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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.
It may come as a surprise to many folks, but IBM still continues to support OS/2. Not nearly as openly or fully as many of would like to see, but nevertheless, quietly and steadily, if slowly. Personal and small business users do derive benefits from much of the support provided by IBM to their large corporate customers.
Over the past few weeks, for example, consider the following: FixPak-10 for Warp 4 has been released. There have been new database updates for the IBM AntiVirus program, two Java 117A updates, more progress on the Aurora server (scheduled for release this year), reliable reports of a new Netscape Communicator Version 4.5 for OS/2 nearing completion, several new device drivers, and more.
Moreover, a steady stream of useful new software and updates from third parties continues to flow: commercial, shareware and freeware. Most of the new releases are announced via the Warpcast email listserver. All OS/2 users should subscribe to this free service.
Most recently, computer users all across the world were afflicted with the Melissa virus and its cousins. Fortunately, OS/2 continues to be immune to the virus attacks which have wreaked widespread havoc throughout the Windows world.
On the minus side, the outlook for a new Warp 5 client this year is rather bleak, according to some sources. We'll just have to wait and see.
Bottom line: OS/2 is still a viable product. Contrary to much of the popular media reporting, it's a long way from dead.
OS/2 users locally here in the Philadelphia area also continue to come out of hiding. A couple more of these heretofore unknown OS/2 users surfaced during the past month and have now affiliated with us.
We're planning to hold a presentation/demo of OS/2 Warp Server for eBusiness (aka Aurora) at the April 28th meeting, based on the most recent pre-release test versions. So please plan to attend. It promises to be most interesting.
MARCH MEETING REPORT
The March meeting started off with the customary announcements of news of interest to OS/2 users, new products, updates, etc. New software and update releases will also be listed in POSEIDON messages.
Q&A Session
David Moskowitz, who usually conducts the Q&A, wasn't able to be with us at the March meeting. In his absence, Dave Gentzler presided over the March Q&A session. Some of the principal questions follow:
| Q: | Can remote clients boot from Warp Server? |
| A: | WSOD is required. |
| Q: | The 15" monitor, part of a DFI K6 system purchased from Indelible Blue about 18 months ago, is fading. What to do? |
| A: | Call IB, try to get a replacement. |
| Q: | The Star Office filter/converter for MS Word is very slow. Is there a simple update? |
| A: | No. Get the current full SO update (free via download). |
| Q: | Have several systems, all OS/2 and NT. Can WinNT and OS/2 be put on the same network? |
| A: | Yes. Set up a local not-routable domain, etc. |
| Q: | What is the status of USB for OS/2? |
| A: | You need the "base" support driver, available from IBM's DD site, plus individual hardware drivers. Check for availability prior to purchase. |
| Q: | Can OS/2 v.2.1 video drivers be used with Warp 4? |
| A: | It's possible in some cases. But generally, no. |
During the Q&A session, Ben Bowers and John Davey reported on their attendance at the recent 3COM Palm Pilot promotional session in Philadelphia during the preceeding week to introduce the Palm Pilot 5 and other new 3COM products. Palm Pilot 5 seems to be most impressive.
- end of Q&A -
After Q&A, Murray Weismer gave a brief description of his DreckBak backup program, which has become a highly popular new freeware product across the entire OS/2 user community in a very short period of time. Murray has thereby now become a well-known OS/2 author/programmer.
As of the time this article is being written, DreckBak is now at v.9. It's still free. Download from Murray's web site at http://weismer.virtualave.net/DreckBak.html.
There's a high probability that future versions of DreckBak may be released as shareware or commercial. If this is the case, Murray has advised that it will be offered at no cost to all POSEIDON addressees.
Intermission followed, with refreshments, 50/50 raffle and a raffle of several good donated products, including: a copy of OS/2 Warp 4 that was donated by a personal friend; Object Desktop v.2.0 and Entrepreneur, donated by Stardock; IBM UDB DB2 donated by IBM; and several others.
The March feature presentation was Stardock's latest Object Dektop v.2.0 presented and demonstrated by SIG members Tom MacKnight and Ben Bowers.
By a show of hands, it seems that OD is a very popular product with many of our members. Lots of the folks still use earlier versions 1.x, however. I'm hoping to hear from Stardock very soon regarding discount prices for our members for new v.2.0 purchases and upgrades from v.1.x.
