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Note: This website is using CSS and other modern web techniques. Just as you migrated from DOS to a more modern operating system, perhaps it is time to use a newer browser. Anyway, we have tested this site with a variety of old browsers (even a 1.0 browser) and all of them will display the site's content, but it may not be very pretty.
MARCH MEETING REPORT
Happy to report that we had good attendance in March. There were 33 names on the attendance log, including 3 new faces. Hope to see them often at future meetings.
Since Episcopal Academy is so close to public transportation, there was an expectation that several of the Philadelphia Center City folks who don't have cars might have called ahead of time to be picked up at the Overbrook train station. But none did. Hey, you guys in Center City, there's no excuse now for not coming to meetings. Get off your couches.
The meeting began with the usual list of announcements, news items of general interest, new software, forthcoming events, etc. which were briefly reviewed and discussed.
One announcement of particular importance is an effort now being initiated to obtain corporate sponsorship for our OS/2 SIG. All members are requested to provide information to Larry on known corporate users of OS/2 located throughout the tri-state metropolitan area.
Winter Olympic Games Report
As previously promised, David Moskowitz gave us a detailed report of his activities at Nagano, working with IBM in the Surf Shack. Additionally, David provided colorful details of what it was like living in that environment, the transportation problems, the food, relationships with other workers, other interesting sidelights, etc.
We tried to record David's talk for later transcription, but somewhere along the way, the tape recorder had a mechanical failure, most likely a belt breakage.
in the Olympic Village. The athletes used a custom application called Home Page Builder to build their own home pages which IBM placed on the World Wide Web. Over 1500 athletes took advantage of the program to do just that. In addition, the athletes were able to surf the Web, get e-mail, and play the latest computer games. The athletes used IBM Aptivas for workstations which were connected to a 16-megabit token ring network. OS/2 Warp Server running on an IBM 330 PC Server acted as the domain controller -- with redundant systems for both the athletes and the server in case of failure.
(1) It is possible to deliver a highly complex system involving distributed computing, multiple networks and domains, and software for acreditation, results collection, result distribution, press information, commentator information and more on time!
(2) The official restaurant of the Games was MacDonald's -- no matter how good a Big Mac might be, it gets old long before two months in Japan are over.
PalmPilot Presentation
Ben Bowers next gave us a very detailed demo and presentation of the 3COM PalmPilot handheld organizer, a runaway hit, having nearly 85% of the market after only 2 years.
The PalmPilot's market success reflects the appeal of a class of device that fits into a shirt pocket and weighs only 5.6 ounces with batteries. It's designed to be conveniently carried nearly all the time. There is no battery charger, keyboard or mouse required. Just change the 2 AAA batteries every 4-6 weeks and you are A-OK.
The device comes with a touchscreen display and 4 key applications: addressbook, memopad, calendar and to-do list. There are many hundreds of additional 3rd party applications and games that can be easily and affordably added. The wealth of PalmPilot SW available is the result of having good development tools and languages including adapted versions of BASIC, C, LISP and VB-like tools like CASLsoft. The higher end models include support for E-mail and internet connections via TCP/IP. The very latest product, the PalmPilot III, includes all the previous goodies as well as an IRDA port that can be used to beam data to another PalmPilot III.
Prices for the three current models range from about $140 to $360. Older models will be able to be upgraded to the IRDA port and additional memory for about $130.
The apps have all been designed to work with a PC via a program called Desktop, which allows entry of large amounts of data from the PC keyboard, and then synchronize it with the PalmPilot via a serial port connection. Data can also be directly entered via a stylus on the touchscreen and using an easily learned print-like language called Graffiti.
OS/2 is not officially supported, but there is support for a Win 3.1 version that can be made to work under Win-OS/2.
There is also growing support from the Java community and the Linux folks. The key thing to all this is that data can be protected by being stored on both the PalmPilot and a PC.
There are also a wide variety of hardware accessories available, including modems, bar code scanners, GPS adapters, and more. The variety of cases is staggering, including titanium cases for ultimate protection, to shoulder holster cases for quick access. The success of the PalmPilot has been the result of the right design that maximizes battery life while providing the organizing tools people really need without including things they don't need and doing it all while keeping the price low.
Following Ben's presentation, we took a break to socialize, enjoy the complimentary refreshments and conduct our customary 50/50 lottery.
As usual, we were also running well past our scheduled 10:00pm closing time, but everyone was asked to be seated to permit a Q&A session. One of the new people and several of the others had some good technical questions which were ably answered by David, Ben and others.
We finally cleaned up the premises, packed up all the equipment, and departed around 10:45pm.
Many thanks to the folks at Episcopal Academy for the continued use of their meeting facilities.
OS/2 NEWS
Eric Hafler, the perennial TCF booster at PACS, paid a brief visit to drop off a pile of TCF brochures which were distributed to everyone present.
