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| Date: | Fri, 11 Sep 1998 16:17:53 EST |
| From: | SBT Information Systems <sbtaus@ibm.net > |
| Reply-To: | |
| To: | 32bits@sbt.net.au |
| Subject: | OS/2 News, Views and PRs 1-11-97 |
OS/2 News, Views and PRs 1-11-97
Index (partial)
Warpstock
SmartSuite
AIDS scare
Migration headaches
Microsoft sues Bandai
fixes out
new releases
WarpFM hilights
WallStreetJournal Java letter
Will Zachmann on OS/2
Mike Lawrie at the Mike
Mike Lawrie at POSSI
Workspace On-Demand ITSO Workshop
and more
Thanks for all the signatures on the card !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I did get the message. I printed it out and brought it to Warpstock with me
-- and we all gave you folks a loud cheer at the party on Saturday night.
--Esther
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until Kevin & Rod get back, we won't hear the full story, meanwhile:
John J. Urbaniak
Well, Warpstock 97 is over and it was GREAT!
I was amazed at the attendance. We came expecting a handful of OS/2
diehards, but I bet there were almost 400 folks who showed up. I am so
grateful to all who came. It was a wonderful experience meeting face-to-face
people whom I've spoken to on-line.
It was heartening to see so many OS/2 users and Vendors smiling and hugging
each other. Not much room for doom and gloom there.
I'm happy to say that when we tallied up our sales reciepts for "Object REXX
by Example", "V Trex" and "Steve Barkto" buttons, and compared them to our
expenses, we actually made a profit, not a huge one, we won't be buying
Microsoft yet, but we did come out slightly ahead. Thanks to all who visited
our booth.
We are so positive that we are going right home and starting development on
more OS/2 products, games, speech apps and stuff that we can launch at
Warpstock 98.
Our thanks and gratitude to the Warpstock Committee and SCOUG. It was a very
well organized and well run event.
We never expected to do much business. I thought maybe 40 or so OS/2
diehards like me would show up. I just wanted to be there to show some kind
of solidarity with them.
We scrimped and saved for six months and did our best to wangle frequent
filer coupons for the airfare and the auto rental. And when we balanced out
at the end we actually made a few bucks. Again, my sincere thanks to
everyone who came and supported us and all of Warpstock.
I was so delighted with the sheer number of attendees. Does anyone have the
official count?
But more than that, it was the spirit. I expected doom and gloom, after all,
the press said that we were all going to "co-miserate." But no, it was
upbeat. People were smiling and hugging. The vendors I talked to were happy.
We're happy.
We came back very enthusiastic. We decided to:
- work on the next release of V Trex
- work on a new OS/2 game
- finish the GUI front end for our MIDI maker
- polish up and release 3 new OS/2 vertical business apps
all for Warpstock 98. We *can* do it.
John
(V Trex is voice front end for DB2)
Lars
I went to Warpstock. Wow, there are some other people that use and like
OS/2. I wasnt' the only OS/2 user in the room. It's the same feeling I got
when I went to my first OS/2 Users Group. Gee! (smile)
I was so nice to see the vendors. We need programs. We need good programs.
And they were right there, to hear what we had to say. Not just sell us
products. ( I already own most, anyway.)
The disappointing speaker was from Lotus. He couldn't answer questions. He
was embarrassed that Lotus' Smartsmart 97 is not going to be released in
1997. (And so he should have been.) And he didn't mention one wonder OS/2
feature that was going to be in the products. I wanted to scream-out, "Gee
what a fabulous OS/2 suite of programs, for about three years ago. Were were
you then, when I needed and wanted them ?" He was just worthless. I have
looked forward to OS/2's Approch for so long, I've grown numb.
There were "real pros", Larry Martin and Brad Wardell, who could not only
speak in front of people, but knew what they were talking about, and knew it
well ! They made it worth every penny. Some others weren't as comfortable in
front of any audience, but they did know what they were talking about.
I, of course, do wish that there had been some more vendors there, but what
else is new ? I always want more OS/2 vendors. Were was CDS (they make Back
Again/2) or Seagate (they make disk drives and two different OS/2 backup
programs). Were were the companies that pre-load OS/2 on their computers ?
And were the Hell was I-B-M ? They were only showing Workplace-on-Demand.
Most vendors didn't have their programs on display and/or didn't allow
consumers to try to use the programs. Backmaster I could play with, Object
Desktop I couldn't. Stardock mentioned all of their programs in their
literature, but only had one program on display. I've seen more computers
and computer display at other businss conventions/trade shows. Although the
portable computers all seemed to work very nicely, didn't any body want to
show their programs on display ? I would love to have seen the Golden
Compass and to have been able to play with it. Deskman was there, but nobody
could play with it. Vendors didn't trust us to use their computers. Very
strange.
The museum was really interesting for me. I found out how much I *did* know.
I'm surprise with myself. But, I really wanted to see the earlier versions
of OS/2 (1.0-1.3). I had no idea that OS/2 Version 1.3 was a complete
Windows 2.1 look-alike. I was only able to see the wonder of the WorkPlace
Shell, by seeing the earlier versions. And it was nice to verify that there
had been a version of Paradox for OS/2. Nobody every believes me. But, I
didn't get to see the Q&A that I've always wanted to see.
Thanks SCOUG, and all of your volunteers. It was wonderful.
for more Warpstock feedback, and some pictures, jump to;
www.warpstock.org
====================================================================
Not tonight, darling, I have a Migration Headache?
Aberdeen, a leading industry research firm, has released a case study
of a large enterprise customer attempting a platform migration from
OS/2 Warp to Microsoft NT. It documents Aberdeen's thorough
research of this firm over a period of time, along with detailed
comments from employees at the firm.
This enlighting case study document is available at
http://www.aberdeen.com/secure/onsite/case1/body.htm
(also see TALKBACK TO JESSE BERST further on)
====================================================================
But can you find one when you need one ?
if you go on IBM Web pages, there is a page that:
Save time and money by using the IBM Value Added Reseller
Directory to locate qualified resellers to help you select the right
IBM software solutions for your individual business needs.
after selecting:
country: Australia and
Operating Systems: OS/2,
it returned with:
"There are no matches to your current criteria.
Please try again and broaden your
search by selecting fewer options."
searching other countries did find resellers with OS/2 qualifications.
//FWIW, this 'search engine' has now been fixed - though we are NOT listed//
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mesa 2.2 PreRelease
J. Daniel Kulp 75052,1436
This is to let everyone know that Sundial Systems has just released a public
PreRelease (kind of like a beta/gamma release) of version 2.2 of Mesa 2 for
OS/2. Right now, you can only get it from their FTP server:
ftp.sundialsystems.com It is in the /PreRelease directory as mesa22pr.zip.
//for Oz/NZ users, you can also ftp to watermaid.dyndns.com and go to M
folder on Ted Romer's Watermaid server for a quicker local download, thanks,
Ted//
//and Mesa is only $A150 from SBT, Multitasking, Frankson, Sentience,
AmiSoft and all other OS/2 outlets//
The web site will be updated shortly with information about the prerelease
as well as instructions on how to fully enable the time-limited PreRelease
demo. (The programmers were ahead of the Web people) Keep an eye on
http://www.sundialsystems.com for more information.
This marks the first MAJOR upgrade to Mesa 2 in quite a while. In addition
to a new look, new features include: (but are certainly not limited to)
1) Smartfreeze - title locking 2) Variable zoom settings 3) Customizability:
Many UI elements in Mesa 2 are now customizable including: a) toolbars
b) menus
c) keyboard (accelerators)
d) default graph properties
e) default page settings for printing
f) SmartFill/NEXT table
g) Backup/Work/Template/AutoSave directories
h) and more.... 4) Autosave of files at timed increments 5) Smaller file
format 6) Built in file compression to make files even smaller 7) File
Template 8) Cell attachments/notes 9) Custom cell formatting 10) Many
printing enhancements:
a) full page print preview
b) center on page (horizontal and/or vertical)
c) scale to fit page (horizontal and/or vertical)
d) print just a graph
e) print entire workbook (all layers)
f) and more... 11) Global script file 12) Many new formula functions 13) The
number of MScript functions has doubled 14) REXX console window for standard
REXX I/O 15) Enhanced WPS integration:
a) Drag drop printing
b) 4 new WPS Palettes for setting patterns, line widths/styles, and graph
markers 16) Totally new graph engine - results in much better looking graphs
17) Import of Excel 5/95/97 files 18) Export to Delimited
Text/RTF/HTML/Bitmap/OS/2 Metafile 19) Rich text formatting in cells 20)
Movable and floatable toolbars 21) And MUCH MUCH more. Take a look at the
"What New" section of the online help for a complete list of new features.
