1 INFO-VAX	Sun, 26 Mar 2006	Volume 2006 : Issue 170       Contents:0 Re: "Threads are crap in inner-mode!" - Discuss. Re: EFN$C_ENF Chalk or Cheese? Re: F$FAO (!%D)  Re: HP Support moving offshore?  Re: Intel to sell itanium? Re: old uVAX needs a home  Re: old uVAX needs a home  Re: old uVAX needs a home = Re: Opinion: I see my future without VMS and I don't like it. $ Re: Reading COMP.OS.VMS with browser Re: RMS With C++ Re: RMS With C++- Re: strange behaviour: toasted network cards? G Re: The Minimum You Need to Know to Be an OpenVMS Application Developer G Re: The Minimum You Need to Know to Be an OpenVMS Application Developer / Re: VMS Securing Delivery - Just Ask The Vendor / Re: VMS Securing Delivery - Just Ask The Vendor $ Re: Where do DSA devices come from ?  F ----------------------------------------------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 02:31:25 -0500 - From: JF Mezei <jfmezei.spamnot@teksavvy.com> 9 Subject: Re: "Threads are crap in inner-mode!" - Discuss. , Message-ID: <4426434C.D3E20CD6@teksavvy.com>   Dave Froble wrote:I > Before we get carried away with all the multiple tasks hype, do keep in G > mind that a CPU at best runs one process.  Everything is searialized.   F But with threads, it allows your code to be structured to ignore this.7 And it can make for some better structure of flow/code.   E > In my limited usage of ASTs, my basic concept is that an AST simply H > reports something, such as completion of I/O, and such.  I leave it toI > the application to check such flags and perform the required tasks in a + > manner defined by the application design.   E Yep. But that comes back to a single "mainline task" handling all the ? requests. If the mainline is busy in a large loop searching for G something, the flags may be set very quickly, but the mainline won't be H getting to it until the bug loop has completed and the mainline is again+ readyto chcek for flags that have been set.     G For short transactional stuff, ASTs are *GREAT*.  You can easily handle A multiple simultaneous connection contexts with each AST having as P argument a pointer to the structure containing the full context of a connection.  B But for interactive GUI stuff, threads provide great capabilities.F Consider a browser that is able to render multiple windows at the sameD time, and rendering each window rtequire multiple TCP connections to, fetch content. Threads make it much simpler.   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 18:54:18 +0800 3 From: "Richard Maher" <maher_rj@hotspamnotmail.com> ' Subject: Re: EFN$C_ENF Chalk or Cheese? 1 Message-ID: <e05rrr$ou8$1@news-02.connect.com.au>    Hi Ian,   F > If you think of EFN$C_ENF as a magic event flag local to each kernel > thread does that help?  ) That's the position I've started from :-)   F > $SYNCH is a bit more complicated that waiting for an event flag in aB > loop. Go read the sources (if you have access). There is special& > handing for event flags 128 and 129.  J Oh great, another one to the (source) list. You couldn't just come out andD tell me could ya? Apart from being a lazy git, they make you produceJ something in the office over here and I'm also just finishing a reasonablyK big change to hotTIP so, for the time being, I'm happy to wander around not L knowing if she was really cut in half or if there were two people in the boxH all along. (Either way as long as my pool get's cleaned and my metaphors# don't get too mixed up, I'm happy.)    Cheers Richard Maher  K PS. And while we're on the subject, why is the blow up whale always looking  at you?   + "Ian Miller" <ijm@uk2.net> wrote in message = news:1143362752.893056.120870@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... F > If you think of EFN$C_ENF as a magic event flag local to each kernel > thread does that help? > F > $SYNCH is a bit more complicated that waiting for an event flag in aB > loop. Go read the sources (if you have access). There is special& > handing for event flags 128 and 129. >    ------------------------------    Date: 26 Mar 2006 06:13:37 -0600? From: burley.not-this@encompasserve-or-this.org (Graham Burley)  Subject: Re: F$FAO (!