VMS distribution?

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Mon Feb 9 12:17:43 1998

At 10:15 AM 2/9/98 -0600, you wrote:
>allisonp_at_world.std.com (Allison J Parent) wrote:
>><If only there was a mechanism to persuade companies to allow such hobby
>><use of archaic software.
>>
>>OpenVMS archaic? It's a current product and definatly a high end OS
>>and it includs DECnet networking.
>
>Heaven forbid I ever insult anyone's choice of OS. :-) The gist of my
>comments still stands, and I think it's highly appropriate to this
>list: without an established mechanism for the preservation of the
>rights of old software, or some process of stewardship of archaic
>software, computer collectors are often violating the copyrights
>of others.
>
>Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net> wrote:
>>If you have the original disk then that is normally considered proof
>>that you have a legal copy of the software.
>
>I can argue with that. What about upgrades? If bought XYZ v1.0,
>then paid a special price to upgrade to v2.0, I don't have two copies.

   You should have two copies. one V 1 and one V 2. Most upgrades require
that you have an operating copy of the prior version already installed
before they will install. If they don't then they're not upgrades, they're
a complete package of a latter version. If it is a complete package of a
latter version then you're free to do whatever you like with the old
version. (That's not entirely true, it depends on what you *agree* to when
you bought the package. And shrink wrapped "agreements" don't count).

>Technically, the company doesn't allow you to resell v1.0 as its
>own package.

  True. But who would want to buy it anyway? So it's a mote point.

 It's true of many of today's packages, and I'm sure
>it's true of any old mainframe/mini OS license, too.
>
>- John

   You're trying to read too much into this. I never said the having one
copy of disks allowed you to have all the upgrades or newer versions. If
you have a set of original disks for XYZ v 1.0, then that is generally
considered proof of ownership of XYZ v 1.0 PERIOD.

  Joe
Received on Mon Feb 09 1998 - 12:17:43 GMT