[Info-vax] VMS Software Releases Roadmap Updates

[Dave Froble]

On 9/28/2021 1:50 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 9/27/2021 9:42 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>> On 9/27/2021 9:00 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>> On 9/27/2021 8:26 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>>> On 9/27/21 2:08 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>> (Dave Turner - maybe start advertising a prepacked Itanium with
>>>>> cross compilers bundle)
>>>>>
>>>>> Way too much for a hobbyist but should not be a problem for
>>>>> commercial context.
>>>>
>>>> If I was a CEO and my CIO came to me with a scheme like that he
>>>> would be looking for a new job.
>>>
>>> Maybe. But it would be pretty silly.
>>>
>>> You have one or more inhouse applications on VMS
>>> or you are an ISV selling a VMS application. You spend
>>> between a few hundreds of thousands per yer up to
>>> a few dozens of millions per year on that/those
>>> applications. And you are not willing to spend
>>> 5000 to get 6-15 months head start on porting
>>> to the new VMS platform.
>>>
>>> That does not make any sense. There can be other
>>> valid reasons not to do it. Like no need/demand
>>> or wanting to see the production platform before
>>> committing to port. But the money in itself should
>>> not be an issue.
>>
>> I don't think it was the money.  Bill is a bit old fashioned, like me,
>> and just feels the build tools should be native.
>
> OK. Maybe that is the case.
>
> But the CIO should not be fired for not sharing such semi-religious
> beliefs.
>
> This is a business decision. What makes most sense for
> the business. If it makes sense to get a version of the
> application out quickly (and that is frequently a goal
> in business) then cross compilers are how to do it.
>
> Everybody want the native compilers for VMS and they will
> show up. It just takes some time. More time than what we
> prefer, but life is tough.
>
> And look at it like this. VSI need cross compilers to
> build VMS and the VMS compilers for x86-64 for obvious
> reasons. They have made these compilers available to get
> everybody started porting early. And I believe everybody
> agrees that is much better than to have everybody outside
> VSI wait for native compilers. Including those that may decide
> to wait for valid business reasons (demand).
>
> Arne
>
>

Today is not the computer world I grew up in.

You may note that I mentioned that I understand Bill, but didn't say I 
agreed with him.  Many things (including itanics) can be picked up 
rather cheaply these days.  If some entity needs something, such as 
cross compilers on itanic, the cost of entry just isn't that much anymore,.

Do what you gotta do, if you gotta do it.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486