Tom and Ben conducted a really good presentation during which some of the principal OD features were demonstrated, including: Virtual Desktops, Tab Launch Pad, Control Center, Enhanced Folders, Folder Security, Object Archive, Object Navigator, Browse Mode for Folders, Main OD Folder, Task Manager, Keyboard Launch Pad, Find, Desktop Backup Adviser, Hypercache Folder, Shutdown, and more ..
Questions arose during the presentation, and there was no lack of member discussion about many of the items.
Great job by Tom & Ben. Thanks guys!
I hope everyone has taken notice over the past few months of the LCD projector that's been made available for our use by Episcopal Academy. This has really spruced up our presentations. We're most grateful to the EA folks for allowing us to use this high-priced equipment.
Meeting was adjourned, the room cleaned up, and lights turned off around 10:30.
OS/2 NEWS
I'm sorry to say that not one single response has been received here since this call for volunteers was published in last month's DataBus article. Well, as the old adage states, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
We've been most fortunate over the past 2 or 3 years to have hosted guest appearances by the developers of many of the most popular OS/2 products. It's getting more and more difficult to find new vendors who have the willingness and resources to appear at our meetings. Most of these companies are located on the west coast, and normally don't travel to this area.
Efforts will continue to find willing OS/2 vendors, but it's becoming more important to make use of the talents and experience of our own local OS/2 SIG members. Volunteers are needed to make presentations/demos at future meetings on interesting OS/2 applications, utilities or OS/2 itself in areas which haven't been presented over the past couple of years.
Short 5-10 minute presentations on some of the things you do with your computer, hints, tricks, etc. are also of high interest to other members.
So how about it, guys (and you too girls)! We need more member participation. Please contact me by voice phone (215) 878- 9608/9609 or email: llavins@comcast.net.
The location for Warpstock '99 was publicly announced via a special VOICE IRC session on Saturday, March 20th.
Two very good bids were submitted: One from Southern California OS/2 Users Group and a second from the Atlanta Team. By a very close vote, the Warpstock Board chose the Atlanta Team to be the Warpstock '99 host. We congratulate the Atlanta Team.
Warpstock '99 will be held on October 16-17 at the Georgia International Convention Center, located just 1 mile south of Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport. The official hotel is the Sheraton Gateway which adjoins the Convention Center.
For additional information, log on to http://www.warpstock.org where the most recent details will be posted.
Atlanta is a quick easy trip from Philadelphia. Perhaps some of our Philadelphia OS/2 SIG people may be able to attend the 1999 Warpstock event. Start making your plans now at an early date.
Most recently, Gordon T. Roland of the Warpstock '99 Atlanta Team reported that the Sheraton has agreed to a room rate of $89, single or double. Children under 18 stay free with their parents. They are still working on triple and quad room rates.
They are also trying to put together a super event for Saturday night, good food and entertainment. Would there be enough interest to pay extra for this? Something in the range of $35 to $40 per person? If not that much, how much would be about right?
Send your comments and suggestions via email to Warpstock warpstock@warpstock.org
Many OS/2 users have been following the progress of and using the videoconference program CU-Seeme for OS/2. The latest release was v.1.9c, a freeware version, really a beta, with an expiration date of April 1, 1999.
The author decided very suddenly to drop all further development of the OS/2 version, refused to reconsider, and also refused to release the source code.
Subsequently, Fernando Cassia, an OS/2 enthusiast located in Argentina, established a new website entitled "Highly Unofficial CU-Seeme/2 (v.1.9c) freeware F.A.Q. Fernando's intent was to provide a means for interested OS/2 users to learn more about CU-Seeme/2, to exchange information, to overcome the expiration date, and to build upon and augment the product.
The author, Kim Kruse Hansen (of Denmark ?) most recently accused Fernando of software piracy, and there ensued a rather heated battle of words between these two individuals. Fernando stated that it is not a criminal offense in Argentina to use another's intellectual property in this manner. And since it was freeware, there would be no basis for a civil action for monetary losses.
It looked as though Fernando might come out the winner, but very suddenly and without explanation, on April 4th, Fernando announced that he had taken down his website, and was ceasing all activity in regard to the CU-Seeme/2 matter.
