HPE OpenVMS Hobbyist license program is closing

[John H. Reinhardt]

On 3/10/2020 8:48 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
> On 3/10/20 2:31 AM, Dave Wade via cctalk wrote:
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Rod Smallwood
>>> via cctalk
>>> Sent: 10 March 2020 04:14
>>> To: Fred Cisin via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
>>> Subject: Re: HPE OpenVMS Hobbyist license program is closing
>>>
>>> On 10/03/2020 02:19, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Tue, 10 Mar 2020, Doug Jackson via cctalk wrote:
>>>>> So.
>>>>> At the end of the day there are three paths.
>>>>> 1.  Accept that HP doesn't give two hoots about hobbyists and patch
>>>>> the abandoned operating system to fix the problem.
>>>>> 2. Declare that we need to develop an open replacement.
>>>>> Or
>>>>> 3.  Accept that HP actually owns the rights to our VAX 11/785
>>>>> machines and arrange for them to be dropped off at their corporate
>>>>> headquarters because they can't do anything without software.
>>>>> Sigh...
>>>>
>>>> 4. Contemplate what would happen if dropped off from a considerable
>>>> altitude, . . .
>>>>
>>>> It is discouraging that they have the power, and legal rights, to do
>>>> what they like, but don't value the hobbyist market enough to try to
>>>> help.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Like all large US corporations they are dollar driven
>>>
>>
>> I noticed that. I wonder how they would feel if I were to take my VAX to MakeFests with a notice on saying how much they want for a licence to actually load software and demo an antique machine....
>
> They would not care and it would have no effect on their bottom
> line so why should they?
>
> bill
>
>
It would be bad PR.  But it's still unlikely they would care as the people who attend Makerfests aren't usually the ones that sign the contracts.

-- 
John H. Reinhardt