In this series we will follow various steps to download and install OpenVMS for hobbyist use. Perhaps suprisingly, OpenVMS is still prevalent in commercial environments. I have either used or witnessed it in 75% of my placements.
To download OpenVMS for hobbyist use we first need a user group registration. Fot the HP user group in the UK, this can cost over £100 per year. There is a user group that offers international and free membership, namely DECUServe. You will need to telnet to decus.org to register. Login as user registration (no password) and follow the prompts. Make a record of your assigned DECUServe Subscriber Number (starting with US). Eventually you will see the message %UAF-I-ADDMSG, user record successfully added, so now make a note of your username and one-time password.
Now you will need to login again. Do so with your personal username and one-time password. Set a new password and complete the configuration of your account. When done, you may wish to run notes to review topics of interest.
You now need to wait a week for your details to be sent to the OpenVMS Hobbyist site. In the meantime perhaps create a personal web page. In the next instalment we will register for licence codes and the software media.