A written invitation for interested students was delivered to Bill Daniels, the Technology Coordinator at Episcopal Academy. We volunteered to transport and pay admission to TCF for any EA students who may wish to attend. Several of our members volunteered to provide transportation.
The Lotus SmartSuite Senior Product Manager has announced that Lotus began shipping the Global English Edition of SSW4 to resellers on Thursday, March 26th. NFS copies will be available for raffle prizes at OS/2 SIG meetings in April and following months. Copies of README files (Release Notes) and PDF formatted versions of the printed books provided with SSW4 are now available from the "Downloads" page of the SSW4 web site at: http://www.lotus.com/smartsuiteos2
Deep-discount prices were listed for early orders by Indelible Blue and J3 Computer Technologies. It's not known how long these prices will remain in effect.
The Warpstock Committee announced that Chicago had submitted the winning bid to host the 1998 Warpstock scheduled for October 16-18.
Timothy Sipples announced that the Second Annual International Conference to Provide Comprehensive Exhibits and Seminars to Help OS/2 Warp Users, also known as WARPSTOCK, will be held in Chicago.
For additional detailed information, log in on the Warpstock '98 web site at http://www.warpstock.org/
The log from a recent Speak Up Session with Sam Detweiler of the IBM Device Driver Development activity, is now available. You can read the full transcript at www.os2voice.org.
Some of the interesting things that were mentioned include:
WarpFM reports that IBM is working with Netscape to release Communicator for OS/2 in the 4th quarter of this year. The product will be a "no-charge" or free download through IBM's Software Choice site. A beta is expected during the third quarter, but no indication on whether it will be a public beta or limited distribution beta.
Communicator for OS/2 will offer support for WSOD, the client version of Warp 4 and OS/2 Warp Server. It will, of course, include support for Java 1.1, but most likely Java 1.2 because IBM has previously indicated they will release Java 1.2 by year's end.
Netscape has accelerated the evolution of Netscape Communicator by releasing the source code of its next-generation client software. The source code is available from a host of Mozilla Mirrored Sites. It was also reported that Netlabs has begun the first porting of Communicator for OS/2 Warp.
Reports from folks who attended JavaOne say the conference was a smashing success and helped to unite the Java community even tighter and to spread the development of Java much faster. "By the end of this year we'll start seeing some great Java products," said one attendee, but hey, we're seeing great Java products already. Look at J Street Mailer! A handsome piece of 100% Pure Java software!
Unfortunately, the mainstream computer media haven't seen fit to pay too much attention to this great event. ComputerWorld, in particular, had some rather negative comments.
Java was the featured cover story in the April 7th issue of Ziff-Davis's PC Magazine, received here on March 19th, just a few days prior to the JavaOne Conference. The reportage was judged to be so off-base and inaccurate that storms of protest arose from knowledgable developers and users alike all around the world.
One such dedicated Java developer is InnoVal Systems Solutions whose president, Dan Porter, wrote a widely published open letter of protest to the editors of PC Magazine. Dan's letter expresses most eloquently the feelings of the great majority of the Java community.
Open Letter To The Editors of PC Magazine Monday, March 30, 1998
Your coverage of Java environments in the April 7, 1998 issue of PC Magazine was not unlike a 7th grader's attempt at writing a book report after having only seen the movie or skimming some "Cliff Notes." It seemed to me that your booth at Java One, where copies of this issue were distributed to many of the fourteen thousand attendees, was the only unattended booth. Was it any wonder that this was so? For, not fifty feet away, we were demonstrating J Street Mailer running on OS/2. None of the OS/2 Java environment problems cited in PC Magazine were evident in our demo. None!
It was no accident that we chose a relatively slow 166 MH laptop or that we kept the Warp logo visible at all times on a large overhead monitor. When journalists visited our booth we were quick to discuss our environment. We explained that we could just as easily have demonstrated J Street with Windows NT, Windows 95, Linux, or a number of other operating environments. The "reality" of compatibility was being demonstrated.
"Why OS/2?" That question was asked frequently. We delighted in explaining the stability of OS/2 and the better than average performance of OS/2 Java. We were happy to show them how J Street Mailer was launched from an icon on the desktop; that Netscape Navigator 2.02 was not even installed on the demo machine; that the hyperlinked help files, in fact the email messages themselves, were HTML running in a pure Java browser component window. And, yes, we could run Java applets inside J Street's "internal" pure Java browser. Those who had read your magazine were somewhat astounded to see that we were not encountering the many problems you cited.
