Al Kossow wrote:
It sounds like Zane (maybe Tim Shoppa) have been in
contact with them recently, so there is no need for yet
another set of people to be involved.
If "Recently" is "2000", then yes, I worked extensively with
Mentec to make three sets of hobbyist CD's (RT-11, RSX-11,
RSTS/E) using my archives and their archives to get bootable
kits for emulators.
As I understand it, they have no interest in offering
a
low cost license no matter how many people ask about it.
Internally, there was interest, and I discussed it with several
at Mentec in the 1996-2001 timeframe as I worked with them
on other projects, and it got as far
as them having a web page with pictures of the CD's I made
for them. But no, not all the legal barriers were jumped, so
it never really happened.
I don't think anyone truly understands the legal barriers
that Mentec faces. They do not own all the stuff free and
clear to do with as they wish. In the late 90's, they could
not sell a copy of any PDP-11 OS unless they also sold
DEC's printed manuals with it, and they were having extreme
troubles getting DEC's printed manuals from DEC's print
shop.
The folks in Mentec who were most enthusiastic about it
were really nice, energetic people.
I don't have any sore feelings about the work I did back
then (I had a blast) but I don't have as much interest in
the subject as I did ten years ago. Being out at the CHM
last year rekindled it a little... but there's no shortage of
truly redistributable and very-few-condition other stuff
that I'm worrying about now.
Tim.