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| Date: | Fri, 11 Sep 1998 16:19:39 EST |
| From: | Voytek Eymont <voytek@sbt.net.au > |
| Reply-To: | |
| To: | 32bits@sbt.net.au |
| Subject: | OS/2 News, Views & PRs 19-7-98 |
OS/2 News, Views & PRs 19-7-98
------------------------------
This is quite a bit of topic, but, last few weeks there was some building
work being done here.
Some of the tradesmen were from the former Soviet Union. As, thanks to Mr.
Churchil, I also have been born behind the former Iron Curtain, and
understand a bit of Russian, I had a few interesting discussions with some
of these fellows. Well, not really discussion, more of a monologue with me
as a listener. These fellows were in late 20's/early 30's.
The topics ranged from the space race to the extermination of native
Tasmanians.
It's truly amazing how thoroughly that now defunct regime brainwashed it's
people. The things that they told me, things that these people obviously
believe in, were extraordinary. I recall reading all that sort of stuff
from various Soviet propaganda literature in the years bygone, largely
factually correct, just interpreted to suit the cause; so I was quite
familiar with the 'logic', but I was really surprised to hear that sort of
propaganda here and now, and, from a live person, and not a yellowed, dusty
pamphlet.
Anyway, back to the newsletter.
But then again, perhaps I am not off topic at all ?
Last month, to a great fanfare, WinDOS98 were launched worldwide. Following
it's release, we visited some ZD feedback forums; interestingly, the most
common thread was 'crashing' as in:
..it crashes more than Win95...
..it crashes less than Win95...
..it still crashes...
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2209.html
but, just try to criticize, or offer an alternative, as Paul Montgrain did
and:
" I must tell you though, I have received many replies to my innocent
remarks made on Anchordesk. What has made this so interesting, is that as I
reply to the flamers, I have asked each of them how much serious computing
time they have logged using os/2. Of the ones that have responded, not one
has really experimented or used os/2 to any degree at all. To me, it simply
demonstrates MicroSofts incredible ability to snowball people, as well as
the remarkable inability for people to stretch beyond their normal
boundaries in search of improvement. If only they would be willing to be
something other than sheep. I guess I shouldn't really say that, but I do
find it frustrating to see such a remarkable product as os/2 be simply
ignored by the majority. "
Keep the faith
Paul Montgrain
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2209.html
Windows is a lousy operating system
Paul Montgrain EMAIL: P_MONTGRAIN@USA.NET Thursday Jun 25, 1998 Occupation:
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA Computer: PENTIUM/586
I agree ... but I think Windows fans are finally beginning to see what many
have said for years. There have been great alternate operating systems
available for years, but we have to admit that Redmond, with the help of a
'me-too media' have continually snubbed anything that didn't have Bill's
name on it. I happened to have been lucky and was introduced to OS/2 a few
years back, and have watched a great operating system be almost ignored,
and certainly media maligned. Windows, despite what the media and it's wall
street advertising crews dish out, is a lousy operating system. It seems
that almost everything that comes out of Redmond is laced with bugs, is
priced to what the market will painfully bear, and is packaged with the
attitude of a benevolent dictator. My reaction to all of this is simply a
knowing smile, a thought of 'you reap what you sow', and an invitation to
the next OS/2 user groups meeting on my lips.
Quit your whining already
Tom Elliott EMAIL: TSELLIOTT@ROCKETMAIL.COM Thursday Jun 25, 1998
Occupation: IS Location: DECATUR, IL
Quit your whining already!
Don't have a choice?! OS2. Linux(It's free - hard to complain about that
price). Unix in multiple flavors. You have choices, and make one by staying
with Windows. It's your choice - you've made it. Nothing stopping you from
moving to another platform.
Fact is, the only thing stopping you is that you get paid big bucks to
publicize your whines and gripes about Microsoft and Windows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
George Embry has a new Web Builder, check his site
often, as he updates is frequently. You can get the New OS/2 ONLY version
of Web Builder V1.0 http://www.pacific-telefonix.com.au/download
Web Builder V1.0 is a Native OS/2 HTML 3.x & 4.X Editor with many advanced
features including Table Builders etc... and Works with Netscape V2.02 for
OS/2 and also Web Explorer.
George
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just found Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device Driver Support for OS/2.
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/ps/products/os2/os2ddpak/usb.exe
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freeware http://www.cadsoft.de/freeware.htm
The EAGLE 3.5 Light Edition can be used freely!
Limitations
The following limitations apply to the EAGLE Light Edition in general:
The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches). Only
two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom). The schematic editor can
only create one sheet.
Apart from these three limitiations the EAGLE Light Edition can do anything
the Professional Edition can do. You can even load, view and print drawings
that exceed these limits!
