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

[Dave Froble]

On 11/1/2022 4:13 PM, David Goodwin wrote:
> 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.

We ain't talking about spur-of-the-moment purchasing.  A serious customer has no 
problem working with a vendor.

I'll agree that a bit more openness would be good.

> 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.

If you're using VMS in a serious manner, the cost of the OS and maintenance is 
way down your list of priorities.

> 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.

Well, it sure doesn't run the "stuff" my customer(s) need.  They have been 
looking.  It ain't there.

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

Good question ...


-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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