All this, and it STILL can be installed from just 2 floppies!
If you have any questions, comments, problems, bug reports, etc..., please
send them to mesa@sundialsystems.com. Keep in mind that this is considered
PreRelease in nature so it may still contain bugs or other problems. We
would very much like to here about them so that we can get them fixed before
the final release.
One last comment: I'll be at Warpstock this weekend so I may not be able to
check for any messages in this forumn until Tuesday.
Thanks for your support and most importantly: thanks for using Mesa 2!
J. Daniel Kulp http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/dkulp
Certified OS/2 Engineer jdkulp@ibm.net Software Development Engineer
Sundial Systems Corporation
Mesa imports the following spreadsheet file formats:
Lotus 1-2-3(TM) wk1 wk3 wk4 format
Microsoft Excel(TM) v3.0 xls v4.0 xls v4.0 xlw bound workbook format
Microsoft Excel(TM) v5.0 xls 95 xls 97 xls workbook (files up to 7MB in size)
Corel Quatro Pro(TM) wb1 format
Mesa 2.1.x 2.0.x format
Mesa exports workbooks to the following spreadsheet formats:
Lotus 1-2-3(TM) wks wk1 (layer A only)
Lotus 1-2-3(TM) wk3 wk4
Microsoft Excel(TM) v3.0 v4.0 xls (layer A only)
Mesa 2.1.x format
=============================================================================
Harrison, New York, October 24, 1997 - InnoVal Systems Solutions
announces new releases of software.
InnoVal Systems Solutions announced today the availability of Post Road
Mailer 3.0 for OS/2 and NetExtra 2.0 for OS/2. In a letter to customers
InnoVal's president, Dan Porter, along the InnoVal OS/2 team, discussed
both products.
In commenting on NetExtra 2.0, the Porter writes, "This is a major
upgrade to, what has become, a wildly successful and best selling OS/2
product. You can visit any retail software outlet and find several
fast-selling browser add-ons for the Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator (for Windows 95), but you won't find any that match the power,
features, or usefulness of NetExtra for OS/2.
"NetExtra upgrade prices apply to prior releases of NetExtra, WebExtra,
and other native OS/2 browser add-on programs."
In commenting on the Post Road Mailer, the letter reads, "We are
particularly proud of this new release because it speaks to our ongoing
commitment to quality OS/2 software and the OS/2 user community. With a
new tool bar and several other usability enhancements, you won't want to
miss out on this new release.
"By upgrading to the newest release of the Post Road Mailer, you are
assured of remaining current with the all the latest improvements. To
help you protect your investment in OS/2 software we are offering a
$20.00 discount for the upcoming Post Road Mailer for Java
(approximately 40% off). This offer is automatically extended to
everyone who upgrades to, or orders release 3.0 of the Post Road Mailer.
Your release 3.0 license number will be your proof of purchase for the
discount."
Most resellers are offering electronic delivery through the Internet.
Street prices for electronic delivery of both products are estimated to
be about $A39 for the upgrade and $A59.00 for a new user license. The
suggested retail price (SRP) is $A79.95 for the new user license.
Porter's letter to customers concluded with a request for feedback. It
reads, "Two years ago we wrote to all of our customers and asked for
ideas on how to improve our business. We took to heart what you told us
and you can see the improvements. Again, we are seeking your input.
Tell us what you think."
Innoval at Warpstock will also be demonstrating some new Java technology that it will
be employing in its upcoming Post Road Mailer for Java. "We've all seen
Java applets in web pages," said Porter, "but few of us have seen
full-blown Java applications. At Warpstock, we will preview some of the
modules for our new mailer so that users can get a first hand look at
running application code. We will also demonstrate PRM3 the code name
for an upcoming release of our native OS/2 Post Road Mailer. PRM3 is
unique because it employs some optional Java-based features."
In addition to the Post Road Mailer and NetExtra, InnoVal produces
Hacksaw and Surf'nRexx for OS/2. InnoVal also specializes in custom
OS/2 client-server solutions using DB2 and OS/2- based front-end systems
to legacy mainframe systems.
If you bought PRM within last 3 month, contact Innoval for free upgrade,
otherwise, you can order upgrades directly through us.
=============================================================================
Solution Technology Releases Product Upgrades
Boca Raton, Florida Solution Technology developer of TWAIN for OS/2(SM),
BarCode Anywhere(TM), Genie (TM) Forms Processing, and Image Edition
(R) for OS/2 (SM) has released TWAIN 1.6 compliant upgrades to their
TWAIN for OS/2 (SM) Consumer Driver Pack, TWAIN for OS/2 (SM) ColorWorks
(R) Scanner Driver Plug-in, and Applause (TM) Image Utility. In addition,
"the Applause (TM) Image Utility has gone through a significant upgrade",
said Leon D. Zetekoff, Product Manager.
STi also has updated their web site (http://www.gate.net/~stidev) with
product upgrade and technical support request forms. Existing licensed
customers may take advantage of our online support mechanisms. Once we
receive your request, you will be validated against our registration
database.
STi is a major manufacturer of production level OS/2 and NT based image,
barcode, and forms processing technologies.
==================================================================
Armin Schwarz 73322,2045
*** Home Automation is now available for OS/2 ***
HOUSE/2 - Home Automation & Security for OS/2 using
the CM11A interface by X10 PowerHouse.
HOUSE/2 is an OS/2 Warp (version 3.0 and later) program to control the home
automation interface model CM11A made by X10 PowerHouse.
HOUSE/2 is similar to X10's ActiveHome and IBM's HomeDirector program.
With the CM11A and X10 modules you can inexpensively automate your home,
from turning on your lights and appliances automatically, to controlling
drapes and thermostats, to monitor events from motion sensors and input
modules. The CM11A connects to your computer's serial port and acts as a
timing device controlling modules. X10 Modules simply plug into your
existing house wiring and all transmissions between modules and the CM11A
interface occurs through the house wiring itself - no rewiring is necessary.
This could be the easiest and most fun home improvement project you will
ever undertake.
HOUSE/2 will let you program the CM11A interface, interactively turn modules
on/off and monitor X10 events right from your OS/2 desktop. You can use
voice commands to turn on your lights and appliances.
You can get infomation about HOUSE/2 and download HOUSE2.ZIP from the
"Warped Code Cellar" at:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/aschw
The HOUSE/2 program contains comprehensive information on home automation
with a number of references to web sites related to home automation and
security.
You are not running OS/2 WARP? See a screen shot of HOUSE/2 and download the
help file in text format to read the program's capabilities.
Visit this site today and get HOUSE/2. You can run this program and explore
its features without having to own or connect to a CM11A interface.
Armin Schwarz
ASchw@compuserve.com
//X10 products are available locally with 240V support//
> Has your program been tested with the (older) CM29?? controller?
My program is only designed for the CM11A, at least for right now. In order
to support other controllers, I would have to buy them to test the software
and to find some of the undocumented commands (or wrongly documented
commands).
There is an OS/2 program for the CP290 that was recently published. It's
Home/2 and I have seen it on hobbes.nmsu.edu
However, if you are thinking about purchasing one of these controllers, I
and real-use for X10:
As I recall, a computer department was generating a once-per-month report
Rather than leaving the printer idling for 30 days, the LAN administrator
In effect:
==========================================
I've been meaning to share this last week, but didn't get around to it until
In last Monday's (Oct. 13) Los Angeles Times (Orange County edition), on
What caught my eye was a web page screen shot of an East Coast preschool
Go to http://www.skc.com and click on "I See You!" for further details. (SKC
I don't know if the article appeared in the "main" L.A. Times (i.e. downtown
FWIW.....
* BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Virtual Private Networks must be in the top 3 of HOTTEST issues on the
Tunnel/2 is the first Internet tunnel product for OS/2. It adds extreme
The F/X tunnel technology has proven itself rock-solid in months of
A TOTALLY uncrippled two user version of the F/X Tunnel Technology
Product Information: http://www.fx.dk/tunnel.htm
* BACKGROUND
Ever use a dial-up Internet account to work at home, or on the road? Or
Corporations invest large sums in frame relay clouds and leased lines.
- Dial-up Internet is far from secure.
F/X Communications crafted a successful solution to all those hurdles with
* TUNNEL/2 TESTIMONIAL
"The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (SWP)is a geographically dispersed organ-
"The reduction in communications costs has provided our membership with
-Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (www.swp.com) is Canada's largest publicly traded
* FUTURE PLANS
Multiple platform support for Tunnel/2 and a landscape-like user
F/X will continue to work on InJoy and promise to further improve the
Another major F/X development project is an industrial strength PPP/SLIP
A powerful PM router with load-balancing over several phone lines (in
-- Bjarne Jensen
Pop the cork! The party's about to begin! And YOU are invited!
