28 Nov
2025
28 Nov
'25
1:32 a.m.
On 28/11/2025 04:10, Chris Hanson via cctalk wrote:
On Nov 27, 2025, at 9:45 AM, Peter Ekstrom via
cctalk<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Ok, so there basically isn't a truly legit
and ethical way to run it as a
hobbyist.
There is not a legal way to run it unless you acquired a perpetual license to run
it on that system before DEC/Compaq/HP stopped selling such licenses.
Whether it is *moral* or *ethical* to run it is independent of whether it is *legal* to
run it, and a poor analogy such as one likening running it to stealing a car will not help
much in making up your own mind about such things.
— Chris
I worked for DEC for 10 years. They were the best
company I ever worked for or with
They were altruistic, kind and generous. They loaned out hardware and
software all the time.
I am English and to an extent therefore somewhat can claim to have
an indpendant view.
Here I will make a non-detrimental comment.
The US is dollar driven and uses its laws for business advantage
when it can.
The most famous British judge Lord Denning always said.
"This is not a court of law but a place of justice, fairness and
truth"
DEC has (sadly) been gone for 25 years.
So running old VMS versions on old VAX systems for non-profit
personal interest should be fair use.
Rod Smallwood