%D)3 Message-ID: <Kp7EorK5GMFM@eisner.encompasserve.org>   L In article <4424B4F1.9050705@triumf.ca>, Fred Bach <music@triumf.ca> writes:   >    **** ALMOST CORRECT ***** > P >    This correctly gives 2010-12-31 as week 53 in year 2010.  The DECW calendarK >    shows the following day as belonging to that same week, in other words K >    2011-01-01 is in week 53 of Year 2010, but the above DCL routine shows 1 >    2011-01-01 as being in week 52 of year 2010.   H Eh? My DECW$CALENDAR shows 31-Dec-2010 & 01-Jan-2011 as week 52 of 2010.  H >    The above routine is actually one of the best, shortest I have everM >    encountered to get this job done.   I used to give this assignment to my M >    university coop students every year for the last decade or so.  I've got G >    stuff that's 600 lines long.  And basically none of it worked 100% # >    correctly or 100% or reliably.   + Since your collecting them here's my entry:   2 $!WEEK_NUM.COM - find the week of year for date P1 $ week_number == -1  $ year_number == -1 $ $ d = f$cvtime(P1,"ABSOLUTE","DATE")J $ w = f$locate(f$extract(0,2,f$cvtime(d,,"WEEKDAY")),"--MoTuWeThFrSaSu")/27 $ a = f$fao("!AS!#AS!SL-",d,(4 - w) .ge. 0,"+",(4 - w)) # $ n = f$cvtime(a,"ABSOLUTE","DATE")  $ y = f$cvtime(n,,"YEAR") F $ x = ((((('f$cvtime(n,,"MONTH")'-1)*31)+'f$cvtime(n,,"DAY")')/7)*7)+7; $ if (f$cvtime("''n'-''x'-",,"WEEKDAY") .nes. "Thursday") - > 	.or. (f$cvtime("''n'-''x'-",,"YEAR") .ges. y) then $exit %x2c $ADJUST:+ $ if f$cvtime("''n'-''x'-",,"YEAR") .nes. y  $ then	x = x - 7
 $	goto ADJUST  $ endif  $ week_number == (x / 7) + 1 $ year_number == 'y' $ exit   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 02:34:59 -0500 - From: JF Mezei <jfmezei.spamnot@teksavvy.com> ( Subject: Re: HP Support moving offshore?, Message-ID: <44264421.5D6FCE4E@teksavvy.com>   Dave Froble wrote:E > You're both forgetting something.  HP doesn't just print the money.   2 Nop, they sell the ink used to print the money :-)  I > They have to get customers to give them money.  This is usually done by 9 > providing a service the customer is willing to pay for.   F It is still not clear whether HP under Hurd intends to really leverageE its proprietary enterprise systems or whether it simply wants to move G customers to windows/linux in the long term. Under Carly, this question E owas often asked. Under Hurd, the question may not be asked as often, E but there still hasn't been a clear statement that HP has dropped any " plans to get rid of those systems.   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 16:50:42 +0200 + From: Karsten Nyblad <nospam@nospam.nospam> # Subject: Re: Intel to sell itanium? = Message-ID: <4426aa38$0$67264$157c6196@dreader2.cybercity.dk>    JF Mezei wrote: I > The big question is how quickly Sun will want AMD to produce 8086s that J > can totally replace SPARC.  Sun still has SPARCS coming out with FujitsuJ > so it may not want AMD to progress too quickly with the 8086. If that isC > true, then Intel will also delay the scaling of the 8086 to fully L > replace IA64 and give IA64 a couple more years of artificial life support.  G Sun is not such a big AMD customer that it can tell AMD not to produce  G some chips.  Right now AMD has problems meeting demand, and I think no   customer can tell AMD anything.   H AMD's life depends on having products that can compete with Intel's x86 I products.  In fact AMD has had problems making money each time they have  I had no product capable of competing in the high end where price does not  F matter that much.  Currently AMD are were competitive in the 4 socket G market and in the gaming machine market, and they are not going to let  $ that advantage slip without a fight.   