A toast to IBM's new WorkSpace On-Demand which can help customers cut costs.
Grab a napkin and put a pencil to it. And you can make plans for the next
Workspace On-Demand will begin shipping in Australia in December.
There are already three customers in Australia who are piloting this new
To learn more, you are invited to the WorkSpace On-Demand Technical Workshop.
Here are the details:
Agenda This 3-day workshop will help you learn how to plan for, install and
When to use WorkSpace On-Demand
Prerequisites: Be aware that this workshop assumes significant technical
Dec. 2-4 IBM Southgate South Melbourne
COURSE FEE: $A1,200
Pop over to the WorkSpace On-Demand web site to learn more
Ian Morphett, Workshop Class Manager, morphett@au1.ibm.com
New Version of PM Mail SouthSoft has released v1.95 of its popular PM Mail
DriveImage, one of PowerQuest's newest products, is now available.
New Performance Whitepapers Available from IBM!
PERFORMANCE TUNING TIPS FOR DOMINO GO WEBSERVER ON
WORKSPACE ON-DEMAND REMOTE IPL PERFORMANCE (Brissette)
FWIW, Fix pak 4 is now available at
Also noted at
Happy upgrading :-)
Justin Hurley
_________________________________________________________________________
MSR has recently released a patch for the latest version of BackMaster
Dudley Westlake
Java Expected to be Widely Adopted
A survey of more than 5,000 top software developers conducted by
What's Up: Outsourcing Lotus Notes on OS/2 Warp
What's up Information Management Ltd. of Unteraiching, Germany, an
Top management also felt OS/2 Warp was thei r only choice. CEO Klaus
IBM's Tivoli Systems and Unison Software Announce Definite Merger
New TCP/IP for OS/2 Warp: A Better NC Backbone
New TCP/IP for OS/2 Warp: A Better NC Backbone
With the October 8, 1997 announcement of TCP/IP Version 4.1 for OS/2
For more information on the TCP/IP 4.1 announcement, see the OS/2
Press Points
PC Week , Berst Mode column by Jesse Berst, September 29, 1997
Financial Time IT Supplement, Mission Critical Applications by Philip
IBM OS/2 WARP Server for AS/400 Now Shipping
IBM recently released OS/2 Warp Server/400, the upgrade to LAN
For more information refer to: http://www.as400.ibm.com selecting
___________________________________________________________
What's On Queue
Banco do Brasil Goes NC in a Big Way
When Banco do Brasil decides to lower its cost per bank transaction,
These activities make Banco do Brasil one of IBM's biggest OS/2
"With the upgrade to OS/2 Warp 4, First Virginia
First Virginia Banks' plans to upgrade to OS/2 Warp 4 support the
percent in 1995. OS/2's server market share jumped to 42 percent in
"Our business is customer driven and we require the most reliable,
First Virginia Banks, Inc. with headquarters in Falls Church,
InstallShield Java Edition Awarded First FM Application of the Month
OS/2 WARP FM proudly awards InstallShield Software Corporation the
//FWIW, I never thought very highly of InstallShield OS/2 install, as used
Dean and CIO for Business Grad School Shares his Views on NC
OS/2 WARP FM had the good fortune to interview Dr. Larry Liebrock,
FM: What are the differences between WorkSpace and Microsoft's ZAK
LL: One of the great value propositions of WSO-D is that it doesn't
I also like the remote and mobile profiles that WSO-D supports. It's
Dr. Leibrock is in the process of completing a study commissioned by
A Peek at Upcoming Dynamic IP Enhancements
The prospect of installing a TCP/IP (transmission control
Intranets excite everyone -- well everyone except the guy (or gal)
Fortifying OS/2 Warp Server Environments
OS/2 WARP FM InfoFlash #36 was a special issue dedicated to the high
New Good Stuff on the Web
The OS/2 Warp Family Website has recently added two interesting and
The second paper offers performance tips for Domino Go Webserver for
______________________________________
What's Queued Up
Decisions: Gut Feel versus Cold Hard Facts
The data to improve, to expand and to transform businesses is most
For more information see the IDS web site at:
The IDS Move to Java Explained by Brand Manager, Gil Lee
The Intelligent Decision Support (IDS) team plans to broaden its
FM: What's the background of IDS?
GL: The product was originally built by a company called Metaphor
FM: What are your plans for bringing IDS to a broader range of
GL: We investigated many options and determined that the best
By choosing Java, we re-architect the application and code it just
FM: What's the process of going from OS/2 to Java?
GL: One exciting aspect of our process is using a great deal of
Also, we're concentrating a lot of effort on how our customers can
The new version will come with a portal capability that will also
Mike Lawrie at the Mike: Applications
Mike received two slightly different questions on applications.
ML: The answer to both these questions comes from our strategy to
As the industry moves to network computing, with a steadily growing
Please send your Mike Lawrie on the Mike questions to
Royal Bank of Scotland SET on Knowing As Much As Possible
"Knowledge is power." Meditationes Sacrae [1597] De Haeresibus
In the realm of information technology (IT), it's not so much the
Two years ago as the Royal Bank of Scotland prepared to roll out
The Word on SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4
As the SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 Beta begins to pick up steam OS/2
FM: What applications will ship with SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4?
AS: SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4, formerly known as SmartSuite 97 for
//Allen, "32-bit native" don't mean a squat, buddy. Is it MULTITHREADED ?
FM: What are the key features of the latest edition?
AS: SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 will provide a set of high quality,
There are many features that set Lotus SmartSuite apart from its
TeamMail - built-in e-mail access allowing users to send an
//DeScribe had "Mail" function long time ago, and cc:Mail mail-enabled the
TeamReview - a collaboration tool that enables users to send a
Team Consolidate - a feature that allows users to store multiple
Team Security - provides secure access to 1-2-3, Approach and Word
TeamShow - the ability to show a Freelance Graphics presentation
Built-in Internet Support - allows customers to pass files between
Lotus' common user interface features include context-sensitive
OS/2 users will also benefit from Workplace Shell integration. For
FM: What development methodology are you using for this version of
AS: We are using a common code base for both our Windows 95 and
Another key feature of our new, common code-based development is
//what about SpellChecker ?//
FM: What's the structure of the SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4
AS: The SmartSuite for OS/2 team consists of over 100 people
//was SS 96 the one that run in WinOS2 ?//
FM: What's the current status and schedule?
AS: We delivered an Alpha Release of SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 to
//November ? but WHAT YEAR ?//
We
We are currently targeting to ship the Global English edition of
//what about Australian/NZ release ? Whenever you query Lotus Australia
With a bit of luck, we'll get it before the Olympic Opening. Just. //
For more information on Lotus SmartSuite for OS/2, call your local Lotus
November Application of the Month: Vibe by Visix
IBM has chosen Visix Software, Inc.'s Vibe as OS/2 WARP FM's
One of Vibe's most interesting features is its ability to create
For more information on Vibe, both the base (Vibe DE) and database
IBM's Global Sign-On Makes Distributed Systems All Good News
For more information on this product, visit the homepage at
Back Issues of OS/2 WARP FM are available on-line at
For more information on the OS/2 Family of products see:
To keep up with the latest on OS/2 and WorkSpace on-Demand, tune
and some press points they *forgot* to put in WarpFM
excerpts from:
Future Of OS/2 Client In Doubt Again
ARMONK, N.Y. -- The 1998 budget axe is being
For the first time, executives at the computer giant say
"In terms of the budget, I can't tell you where things
Michael Lawrie, general manager of the PSP group, went
IBM has been loathe to publicly suggest -- in front of its
Earlier this month, at a meeting with consultants in
"He kind of looked up and said: 'What do you want me to
it seems some Internet gremlins might have altered this article....
the original story is at:
Walking fine line between NT support and OS/2
The company has embarked on a strategy to sell middleware for
In some cases, IBM will deliver the NT
You can trust us, said IBM, have we ever failed to deliver ?
IBM's efforts have some users confused and nervous.
``It's making my stomach churn and shaking my confidence,'' said
LOYALTY WANES
Knight said IBM's hedging means that ``it's no longer a given that I
Doug Mitchell, an attorney and information systems manager at
Not so, Atkins said. ``IBM continues to invest in and enhance OS/2
Of particular concern to users is how IBM will resolve which
Atkins claimed that ``95% of all IBM add-on software and
Q: Are you sure the OS/2 add-ons will follow in six-month ?
