OpenVMS 9.2 for x86 will be released tomorrow (2022-07-14), so exciting!

On July 8th, a few days ago, I saw the following post on the VMS Software Inc (VSI) blog, titled 'Release of OpenVMS V9.2 for x86 Scheduled for July 14, 2022'. That is tomorrow! I'm so excited, I can't wait to start playing around with it. This short post goes over the announcement and the status of the community license, and hopes to make you just as enthusiastic as I am for the coming release!

You can read all my OpenVMS articles here.

I'm developing a desktop monitoring app, Leaf Node Monitoring, open source, but paid. For Windows, Linux & Android, go check it out.

Consider sponsoring me on Github. It means the world to me if you show your appreciation and you'll help pay the server costs.

You can also sponsor me by getting a Digital Ocean VPS. With this referral link you'll get $100 credit for 60 days.

Release announcement for tomorrow

The full message, quoted from the blog:

We are getting really close to the first production release of OpenVMS for v86, V9.2. Below is the most recent state of the release.

The candidate build and some layered products are in final stages of testing. The V9.2 kit will include a native MACRO compiler and cross tools with updated MACRO and BLISS compilers. The native C++ compiler is in early Field Test with updates planned as problem reports are resolved. OpenSSH and DECnetPlus will be integrated in the V9.2 installation.

V9.2 documentation including release notes, Installation Guide, Cross Tools Guide, Boot Manager Guide, and Calling Standard, Debugger and Linker manuals, is ready and will be available to everyone on the day of the release. The V9.2 kit, open source, and layered products will be distributed to customers through the Service Portal, similar to the field test versions. The current E9.2 field test is still in progress and will close on September 30.

x86 hobbyist / community license

On the forum VSI has stated that there will be a community license for the x86 version:

OpenVMS for x86 will not be available for community use before V9.2 is released which is currently planned for April. As soon as it is made available through the Community License Program, we will make a separate announcement on our website...

And since the release of v9.2 is tomorrow, I hope there will be news on the community license for x86 soon. The webpage for requesting such a hobbyist / community license already has a (disabled) checkbox for x86:

When the release is made available to the community, I'll be sure to post about it as well, including, hopefully, some neat screenshots.