I have mentioned the "reality" of compatibility and I have mentioned performance. It would be inappropriate for me to suggest that some problems don't exist. They do, but not to the degree your testing seems to indicate. There are bugs in the OS/2, Microsoft Windows 95 and NT, Sun Windows 95 and NT, Linux, Mac, and Solaris run-time environments. There are also some performance issues. One of them is the very buggy event queue in the "Editors' Choice" Microsoft VM (so you changed your testing to keep Microsoft in the running). Another problem, one your tests failed to uncover, is poor error handling performance in the Microsoft VM. Programs that have robust error handling methods (try-catch in Java lingo) often run much slower on Microsoft's Windows 95 implementation of Java than on Sun's Windows 95 implementation.
Java is not yet the ideal we all wish for. It is still too easy to "sloppy-code" a program that runs well on only one or two platforms. Therefore, it is totally inappropriate to rig your tests to accommodate Microsoft's VM or any other VM. Would OS/2 Java have fared better in your tests had you first adjusted your tests to work around its problems (they're there)? You should at least be commended for admitting to your shenanigans.
The story you tell needs to be told. Cross-platform issues are still real, bugs exist, and performance varies. I only wish you had presented a more accurate, well researched and objective picture to your readers.
You said in your article that, "A notable limitation to the OS/2 environment is that it runs only from Netscape's Navigator 2.02." Did you read the book, see the movie, or just make that up?
Dan Porter, President InnoVal Systems Solutions, Inc.
InnoVal released the 8th beta, build 98.3.5 just prior to the JavaOne conference. This same build has also been designated as "Release One" for promotional purposes, and was made available for sale at JavaOne.
InnoVal indicates that this is not considered to be the official "gold" release. Development and beta testing are continuing without pause at InnoVal together with beta tester members of the Charter Users Group. Message traffic on the jstreet email listserver between InnoVal and the Charter User beta testers continues on at very heavy levels seven days per week.
Nils Meier, the author of Family Tree for OS/2, has announced that the next version of his widely used OS/2 genealogy program will be written entirely in Java, so it will run on any platform. A beta version will be available soon, so if you are interested in this kind of thing, keep on eye on the author's web site: http://pages.vossnet.de/nmeier
A report was seen from a reliable source that IBM Israel has recently assigned a single developer full-time to the pure Java Internet Connection Phone project. A first beta version is expected in about a month. The currently available version of IBM's JavaPhone is not pure Java. It runs only on Win32.
Additional information about this project may be found on the following web page:
The Java lobby is a group of people who share a common interest in Java software development and the advancement of Java standards and software. The main purpose of the Java Lobby is to represent the needs and concerns of the Java developer and user community to the companies and organizations who have influence in the evolution of Java. We encourage all people who care about Java to stand together with us.
Read the full basic statement of "who we are" and "what we stand for." Join us! It's free, it's easy, and your support makes all the difference! Do it now: http://www.javalobby.org/
Get a free copy of Hacksaw for OS/2?
InnoVal will give you one for free if you join the Java Lobby at http://www.javalobby.org. It won't cost you anything to join, but a moment or two of your time, and by joining you are showing your support for Java. InnoVal says: "We are making this appeal because, as a traditional OS/2 ISV, we believe that true 100% pure Java is important to the future of OS/2."
Hacksaw is a great little tool for use on the internet. You can retrieve web pages, send e-mail, check to see if you have e-mail, retrieve that e-mail and delete e-mail on a Pop3 or SMTP server. The FTP commands are very well done. You can send and receive files via FTP, change or list directories and more. And InnoVal will give it to you for FREE if you'll just join the Java Lobby.
HINTS & TIPS
Thanks to John Davey for passing on this handy trick for use with Netscape Navigator when calling web sites which require a user ID and password, like Warp City for example. It's a real nice timesaver.
In the bookmark for such a site, just insert the ID and password into the URL, as follows:
http://userid:password@www.- - - -
USEFUL WEB SITES
Each month, we list a few web pages which may be of benefit and/or interest to OS/2 users. This month's selections include ...
NEW SOFTWARE RELEASES
IBM AntiVirus Datafiles Update AV30BF
AV30BF.ZIP 482359 3-24-98
Antivirus database update v.3.0BF
http://www.av.ibm.com/IBMAntiVirus/Updates/
Fix for SYS3175 Error when running DM2IMAGE
DOSCALL1.DLL 124488 3-24-98
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/ ps/products/os2/fixes/v4warp/english-us/xr_m006/
OS/2 Feature Install v.1.2.2
FIRUNPKG.ZIP 919253 1-13-98
http://service.boulder.ibm.com/asd-bin/doc/en_us/catalog.htm
Java v.1.1.4 Build of 3-19-98 (Posted 3-24-98)
RUNTIME.EXE
SAMPLES.EXE
TOOLKIT.EXE
ftp://ncc.hursley.ibm.com/pub/java/fixes/os2/11/
Year 2000 Update for WinOS/2
WINFILE.EXE 146960 3-24-98
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/ ps/products/os2/fixes/v4warp/english-us/xr_m006/
Here's a selection of several new releases which may be useful for many of our members. These files can be downloaded from hobbes, BMT, OS/2 Supersite, and other of the usual OS/2 Internet and BBS file distribution sources.