The Freeware version of EAGLE Light adds these limitations:
Support is only available via email or through our forum (no fax or phone
support). Use is limited to non-profit applications or evaluation
purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Faint answer msg" on our FaxWorks answering machine
> The recorded message we have for playback to voice phone calls is
> very faint to the listener the other end. For me it seems to have
> got fainter over time yet, if I play it back normally it sounds
> fine! >
> Is there a control for the faxworks palyback volume of something
> else we can do. Even re-recording it doesn't seem to help.
This sounds like the modem is attenuating the voice message. This is
probably due to the way the modem works when PMfax puts it into a
"standard" voice compression so that it can use it with the OS/2 Multimedia
Wave files.
In a case like this, I would recommend switching to the "native" voice
format on the Modem Voice page and re-recording the messages with the
microphone and speaker (or telephone) attached directly to the modem. When
used in this mode, the modem runs in its default voice mode and we don't
need to convert the data (but you do need to record new voice prompts since
we don't convert the voice data).
This "native" format is in version 3.01.02, so make sure you have a recent
maintenance release to do this.
PMFax users can download all maintenance releases from www.kellergroup.com,
FaxWorks users need to subscribe to maintenance programme at US$20
equivalent, call us for details.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new Mesa 2.2 is due to ship anyday, you can
still download and try a try-before-buy version from
www.sundialsystems.com, menwhile, Michael Semon has an excellent guide (and
some real application sheets) on his web pages, some excerpts below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why do you use Mesa 2?
Welcome! I'm sure you'd like to know why I'm making these pages. You're
asking, "Why do you use Mesa 2?" I have to admit, I get stupid and
sentimental about things. I'll try to answer the unanswered questions that
some of you may ask. I hope you'll contribute to this list if you have a
good Mesa 2 story.
Why did you buy Mesa 2?
It was a little bit of everything. ......
However, there was a part where Mesa 2 won by good deeds. It's a solid,
friendly spreadsheet for idiots like me. I want to be able to tweak code,
sure, but when I'm not in the mood for it, I don't want to work hard for my
results. Mesa 2 excels for people with this attitude. The Mesa 2 demo got
me through two chapters in Lotus 1-2-3 homework and preserved my "A" in my
Intro to Computers class. J. Daniel Kulp showed me enough MScript to make
an auto-formatting accounting spreadsheet, and I didn't even own Mesa 2 at
the time! Yeah, that was a cool touch. Also, it's a powerful spreadsheet.
It's up to the task of my extremely nasty work and lets me work
efficiently.
So, now that you've used it for a year and a half, what do you think of it?
Mesa 2 is an understated program: This is a good thing.
....................
Mesa 2 stays out of my way and doesn't cause any hassles.
....................
Mesa 2's ergonomics are great!
....................
Mesa 2 has many features, and they're balanced well.
....................
Mesa 2 is stable, supported, and almost idiot-proof.
.........
The support for Mesa 2 is killer. In the few times I've asked
for support, I can't recall a support E-mail taking more than 36 hours to
get an answer. The answers were always correct, too. That's scary. I never
got the feeling that my letters are merely scanned over before I get an
answer.
That's about all, for now. Have fun!
--Michael Semon
A Simple Guide to Mesa 2 * Opinion
read the entire document at http://www.gate.net/~mlsemon/Mesa2/index.html
Michael's review of the new Mesa will appear shortly on the OS/2 e-zine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
********come on girls and boys*********
why not download the RC5 client, and crack some code off-line ?
you can upload your jobs next day or week, when you're online again, and
let your CPU work a little !! but do not forget to set your proxy to
warped.cswnet.com, so your result can be included in Team count. For those
in Australia (and anywhere else not in North America, for that matter), you
might consider using rc5des.phile.com.au as your proxy. This proxy also
reports through the Team Warped proxy server.
there is quite a number of Aussies on the Team, but we need more !
yes, I mean YOU ! -------------------- Well, we've managed to maintain our
4th place ranking and we've crept into 3rd place several times in the daily
rate. We have to continue growing for us to continue to gain, so make sure
and keep recruiting.
Look for new clients to be released later this week or early next week.
With DES II-2 coming up in 2 weeks, it's important to get the latest
clients installed. The new client version will be v2.7100.412, and the OS/2
version is currently being beta tested. Many of the 2.7100.412 clients are
out, so if you're running the client on non-OS/2 machines, you can begin
the upgrade process. These new clients will handle the switch to DES II-2
and back to RC5-64 much more gracefully than the previous ones. They also
have faster DES cores.
The team proxy servers (proxy.os2ss.com) have all been upgraded to cope
with the new clients. If you're running a proxy (most people aren't, so if
you're not, don't worry about this.), you should try and upgrade to version
279b if possible. 278 is the most recent version currently available for
OS/2, and this version will also work, but I think a 279b version is to be
released for OS/2 soon. At least version 278 is required if you're using
the new 2.7100 clients, so upgrade your proxies first if you haven't
already.
