Community X86: Where is the VMDK?

[snadow]

I can't believe that I'm asking this, but searching this forum and scouring all of my past emails from vmssoftware.com has come up empty. Somehow I must have missed something that's very VERY obvious but maybe I simply have an excessively high level of hemoglobin in my caffeine system. That's an attempt at humor.

From the 25-Mar-2024 announcement of changes to the community program:

A vmdk of a system disk with OpenVMS V9.2-2 and compilers installed and licensed will be provided, along with instructions to create a virtual machine and the SYSTEM password.

How do I get the vmdk file, now that my access to the portal seems to have been disabled as of 1-Apr-2024? (I can login, but the Packages screen says "No packages to show") Previously, I downloaded the V9.2-2 kit and compilers and all of that worked fine, but of course all the PAKs expired yesterday.

Scott

[joukj]

You are not the only one!!!!!

[soutbarr]

Did you two get the Your Community License Package as a subject email? If you enable remote content it definitely shows a blue button to download the zip.

[snadow]

Did you two get the Your Community License Package as a subject email?

I have not received any such email. Checked my spam filter too.

[pocketprobe]

As I understand it, you have to reapply.

[snadow]

As I understand it, you have to reapply.

While nothing surprises me anymore, that certainly seems counter-intuitive to VSI's stated desire to not have to devote so many resources to administering the community licensing program. I still have the email that VSI sent to me 365 days ago, "Subject: x86 Community License Program Announcement", that gave me portal access with directions on how to login and access links to "instructional videos" that provided further details on how to download the software.

I would rather not re-apply for the Community License program if I don't have to. I realize it's a very short form but getting back into a lengthy queue and waiting weeks or months for someone to decide that I'm truly not going to start running a commercial enterprise with a community license... ugh. Perhaps if their short form had a checkbox that was labeled "I already had access before the April 2024 program revisions" I'd do it.

[pocketprobe]

This is the same VSI that gave instructions on the forum how to sneak in early, and then booted out everyone who did after they were flooded. Perhaps with better organization and planning after seeing that surge they could have been less overwhelmed with the whole project.

[soutbarr]

I got my e-mail and didn't have to re-apply.

[reinhardtjh]

I got my email early Monday morning (US CDT). I did reapply Sunday evening just in case but I don't know if that had anything to do with it for sure. Probably not based on soutbarr's post.

I would hope that sending the email out to previous holders of the x86 CL should go quickly as if they sent it out once then there should be no need for the weeks of vetting previously done. I guess they have their reasons but it's sure not clear to the general peons.

[mister.moderator]

This week already we have processed over 1000 applications to get access to the community instance of x86 OpenVMS for the VMDK. This included some old applications as well so please check your inboxes and spam folders. If you have not received one yet and have only just applied then please be patient as we will get to you and thankfully the process is a lot faster than it once was.