Updates to the Community Program

[imiller]

https://vmssoftware.com/about/news/2024 ... se-update/
Big news about the hobbyist license program

[soutbarr]

I just got my acceptance to the Ambassador program as well. Considering my first time installing OpenVMS was a month ago, that's good, before the change to the CLP. Though I'm also doing their training courses to get myself more experience in it and add it to resume.

Give as much information as you can, what interests you, what you plan to do with it and how you could benefit them.

[malmberg]

What is going on with the ISV program?

My ISV License keys expire at the end of this month.

On my ISV portal page, I can not see any new ISV licenses for 2024.

[malmberg]

ISV renewal is in progress.

As I am new to the ISV (with out the support option), I am not sure if I should have known to reapply on the ISV web page.

[raymii]

Personally, I just wish there was a simple way to click and buy a commercial license without talking to anyone. I mean, there would probably be some sobbing when the credit card bill is due, but it's 2024 and we should be able to buy enterprise software at 3am.

I emailed them a while ago regarding a personal license, around a hundred dollars, and that was not something they weren't considering any time soon...

[snadow]

that was not something they weren't considering any time soon...

Double negative. Intentional? I don't know whether to be happy (personal license, hooray!) or sad (not going to happen.)

Scott

[willemgrooters]

(also posted in Community Program)

I reversed my domain-registers to my ISP so my email is handled at my ISP. Main reason is I have to do a lot of extra work on my mail frontend and the requirement to install and configure a mail client) in order to be able to receive mail from any sender, and send mail from to any receiver, which would take quite a lot of time. With the upcoming abandoning of the current licensing program in 2025, it means the requirement afterward to re-download and re-configure a fixed x86-64 version each year, taking time again that I want to spend on other things. To be able to maintain my Alphas and Itaniums , I would have to apply for ambassador, but I think I do not qualify in terms of knowledge, or have any (open source) software to maintain or develop, and there is no indication of what is required. Even after over 30 years of experience as a programmer and regular attendant to the once famous OpenVMS bootcamps in Nashua (and Boston for the last ones).

If it is the company policy to deny existing, loyal, long-time professional and private users access to the systems they run for years, because of it's quality in security and robustness, there is no alternative to drop OpenVMS. I will not use any second-grade operating system for the Internet to access.

[baron]

Fill out the form and give it a shot! The worst thing that can happen is they deny the application. Otherwise they'll accept you and you stay and help others in the community.

[pocketprobe]

Giving good bug reports, feedback, and participating in helping people on the forum would qualify you for the ambassador program.

[willemgrooters]

Don't get me wrong: I understand that as an ambassador you have to do something for VSI, in exchange for licenses for old, outdated hardware. Spent some of your own time to do some work to free developers and testers - as if you were on the VSI payroll. But read the document: The amount and quality of work are determined by VSI, and VSI alone can decide whether you have complied with VSI's requirements. The obligations can take a considerable amount of time, and there is no indication on how much time must be spent. Sometimes it's just a little, sometimes it could be days (for instance). And if VSI concludes you've done too little, or quality does not fit the standards, you lose your status.

I will give it a try, and see where it leads me to.