From: AITGW::"MACRO32@WKUVX1.BITNET" 19-MAR-1992 12:26:15.31 To: CC: Subj: VAST Initiative Received: by AITGW.DECnet (utk-mail11 v1.5) ; Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:25:25 EST Received: from ukcc.uky.edu by aitgw.ge.com (5.65/GE Gateway 1.5) id AA14213; Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:25:18 -0500 Received: from ukcc.uky.edu by UKCC.uky.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 7375; Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:12:42 EST Received: from UKCC by ukcc.uky.edu (Mailer R2.08) with BSMTP id 9547; Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:12:19 EST Received: from WKUVX1.BITNET by ukcc.uky.edu (Mailer R2.08) with BSMTP id 9459; Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:10:32 EST Errors-To: MacroMan@WKUVX1.BITNET X-Listname: "VMS Internals, MACRO, and BLISS Discussions" Received: from CUNYVM.BITNET (MAILER) by WKUVX1 (MX V3.0A) with BSMTP; Thu, 19 Mar 1992 09:31:28 CST Received: from CUNYVM by CUNYVM.BITNET (Mailer R2.08) with BSMTP id 5220; Thu, 19 Mar 92 10:12:47 EST Received: from MVB.SAIC.COM by CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Thu, 19 Mar 92 10:12:34 EST From: Reply-To: MACRO32@WKUVX1.BITNET X-Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.org.decus,vmsnet.internals Subject: VAST Initiative Message-Id: <1992Mar17.160134.14597@cpu.com> Date: 17 Mar 92 16:01:34 GMT Organization: Computerized Processes Unlimited Inc. Lines: 205 Xref: network.ucsd.edu comp.sys.dec:1280 comp.org.decus:200 vmsnet.internals:329 X-Gateway-Source-Info: USENET Apparently-To: THE VAST INITIATIVE What is VAST? VAST stands for VAX to Alpha Systems Transition, and is an initiative started by the VAX Systems Special Interest Group (SIG) of the DECUS U.S. Chapter in an effort to coordinate the introduction of Alpha-related materials into DECUS affairs. The VAST initiative was created at the Spring 1991 VAX Systems SIG Executive Committee meeting in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The SIG recognized that the Alpha project would have a significant impact on many DECUS members and wanted to be able to deal with the planned product introduction, a mere 18 months away, in a realistic and professional way. In an informal sense, the Initiative began several years earlier with a number of confidential focus group discussions arranged by the VAX Systems SIG Executive Committee. These discussions included a number of knowledgeable DECUS members, the Alpha architects, and the VMS design team. The issues discussed at these meetings addressed various technical points, including the potential impacts that various design alternatives might have on user applications. These discussions progressed over a period of 18 months. Alpha was designed with this input, and as time progressed the questions posed to the DECUS members changed as a result of earlier discussions. The goals set for the VAST Initiative are straightforward: o To identify the Alpha information needs of the DECUS community and to find sources for that information. o To provide a mechanism by which Alpha-related material can be injected into the DECUS environment in a natural way so that established DECUS procedures can take over. o To coordinate the introduction of that material across as many existing DECUS facilities as possible including: a variety of SIGs, National Seminars and Symposia Programs, Regional Conferences, Local Users Group (LUG) meetings, the DECUS Newsletter, and the DECUS software library. From the beginning it was recognized that VAST would be a facilitation agency through which Alpha-related activities could be coordinated with the appropriate DECUS operational units, and that as these units established relationships with their own Digital counterparts to deal with Alpha-related issues, VAST would become unnecessary. Already, the VAST planning group involves active participation from the VAX Systems, UNISIG (UNIX-related), Data Management Systems, Technology, Hardware and Engineering, and the Languages and Tools SIGs. Additionally, international DECUS colleagues have been included in all discussions and the impacts of that pre-planning has been evident throughout DECUS world-wide. The first mission was to develop a strategic plan, which was accomplished at the Spring '91 Symposium in Atlanta. The plan called for a three-stage effort: Fall '91: Focus on RISC technology and what the implications of that technology are. Spring '92: Add to that base, as-specific-as-possible information about the Alpha-based systems and technology. Fall '92: Build on the base established and add even more and greater detailed information. Beyond the Fall '92 Symposium time frame, it is expected that VAST activities will be de-emphasized, and that established DECUS processes will take over. There will still be some facilitation of services relating to Alpha, but most services will fall in the domain of one or more established DECUS units. The plans of the VAST Initiative are right on track. To date, VAST has been able to accomplish, without failure, each goal and EVERY strategy identified. This success is attributed to the hard work, superb cooperation, and commitment of many DECUS members and Digital Counterparts. VAST Initiative Objectives For The Spring 1992 Seminars And Symposium Programs o A 32-session program at the Spring Symposium in Atlanta - This offering spans six SIGs including: Data Management Systems; Graphics Applications; Languages and Tools; Technology, Hardware, and Engineering; UNISIG; and VAX Systems. The SIGs and their Digital partners have coordinated and integrated this effort to make Alpha-related information available to the Society's members at this symposium. o A start to our seminar program - In cooperation with the DECUS Seminars Committee and the VAX Systems and Servers group within Digital, VAST is presenting a full one-day seminar on porting applications from VAX to Alpha hardware. There