OpenVMS training material

[freemason]

I'm new to VMS and there just isn't much out there in trying to learn this OS. since this is more of a hobby than a career I'm not in the position financially to spend thousands of dollars on traing.

Therefore hoping not to be out of line here but if anyone has study material for say OpenVMS fundamentals I would be interested in obtaining that material.

[Steven Schweda]

Are you simply a user, or do you have a
hobbyist system to manage, too? Or are you
interested more in its internals and its
implementation? VMS is a big topic.

Have you looked at the links in the FAQ?

http://hp.com/go/openvms/faq

[...]

3.6.1 Tutorial Websites?

Various websites with OpenVMS information are
available; Table 3-2 contains some suggested URLs.

[...]

[freemason]

I am in IT but more on the windows side. My focus is HP SAN storage.
I've had an interest in VMS for some time. At home I got an alpha workstation on ebay and have a hobby license.

However, in reviewing some of the training material from HP's site, I figured someone out there ought to have some books left over from some training. I'll even trade some storage ASE training material for some VMS fundamentals.

[Robert Gezelter]

Tino,

The documentation set for OpenVMS is quite well written. It can be accessed via the OpenVMS www site at http://www.hp.com/go/openvms

The OpenVMS documentation set is complete, for many subjects, there is far less impetus for writing books than there is in other operating systems.

- Bob Gezelter, http://www.rlgsc.com

[Ian Miller.]

See
http://www.openvms.org/pages.php?page=Beginner

and

http://www.openvms.org/pages.php?page=Books

for some suggested links. Learning by doing - start a project like a web site or database.

[dentistcorn]

sorry guys, but these sites and books are worthless. I can't make heads or tails of the directory structure less make a website or database.

no wonder this OS is dying.. no one can explain the darn thing.

I can't believe not one person out there has any training manuals..

[Steven Schweda]

> I can't believe not one person out there
> has any training manuals..

Who would wish to supply them to someone who,
given sufficient pointers, "can't make heads
or tails of the directory structure"? What
makes you think that you could do better with
"training manuals", rather than with, say, a
brain transplant?

HELP HINTS is also popular, but probably
wouldn't help you.

[Thomas Ritter]

LOL

[Brian Reiter]

Try getting a look at "Getting Started with OpenVMS" by Michael Duffy. Its quite good for getting the Windows only folks up and running.

[Robert Gezelter]

dentistcom,

What about the directory structure is not clear?

- Bob Gezelter, http://www.rlgsc.com

[Peter Zeiszler]

When I was first starting the very first thing I learned was to use HELP. It very intuitive and easy to follow for MOST subjects. This is the very most helpful help environment I have ever ran across.

There were a couple old books I used (these are the same as the documentation thats online but the online stuff is for the current versions of VMS). "VMS systems manager's manual" (AA-LA00A-TE) and "VMS User's Manual" (AA-LA98B-TE). I liked the physical books so I could put tabs and notes in there.

There was another book I had for awhile which was "VMS for Unix Users". That one gave me a good cross reference so if I knew the unix command I could find the VMS command. I also got a cross reference email from a friend and I added to it. It pretty much was just a list of VMS and Unix commands that were cross referenced with the other platform.

The other tool that is very useful is right here, The Forums. You will get a ton of responses for the different questions.

If you are really getting into the VMS you might look around for your local DECUS. That is the old DEC users groups.

[Mobeen_1]

Freemason,
All jokes apart, i would suggest that you get hold of a book called "OpenVMS for Dummies" and that should give you the information you are looking for and get you started.

rgds
Mobeen

[Robert Atkinson]

Freemason, Parsec ( http://www.parsec.com/OpenVMS/ ) seem to be one of the better companies in the States for OpenVMS training - coming from the UK, I can't qualify this.

They also offer some free WebSeminars, which you could use to throw more general questions at them.

Rob.

[Colin Butcher]

HP do offer training courses where you will get materials. They're OK, but (in my view) no substitute for learning by experience. Find a mentor if you can. Join the User Group and get hobbyist licences, go to seminars and events, get hold of a basic system and experiment a little, remember that HELP is probably the most useful comamnd you need to know about.

The OpenVMS manual set is extremely comprehensive. Get a copy on CD, or visit the HP OpenVMS web site (www.hp.com/go/openvms/documentation). Start with things like the System Manager's manual and the User's Manual.

Where to start depends on what aspects of the OS you're interested in - management, installation , programming, ...?

There are quite a few books too, many of them published by Digital Press - all the way from things like the "OpenVMS Systems Management Guide" through to "OpenVMS Internals and Data Structures".

You're unlikely to find the HP training materials on the web as they will be covered by all sorts of Ts & Cs because you only get those by paying for training. You may not agree with or like that approach, but that's how it is.

You will also find a lot of general information on the web (much of it contributed by people active in this forum), although you'll have to work at it to piece it all together.

You might also find the FAQ and "Wizard" sections of the HP OpenVMS web site useful once you've got started.

As an initial overview, you might find this useful: http://downloads.xdelta.co.uk/computerweekly%202004/vms%20article%20for%20cw%20as%20published%2013jul2004.pdf

You might also find some of the slide sets and links here useful: http://www.hpug.xdelta.co.uk

There is a lot of information available, but you will have to make some effort.

Another good source is DSPP (www.hp.com/go/dspp) if you are working as a company - that can get you licences and media kits.

Hope that helps,
Cheers, Colin.

[comarow]

Greetings:

There were some old but good books. I suggest you find Terry Shannon's book
Introduction to VAX/VMS. It does not
assume a technical background.

On Froogle I see the book listed for under
$3. While OpenVMS has added many new features, this book is a simple way to learn the basics.

Back in the 80s I taught courses for Digital Equipment Corporation. Similar courses are taught by Bruden and other corporations.

As far as VMS dieing, far from it. If one
needs reliability, it just can't be beat.