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:25:01 +0200 4 From: Mike Rechtman <michael.rechtman.nospam@hp.com>" Subject: Re: old uVAX needs a home& Message-ID: <4426962D.5EC47742@hp.com>   William wrote: > I > We have some old uVAXen that have an appointment with a trash compactor F > unless someone can come and take them.  Today is March 23, 2006, andE > the uVAXen have only a few days left.  The address is Nazareth, PA, A > 18064.  Call 610-746-7426 and ask for William or Frank or write  > williambader@hotmail.com	 > William   D When I saw "Nazareth" my little heart went pitter-pat (just kidding)1 The only Nazareth I can get to is the original...    Mike --  E --------------------------------------------------------------------- E Usual disclaimer: All opinions are mine alone, perhaps not even that. ? Mike Rechtman                            *rechtman@tzora.co.il* F Kibbutz Tzor'a.                          Voice (home): 972-2-9908337  B   "20% of a job takes 80% of the time, the rest takes another 80%"E ---------------------------------------------------------------------  -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----  Version: 3.1: GCM/CS d(-)pu s:+>:- a++ C++ U-- L-- W++ N++ K? w--- V+++$6 PS+ PE-- t 5? X- tv-- b+ DI+ D-- G e++ h--- r+++ y+++@ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------    ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 16:14:38 +0200 ) From: "gl@decadence.it" <gl@decadence.it> " Subject: Re: old uVAX needs a home9 Message-ID: <pan.2006.03.26.14.14.38.451522@decadence.it>   B Il Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:16:22 -0500, Richard B. Gilbert ha scritto:G > Some of them are still desirable machines either as museum pieces or  < > working machines.  Others probably belong in the dumpster.   Hello :)  , *ANY* VAX is still a desiderable machine! :)  = I cannot believe that nobody have picked up the babies yet... 1 What a shame! Please don't take them to the dump!    ciao!  gl   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:16:53 -0500 3 From: "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> " Subject: Re: old uVAX needs a home: Message-ID: <yeWdnQQQaPAYUbvZnZ2dnUVZ_s6dnZ2d@comcast.com>   gl@decadence.it wrote:  D > Il Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:16:22 -0500, Richard B. Gilbert ha scritto: > G >>Some of them are still desirable machines either as museum pieces or  < >>working machines.  Others probably belong in the dumpster. >  > 
 > Hello :) > . > *ANY* VAX is still a desiderable machine! :)  G ANY????   I wouldn't have a MicroVAX 2000, even as a door stop!  Nor a  B MicroVAX I.  Many of those early machines are of interest only to   museums and maybe not even that.  G The VAX was a programmer's dream but it was a nightmare in silicon.  I  C still have a VAXstation 4000/VLC and a MicroVAX 3100 but I haven't  E booted either of them in years.  My Alpha's are so much faster. . . .    ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 07:27:04 -0500 ' From: John Sauter <J_Sauter@Empire.Net> F Subject: Re: Opinion: I see my future without VMS and I don't like it.8 Message-ID: <bv1d22lgpju8abfckkt1bt4v7mhpblf9ic@4ax.com>  F >If I were in your place (and it's always a possibility), and my taxesF >and bills were not too onerous, I'd probably settle for anything thatA >would keep me working until I was eligible to get my full Social H >Security benefit (assuming the system can still afford me) and I'd just
 >wait it out.  >  >YMMV, of course...   = You are absolutely right, and I would have no problem working A a "retirement" job for the next 10 years.  Does anybody who reads ? this newsgroup have a need for a Software Engineer whose skills ? are 10 years out of date, within commuting distance of southern  New Hamsphire?%     John Sauter (J_Sauter@Empire.Net)    ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 04:09:26 -0500 / From: "Randal T. Rioux" <randy@procyonlabs.com> - Subject: Re: Reading COMP.OS.VMS with browser . Message-ID: <44265A46.4010408@procyonlabs.com>  " -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: RIPEMD160    Tom Linden wrote: ? > Have been using Opera for about 8 years first on Alpha NT but C > now on W2K for a number of years.  Upgraded today from 7. to 8.53 I > and discovered some untoward changes.  Messages from all the newsgroups F > to which I subscribed are now aggregated in same (UNREAD) window andJ > this is unacceptable.  Under prior version you selected the newsgroup toF > read.  Now it could be that i haven't found the right formula, but I > don't think so.  > 2 > Any recommendation for a browser for newsreader?  G I've noticed that happen when upgrading other news readers too. It just $ went away after a while. Rather odd.  C Anyway, I love using my Thunderbird client (convenient, email too).    - -- Randal T. Rioux | Procyon Labs IT Security R&D and Consulting Virtual: www.procyonlabs.com Physical: DC / Baltimore7 PGP: gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys 0xD08D1941      -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- ! Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) B Comment: Using GnuPG with Thunderbird - http://enigmail.mozdev.org  @ iD8DBQFEJlpGRrGMQdCNGUERA71RAKCdkJhtWkv0WauEwY9DEdDgQ+J5HQCeMKNG LZgEpaR2t4Lb5OQMOWJeiWY= =btmG  -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- . *** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***X *** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***   ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 04:33:44 -0500 ' From: Dave Froble <davef@tsoft-inc.com>  Subject: Re: RMS With C++ 9 Message-ID: <ptKdnXLPR4bCwrvZnZ2dnUVZ_tidnZ2d@libcom.com>    Dillon Amburgey wrote: > Hello everyone, F > I am a OpenVMS newbie, and I like the OS very much. I have a limitedH > knowledge of BASIC, so I would like to be able to write programs usingI > RMS with C++. The problem is that I cannot seem to find any information I > about this on Google, and I am not actually sure that this is possible.   > Could anyone offer any advice? > Thank you, > Dillon Amburgey  >   F Don't know much about C and C++.  Don't know how much RMS support, if A any, is implemented in the language.  I'm pretty sure C uses RMS.   @ If C++ doesn't use RMS, then you can still (I'd guess) call RMS I directly.  You could write wrapper routines to use RMS.  Lots of options.    --  4 David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-04504 Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      Fax: 724-529-0596> DFE Ultralights, Inc.              E-Mail: davef@tsoft-inc.com 170 Grimplin Road  Vanderbilt, PA  15486    ------------------------------  % Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 15:03:38 +0200 4 From: Mike Rechtman <michael.rechtman.nospam@hp.com> Subject: Re: RMS With C++ & Message-ID: <4426AD4A.35091353@hp.com>   Dillon Amburgey wrote: >  > Hello everyone, F > I am a OpenVMS newbie, and I like the OS very much. I have a limitedH > knowledge of BASIC, so I would like to be able to write programs usingI > RMS with C++. The problem is that I cannot seem to find any information I > about this on Google, and I am not actually sure that this is possible.   > Could anyone offer any advice? > Thank you, > Dillon Amburgey    Quoting from a different reply: 
 -start quote- F There is nothing special in C++ about RMS, what you need is an example in C.   B I suggest, you check out section 2 Using OpenVMS Record Management6 Services in Compaq C User's Guide for OpenVMS Systems. -end quote-   D OTOH, RMS fits in very naturally in BASIC, and even more so in COBOL   --  E --------------------------------------------------------------------- E Usual disclaimer: All opinions are mine alone, perhaps not even that. ? Mike Rechtman                            *rechtman@tzora.co.il* F Kibbutz Tzor'a.                          Voice (home): 972-2-9908337  B   "20% of a job takes 80% of the time, the rest takes another 80%"E ---------------------------------------------------------------------  -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----  Version: 3.1: GCM/CS d(-)pu s:+>:- a++ C++ U-- L-- W++ N++ K? w--- V+++$6 PS+ PE-- t 5? X- tv-- b+ DI+ D-- G e++ h--- r+++ y+++@ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------    ------------------------------  + Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:07:00 +0000 (UTC) P From: helbig@astro.multiCLOTHESvax.de (Phillip Helbig---remove CLOTHES to reply)6 Subject: Re: strange behaviour: toasted network cards?$ Message-ID: <e05ljk$ne0$1@online.de>  F In article <gebVf.7784$qX6.287656@news20.bellglobal.com>, "Neil Rieck" <n.rieck@sympatico.ca> writes:    L > The following network problem just happened to me and was caused by cheap J > network hardware. After a power surge, I started to notice poor network N > performance (but no OpenVMS crash). My problem was traced to an old LinkSys N > Router (BEFSR41 ver-1) which we were using as an inexpensive alternative to H > the CISCO PIX firewall. A Google search revealed a known power supply L > problem in the 16-LED version of this product. See the following link for  > pictures. % > http://www.dondoucette.com/befsr41/ K > I opened my unit and noticed the primary filter capacitor was bulged out  M > more than the pictures in the link above. Note that "Ver-1" (16-LED) units  E > have a 16v filter capacitor while "Ver-3" (6-LED) units have a 25v  F > capacitor. We've only got one bad unit out of many so don't get the / > impression that I'm against LinkSys products.   G Actually, I am using this router.  I'm not sure if it was also affected G by the power outage (it is in another room).  It certainly has survived H power outages in the past, and in general I've been quite happy with it.E (I especially like the fact that lynx -dump can extract the WAN email D address.  This lets me update the DNS for the dynamic IP via a batchE job.  Many more "modern" routers are accessible only via javascript.)    ------------------------------    Date: 25 Mar 2006 23:17:04 -0800' From: "toby" <toby@telegraphics.com.au> P Subject: Re: The Minimum You Need to Know to Be an OpenVMS Application DeveloperB Message-ID: <1143357424.896766.67830@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>   Larry Kilgallen wrote:^ > In article <e04igp.7l.1@usenet.bachner.priv.at>, Hans Bachner <Hans@Bachner.priv.at> writes:0 > > Christopher Browne <cbbrowne@acm.org> wrote: > > 
 > > <snip>E > >> I have a hard time fathoming how MySQL would be of interest on a G > >> platform that has a full-fledged ISAM system, RMS, *built into the F > >> operating system*, but I suppose there are all types out there... > > M > > I agree that I wouldn't use MySQL to develop a new application on OpenVMS M > > for various reasons, but if there is an application which already runs on L > > various platforms (usually Windows, Linux and/or other Unix flavours) itB > > can easily be used on OpenVMS as well. And there are plenty of@ > > tools/goodies/utilities out there which fit into this frame. > N > Perhaps there should be some Logo of honor "Developed Specifically for VMS".   "Proudly Nonportable"? Hmmm...   ------------------------------    Date: 26 Mar 2006 12:50:45 +01006 From: peter@langstoeger.at (Peter 'EPLAN' LANGSTOEGER)P Subject: Re: The Minimum You Need to Know to Be an OpenVMS Application Developer, Message-ID: <44268e25$1@news.langstoeger.at>  y In article <44259B90.3D9C9338@NeOaSrPtAhMlNiOnWk.net>, "David J. Dachtera" <djesys.nospam@NeOaSrPtAhMlNiOnWk.net> writes:  >Neil Rieck wrote:	 >> [snip] G >> 4. A very rational engineer at HP once told me some folks in OpenVMS L >> engineering are convinced that the first 4 letters of "comp.os.vms" stand >> for COMPLAIN.  ( Almost. C.O.V. means COMPLAIN ON VENDOR.