think washing machine sellers would think it is a lot better. But I 
> don't think so.

So long as the costs of disposal and waste are not integrated into the 
selling price, we'll likely continue to have what we have.

> It is not at all the same domain, but what I try to explain is that 
> there are contexts where the goal is: not to change anything, because 
> of x constraints.

There are always constraints. There are always exceptions. Trade-offs, 
too. But even previously locked-down environments—such as space 
probes—are increasingly patchable, and getting patched. (And there's 
seemingly a whole 'nother shift in the market imminent there, given 
changes in space access costs. But I digress.)

And here, I'd question the wisdom of substantial new work targeting 
DECnet, absent an expectation to toss it all. Otherwise, there's 
(hopefully) a plan to incrementally replace and to incrementally 
migrate to lower costs / better features.

> There are domains where the certification is about human live 
> protection, for example, and the concept of competitivity is not 
> adequate.

I am well aware of business and life-critical requirements (including 
having served as a medical provider), and also around 
government-mandated software qualifications, and of government-mandated 
re-qualification processes.

One of these government processes that effected OpenVMS many years ago 
was the so-called RAMP process for security. And there are 
considerations and trade-offs here, such as when an incremental process 
costs less than a full re-qualification (as we'd hope), or costs as 
much or more as going through a complete re-qualification (as has 
unfortunately happened), the results of those 
qualifications/certifications/re-certifications will not be surprising. 
But if you're looking to tap into parts of DECnet with new code, there 
does appear to be some room for changes within the current 
certifications.

> Do you like Mozart?

Has Mozart come out with a new concerto? I've missed that. Ah, well. In 
that area, my tastes run closer to P.D.Q. Bach, and The Ad Hog 
Camerata, y música de artistas españolas. My current listening catalog 
is influenced by Mexican, Uruguayan, Colombian, Swedish, and Spanish 
artists. There's everything from Baroque to Dubstep to Celtic, and a 
whole lot more.

> And do you prefer interpretors who play Mozart as it is written, or the 
> ones who improvize? - I do like Jazz, however,

And yes, there is some classical, and some Jazz. For improvisation, 
Bruce Hornsby and Rodrigo y Gabriella, among others.

Much like music, software is adapted and remixed. Music—like 
software—is never done. Even the locked-down and certified 
configurations have to adapt.

> so the question is opened.

Hewing back somewhat closer to my earlier new-DECnet-work comments, 
there's always incremental work involved. I replaced my analog 
recordings (records and cassette tapes) with digital media (CDs), and 
then replaced digital media with digital downloads, and have 
increasingly replaced purchases with rentals and selected purchases. 
Streaming services have boon in that regard, greatly increasing the 
exposure to other artists and genres at lower costs. Software is headed 
that same way, with SaaS licensing including that offered by VSI. Times 
and expectations and requirements vary over time, and lawns never 
remain mowed.

Oh, and management might not discuss some of what can happen here, too. 
Right up until work starts on a project to replace the hardware and/or 
software and/or product in your area of IT and quite possibly also 
replacing your current job. Best to be in on that earlier, rather than 
later. Lest the music stops sans chair.


-- 
Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC