16 Apr
2001
16 Apr
'01
12:40 p.m.
Is this a duplicate message? I sent it at 16:04:04 - 04:00 (EDT) just over 92 minutes
ago! Either <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> did not receive it or (more likely) my ISP
did not send it! Or my ISP lost the reply! The test message I sent at 17:12:55 took
about 20 minutes round trip - not too bad, but since it has been over an hour and
a half for this message, here it is again! I suspect the most likely possibility is
that the original was lost since I have received many e-mails from classiccmp today!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of all the individuals of whom I am aware of that are still interested in any aspect
of RT-11, about half subscribe to this list. Since this is still essentially a private
as
opposed to a public list (such as a news group), I would like some help plus an
opinion on whether or not anyone would still be interested in an RT-11 News Letter?
Also, should Mentec be approached to possibly support, provide a forum or
at the very least provide its blessing?
Obviously, I could just send a brief request via this list along with the
"alt.sys.pdp11",
and "vmsnet.pdp-11" news groups before I even contacted Mentec to find out if
enough people are interested. But if some suggestions and feedback are useful prior
to that inquiry, then Mentec might be more receptive.
Note that the News Letter could be for both hobby and commercial users. Topics
could be Y2K compliance for the hobby V5.03 as well as bug fixes for current
V5.07 and enhancements for all versions.
DEC used to publish an RT-11 status document each month, but there are obviously
no funds as well as no need at this point due to the internet making distribution costs
zero. However, I suspect there are not many more years left before interest may
dip below a self-sustaining level. Consequently, it might be helpful to find someone
who will attempt to assist new converts as well as helping with bugs and enhancements.
I know that some interest remains in RT-11 and I would like to pass on my information
so that it can be preserved.
By the way, has anyone heard anything more about the hobby license issues for all
PDP-11 software from Mentec along with anything specific about RT-11?
I would appreciate any and all comments along with suggestions on how to proceed
with getting Mentec involved (Is that a plus or a minus?) although at this point I feel
the chances are very low and I would be more than satisfied if Mentec was just neutral.
Sincerely yours,
Jerome Fine
16 Apr
16 Apr
1:09 p.m.
I saw this one Jerome... at 14:54PDT (GMT-7:00hrs)
I don't think Mentec is in a very good place. On the one hand they have
declining revenues from RT-11 and RSX-11M (and perhaps even the 11 clones)
and on the other hand they have a bunch of folks who would like to be
hobbyists using these systems.
I can sympathize with their plight as a business. Unfortunately I believe
they are now caught in a "death spiral." Given their condition, I offer the
following predictions:
1) There will never be a Hobbyist license for RT-11 or RSX-11
Their words not withstanding, in "death spiral" mode they can
only support things that provide _direct_ revenue. Things like
a Hobbyist program or newsletter are indirect at best.
2) There will never be an unencumbered PDP-11 implementation
At some point in the future Mentec will consist of some papers of
incorporation, a box of preprinted cease-and-desist letters, and a lawyer.
These papers and letters will sit in a drawer of a file cabinet. Whenever
something related to RT-11, RSX-11, or PDP-11s happens visibly, the lawyer
will fire off a letter threatening suit and that activity will stop (or
perhaps generate a bit of revenue). I know a couple of corporations that
have made it to this state and unfortunately there is no way to "fix" them,
except by paying said lawyer an immense amount of money and then releasing
the intellectual property yourself.
Sad really,
--Chuck
At 05:40 PM 4/16/2001 -0400, you wrote:
Is this a duplicate message? I sent it at 16:04:04 -
04:00 (EDT) just
over 92 minutes
ago! Either <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> did not receive it or (more
likely) my ISP
17 Apr
17 Apr
5:08 a.m.
At 03:09 PM 4/16/01 -0700, Chuck McManis wrote:
Whenever something related to RT-11, RSX-11, or PDP-11s
happens visibly, the lawyer will fire off a letter threatening suit and that activity will
stop (or perhaps generate a bit of revenue). I know a couple of corporations that have
made it to this state and unfortunately there is no way to "fix" them, except by
paying said lawyer an immense amount of money and then releasing the intellectual property
yourself.
That's where the UCSD p-System is today. UCSD made a number of non-exclusive
licenses to companies over the years, but almost all of them have
disappeared or this asset has been disregarded. One, Cabot in the UK,
http://www.cabot.co.uk/ has a p-System-based approach for set-top boxes
that they introduced when Java hit the scene. They were pitching
the p-System's p-codes as an alternative to Java.
On a more classic note, I just received an e-mail from a guy who says
that every Lenscrafter store runs an RS/6000 with a p-System app
derived from an Apple IIe app he wrote back in 1987, but it will
soon be replaced with a Delphi equivalent on PCs.
- John
16 Apr
16 Apr
1:43 p.m.
Quoting Jerome Fine <jhfine(a)idirect.com>om>:
Also, should Mentec be approached to possibly support,
provide a
forum or at the very least provide its blessing?
By the way, has anyone heard anything more about the hobby license
issues for all PDP-11 software from Mentec along with anything
specific about RT-11?
I haven't messed with RT-11 (yet), but I would support any effort to
get Mentec's "blessing" for hobby use. You can add my name to the
list of interested persons.
--
Jeffrey S. Sharp
jss(a)ou.edu
8478
days inactive
8479
days old
3 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
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cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com -
jfoust＠threedee.com -
jhfine＠idirect.com -
jss＠ou.edu