A: Of course, we got a long history of delivering on our promises, and
Q: Will the OS/2 products take advantage of OS/2's features like SOM, WPS,
A: Well, we have to develop to multi=platform standard.
Q: Threading ?
A: Well, as the product has to be MS-certified for Win32, and as threading
Q: NamedPipes ?
A: see my earlier answer
Q: WPS ?
It is that juggling that has users' nerves jangling.
``This could affect my future purchasing decisions. If I need a
Earlier this summer, after speaking with one of Mike Lawrie's staff about
Apparently, Mike Lawrie didn't remember.
One of his slides touched on Lotus; it said that the full line of Lotus
//in "Mike at the Mike" FMWarp he did say there will be NO SMP support//
The presentation itself lasted only 30 minutes or so (which was good -- it
Basically, the presentation was a very good talk, suitable for presentation
The rest of the time was spent in Q&A. And, bless their hearts, POSSI
Off the top of my head, here's some of what was said (or not said):
There will be no native Viavoice for OS/2. Lawrie is talking with Ozzie
At least one member pointed out that his grandchildren can't run games under
Several people asked variations on the question, "What about my use of OS/2
The downloadable feature enhancements will use a software subscription but
What about ISV support? I asked that one myself. (Gee, what a surprise. On
The questions went on and on, and unfortunately I don't recall very many of
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
I haven't written anything about the meeting for a couple of reasons, not
But the bottom line is... OS/2 is still the best operating system I've
So the strange bottom line is that it doesn't change anything. If anything,
There's an old joke about two guys bicycling up a steep hill on a tandem
When it comes to OS/2, IBM has had its feet on the brakes for a long time. I
---------------------------------------------------------------------
OS/2 is almost History?
Practically, however, OS/2 is history. It is only slightly more interesting
In my opinion, it is even more irresponsible for IBM to maintain the
All the best,
Will
for those who came in late: WillZ once resigned as the editor of PC Magazine
I still have an audio tape form a Comdex panel discussion featuring Will and
About a year ago, Will declared IBM was ditching OS/2, and announced he is
TALKBACK TO JESSE BERST: another migration headache
Give OS/2 a chance
Oleg Vorkunov
I am working in BIG financial organisation.
I can not understand why people, like kids,
I never saw any compare results between NT
I have Windows 95 and OS/2 at home, and my
Also Jesse. Like MAD petitions and others,
Let's Speak up!!! My previose conversation
PS. Before I worked in another publishing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Microsoft spokesperson stated "Software that needs constant, even hourly
It has been falsely roumoured that Steve White from a leading Oz law firm
you can find White SW Computer Law at:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
It seems the guys at Sun are taking their Java seriously :)
This is great!. a multi-platform web server. If things continue this
Personally, I wish there was a Java version of everything :), FTP
:)
There goes the original announcement I've got about Java Web Server:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Java Web Server is an ideal solution, whether you need a first-time
You may purchase a license for just $295 (or $95 without SSL support).
Or call us at 1-800-528-2763 and select prompt #2.
Site licensing, source-code licensing, and support are also available.
Thank you for your time and for your interest in Java products.
The Java Web Server Product Team
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
******************************************************
IPAD is the multiplatform front end to a special tool to be completed some
With most other packages an object must first be selected and placed into
Any object may be picked up and moved or its shape changed without it first
A very powerful feature of IPAD is the way it is able to manipulate groups
IPAD also has a category system that allows the user to define the
IPAD supports printers using PCL 5 (most HP), ESC-P2 (most Epson),
IPAD will (in the future) provide a mechanism to drive third party backend
IPAD currently provides the same GUI interface on Linux 2.0.x, MSDOS 6.2,
IPAD is available from
Send feedback and questions to
(Also uploaded to
Enclosed please find the "read.me" for the above two archives.
---rony
P.S.: the documentation is in form of PostScript papers. Either copy the
--------------------------------- cut here --------------------------
Please post questions and discussion items in the Internet newsgroup
Rony G. Flatscher
There are three lawyers in a car, a trial lawyer, a defence attorney, and a
There are three engineers in a car, an electrical engineer, a chemical
The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars suggests that maybe the
Then, the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes up with
====================================================================
====================================================================
http://www.spp.umich.edu/telecom/technical-info.html
Though y'all might like it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Voytek Eymont
Quality-minded witches use spell checkers.
Return to [ 11 |
September |
1998 ]
think the CM11A is a better deal than the CP290
commands that are sent over the power line, plus you get other features as
well.
from an OS/2 LAN Server to a seldom-used printer.
hooked it to an X-10 module, and wrote a REXX interface for an X-10
controller. Then, he added a few extra steps to the reporting program.
Step One: Turn on the X-10 at the printer
Step Two: Generate the report
Step Three: Poll the Print Queue with REXX, waiting for it to empty
Step Four: Wait 1 hour after the queue empties
Step Five: Turn off the X-10 at the printer (until next month).
Warp makes LA Times Pg 1
Gary D. Wong 102724,2521
now:
Page 1, there was an article titled "Preschool Turns Cyber-Eye" by P.J.
Huffstutter, showing a blonde preschool owner holding a video camera.
that has it's own web page and a "Powered by...OS/2 Warp" on it!
is Simplex Knowledge Co. of White Plains, NY, who developed the "I See You"
program and is marketed by IBM, which probably explains why Warp is used).
L.A. edition), nor do I know if the article is on the Times' web site
(http://www.latimes.com).
============================================================================
F/X Communications releases Tunnel/2 Version 1.0
============================================================================
Internet today. We believe it may qualify as the greatest new invention
since the intranet.
value to OS/2 networking, making possible a secure, two-way, dial-on-
demand Virtual Private Network (VPN) over the public Internet.
testing under real world conditions. It is currently implemented in a
large multi-national corporation ($4.1 billion in annual sales). This
is not vaporware. Generally available TODAY.
is available for a 30 day evaluation period. Registration price - $45.00
tried to connect remote offices into one big virtual network, then read on.
Today, dial-up Internet access is at hand, but there are new obstacles:
- Company intranets weren't designed for dial-up (outside firewall) workers.
- ISP served address changes cause havoc with application continuity.
- Corporate LANs cannot reach remote sites on demand.
- Home workers, road warriors and remote LANs must struggle to get the same
corporate LAN access they have when on-site. Even trusted employees face
similar firewall security as the rest of the plugged-in world.
- Remote LANs typically need firewalls, routers or proxies, making it
difficult to keep the -very advantageous- centralistic network design.
- Dialing an ISP for corporate access requires multiple changes in the
corporate firewall. It's difficult to maintain, hard to automate and tough
to remember. So many factors that one day the wrong guy . . .
Tunnel/2. Please note: Tunnel/2 is not a one size fits all, drop in kind of
system. But, with it you have the flexible tools to tailor a configuration
suited to your needs. And, you can save really big bucks for relatively
little effort. Ten minutes should be all that is needed to set up one
Tunnel Master and one Tunnel Slave. Just follow the check lists in the
Tunnel/2 Documentation: http://www.fx.dk/tunnel/vpn.htm
ization. This greatly increases the cost of communication to our business.
Working with F/X Communications in the development of Tunnel/2, SWP has
been able to implement a Virtual Perimeter Network which allows us to use
the Internet for the purposes of secure, reliable and affordable
communications".
vital cost relief, as well as a competitive advantage at our small and
medium size installations".
agricultural cooperative with annual total sales of more than $4.1 billion.
interface for the Tunnel Master, is on the top of the Tunnel to-do.
best featured and MOST STABLE dialer for OS/2. Modem load balancing and
Win/NT Call Back support is already in the grinder.
SERVER. It will be a Radius powered back end with a Java or PM user
interface. It is possible to preregister this product by picking the
Professional InJoy Registration option ($150) and support a hard working
ISV in the OS/2 marketplace. The server is *almost* in beta and the first
public release is expected just before Christmas 1997.
combination with InJoy), filtering and routing capability is also being
worked. Initial tests inside F/X are promising - expect it in late 1997.
President, F/X Communications.
http://www.fx.dk - Email: bj@fx.dk
=============================================================================
Workspace On-Demand ITSO Workshop
Melbourne, December 2-4
WorkSpace On-Demand is IBM's Intel-based managed client operating system for
enterprise customers interested in optimized network computing solutions.
