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Subj: VAST Initiative
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Subject: VAST Initiative
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Date: 17 Mar 92 16:01:34 GMT
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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
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* Computerized Processes Unlimited ! FAX: (504)-889-2799 *
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