[Info-vax] VSI OpenVMS Community License

[Dave Froble]

On 3/26/2024 4:01 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 3/26/2024 10:26 AM, Chris Townley wrote:
>> Just received 2 mails from VSI
>>
>> End of Alpha and I64 community licenses
>>
>> Looks like a more restricted X86 - WE can download a pre-built and licensed
>> VMDK with a few LP, including compilers
>>
>> Or there is an Ambassador program
>>
>> Not sure what to think yet...
>
> (warning: this is going to be a long rant)
>
> First announcement link:
>    https://vmssoftware.com/about/news/2024-03-25-community-license-update/
>
> The changes seems to be:
> * student license program is dropped
> * community license program is changed
>   - not available for Alpha and Itanium, only available for x86-64
>   - not available as license+kit, only available as preinstalled disk image
> * new VMS ambassador license
>   - with obligations to contribute
>   - license for all 3 platforms
>   - license+kit model
>
> Reasons given are to solve problems:
> * too much work managing licenses
> * too little contribution back
>
> I don't think the changes will solve the problems.
>
> It is obvious that VSI has been struggling with the community licenses,
> but VSI will still have to do commercial licenses, ISV licenses and
> the new VMS ambassador licenses. If that process is not automated, then
> it will stille be hassle.
>
> And I suspect that the change will reduce community contributions not
> increase them.
>
> In reality the changes could also be described differently:
> * student license is being renamed to community license and
>   platform upgraded from Alpha to x86-64
> * community license is being renamed to VMS ambassador license
>   and with a specific requirement for contributions
>
> But the student license was never popular as far as I can tell
> and the VMS ambassador requirements will scare people.
>
> So my best guess is that if we look at 1000 communityt license users,
> then we will see:
>
> 25 that has been contributing and will switch to VMS ambassador license
> 25 that has been contributing but will drop out because VMS ambassador license
> is not for them
> 400 that has been running VMS on Alpha and will drop out
> 100 that are oldtimers interested in VMS on x86-64 and will switch to the new
> community license
> 200 that are oldtimers interested in VMS on x86-64 and will drop out because
> they don't like images
> 250 that are newcomers interested in VMS x86-64 and will switch to the new
> community license
>
> or:
>
> 25 VMS ambassador licenses
> 350 new community license
> 625 drop outs
>
> with:
>
> 50% reduction in contributors
> no change in number of newcomers needing a lot of handhelding with basics
>
> But I could be wrong, but that is what I predict.
>
> And that is pretty bad!!!!
>
> Arne

Yeah, not what I feel is in any way positive.

What?  Everyone thought VSI was going to be another DEC?

David has some things to be thankful for ...

Perpetual VAX license running on a VAXstation 4000 model 90A
Perpetual Alpha license running VMS V8.3 on an AlphaServer 800
Perpetual itanic license running on the boat anchor (not powered up for at least 
a year)

No longer doing software work ...

:-)

-- 
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