I am a newcomer to the world of OpenVMS and VAXes and also a curious hobbyist who likes to try different computer architectures and OSes.
I own at the moment a AlphaStation 255, which I managed salvage from the garbage bin of my University , in full operating condition. At the moment Tru64 Unix is installed on the Alpha.
I thought about running OpenVMS as server for 24/7, just for fun. I could do it on AlphaStation but I don't really want to pay any extra for electricity at the moment and listen any additonal computer noice. So running a emulator on my Linux 24/7 server is a feasible option.
FreeAXP seems to be awesome but it doensn't support *nix platforms. SIMH works well too and has multiplatform support but only implementation of the VAX.
I assume that no more updates or even security patches are released for VAX OpenVMS 7.3 version? What are the security risks of running it?
Depends what your system is connected to but if connect to the internet then a separate firewall is recommended as it stops a lot of nonsense and does not load your server while it does.
malmberg August 04 2022 No more VAX hobbyist licenses.
Community licenses for Alpha/IA64/X86_64 VMS Software Inc.
Commercial VMS software licenses for VAX available from HPE.
ozboomer July 20 2022 Just re-visiting.. No more hobbyist licenses? Is that from vmssoftware.com, no 'community' licenses?
valdirfranco July 01 2022 No more hobbyist license...sad
mister_wavey February 12 2022 I recall that the disks failed on the public access VMS systems that included Fafner
parwezw January 03 2022 Anyone know what happened to FAFNER.DYNDS.ORG?
I had a hobbyist account here but can longer access the site.
gtackett October 27 2021 Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax
gtackett October 27 2021 I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX.
Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.
MarkRLV September 17 2021 At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.
malmberg January 18 2021 New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE
dfilip January 16 2021 Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!
, in full operating condition. At the moment Tru64 Unix is installed on the Alpha.