This implementation allows customers to bring their existing hardware and
applications to the network computing party, and at the same time helps them
control their cost of computing.
party and follow up with 100% Pure Java application design and
implementation because WorkSpace On-Demand supports Java applets and
applications in addition to existing DOS, Windows 3.x, and OS/2 applications.
managed client technology so you should learn about why they are so fired up
over the major cost-of-ownership benefits it can achieve.
configure WorkSpace On-Demand. In a mixture of classroom presentations and
hands-on lab exercises, you'll learn the following:
Installing WorkSpace On-Demand in an OS/2 Warp Server environment
Administering end users and client systems
Remote IPL operations
Setting up applications
Configuring WorkSpace On-Demand to support your hardware
expertise in OS/2 Warp Server. The intended audience consists of business
partners, customers, and IBM technical professionals who are Certified OS/2
Warp Server Engineers, Certified OS/2 LAN Server Engineers, or who possess
equivalent skills (have been installing OS/2 Warp Server / LAN Server on a
regular basis for at least the last 12 months).
http://www.software.ibm.com/workspace. You'll find technical white
papers and other information to help you get to the caviar and truffles.
=====================================================================
Linkwiz 3.0 update is now available. Amongst other various improvements it
now includes Fat 32 support and disk images are now compressed.
e-mail application for OS/2. New features include: an enhanced spell
checker, ability to set a default e-mail account , and a professional
printed appearance for messages.
DriveImage lets you create and store a compressed backup of your entire hard
drive, or just selected partitions, to the medium of your choice. Then just
download the image file to restore your operating system, applications, and
data.
OS/2 WARP SERVER (Vianney)......available by Oct 1:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/performance/os2gotip.htm
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/workspace/whitepaper/wsodperf.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warp 4 Fix Pak 4 is out: with y2k
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/ps/products/os2/fixes/v4warp/english-us/xr_m004
/
http://ps.software.ibm.com/pbin-usa-ps/getobj.pl?/pdocs-usa/softupd.html is
the fact fik pak 4 contains some y2k compliance fixes. (There is a warp 3
fix pak 32 with y2k fixes too).
jjhurley@epo.net.au
which is 3.01d. This patch is available on our website under product
updates section, filename "update.exe"
MSR Development Corporation
________________________________________________________________________
VOLUME 2 - OS/2 WARP FM InfoFlash - FLASH 35
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
_________________________________________________________________________
Borland International, indicates that Java will be widely adopted and
used within enterprise business computing environments regardless of
which computing paradigm currently dominates.
For the full text story, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=4959483-2e7
outsourcer of information distribution system, uses Lotus Notes
running on OS/2 Warp as its core communication technology.
Customers, such as Intel and NEC Germany, depend on What's up systems
to distribute up-to-date information and conduct electronic
transactions with business partners, dealers and resellers.
Schneider said: "We are very content with the numerous tools that are
available. The desktop is clearly structured, the system easier to handle
and more stable." He asks, "Why should we change ? NT is a file server
platform for our use as an application server, OS/2 is far better qualified.
"
Agreement
_______________________________________________________________________
VOLUME 2 - OS/2 WARP FM InfoFlash - FLASH 37
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
_________________________________________________________________________
Press Points
IBM OS/2 WARP Server for AS/400 Now Shipping
Warp Server, IBM is fortifying the OS/2 family of products with a
series of state-of-the-art enhancements to the network computing
backbone. The new features effect improvements in flexibility,
network availability, performance and security.
Warp Family webpage at http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp.
In his September 29th column, Jesse Berst gave a positive review of
WorkSpace On-Demand.
Manchester, October 1, 1997
Server/400, used extensively by many IBM customers. The new release
combines the strengths of AS/400 application and database serving
with the high performance file and print services found on OS/2 Warp
Server. This seamless, easy-to-manage solution offers a number of
operational benefits, which include the following.
software, then client/server, and finally Warp Server/400.
VOLUME 2 OS/2 WARP FM
October 1997
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
____________________________________________________________
--------------
Banco do Brasil Goes NC in a Big Way
Banks Continue To Rely on OS/2 Warp
InstallShield Java Edition Awarded First FM Application of the Month
Mike Lawrie on the Mike: WSO-D Customer Acceptance
Dean and CIO for Business Grad School Shares his Views on NC
A Peek at Upcoming Dynamic IP Enhancements
The WorkSpace On-Demand Manager - Key to Cost of Ownership Reductions
WorkSpace On-Demand Commercial Application Certification Program
Fortifying OS/2 Warp Server Environments
New Good Stuff on the Web
extend its market reach and speed its time to market using IBM
network computing technologies, the largest retail bank in Latin
America does it in a big way. As part of a (US.) $1.8 billion
technology update plan, the Brazilian innovator is:
- rolling out more than 25000 OS/2 Warp licenses for branch
automation,
- training over 900 professionals in Java, and
- offering Internet commercial and home banking services to its 15
million customers.
customers, one of South America's leading technology users and
sponsors of one the world's most aggressive Java education
initiatives.
is not only leveraging the investment in IBM software, but also
building an infrastructure that will grow with the bank and enable
them to take full advantage of network computing and e-business."
recent Mentis Group study citing OS/2's strength among large banking
institutions in the US. in 1996. The Mentis Group reported that in
1996 35 percent of large banking institutions selected OS/2 to be
their operating system on client desktops, which is up from 25
large banking institutions, those with deposits greater than $1
billion, up from 32 percent in 1995.
secure operating system available to handle the daily business of
managing the needs of our customers," said John Joback, president and
CIO, First Virginia Services, Inc. "With OS/2 Warp 4 and OS/2 Warp
Server we manage our banking product offerings on 4,500 client
desktops with virtually no downtime. OS/2 allows us to complete
reliable automatic distribution of software upgrades to our 385
branches in a short three to four hours -- a capability we have not
seen with other operating systems."
Virginia, is made up of a network of 19 member banks, mortgage
subsidiaries, and a full-service insurance agency. With 385 branches
in Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee and $9.1 billion in assets, First
Virginia Banks, Inc. is one of the most profitable retail banking
companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. First Virginia Banks currently
has more than 5,000 employees operating 400 servers and 4,500 client
workstations -- all running OS/2 Warp.
first ever FM Application of the Month Award for InstallShield Java
Edition. This package, written in Java, is the first and only tool
publicly available that enables Java developers to create
platform-independent installations and package their applications for
distribution. As such it's especially fitting that the Java Edition
of InstallShield be the first recipient, since the intent of this
program is to recognize software that either expands the use of Java
into new areas or facilitates its use or the use of network
computing.
by cc:Mail and some other IBM/Lotus apps. It runs un-resizable full-screen,
and doesn't tell you much. I much prefer IBM's INSTALL as used by most OS/2
developers. Let's hope the Java version is, or will get better//
Associate Dean and Chief Technology officer, of the Graduate School
of Business and University of Texas. In addition, to his academic
duties, Dr. Liebrock manages a staff of 15 IT professionals and a
network comprising 50 server and 1000 desktop systems. Recently he
was awarded the Microsoft Education Innovation award for a systems
management class he devised specifically for use in a collaborative
computing environment.
that make WorkSpace the better transition mechanism to get to an NC
infrastructure?
force me to abandon my 16-bit DOS users and the people not
standardized on the WIN 32 API (Application Programming Interfaces).
As an IT manager, I cannot do a forced migration all at once to WIN
32. WSO-D also lets me maintain my significant investment in 3270
terminal products, which is a valuable legacy environment for me.
Microsoft's ZAK has no legacy support. It assumes all clients are
working from the WIN 32 base.
important for organizations. At the graduate business school, 40% of
the people use laptops as their primary computational platform.
WSO-D does an excellent job of supporting these users in terms of
their profiles. This was not apparent in the version of ZAK that I
saw.
IBM comparing WorkSpace On-Demand to Microsoft's Zero Administration
Kit.
protocol/internet protocol) network to create a new company or
organization intranet is enticing. The possibilities for improving
processes are endless. Everyone from the CEO to the CIO to the typi
cal end user anticipates faster ways to access or disseminate
information as well as better ways to get things done.
that has to manage the IP addresses and host names. That lucky
network administrator gets to match up human-friendly host names
(like Fred) in the domain name server (DNS) to the IP addresses (ugly
things like 128.97.454.118), assigned to each client workstation on
the network. As systems are added, deleted, moved and/or modified,
he must keep them all synchronized. And it's not like networks
change much in today's fast paced world!
availability solutions from Vinca Corporation that IBM is offering.