BBS SUPPORT
Larry Lavins' BBS, The Claim Board, is still online, going strong, even though the files haven't been updated for an embarrassing long time. The job of updating a wide variety of files for DOS, Windows, OS/2, etc. has proved to be too taxing. Serious consideration is being given to specializing in OS/2 related files, with only a smattering of other general DOS and Windows applications. Stay tuned ...
Most callers log in for the large selection of FidoNet echomail areas, including OS/2 International Conference, OS/2 Hardware, OS/2 DOS-Windows, OS/2 Internet and Team OS/2. Some popular genealogy areas are also available: National Genealogical Conference, Jewish Genealogy Conference and Genealogy Software.
There are hundreds of new messages received every day from all over the world on these OS/2 echomail areas.
Phone number is (215) 878-9611, 24-hours daily. All standard ITU bitrates are supported, up to 14400 (v.32bis). Everything is free.
PACS members who wish to have additional access privileges must send a message to the Sysop to request same. Be sure to include your PACS ID number, which will be verified.
Another very fine BBS, which supports OS/2 exclusively, is the OS/2 Source, operated by SIG Member Ben Bowers, located in Royersford, PA, (610) 948-4089, and also via a Philadelphia metro area phone number, in King of Prussia, (610) 337-9119.
Message areas are devoted almost exclusively to the exchange of useful OS/2 information amongst the many callers and the Sysop. Ben has recently added a Java message area which has become quite active.
Another good OS/2 BBS is the RPS BBS in Philadelphia at (215) 624-8960, operated by SIG member Murray Weismer. RPS also has a good selection of very new and current OS/2 files.
SIG MEMBERSHIP
A continuing plea here for PACS members who wish to affiliate with the OS/2 SIG to check the OS/2 SIG box on their new member form or annual membership renewal form, as the case may be. The names of many active SIG participants are still not included as OS/2 SIG members on the PACS database. PACS members may call the PACS office at any time and ask for the OS/2 SIG affiliation to be added to their record in the PACS database. This is important. Interested PACS members are requested to do this ASAP. Please do it!
Please note that PACS membership cards are not mailed back to members who join and/or renew via mail. Cards are normally issued at the main PACS meeting. If you wish to receive your membership card via mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with your membership or renewal application.
All OS/2 SIG members are also requested to fill in a newly revised OS/2 User Survey Form and submit same to Larry. Blank forms are made available at each monthly meeting, and will be given to all attendees as they enter. The OS/2 SIG welcomes all PACS members, their guests and other non-members who use or have an interest in OS/2, regardless of their level of expertise.
FUTURE MEETING PLANS
Wednesday, April 22nd, the 4th Wednesday of the month, at 7:00pm, is the date and time of the next monthly SIG meeting at our current home, Episcopal Academy, in Merion.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend. And bring an interested friend or associate along to see what a real operating system can do. A system will be on hand for live demos of OS/2 Warp 4, a variety of OS/2 apps, Java, Internet, etc. Members without cars can take SEPTA's R-5 (Paoli Local) to Overbrook. Call Larry to make arrangements to be picked up at the RR Station.
Everybody should keep up to date by logging in to our OS/2 SIG web site at frequent intervals: www.pasug.org/
Planned April Agenda:
General SIG business session: Announcements, news of interest, new OS/2 products, future plans, etc.
SIG members Bill Dyke and Ray Waechter will demonstrate an OS/2 application for a weather satellite tracking station which Bill Dyke uses at the high school where he teaches.
The application has the ability to receive signals from GOES and NOAA weather satellites, download these signals to the computer, convert the analog information to digital, and display images on the computer monitor which can be analyzed, combined with other images to show the motion of a weather system over a period of time, etc.
For purposes of our presentation, recordings of previous satellite transmissions will be used in place of an actual dish and receiver setup.
This demonstration should be a most interesting OS/2 application which most of us probably have had no previous knowledge of or exposure to. Don't miss it.
Time WILL definitely be allocated for a good solid general Q&A session, similar to the previous couple of months. If you have questions, this is the place to bring them up. Someone is sure to have the answers.
Larry's system will be on hand for live demos. Member requests for specific demos are solicited, and will be done if the software is available and as time may permit. Please call Larry prior to the meeting date to permit preparation.
As usual, complimentary light refreshments will be served. We will also have our customary 50/50 raffle followed by a sotware raffle.
I'm very pleased to announce that a copy of the new GA release of SmartSuite for Warp 4, donated by Lotus, will be the principal raffle prize. So come to the April meeting and test your luck.
All our more experienced users are urged to attend the April meeting to share their knowledge and expertise with others.
See you all on April 22nd. Mark your calendars. Bring your friends and associates to show them that OS/2 is really alive and well.
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