I'll announce here when the new clients are ready for general consumption
and ask that you try and update every machine you can to the latest client
before the July 13 start date. This will help Team Warped get the best jump
on the competition and increase the chance that we will find "the key" for
DES II-2. Also note that you shouldn't set the clients to buffer too many
DES blocks because the DES II-2 contest will come and go in about 10 days.
Until next time... Keep Cracking!
-- Colin L. Hildinger
Sat, 18 Jul 1998 11:43:42 -0500 DES II-2 is over.
// but the RC5 contest is still ON//
---------------------
In case you haven't checked on your clients or you missed the announcement
at www.distributed.net DES II-2 is over and distributed.net didn't find the
key. Some guys who built some custom hardware to crack DES found it in
about 2.5 days. Interestingly, when they found it we were going through the
keyspace almost as fast as they were, so by DES II-3 (January) we should be
able to kill DES much faster than they can. We are proving our point: DES
is extremely vulnerable.
Distributed.net will move back to RC5-64 for the time being and we'll have
the next 6 months to expand membership (Over 72000 different people/email
addresses have worked on RC5-64) and to improve client speeds and clients
and to generally enhance distributed.net's capabilities before DES II-3.
While RC5-64 may seem like something that's going to take forever, it's
been the glue between other projects that's held distributed.net together.
Soon enough d.net will begin to branch out into other areas besides these
encryption contests. And I can remember when the first DES contest looked
like it would take forever. The key is to get more people involved and
forever turns into a day.
-- Colin L. Hildinger CRACK 64-bit RC5 WITH OS/2 NOW!
http://www.ionet.net/~colin/rc5.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may wish to stop by:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/aurora
and
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/aurora/aurowp.html
to see the latest details on the new version of Warp Server, codenamed
Aurora.
You can apply for beta participation there.
==========================================================================
In case no one noticed, the new DEVCON version 2 is now available on the
web. Among other things, it has the Bamba and LiveBamba encoders recently
discussed available for AIX, HP-SUX, 95/NT, and OS/2.
You can get to it by click-a-thon from http://www.developer.ibm.com/ or by
directly at http://service2.boulder.ibm.com/devcon/showcase/index2.html
which goes directly into the Java 1.1 catalog bypassing all the smegma
around the door.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
New mSQL port for OS/2
There's a new port of the mSQL database for OS/2.
It's based on mSQL 2.0.4.1 Unix sources and Dirk Ohme port of mSQL 2.0.1,
and comes complete with all the utilities and the web gateway
(W3-mSQL.exe). You can download it from The mSQL PC Home Page at
http://www.blnet.com/msqlpc.
Please note that this is a Developer's Release, so people can help testing
the port and can start porting or building interfaces for OS/2 programming
tools.
This release contains pre-built binaries, installation instructions and
compiling instructions. You need EMX 0.9cFix4 and some other Unix tools,
plus the original mSQL 2.0.4.1 sources for Unix.
If you want to get started on mSQL, please see the article published on the
June issue of EMD2 magazine, http://www.edm2.com
[]s, Fernando Lozano
_____________________________________________________________
OS/2 WARP FM Transmitting 100% Pure Java Energy
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
VOLUME 2
OS/2 WARP FM July/August 1998 http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
______________________________________________________________
What's Queued Up? ----------------- WorkSpace On-Demand: From Concept to
Reality at Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd Jeff Smith: 10 Ways to start
readying your OS/2 infrastructure for e-business The Retail Industry does
e-business Consumer Direct: An e-business Natural OS/2 WARP FM July
Application of the Month - Integer by Athena Design Inc. Java 1.1.6 and
LDAP Support Now Available for OS/2 Warp New OS/2 Warp Server Manages
Windows NT Servers Press Points Industry News New OS/2 Leadership
WorkSpace On-Demand: From Concept to Reality at Standard Bank of South
Africa Ltd
Having just completed a successful two-branch pilot, Standard Bank of
South Africa is on the brink of rolling out WorkSpace On-Demand to over
300 locations, country-wide. WorkSpace is part of the bank's initiative to
exploit network computing in a retail banking environment.
It was April, 1997 when IBM first presented its strategy to move OS/2 in
the direction of network computing to a number of banking customers
attending an IBM Customer Advisory Council hosted by Standard Bank of
South Africa. The bank, one of the largest in southern Africa, thought it
was an interesting vision but discounted it as nothing more than vapor
until the introduction of WorkSpace On-Demand in October of the same year.
