[Info-vax] The real problem that needs solving to grow VMS

[David Goodwin]

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 8:30:18 AM UTC+13, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 11/1/2022 6:16 AM, David Goodwin wrote:
> > On Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 1:59:20 PM UTC+13, Arne Vajhøj wrote: 
> >> Until VMS will get on the short list then it is not an option. 
> >> 
> >> If VMS makes it to the short list then I am not so worried 
> >> about the picking phase. 
> >> 
> >> Sure it would be a problem if the goal was to make it 
> >> VMS-Linux 50%-50%. Convincing 50% of the decision makes 
> >> to pick VMS would not be easy. 
> >> 
> >> But if the goal is the more realistic VMS-Linux 1%-99%, 
> >> then it is a lot easier. Some decision makers will be 
> >> willing to look at less common alternatives. Some 
> >> decision makers will have had a recent bad experience 
> >> with Linux. 
> > 
> > Even if the software was available on OpenVMS, why would you 
> > choose it over Linux? Why subject your business to the high licensing 
> > costs, yearly license renewals, and difficulty of finding skilled staff? 
> > All to run software that was probably ported from Linux anyway? What 
> > is the actual selling point of OpenVMS to potential customers?
> If gratis is the goal, then VMS is not the answer. 
> 
> But there are still companies willing to pay.
> > And probably the reason why there is no software for OpenVMS is that 
> > it's too obscure, almost certainly because of it's licensing situation. Until 
> > its cheap and easy to license like its competitors, I don't really see it 
> > having any chance.
> I am not aware of buying VMS licenses should not be easy. You 
> contact VSI, you pay and you get your license. Anyone have had 
> problems? 
> 
> Some may think the price is too high. But heck I also think that 
> Ferrari's are too expensive as I can't afford one, but that is life. 

I don't have to contact Microsoft to buy windows licenses - I can do it all
online with my credit card. I don't even *have* to buy a linux license - I
can just download the ISO. Even something as obscure and niche as OS/2 
I can just buy online from the Arca Noae online store. The prices are all 
right there in the open.

What does OpenVMS cost? I really have no idea - I'd have to email
someone. And is the cost going to be the same as what everyone else
is paying or am I going to be charged extra because I'm not a big
customer? I'll likely never know.

OpenVMS is competing with Linux which is pretty much the default 
choice for everyone who isn't so heavily invested in Microsoft stuff 
they can't move, has huge network effects working in its favor, already
runs all the stuff you want and almost certainly runs it better than any
other platform, and has a fully functional 100% free tier that allows
commercial use if you're on a tight budget.

Given the odds are so heavily stacked against OpenVMS, why is VSI
putting up roadblocks?