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Converting SPSS v4.1 VAX VMS .sys files

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Matthew Maenner

Converting SPSS v4.1 VAX VMS .sys files

Our research group recently re-discovered two very old SPSS .sys files from
studies conducted 15 years ago. I am writing to ask for advice and/or help
on converting these files into a modern format.

Each .sys file is about 100 kB, and the files were created in SPSS v4.1 VMS VAX.

My understanding is that either SPSS for VAX v4.1 or SPSS v4 for Alpha VMS
could export the files into a .por file that can be read by SPSS for Windows.

Our IT person told me we have working Alpha hardware, but no SPSS software
or license key.

I'd really appreciate any advice or information about where to find SPSS
running on VAX or Alpha. I know this is something of a long shot, but we
think the data could be very helpful.

Sincerely,
Matt

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Bruce Weaver

Re: Converting SPSS v4.1 VAX VMS .sys files

Administrator

I can't help with the file conversion, unfortunately. But this strikes me as a good example of why one might consider keeping text file versions (e.g., .CSV) of any important data files that could be useful to someone in future.

Matthew Maenner wrote

Our research group recently re-discovered two very old SPSS .sys files from
studies conducted 15 years ago. I am writing to ask for advice and/or help
on converting these files into a modern format.

Each .sys file is about 100 kB, and the files were created in SPSS v4.1 VMS VAX.

My understanding is that either SPSS for VAX v4.1 or SPSS v4 for Alpha VMS
could export the files into a .por file that can be read by SPSS for Windows.

Our IT person told me we have working Alpha hardware, but no SPSS software
or license key.

I'd really appreciate any advice or information about where to find SPSS
running on VAX or Alpha. I know this is something of a long shot, but we
think the data could be very helpful.

Sincerely,
Matt

=====================
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[hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the
command. To leave the list, send the command
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For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command
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--
Bruce Weaver
bweaver@lakeheadu.ca
http://sites.google.com/a/lakeheadu.ca/bweaver/

"When all else fails, RTFM."

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Chris Muller

Re: Converting SPSS v4.1 VAX VMS .sys files

In reply to this post by Matthew Maenner

On Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:25:50 -0400, Matthew Maenner <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>Our research group recently re-discovered two very old SPSS .sys files
from
>studies conducted 15 years ago. I am writing to ask for advice and/or help
>on converting these files into a modern format.
>
>Each .sys file is about 100 kB, and the files were created in SPSS v4.1
VMS VAX.
>
>My understanding is that either SPSS for VAX v4.1 or SPSS v4 for Alpha VMS
>could export the files into a .por file that can be read by SPSS for
Windows.

>
>Our IT person told me we have working Alpha hardware, but no SPSS software
>or license key.
>
>I'd really appreciate any advice or information about where to find SPSS
>running on VAX or Alpha. I know this is something of a long shot, but we
>think the data could be very helpful.
>
>Sincerely,
>Matt
>
>=====================
>To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to
>[hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the
>command. To leave the list, send the command
>SIGNOFF SPSSX-L
>For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command
>INFO REFCARD

Are the files on tape? If on disk, could you send me a copy? Either way,
I'd be happy to have a look. I'm familiar with VMS backup tape format, and
I've recently converted some even older mainframe SPSS files. (I know the
big/little endian issues etc.) But maybe I can make some sense of the
files without a big deal. Happy to do a free look-see.

regards, Chris
www.mullermedia.com

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