$ And I think we have all reason to...   --   Peter "EPLAN" LANGSTOEGER % Network and OpenVMS system specialist  E-mail  peter@langstoeger.atF A-1030 VIENNA  AUSTRIA              I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist   ------------------------------   Date: 26 Mar 2006 15:05:35 GMT( From: bill@cs.uofs.edu (Bill Gunshannon)8 Subject: Re: VMS Securing Delivery - Just Ask The Vendor+ Message-ID: <48notvFl52kqU1@individual.net>   / In article <gKqdnQHG4pW8rLvZRVn-jw@libcom.com>, * 	Dave Froble <davef@tsoft-inc.com> writes: > Richard B. Gilbert wrote:  >> Bill Gunshannon wrote:  >>  E >>> Is it just me or do others find this much more annoying than Dave   >>> announcing the new VMS book? >>>  >>> bill >>> F >>> In article <1143306121.062542.79000@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,C >>>     "d_gillbilly@hotmail.com" <d_gillbilly@hotmail.com> writes:  >>>  >>>> Just ask the questions! >>>> >>>> Mr Vendor,  >>>>6 >>>> I know business is important, but so is my house. >>>>
 >> <big snip>  >>  I >> It's MORE annoying because it's not clear, to me anyway, what all the   >> drum beating is about.  >>   > H > His VMS work is going away.  It's an initial reaction to pain.  He'll " > get over it, the rest of us did. > E > How can it be 'more' annoying than something that was not annoying?  >  > Bill gave us a false delima.  E Don't get me wrong, I most certainly did not find Dave's announcement H annoying.  But it elicited at least one complainer and yet this repeatedH (numerous times!) meaningless rant seems to be accepted without comment.E I guess c.o.v people are just a lot more tolerant than linux weenies.    bill      --  J Bill Gunshannon          |  de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n.  Three wolvesD bill@cs.scranton.edu     |  and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton   |A Scranton, Pennsylvania   |         #include <std.disclaimer.h>       ------------------------------   Date: 26 Mar 2006 15:07:26 GMT( From: bill@cs.uofs.edu (Bill Gunshannon)8 Subject: Re: VMS Securing Delivery - Just Ask The Vendor+ Message-ID: <48np1eFl52kqU2@individual.net>   / In article <gKqdnQbG4pUGrbvZRVn-jw@libcom.com>, * 	Dave Froble <davef@tsoft-inc.com> writes: > Bill Gunshannon wrote:D >> Is it just me or do others find this much more annoying than Dave >> announcing the new VMS book?  > 0 > Dave announcing the new book was not annoying. > / > Acquire some tolerance, the guy is suffering.   B And what?  Misery loves company?  Once would have been enough, butC after about the fifth time it was rather tiresome.  Especially when * it is, once again, preaching to the choir.   bill      --  J Bill Gunshannon          |  de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n.  Three wolvesD bill@cs.scranton.edu     |  and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton   |A Scranton, Pennsylvania   |         #include <std.disclaimer.h>       ------------------------------  + Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:14:17 +0000 (UTC) P From: helbig@astro.multiCLOTHESvax.de (Phillip Helbig---remove CLOTHES to reply)- Subject: Re: Where do DSA devices come from ? $ Message-ID: <e05m19$ne0$3@online.de>  @ In article <4425A4D8.B1773398@NeOaSrPtAhMlNiOnWk.net>, "David J.9 Dachtera" <djesys.nospam@NeOaSrPtAhMlNiOnWk.net> writes:    F > Since the dawn of port-ALLOCLASS, and the fact the DG(A) devices areI > always ALLOCLASS 1, I keep hoping that this will someday get fixed. The J > node itself does not need a non-zero ALLOCLASS, except that HBVS demands > it.   G I was really confused about this at first, especially since allocation  H classes are often used when one has dual-ported disks, but HBVS removes D much of the need for dual-ported disks.  It turns out that the only E reason this is required is to allow the name to fit in a fixed-width   field.   ------------------------------   End of INFO-VAX 2006.170 ************************