will also be a seminar offered by a DECUS volunteer. o A continuance of the VAST session notes program - Every attempt will be made to incorporate all Alpha-related sessions in this booklet. As was the case during the Fall 1991 Symposium, Digital will be spearheading this project so that the very latest information available can be incorporated into the session notes. o A continuance of the VAST audio tape package - Due to the number of sessions, it is anticipated that this package will be partitioned into several subsets. o Video taping of symposium sessions as feasible - The results of this video taping effort will be made available to the DECUS LUG organization and Regional Conferences to support their programs in whatever manner they feel appropriate. o An active program for providing a list of VMS and Alpha knowledgeable speakers to LUG chairs - The logistics are being developed so that LUG chairs may find speakers who are local to their areas. o To continue the effort to port important DECUS library programs to the Alpha environment so that they will be available with the first systems availability. o To develop and support DECUServe and other Internet access to information sources regarding Alpha systems. o To continue our active program of focus group discussions of specific issues with Digital. This is an ambitious program which is being accomplished by individual groups, supported through the resources of the VAST Executive Committee. The Spring 1992 Symposium effort is based on a firm foundation of accomplishments which were made in the Fall of 1991. Over ten Alpha sessions were presented during the Fall 1991 Symposium which included a well-subscribed audio tape and session notes program. Plans for the Fall 1992 Symposium are equally ambitious and will include even more symposium and seminar offerings. It is foreseen that the Fall 1992 effort will be the last of the Initiative, which will be retired as established DECUS processes take over. Participating in this process has been a great sources of satisfaction to all those involved. The group has accomplished many things which are unique to DECUS, and have found ways to change the traditional ways of doing things. Digital Counterparts who have been involved in this effort have reported that, "The VAST Initiative has become a model within Digital for how DECUS and Digital can work cooperatively and really affect major Digital decisions in a positive manner". History Of The VAST Initiative The foundation for VAST rests on an unusually open and sharing relationship between the VAX Systems SIG and its Digital Counterparts. The Digital Counterparts have felt free to trust DECUS with some of the most confidential information available about Alppha at a time when the issue had not been publicly discussed. The early technical focus group discussions between Digital and DECUS members were organized by the VAX Systems SIG Executive Committee. The DECUS participants were selected because of their knowledge of VMS and their ability to represent the effects that potential changes would have on user applications and programs. The specific VAST Initiative was conceived, and its initial goals were identified, at a VAX SIG Executive Committee meeting. There were six SIG counterparts participating in the creation of this Initiative. At the end of that meeting several members of the SIG Executive Committee met with Bill Demmer, Digital's vice president for the VAX Systems and Servers group, who solidified and increased the Digital support for this Initiative. Goals were refined, and other SIGs and international DECUS colleagues were brought into the process during the spring of 1991. This culminated in several meetings during the Spring 1991 Symposium in Atlanta. Digital members of the Alpha Program Office were present at these meetings, in addition to the DECUS volunteers and SIG Counterparts. A number of very open conversations resulted in a strategic plan and enthusiastic support of the process from a wide base of Digital colleagues. This preliminary planning found its first fulfillment at a summer scheduling meeting of the Symposia Committee where over ten sessions, spanning three SIGs, were organized for the Fall 1991 symposium. Immediately subsequent to this scheduling meeting, the VAST Executive Committee, their Digital Counterparts and others from the VAX Systems and Servers Group met at Digital. Further commitments were made at this meeting and the design of the session note and audio tape programs was finalized. In the fall, Digital made the commitment to offer OSF/1 on the initial Alpha systems along with VMS. At that time contact was made with the Chapter's UNISIG, which led to the addition of the UNISIG chair to the administrative VAST Executive Committee. This was to insure the coordination of strategies and efforts with respect to Alpha. Plans for the expanded offering of sessions at the Spring 1992 Symposium were developed during the Fall 1991 Symposium. A total of four DECUS SIGs were involved in developing the spring program. The Fall 1992 Symposium is expected to be the last cycle where the VAST Initiative will play a significant role. After this cycle, it is expected that most Alpha-related issues will be handled through the normal DECUS processes, since by then the industry will be dealing with products rather than plans. The VAST Initiative will continue to facilitate some of the new services which have been developed as part of this program until they find their way into established DECUS processes. This message posted for: murphypa@decus.org For more information please contact murphypa@decus.org ========================================================================== * Gerald W. Lester ! Voice: (504)-889-2784 * * Computerized Processes Unlimited ! FAX: (504)-889-2799 * * 4200 S. I-10 Service Road, Suite #205 ! E-Mail: LESTER@decus.org * * Metairie, LA 70001 ! 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