The WorkSpace team developed some very innovative solutions to these
challenges that will be explained fully in an upcoming WorkSpace On-Demand
Redbook (Check http://www.redbooks.ibm.com to order a copy.) For example,
they created configuration specific tables to automate the generation of
the machine class and user profiles to handle the six different machine
classes found in the bank's network. They also automatically generate the
printer configurations at the time clients are created to overcome
anomalies of the printer set up in a Standard Bank of South Africa branch.
#####
Jeff Smith: 10 Ways to start readying your OS/2 infrastructure for
e-business
With all this talk about e-business, it may be a good idea to consider
some ideas for preparing your infrastructure for this fast approaching
wave of the future. I've come up with a list of 10 reasonably simple ( or
perhaps simply reasonable) actions that you can take to move in the
direction of network computing.
#1 Relocate your applications to the server and "serve" them to clients
for execution.
#2 Upgrade to OS/2 Warp Server to prepare for server centricity and
WorkSpace On-Demand.
#3 Begin using TCP/IP as your LAN protocol, upgrade to v4.1.
#4 Analyze server availability requirements and consider a Vinca fail over
solution.
#5 Look at the value proposition of a network computer as a
next-generation client device.
#6 Add Netscape browser to prepare your users for browser-based access.
#7 Upgrade to OS/2 Warp 4.0 or WorkSpace On-Demand.
#8 Java-enable your client systems with the latest Java Virtual Machine
(JVM).
#9 Pilot WorkSpace On-Demand
#10 Start working with VisualAge Java.
Jeff Smith is the director of OS/2 Business Line Management. His team has
development and brand management responsibilities for the OS/2 and
WorkSpace On-Demand product families. He writes a column regularly for
WARP FM. #####
The Retail Industry does e-business
Consumer Direct: An e-business Natural
OS/2 WARP FM July Application of the Month - Integer by Athena Design Inc.
This month OS/2 WARP FM stretches the concept of application by presenting
its monthly award to Integer, the "world's first application server
component." Actually, it's not too much of a stretch because this powerful
software from Athena Design includes: - a spreadsheet engine that can run
anywhere there's a Java 1.1 virtual machine, - a spreadsheet GUI
front-end, and - a complete server development kit. Ergo, Integer is more
than just a single component -- it's a tool kit for programmers working on
server side development.
//Athena were the original developer of Mesa 2 s/s for OS/2 Warp, now part
of Sundial Systems//
For more information on Integer, visit Athena Design's web site at:
http//www.athena.com. #####
Java 1.1.6 and LDAP Support Now Available for OS/2 Warp
IBM recently announced the availability of the OS/2 Warp Developer's Kit
for Java 1.1.6, continuing to provide OS/2 Warp, OS/2 Warp Server and
WorkSpace On-Demand customers with the access to the latest versions of
Java.
With Java 1.1.6, customers can take advantage of the latest available
version of the Java programming language while helping protect existing
investments in operating systems, middleware and applications. Java 1.1.6
can enhance Java cross-platform scalabi lity, stability, performance and
security.
IBM intends to release new versions of Java promptly as they become
available on the reference platforms from Sun Microsystems Corp. As an
example, IBM announced preview availability of Java 1.1.6 just three days
after Sun, and as a result, gave OS/2 Warp users access to the most
current Java technology. Java 1.1.6 for OS/2 is a fully compliant
implementation of Sun's Java Development Kit version 1.1.6.
Java 1.1.6 is available free of charge from IBM's Software Choice web site
at http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/swchoice. The developers kit is
currently available for OS/2 Warp 4, WorkSpace On-Demand, OS/2 Warp
Server, OS/2 Warp Server Advanced, OS/2 Warp Server SMP, OS/2 Warp Connect
and OS/2 Warp 3.
LDAP Client Toolkit for OS/2 Warp and OS/2 Warp Server With IBM's OS/2 LDAP
(Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) Toolkit programmers can enable new
or existing applications to access, search and update a variety of
LDAP-based servers and LDAP-compliant directories. The LDAP tool kit which
is available for C and Java programming languages, provides TCP/IP access
to directories that support this standards-based protocol.
The LDAP Client Toolkit will allow customers using the OS/2 Warp or OS/2
Warp Server operating system to easily access information using the
standard LDAP protocols. This new feature will help OS/2 customers
simplify their network computing environment making it easier to roll out
and implement new applications.
The LDAP Client Toolkit is available for OS/2 Warp 4, OS/2 Warp 3 and OS/2
Warp Server to eligible customers that have Upgrade Protection under one
of IBM's software purchasing agreements. The LDAP Client Toolkit is
available from IBM's Software Choice web site at:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/swchoice. #####
New OS/2 Warp Server Manages Windows NT Servers Provides New Server
Management and Universal Device Driver Support
IBM* recently announced that the next release of OS/2 Warp Server will
eliminate the need to sign onto multiple servers and simplify network
access by allowing users to administer Windows NT** 4.0 servers from an
OS/2* Warp Server screen, .
