[Info-vax] VSI OpenVMS Community License

[Chris Townley]

On 26/03/2024 20:24, Dave Froble wrote:
> 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 ...
> 
> :-)
> 

I might try to bring back to life my old firms development Vax and 
Alpha. Some perpetual licenses there, albeit slow.

-- 
Chris