This article, taken from that InfoFlash shows how a Vinca's Standby
Server for OS/2 Warp can significantly strengthen a network by being
prepared for a server failure. For more information on Vinca and its
SnapShotServer solution see that special InfoFlash at:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
compelling white papers. The first, by IBM's Valerie Jackson, extols
the virtues of Java 1.1 for OS/2 Warp. The paper includes background
information on Java, its integration with OS/2 Warp and the specific
advantages of 1.1 over prior releases. The paper entitled The
Benefits of Java 1.1 for OS/2 Warp is available at:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/library/javawp.html.
OS/2 Warp Server. This useful document is located at
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/performance/os2gotip.html. The
paper becomes even more useful when you visit
http://www.ics.raleigh.ibm.com/dominogowebserver/getos2.htm to
download a copy of Lotus Domino Go Version 4.6 for OS/2 Warp.
short takes from VOLUME 2 OS/2 WARP FM November 1997
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
_______________________________________
//we apologize for any interjections//
Decisions: Gut Feel versus Cold Hard Facts
The IDS Move to Java Explained by Brand Manager, Gil Lee
Mike Lawrie at the Mike: Applications
Royal Bank of Scotland SET on Knowing As Much As Possible
The Word on SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4
November Application of the Month: Vibe by Visix
IBM's Global Sign-On (GSO) Makes Distributed Systems All Good News
likely already there or easily gathered. The problem is wrangling
the massive amounts into a form useful for making informed
decisions. To address just these problems, IBM offers a complete
suite of Business Intelligence products. Central to these
offerings is a solution available only with OS/2 Warp Server, the
Intelligent Decision Server (IDS), that converts mountains of
incomprehensible data into the valuable information essential to s
aving or making more money.
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/ids/index.html.
market reach by redesigning the application for Java. OS/2 WARP FM
was pleased to have the opportunity to interview Gil Lee, the
Product Brand Manager for IDS on this topic.
-- over ten years ago. It really was ahead of its time with
multi-tasking and many other advanced capabilities. It was a
complete turnkey system built with proprietary hardware and softwar
e. When we acquired the code one of our main objectives was to
make it comply to open standards, eliminating proprietary
elements. For example, we now use standard PCs. We chose OS/2 as
the platform because it the first truly robust operating system for
the PC with features such as pre-emptive multi-tasking.
platforms?
choice was to move ahead with a Java implementation. As you'd
expect we evaluated porting to Windows NT. We realized, though,
that after the port, we'd be in the same position as we are now --
except we would now support two platforms. We'd still have many
more that aren't supported and we would need to repeat the same
process.
once. Supporting multiple platforms then becomes mostly a matter
of testing and tuning. This option is not only cost effective;
but, it captures the imagination of the market.
components from other sources. IDS has a number of facilities such
as spreadsheet, charting and query that originally were developed
as part of the application building environment. For the Java
version, we intend to use the Kona applications from Lotus to
supply these functions.
migrate to the new version. We've developed a utility that will
convert an existing IDS application to a JavaBean. The resulting
bean, while still requiring some refining, will include the correct
code for the major functions.
ease migration. This will be useful for customers who want to move
to the new environment but have applications that they see no
reason to change. The new environment can call these older
applications and then receive their output. This way customers are
not forced to upgrade everything they've built over the years, they
can slowly migrate their IDS applications to Java. And of course,
customers can continue to run the new environment on OS/2 Warp
Server.
The first focused on the viability of OS/2 Warp Server as an
application server, "given the lack of desktop applications." The
second question was: will there be any applications for WorkSpace
on-Demand?
support the transition to the Java application model by providing
systems that run legacy OS/2, Windows 3.X and DOS applications as
well as the latest Java programs. Customers and independent
software vendors are slowly, but with increasing momentum,
beginning to produce and run Java applications. Consequently
through our continued investment in new releases of the OS/2 Java
Virtual Machine, we are ensuring OS/2 is a very strong execution
platform for Java.
portfolio of Java applications, we will be optimizing our operating
system to support this emphasis. The benefits of Java and network
computing are far-reaching for both our customers and our business
partners. And so we are doing everything we can to make the
transition for them smooth and profitable.
warpfm@us.ibm.com.
power gained from knowledge that's important but rather the
confidence -- especially when a new system is about to roll out.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBoS) has been using IBM's Solutions Eva
luation Tool (SET, not to be confused with the SET that stands for
Secure Electronic Transactions) to gain an in-depth understanding
of its OS/2-based "New Branch" applications. The result has been
improved system performance and reliability; and equally important,
a significant decrease in "perceived risk."
7000 OS/2 systems in an upgrade and restructuring of its branch
operations, IBM's Tiger Team located in Europe (part of the
Austin-based Rapid Deployment Team) brought in SET to help define t
he performance limits of the new system. Senior Developer, Phil
Westwell and the rest of the RBoS test team have been expanding the
role of this flexible tool ever since. SET has been crucial to the
bank's efforts to deliver excellent customer service through
high-quality, finely-tuned automated information systems.
WARP FM interviewed Allen Stalvey, its Senior Product Manager, to
hear the latest on this soon-to-be-released suite of products.
Allen works closely with customers, serving as their voice into the
development organization, converting their requirements into
platform-specific product content.
OS/2 Warp, will consist of five native, 32-bit OS/2 Warp 4
applications: 1-2-3 for OS/2 Warp 4, Approach for OS/2 Warp 4, Word
Pro for OS/2 Warp 4, Freelance Graphics for OS/2 Warp 4, and
Organizer for OS/2 Warp 4. With this new suite, Lotus is
introducing the first native OS/2 versions of Approach, a
relational database that provides an easy way to query, report on
and analyze data and Organizer, an award-winning personal
information manager.
and background printing doesn't count//
native OS/2, collaborative applications that feature strong
Internet access and a common Lotus user interface. Specifically
designed for OS/2, the Warp 4 suite will offer Lotus Script inte
gration with the OS/2 REXX programming language. For example, a
Lotus Script could call a REXX routine that would process and
return data to the application. In addition, REXX routines can
invoke SmartSuite applications.
competition such as:
application file or a portion of it as an e-mail attachment from
within the application,
entire OS/2 desktop and whole system//
document to other users for review and mark-up, then allows the
author to quickly and easily consolidate edits into a single
document.
versions of a document in a single file.
Pro files.
across a LAN, the Internet or an intranet, and
the Lotus applications and an FTP server and save the output in
HTML format.
menus and dialogues that are consistent throughout the five
applications. Furthermore the Lotus InfoBox provides users with a
seamless and modeless means of editing page layout, text, tables,
cell ranges, etc. -- meaning users don't need to go through
multiple levels of menus to modify text properties and other
document parts. Changes take place immediately without closing the
InfoBox. Other vendors' products make you switch modes, moving in
and out of different menus and dialog boxes to perform editing
tasks.
example, we added a DocInfo tab to the settings notebook for Lotus
application data objects so users can see document properties such
as title, description, and last edit date -- information previously
available only by opening the file in the respective application.
SmartSuite for OS/2 ?
OS/2 editions. This means the OS/2 applications have functions and
features compatible with the SmartSuite 97 for Windows 95 editions
and the file formats will be identical across both platforms.
Prior to the introduction of SmartSuite 96 for OS/2, when we began
delivering our applications based on a common code base, the
Windows and OS/2 applications used different file formats.
the use of a set of Shared Components. These components, used by
each of the applications, are installed and stored in a single
sub-directory -- saving disk space. And at execution time, they
are only loaded once into memory -- saving memory utilization as
well. These Shared Components include the Lotus InfoBox, TeamMail,
the integrated Chart feature, and Lotus SmartIcons.
development organization?
exclusively dedicated to the SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 development
effort -- working on quality engineering, documentation, product
management, and of course, application development. The majority
of the current team also developed SmartSuite 96 for OS/2.
a limited set of customers in the third quarter of this year. The
Beta Release is scheduled to ship the first week of November.
were very pleased with the number of companies that showed interest
in the Beta through their use of our new, Web-based nomination
process. We received over 1400 nominations from OS/2 users located
in over 50 countries.
SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 in the first quarter of 1998. The plans
for the local language editions are as follows: German, French,
and Danish will ship within 30 days of the Global English version
and Global Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian and Dutch will
ship within 60 days of Global English.
about *any* product shipping in US but NOT locally, invariably they will
say: That's US or International edition. Australian/NZ edition is NOT ready.
so, best case scenario for Oz/NZ users: 3 month AFTER US version ships.
office, and see how little they know abou it. Or better, see the SmartSuite
for OS/2 area of the Lotus Web site at http://www.lotus.com/smartsuite/os2.
application of the month for November. The choice was based not
only on what the product is -- a rich multi-platform development
environment that produces write-once, run-anywhere applications --
but also what it represents -- a choice by one of the industry's
leading cross-platform tool providers to use Java.
applications with multiple user interfaces so that the graphical
user interface (GUI) is native to the platform where the
application is being run. This means a developer can use the same
code for a billing application that runs a Windows** 95 interface
on Windows 95 and a Workplace Shell* interface when it runs on OS/2
Warp*. The programmer can also override the default, which is the
GUI native to the runtime platform, so he can test any interface on
his development system.