The new release will also provide industry standard support for
Intelligent Input/Output (I2O) device drivers and adapters such as Small
Computer System Interface (SCSI), and Local Area Network (LAN) ethernet
and token rings. This will give customers immediate availability of I2O
SCSI and LAN device drivers.
"As we roll out the next version of OS/2 Warp Server early next year you
will see that we are putting a strong emphasis on the needs of our
enterprise customers," said Jeff Smith, director of IBM's OS/2 Business
Unit. "Both the Windows NT server management and our support of the I2O
device driver specification are enhancements that should help our
customers to better manage their enterprises."
Windows NT Server Management The new server management capabilities in the
upcoming version of OS/2 Warp Server should help system administrators
better manage their multi-vendor network through an OS/2 Warp Server. The
new Windows NT server management gives administrators the ability to
create, update and delete user accounts (IDs), passwords, and groups, via
OS/2 Warp Server's simple graphical user interface or rich command line
interface. The user information can be synchronized seamlessly with
Windows NT servers in the OS/2 Warp Server network. In addition, end users
will only need to log on to one server to access all files, applications
and printers -- rather than entering multiple IDs and passwords to access
information on different server platforms.
In a typical scenario user accounts (IDs), passwords, and some
applications would reside on an OS/2 Warp Server, while other servers in
the network would host (or serve) applications such as databases or
transaction software. In addition, one or more serv ers would also host (or
serve) Windows NT for file/print and Win32 applications. With the new
version of OS/2 Warp Server, end users will be able to access all servers,
files, applications and printers through a single OS/2 Warp Server.
Universal Device Driver Compatibility The next version of OS/2 Warp Server
will also support the Intelligent Input/Output Architecture Specification
adopted by the I2O Special Interest Group Membership. The specification
defines a standard for classes of device drivers such as SCSI, and LAN e
thernet and token rings. Enterprises can now be confident that as long as
a device driver supports the I2O specification, OS/2 Warp Server will
support that device driver. Compliance with this specification also
ensures that OS/2 Warp Server users will not have delays in availability
of I2O SCSI and LAN device drivers.
The Next Version Of OS/2 Warp Server OS/2 Warp Server is a member of IBM's
family of enterprise servers which offer extraordinary scalability,
reliability and performance. In addition to the feature and functionality
found in today's OS/2 Warp Server, the new release will offer customers
out -of-box Year 2000 and euro currency readiness. It will also include a
high-performance Journaling File System offering faster performance,
improved scalability and enhanced Web serving capabilities. The next
version of OS/2 Warp Server is planned for beta availability in late 1998
and general availability in 1999. #####
Press Points
Newsbytes: "Bank of China Opts for OS/2", 6/15/98
The Bank of China group plans to transfer all member banks' teller
terminals to OS/2 Warp. Under an agreement with IBM, the banks will also
install Universal Database, Consumer Transaction/2 (IBM's bank teller
application), Communications Server/2, LANDP and Lotus software for the
teller workstations. ##
LAN Times: "OS/2 upgrade hinges on thin client strategy" by R. Scott
Raynovich, 6/10/98
This article discusses IBM's OS/2 network computing strategy and mentions
release 2 of WorkSpace On-Demand as well as the upcoming new version of
the OS/2 Warp Server, planned to be available early in 1999. As an example
of industry response to this move, the article quotes Richard Spurlock,
vice president of Starfire Engineering & Technologies Inc. "WorkSpace
On-Demand has taken us completely by surprise because customers who have
historically said no to OS/2 are now asking how fast [they] can deploy
this," ##
New York Times: "Circuits: Nader Weighs In on Microsoft, Calling for the
Return of OS/2" by Katie Hafne, 6/11/98
Ralph Nader, the world renowned consumer advocate, wrote to IBM Chairman
and CEO, Lou Gerstner asking IBM to make the OS/2 source code public.
Nader reasoned that with OS/2 source code freely available, application
developers would readily write OS/2 programs and therefore create an
alternative to Windows. He also requested that IBM offer OS/2 as a free
option with its PC hardware. ##
Smart Reseller: " Nader to Gerstner: Free OS/2", Mary Jo Foley, 6/8/98
This article included the following quote from the Nader letter: "We are
writing to ask that IBM stop forcing customers who buy IBM personal
computers to purchase Microsoft Windows. You should give your PC customers
an opportunity to buy a non-Microsoft operating system, or at a minimum to
permit the consumer to buy a PC from IBM without any operating system."
Nader also wrote to Dell, requesting that company to allow customers to
order PCs with the operating system of their choosing.
