unix in the real world (long, sorry)

[Doug Gwyn <gwyn>]

There are a couple of factors to take under consideration
when comparing number of VMS sites vs. number of UNIX
sites (VAX sites only).

One factor is, many VAX UNIX sites license a binary VMS
just so they can run diagnostics, install microcode
patches, or other things better done under VMS.  The
last place I worked got a VMS license for these very
reasons.  So, if one takes the total number of VAXes
and subtracts the total number of VMS licenses, he will
severely underestimate the number of UNIX VAXes.  I
don't know of any other way to determine this number..
(A few years ago, I heard estimates as high as 50%!)

Another factor is, many places bought other vendors'
equipment to run UNIX rather than DEC's, because DEC
has not been cost-effective in the last several years
(this situation might be better with the recent VAX
products).  Obviously, places that are locked into
VMS have no choice but to expand by buying more VAXes
running VMS; UNIX users are in a much better position.

I don't think that the "VMS vs. UNIX" question is
a very useful one.