(Vibe Enterprise) versions, see the Visix Software, Inc. homepage
at http://www.visix.com. And keep an eye out for Vibe Net,
shipping in 1998 to support the building of corporate connectivity
applications.
http://www.networking.ibm.com/gso/gsohome.
http:// www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp.
into the next Network Computing Advocates Call, Thursday,
November 20,1997 at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time.
In North America call 1-888233-1726, elsewhere call
1-402-220-3060. And the password is ADVOCATES.
_______________________________________________________________
http://www.techweb.com/wire/news/1997/09/0922os2.html
By Edward F. Moltzen and Barbara Darrow, Computer Reseller News
sharpened at IBM, and the market-battered OS/2 client is
fighting to keep its neck off the chopping block.
the operating system could lose the fight.
stand," said John Albee, IBM's OS/2 Warp program
manager.
so far as to say to others at the unit that there is no
funding left for the platform, said one executive, who
spoke on condition of anonymity.
installed base -- that it is hedging its bets on OS/2.
Chantilly, Va., John M. Thompson, IBM's senior vice
president for software, was asked directly about future
OS/2 development and was non-committal, sources said.
say?' " said Frank Dzubeck, president of Communication
Network Architects, in Washington. "He said, 'For our
customers who are still using it, we will continue to
maintain it.' "
---------------------------------------------------------------------
from ComputerWorld article at:
or added some extra paragraphs.
http://cwlive.cw.com:8080/home/print9497.nsf/All/SL33os2
Laura DiDio (News, 08/18/97)
rival Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT platform even as it tries to
reassure restive customers that its commitment to OS/2 Warp
Server is unwavering.
components six months ahead of the same facilities on OS/2 Warp
Server, according to Attal and Donn Atkins, vice president of
marketing at IBM's Personal Software Products Division in Austin,
Texas, which oversees OS/2.
David Knight, manager of client/server technical services at
Trustmark National Bank, Inc. in Jackson, Miss. He said he fears
IBM will pull the plug on OS/2 Warp Server. ``How much money
and how many resources can IBM realistically pour into two
competing operating systems? And how many OS/2 Warp sites are
they losing each day? Nobody knows,'' Knight said.
will go with OS/2 Warp Server as my [operating system] when I
upgrade within the next year.''
Dickerson, Dickerson, Consul and Pocker, a law firm in Las Vegas,
concurred. ``I recognize that IBM may leave me in the lurch.
Anyone who says they're going to unequivocally stick with OS/2
Warp Server in the face of this confusion needs a serious reality
check,'' he said.
Warp Server, and we'll release a new version in 1998,'' he said.
platform takes priority when it comes to delivering add-on
middleware, leading-edge services and emerging technologies.
hardware connectivity components are shipping for the OS/2
Warp Server platform.'' Even so, Attal said the five upcoming
middleware packages will ship first for Windows NT and IBM's
AIX. There will be a six-month lag before they ship for OS/2
Warp Server.
delivering on time, just look at our other product, like SmartSuite for
OS/2,
etc ?
is not that well implementd in W95, we have to code to "lowest common
denominator"
Q: SOM ?
crucial function right away that's only available on Windows NT or
Unix, I won't wait months for IBM to deliver it on OS/2 Warp
Server I'll go buy NT,'' Mitchell said.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrie POSSI meeting
Esther Schindler [Sysop] 72241,1417
proposed meeting topics, I posted a note to POSSI's private listserv, asking
members to send in the top concerns to one member. Mike Briggs compiled the
answers, and we posted the "hot issues" to the listserv and included them in
the announcements about the meeting. I sent the "top ten" in to Lawrie's
people on August 1st, so he'd be able to incorporate those topics in his
presentation, *customized* to address the questions most important to the
POSSI membership. I announced in _extended attributes_ that he'd talk about
those topics.
Domino was (and would be) available for OS/2, and that the next OS/2
Smartsuite was being worked on. Other than that, his presentation ignored
every single item on the member's Top Ten list. In fact, Mike deliberately
sidestepped a *direct* question from the audience about SMP support on the
client. He restated the question to emphasize a different component, and he
didn't talk about SMP at all.
was hard to read the slides and none of us get along well with
projectorware). Mike's presentation focused on IBM's direction with network
computing and Java, and explained WorkSpace On Demand (what I think of as
"the artist formerly known as Bluebird") in some detail. He showed a chart
with the IBM Corporation's top eleven goals/strategies, and emphasized the
bullet point that said IBM wanted to increase its visibility and
participation in small/medium business. (I'm almost sure it wasn't
"visibility and participation," but I don't recall the exact wording. I
think it was something to that effect.) He explained IBM's plan to provide
"upgrades" in downloadable chunks, so companies aren't forced to migrate
from version X.0 to X+1.0 -- a particularly painful and slow process for
larger firms. WorkSpace On Demand is being marketed to existing OS/2 sites
to "transition them" to the network computing model; apparently it's not
being marketed to other customers.
to OS/2 corporate customers. Unfortunately, that's not the majority of the
people in the audience. (And I'm personally irked because I had told them
all of this ahead of time. I wrote email saying so. I spent hours of my own
time on the phone talking about it. They didn't listen.)
members know how to deliver a good solid Q -- polite, to the point, and
right on target. To answer questions, Mike had brought along John Albee
(whom some of you may remember from the visit with John W Thompson last
year... John's the person who showed the then-new Warp Server) and Rufus
Archon. Rufus took pages of notes, and later told me that he collected a LOT
of good ideas.
Osborne about creating a Java version of ViaVoice.
OS/2. Mike's answer was that they should use Windows (95?) in dual boot. If
you need a Windows program, then go to Windows. I'd known this a long time
ago, but the brute answer is that they're doing nothing to enhance the
WinOS2 support in OS/2.
at home?" and "What about supporting my small business?" I don't feel like
Mike ever gave a straight answer, but I think the general response was the
same as if he'd said, "We don't want you." Except he never quite said
that... any support for small/medium business is out there, sometime in the
vague future.
none of them knew the price offhand. John Albee promised to get me the
prices, but sent me a note today apologizing that he hadn't done so yet. He
looked confused when I asked about a POSSI discount.
the other hand, it was the only question I asked, so I don't feel too
guilty.) I said that, even if everyone bought into the network computing
model and thought that IBM was heading in the right direction... What were
the OS/2 vendors supposed to eat in the mean time? (I really can't remember
the answer Mike gave to this, which means he did fast dancing and didn't say
much.) Plus, I'd spoken with several ISVs in the last week and NOBODY (not a
single OS/2 vendor) had been contacted by IBM regarding how to adjust his
application to run on WorkSpace On Demand. (Mike said, "We're doing this
right now." I still haven't heard from an ISV who's been contacted.)
them. (I relaxed and didn't take notes; Joel Frey was clutching his portable
microphone like a life raft.) I'm sure others could chime in... or you could
wait for the "details at eleven."
the least of which is my trying to finish up a few projects before I head
off for a week in Pennsylvania. But mostly, I've been angry and upset. I've
been heard to spit, "They don't have a clue. And they don't even know
there's a clue to be HAD!"
encountered. It runs my business. My applications are OS/2 applications; I'm
comfortable with the interface. Has the OS stopped working because it's
clear that IBM could care less about me personally, as a small business
owner, or as a home user? No. Does this meeting indicate a major change of
heart on the part of the IBM Corporation? No; they were just a bit more
blunt about it than usual. Over the years, has my loyalty been to OS/2, or
to IBM? Surely, you jest.
it means that we POSSI members have to support each other *THAT MUCH MORE*
because it's for damn sure that IBM isn't going to go out of its way to help
us. It means that attending Warpstock to celebrate OS/2 is even MORE
important, because we're the only source of that celebration. IBM might show
up, but it's _our_ party.
bicycle. When they reach the top of the hill, the guy in front says, "Wow,
what a steep hill! At some points I was sure we wouldn't make it." The guy
in back replies, "Yeah, and if I hadn't kept my hands on the brakes the
whole time, we would have slipped back down the hill."
don't think that's a surprise to any of us. It's worse than neglect; we have
to use their product _despite_ them. Yet none of us see a better alternative
on the horizon; if we're going to have an OS/2 community, it's up to _us_,
the members of the Phoenix OS/2 Society.