NOTE: IBM will not give away the OS/2 source code because it has invested
a lot of money into OS/2 and it is still a product sold to customers --
medium to large enterprises. IBM continues to develop OS/2 and plans to
release a new version of WorkSpace On-Demand later this year and a new
version of OS/2 Warp Server early next year. IBM also continues to update
the client version of OS/2 Warp via the Software Choice Internet delivery
site. #####
//NOTE: IBM will NOT offer OS/2 on their hardware because //
Industry News
ZDNN: "Cell-phone makers pick and OS; Microsoft Spurned" by Andrew
Orlowski 6/24/98,
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/zdnn_display/0,3440,2114861,00.html
Leading manufacturers of cell-phones, Motorola Ericsson, and Nokia, chose
Psion's EPOC as the common operating system for smart phones and digital
communicators. The handset makers created Symbian a joint venture that
will control the EPOC application programming interfaces (APIs). The
president of Nokia Mobile Phone, Pekka Ala Pietila explained the choice of
EPOC because "it's an uncompromised platform." The thought of one company
alone controlling the APIs unsettled the telecom industry ##
Smart Reseller: "IBM Set to Announce OS Deal", by Deborah Gage, 6/2/98
IBM will be using the QNX/Neutrino real-time operating system, which
consumes less than 64kb of code, to embed in PowerPC-based devices for
embedded devices. ##
IBM Press Release: "IBM Offers Free Software & Support for 50 Companies to
Join NY S/W Industry Assn., 6/24/98
The IBM Solution Developer Program will give free software, tools and
technical support to 50 companies who join the New York Software Industry
Association during its membership drive which began in June. The IBM
worldwide program was designed to support software developers and
encourage the use of IBM hardware and software platforms. The New York
Software Industry Association, a non-profit organization, was founded in
1992 to build the software development industry in the down-state New York
area, create a sense of community within the industry, and to assist
companies and individuals within the "software community". ##
IBM Press Release: "IBM Unveils Industry's Most Complete Portfolio of
Products for Web-To-Host Computing", 6/23/98
IBM today announced a wide array of new products and enhancements to its
eNetwork* Software family of host integration products, which can create
competitive advantages for customers who want to integrate existing
applications with the Web. New functions maximize the value of a company's
computing assets and extend business reach by providing the most complete
web-to-host solution in the industry. The single, integrated solution
allows easy access for employees, suppliers, business partners and
customers.
Products announced include:
- The IBM eNetwork Host Integration Solution -- which, in a comprehensive
software package, gives users secure access to mission-critical business
systems, regardless of platform or network environment. Priced at $159 USD
per user, the flexible client/server software offers a simple,
fixed-price-per-user pricing structure, along with associated services. It
consists of IBM eNetwork Communications Server for Windows NT, version 6.0
(or Communications Server for OS/2* or AIX*), IBM eNetwork Personal
Communications (for OS/2, DOS and Windows 3.1/Windows 95/Windows NT), and
IBM eNetwork Host On-Demand.
- IBM eNetwork Host On-Demand, Version 3 -- the latest incarnation of the
first 100% Pure Java emulator and the industry's leading Web-to-host
client, is now available for beta testing at:
http//software.ibm.com/enetwork/betas/hostondemand/. #####
New OS/2 Leadership
To streamline the organization as well as accelerate the teamwork among
the development and marketing teams, IBM is combining the Network
Computing Software Division business units. Java and OS/2 will become a
single unit, headed by Patricia Sueltz, who was general manager of Java
Software. Security will be combined with eNetwork Software under Jeff
Jaffe who joined NCSD in April as general manager of Security.
The reorganization is a natural one, supporting the NCSD strategy to
deliver an end-to-end software infrastructure for pervasive computing.
Moreover it's a positive move for OS/2. It further increases its synergy
with Java and reiterates its importance wi thin IBM's overall network
computing strategy.
Pat has corporate responsibility for leading IBM's Java strategy and
initiative. She has been instrumental to the industry-wide push to make
Java the open application model and to IBM's featuring of Java in its
e-business offerings. She works closely with industry leaders and has a
strong profile with IBM customers and te chnology opinion shapers. #####
Back Issues of OS/2 WARP FM are available on-line at http://
www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
_______________________________________________________________
OS/2 CONNECT - August 1998
The newsletter is implemented as a web page at:
http://www.os2ss.com/connect/
It is also available as a set of HTML files suitable for use with standard
web browsers, such as the Netscape Navigator. The file is named
CON0898.ZIP which includes a 1README.TXT file describing the newsletter and
how to install it. The newsletter is being distributed through the
following channels:
1. Commercial Networks:
A. America Online
In Computing; "OS/2 Forum" - under "OS/2 Newsletters"
NOTE: You can also access our Web site through AOL's "OS/2 on the 'Net"
section in the OS/2 Forum; select "OS/2 Publications Websites."
