info-vax@ucbvax.ARPA (03/11/85)
From: MSEV%PHOBOS%phobos%deimos%hamlet.arpa@lbl.arpa >Mail to non-VMS machines is very important to many sites (ours >included). The many work-arounds in existence point out this need, >yet DEC provides *NO* support for this. If you don't use DECNET, >then you lose. I agree with Marty Sasaki. I would add that we are using those non-supported v4 VMS hooks on our local net and thence to the world. Speaking as a user (and representing what other users have told me), I have found the MAIL to off-net facilities very useful and convenient. Our users balk at having to learn more than one MAIL system. (There are at least 4 going on our campus!) So, I would suggest that the current hooks are adequate from a user's viewpoint, and should be supported (in some form) in future releases. As far as money goes, we are already paying for maintenance. Basic support for non-VMS mail should be treated as a normal upgrade. Martin Ewing Radio Astronomy, Caltech 818-356-4970 mse%hamlet @ LBL.ARPA mse@hamlet.bitnet