MicroVAX-II was the first “real” computer I ever used, professionally. It started me down the VMS road in the late 1980s. I didn’t pick up the One True Religion of Unix until 1998.
Finally had to take VMS (and COBOL) off my resume about 15 years ago to stop all the calls from desperate headhunters trying to keep ancient systems on life support.
I miss Byte magazine so much. Now you’ve made me sad. I hope you’re happy! (jk)