2. On the Internet:
FTP Sites: hobbes.nmsu.edu (/pub/os2/info/newsltr/connect) or
(/pub/incoming) ftp-os2.cdrom.com (/pub/os2/incoming) or (/pub/os2/newsltr)
World Wide Web Sites:
OS/2 CONNECT home page (HTML) http://www.os2ss.com/connect/
- the zipped HTML files for downloading can be found at:
http://www.os2ss.com/connect/purpose.htm
IN BRAZIL http://www.geocities.com/~macarlo/
IN DENMARK: http://www.zitech.dk/userwebs/ericjohs/
3. Bulletin Boards:
Regards, Tim Bryce Editor, OS/2 CONNECT M. Bryce & Associates, Inc. (MBA)
WWW: http://www.os2ss.com/connect/ MBA: Developers of the "PRIDE"
Information Factory(R) and Batch Manager Since 1971: "Software for the
finest computer - the Mind"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------
The following letter was sent to many of InnoVal's customers. Although much
of the content relates to OS/2, there is some useful information about our
current Java products activity.
Those of you who have worked with the recent experimental releases of JSM
or yesterday's beta 98.6.2 will see that there is considerable redundancy
between the Popper feature in JSM 98.6.2 and Kick@ AnyClient. The filters
are similar though AnyClient has an additional spam filter. The timed
retrieval of mail from one or more accounts is also similar. I can't say
you need AnyClient, though I am using AnyClient and JSM in tandem and
loving it.
Should we implement the added features of AnyClient in JSM? I'm inclined to
say no. At least not now. AnyClient is an added layer of function. I don't
want to JSM to become bloated and besides, there are many other features
that you have told us you want in the J Street Mailer. I want to focus JSM
development work on those things you have told us are most important. What
do you think?
Why are we building a native OS/2 version of AnyClient? We shouldn't need
to. But as a company, we are committed to continue to fullysupport our OS/2
customers. Many have not YET committed to Java. Perhaps some of us still
find it too "exciting." That's true even at InnoVal :)
Thanks for your support. If you want to join in on the Kick@ AnyClient
project, we would love to have you do so.
Dan * * *
Kick@ and J Street AnyClient (Native OS/2 and Java Versions)
============================================================
We are launching a Charter User Group Program for Kick@ AnyClient. There
will be two versions, a native OS/2 version and a Java version. AnyClient
is an email power tool and spam filtering system designed to work with your
favorite email software such as Post Road Mailer or PMMail.
For those of you who want to get in on the ground floor, influence product
design, and save some money, we are offering a $25.00 introductory package.
With the package you get the following:
1. Access to all beta builds if you want them. These will be available on
June 23, 1998.
2. Production releases. You may choose the native OS/2 version, the Java
version, or both. The first production release will be available
approximately one month after the beta is released.
3. One year of guaranteed maintenance plus free upgrades for either the
Java version or the native OS/2 version.
The Java version will work with most standard POP3 email clients, including
OS/2 native mailers and J Street Mailer. The native OS/2 version will work
with PMMail, MR2/ICE, Post Road Mailer, Ultimail Lite, Netscape's email
facilities, and, of course, J Street Mailer.
Enrollment in the Charter User Group Program will be limited. If you want
to be a part of this program, please enroll as soon as possible. As with
the very successful Charter User Group Program for the J Street Mailer, you
will have a significant voice in how this software evolves. We have learned
that this is the best way to build software for power users.
For more information about Kick@ AnyClient please see
http://www.innoval.com/anyclient.htm
Post Road Mailer ================
For those of you who are running 3.0 and for those who upgrade now, please
accept a free feature-enhancement that will allow you to customize the
toolbar. Simply download http://www.aescon.com/bestofos2/posttlbr.zip.
After ensuring that Post Road Mailer is not running, unzip the file in your
Post Road Mailer directory. You may now rearrange buttons, hide buttons,
establish buttons for different accounts, and change the bubble help text.
Enjoy!
Customers who have not upgraded to Post Road Mailer 3.0 and who elect to
stay with a native OS/2 email client should give serious consideration to
upgrading at this time. All future enhancements to the Post Road Mailer
will be built off the 3.0 code base. The cost to do so is $25.00.
I have recently received several complaints about the Free Edition of the
Post Road Mailer. The complaint is that by offering a free edition, we are
being unfair to competing native OS/2 email developers. I had not thought
of it that way. We had tried to do something positive for OS/2 users and at
the same time encourage people to try the J Street Mailer. In fact, that
was the deal. We said it on the free page: "If you agree to try J Street
Mailer, we'll give you a free copy of Post Road Mailer." The Free Edition
was back-level release 2.6. The Free Edition has outlived its usefulness. J
Street Mailer is well known and sales are very good. I doubt very much that
we have hurt competition but on the chance that this is true, I am
withdrawing the Free Edition immediately. I encourage everyone interested
in a new native OS/2 client to purchase a license for Release 3.0. If you
are using the Free Edition, I encourage you to upgrade.