Will Zachmann
to me, at this point, than the Amiga (and only slightly less interesting
than the Apple Macintosh, which is also history, albeit not quite to the
degree that OS/2 is - yet). I'm interest in the future of the industry, not
in dead or dying platforms. IBM ought to do the honorable thing, stop
pretending they still give a hoot about OS/2, and pull the plug on it
altogether. That would be far more honest than what they've been doing for
the past year or so.
pretense that they stand behind OS/2 when, in fact, they consider it a dead
duck (if not Albatross) that they'd prefer to toss overboard and be rid of
as soon as possible. To be sure, they are at this point misleading, for the
most part, only a diminishing number of increasingly pathetic OS/2 fanatics,
but there are undoubtedly a few normal people who are still being misled as
well. Fact is, the IBM executives are no longer the least bit interested in
OS/2 (beyond trying to spend as little as possible on it) and they know they
intend to deep six it as soon as they can do so with minimum embarrassment.
The honorable thing to do would be simply to admit that publicly and get it
over with.
accusing ZD of exerting influence over his editorial policy.
Not only was Will one of OS/2 earliest adapters, for a long time he was OS/2's
arguably most influential supporter, in fact, on the supporters' rankings Will
was often ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th, all 5 simultaneously (just ahead of
Les Bell)
Steve Ballmer - sadly, Will's then predications didn't eventuate.
abandoning OS/2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLEG@EARTHLINK.NET
Friday Sep 12, 1997
Occupation: SYSTEM PROGRAMMER / ANALYST
Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA
We are currently running OS/2 on the desktops
and servers. We have some NT servers. Now
that company is migrating to NT because of NT
marketing politic. When I closely started
working on NT box after OS/2 I realized that I
have a lot of problem managing the computer.
First of all NT is NOT STABLE AS OS/2.
Simple Folder rename using mouse click
generated an exception and restarted Explorer.
goes for the colorfull toy without thinking:
- is good for me?;
- how it is work?
and OS/2 except IBM white paper. But who is
reading that. Nobody. Why you Jesse perform
that benchmark and publish it.
wife and me preffer to boot OS/2 because it is
more stable, Internet is MUCH faster, File
system is MUCH faster (i have FAT32 on
Windows95 wnd HPFS on OS/2). Benchmarks
performed before some labs were not fair
because OS/2 was tested on FAT which has no
Write-Back cache to keep data integrity. HPFS
is MUCH faster than FAT, FAT32, NTFS.
Network perfomance is MUCH faster than NT.
Come on guys.
why not to make a petition to IBM about
bringing OS/2 back and reducing price to $25.
Just give us a chance. You will see how many
people will sing up. It does not cost you
anything. It will not destroy you reputation as a
Microsoft employee. Please post it. May be it
will make a difference. Let's not make the same
mistake like with other good technology
dissapear because of money.
with Gerstner did not make a difference
because he was trying to convince me that OS/2
is going to Java arena and will not support
Win32 and Fat32. It is Ok. But reducing the
price, will make more people to buy it and this
will increase market of OS/2. This will force
devlopers write more native OS/2 programs. So
we will not need Win32 support. (it is sucks
anyway)
company which tried to switch to NT from
OS/2. Now the back to OS/2, because
CorelDraw, Photoshop, Illustrator, SNA,
TCP/IP is not stable under NT like it was
under OS/2. The company can not affored
loosing even an hour to be down. Ask
management to keep a chart how often they are
down after a switch.
Microsoft announced a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Tomagotchi maker,
Bandai. Microsoft is claiming that the Tomagotchi is an infringement of its
intellectual property.
attention, or else it dies? Sounds like Windows to me. This is clearly an
infringement on our technology".
White SW Computer Law has agreed to defend Bandai - or was it to represent
Microsoft's claims ?
http://www.computerlaw.com.au
Fernando Cassia"
WOW! - Java Web Server
way, I can see why M$ fears Java. :)) Now what is IBM waiting to start
coding a java version of ICS? - no more different builds for W95, OS/2
and AIX!.
server, NNTP servers, and specially NETOBJECTS FUSION, so I could run
it in OS/2. And for those C/C++ purists out there (I can see the flames
coming) that say "Java is slow, interpreted, it sucks. It's SLOW SLOW
SLOW", let me remind you that there are POP3 mail servers for OS/2
written in *REXX*.
platform-independent web server or you're a serious server application
developer. PC Week called it "an extremely flexible and easy-to-use
server that would make an excellent choice as a departmental intranet
server or a low-level Web server."
Return this e-mail with your phone number---one of our telesales
operators will call you right back to take your order. You can simply
charge it to a major credit card.
If you are an enterprise developer and your applications are quickly
evolving into more specific mission-critical requirements, ask us
about the JavaServer Toolkit. We will arrange for one of our sales
managers to call you.
at Sun Microsystems
IPAD V0.3.0 (Beta) for OS2 is now available for download. Although IPAD is a
COMMERCIAL product, the evaluation version is available for download FREE of
charge.
Some very simple demos are now provided which can be
displayed on most web browsers (as animations) without
the need to install IPAD.
******************************************************
time in the future. It currently provides most of the functionality of an
interactive GUI vector drawing package, together with some bit mapped image
handling. It allows easy editing across files using multiple overlapping
windows. The graphics objects drawn and edited by IPAD have built in
intelligence. They react to the mouse and each other so as to maximize user
productivity and reduce tedious repetitive setup sequences.
one of many modes in order for the package to provide handles through which
the object must be manipulated. With IPAD however, simple rules govern the
behavior of an object depending on what other objects it is touching and how
it is approached and grabbed.
having to be selected, and if its edges are touching any other object, IPAD
will intelligently manipulate those objects in order to reduce the knock on
effects of the change. With most other packages a simple change can require
a lot of rework.
of selected objects. A group is not just a collection of objects, it has
properties of its own. A group can be edited like any other object. Objects
can be very easily picked up or dropped from a group. Groups can also be
opened and their contents edited in their own windows.
properties of an object and to override those properties in a derived
object. Complex objects can thus be built by grouping simpler objects and
assigning them properties. This makes it a very simple matter to create a
set of component objects which can be held in a template window, copied
across into the working drawing and the properties modified to suit the
working drawing.
PostScript and anything else via ppm or png. It has been designed from the
ground up to be fast and responsive. The base system is a 486DX 33MHz + 8MB
RAM + ISA video card.
software (e.g. code generators, state machine generators etc.) For now you
are restricted to just drawing with it. Since IPAD is a COMMERCIAL product,
its source code will not be made available.
OS/2 Warp, Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows NT 3.51
http://www.demon.co.uk/titan
sergio@titan.demon.co.uk
_____________________________________________________________________
Rony.Flatscher@wu-wien.ac.at
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ORX8.ZIP and ORX8DOC.ZIP
------------------------
For hobbes.nmsu.edu use the following URL which leads you directly to the
new directory created for Object Rexx programs and orx8.zip and orx8doc.zip:
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/search?dir=/pub/os2/dev/orexx&stype=browse&sh=
1 or ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/dev/orexx/orx8.zip
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/dev/orexx/orx8doc.zip
files directly to a PostScript printer or use GhostView together with
Aladdin's GhostScript to view and print.
Documentation in the separate package "orx8doc.zip" which contains two
postscript files (part1.ps, part2.ps) documenting the functions. These two
papers were written for RexxLA (Rexx Language Association,
http://www.RexxLA.org) to be included in the proceedings for the "8th
International Rexx Symposium" which took place in Heidelberg/Germany in April
1997.
"comp.lang.rexx", which gets monitored by the author. Thanks.
Vienna/Austria/Europe, July 1997
_____________________________________________________________________
Microsoft counsel, OOPS, sorry, I'll start again:
engineer, and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car just stops by the side
of the road, and the three engineers look at each other wondering what could
be wrong. The electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of
the car and trying to trace where a fault might have occurred.
fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere.
a suggestion. "Why don't we close all the windows, get out, get back in,
open the windows again, and maybe it'll work!?"
The journalists at the Australian issued with free prophylactics:
according to front-page story about WA TAB, their new Internet betting
system was developed with the help of Visual AIDS.
====================================================================
Truly a wonderful collection of links and resources regarding
communications and networking.
Keith Medcalf (416) 410-5791 http://www.dessus.com/ IBM
OS/2, LAN Server, DB2, TCP/IP, DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT
Finger or email kmedcalf-pgp@dessus.com for my PGP Public Key
====================================================================
SBT Information Systems Pty Ltd
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