$25.00 shouldn't be too much to pay for quality OS/2 software.
For more information about Post Road Mailer, please visit our home page at
http://www.innoval.com
J Street Mailer ===============
An excellent email product for many customers is our Java-based J Street
Mailer. J Street Mailer is richer in features than other email clients.
This is a truly professional email client. It is fast and reliable. It can
be run on multiple operating systems including OS/2 Warp 4, Windows NT,
Windows 95, Linux, Solaris, AIX, and MacOS. Customers who use different
platforms will benefit greatly by being able to run the same mail software,
with common folders and address books, on any Java enabled operating system
they use.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get in on the exciting Java technology.
Release Two of J Street Mailer is an excellent choice for all of your email
work. And, if you are so inclined, you can join with us testing new beta
releases and help us design enhancements into J Street Mailer. We have a
very strong and active mailing list for those who want to participate. This
mailing list proves very useful as we continue to improve and enhance the
product.
For more information about J Street Mailer, please visit our home page at
http://www.innoval.com
Project Kickin Butt Web Accelerator ===================================
We asked people to make a commitment to this before we started coding a
native OS/2 version. We said that we would produce it if 1,000 people
agreed, up front, to buy it for $25.00. So far, we have slightly more than
half the number required. We are optimistic. So if you are interested in
Kickin Butt but have not signed up, please consider doing so. If Kick@
AnyClient sales are better than expected, I may consider moving some
revenue from Kick@ to this project to "prime the pump" because this is a
project that I very much want to do in native OS/2 code.
For more information about Project Kickin Butt, please see the announcement
in WarpCast at http://www.os2ss.com/warpcast/wc1578.html
NetExtra - Our Native OS/2 Add-On for Netscape Navigator
========================================================
Some concern has been expressed about whether or not NetExtra will work
with the expected release of a new native OS/2 Netscape browser. It will,
though we will need to update the program. Making NetExtra work with the
HotJava browser is more problematic. We are awaiting documentation from Sun
Microsystems. We will keep you posted.
For more information about NetExtra, please visit our home page at
http://www.innoval.com
Warpstock 98 ============
InnoVal will be participating in Warpstock 98. We will be showing new
native OS/2 software and new Java software. Our Java focus will be Java on
the OS/2 platform and we'll be providing some useful information about
getting the most out of Java on OS/2. We look forward to seeing you at
Warpstock 98.
Thanks,
Dan Porter, President InnoVal Systems Solutions, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
M$ red faced again
Microsoft photo site overwhelmed By Paul Festa Staff Writer, CNET NEWS.COM
June 24, 1998, 5:25 p.m. PT
After promising the world, a red-faced Microsoft is finding itself unable
to deliver.
The company yesterday launched its TerraServer site, a database of finely
detailed photographs of planet Earth taken from space and from the air. The
point of the site, according to Microsoft, was to demonstrate the
scalability of its database and Web servers.
"We wanted to demonstrate to customers that we could run a very large
system on the Internet 7 days a week, 24 hours a day," Microsoft's Jim Ewel
told NEWS.COM yesterday on the site's debut. "We wanted to show people we
could run these very scalable systems."
Unfortunately for Microsoft, the plan appears to have backfired as user
demand has overwhelmed the system's capacity to respond. Web surfers trying
to access the site have met with the following error message:
"HTTP Error 403/403.9 Access Forbidden: Too many users are connected/This
error can be caused if the Web server is busy and cannot process your
request due to heavy traffic. Please try to connect again later."
Would-be visitors to the site have suggested that Microsoft's technical
claims do not rest on "terra firma".
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Slashdot's been having a major laugh-fest over this --- all hail the
oh-so-scalable NT, NOT!
(Now if only IBM had the guts to demonstrate OS/2 this way --- but they'd
be terrified of the effect on sales of RS/6000 and AS/400 systems of a
demonstration that a PC-based solution could handle it.)
-- brandon s. allbery [os/2][linux][solaris][japh] allbery@kf8nh.apk.net
system administrator [WAY too many hats] allbery@ece.cmu.edu electrical
and computer engineering carnegie mellon university (bsa@kf8nh is still
valid.)
=======================================================
IBM Software Installer, once a pricy tool, can now be downloaded from:
http://www.raleigh.ibm.com/sws/SoftwareInstaller/packages/
========================================================
WE DO NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE
INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL WE BE LIABLE
FOR ANY LOSS OR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES CAUSED BY EITHER IGNORING OR RELIANCE ON THIS INFORMATION OR FOR
THE RISKS OF THE STOCK MARKET.
Voytek Eymont
SBT Information Systems Pty Ltd
http://www.sbt.net.au
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