It now appears that there will be no revival of CU-Seeme/2, at least for the time being. It wouldn't surprise me though if it might be resurrected in the near future under a different name and appearance. My impression is that there have been enough OS/2 folks using CU-Seeme/2 who can no longer use the expired product that some clever programmer will attempt to satisfy the demand for an OS/2 videoconference application. Time will tell.
Another reminder to all interested computer users:
PC Expo 1999 is scheduled for June 21-24 this year at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Registration and free Exhibits Only passes may be processed online via the web at http://www.pcexpo.com. Use source code GP99. Exhibits will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 22-24.
Online registrations will be accepted until June 12th. But badges will be mailed only to registration applications received by May 14th.
The annual TCF is now under the management of KGP Productions (Ken Gordon), well-know producer of computer shows.
The 1999 TCF is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, at the New Jersey Convention Center, Raritan Center, in Edison, New Jersey. For additional info see www.tcf99.com or www.tcf-nj.org
In the previous several years, TCF has been held in early April at Mercer County Community College.
Adrian Gschwend of the OS/2 Netlabs sends some info on the future of the Win32-OS/2 Project:
"Since the old project team closed development of it, we at OS/2 Netlabs hope to provide an enhanced version of this program. Some *big* (and I mean big) OS/2 customers contacted me and they asked whether it is possible to enhance it very soon. Actually there are some teams working on several stuff, for example EverBlue, and I think there will also be a port of WINE for OS/2 in the near future.
To do this, we need a lot of manpower and know-how. If you are able to support this project, please join the new mailinglist about it. We have to decide *very* soon whether this is possible or not. Please join this list if you are able to support us or if you see problems we might have. Please *do not* subscribe to the list if you just want to see what happens. For sure, we will keep you up to date through the web."
Here's an interesting new OS/2 EIDE driver replacement for IBM's IBM1S506.ADD, by Daniela Engert, a very talented young lady from Germany.
This will be of special interest to OS/2 users who use or wish to use a motherboard with a VIA chipset 82C586 /A/B, which is not supported by the IBM driver beyond the basic IDE features. (Lack of busmastering support, for example.)
I purchased an FIC-2007 motherboard some time ago which has this VIA chipset. At the time it was purchased, I wasn't aware of the lack of complete EIDE support provided by IBM1S506.ADD. When I subsequntly discovered this, I decided not to install the new motherboard.
Filename is DANIS506.ZIP. Currently at the Beta 6 level. Download from hobbes or several other places.
User feedback, including reports from SIG member Dave Gentzler, indicate improved performance for the VIA chipset with Daniela's driver. Support for a CDROM drive is lacking in Beta 6, but this can be easily fixed by continuing to use the IBM driver selectively for the CDROM drive only on a second motherboard IDE connection. Daniela is working to fix this problem for a future version.
The current hobbes webmaster, Josh Shagam, will be graduating from NMSU later this spring, and is trying to find a new host site for hobbes. One possibility reported is the OS/2 Supersite, but nothing definite yet. Let's all hope that hobbes finds a new home and reliable individual(s) to administer it.
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 ...
Your Desktop represents a large investment of time; learn how to back it up easily and automatically.
In addition to the main article, 8 News items and 9 Links have been added to the "What's New" Page. Focus on OS/2 now contains 47 Categories and 871 Links.
FUTURE MEETING PLANS
Wednesday, April 28th at 7:00pm is the date and time of the March meeting at our meeting site: The Episcopal Academy, 376 N. Latches Lane, Merion, PA. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. And bring an interested friend or associate along to hear all the good news about OS/2 and Java. A system will be on hand for live demos of OS/2 Warp 4, a variety of OS/2 apps, Java, Internet, etc. if time permits.
For the benefit of anyone who may not yet have the most recent releases of FixPak-10, Java 117A update, FI v.1.2.3, Star Office, or other recent large files, copies can be made to your ZIP disk (or portable SyQuest drive) on a first come/first serve basis, as time may permit. Please call me prior to the meeting date to make sure that I will have the requested files on my hard drive, ready for copying.
Members without cars can take SEPTA's R-5 (Paoli Local) to Overbrook, or the R-6 to Bala. Call me to make arrangements to be picked up at the RR Station. Since Episcopal Academy is so close to public transportation, why don't you Philadelphia Center City folks who don't have cars call ahead of time to be picked up at the train station.
Everybody should keep up to date by logging in to our OS/2 SIG web site at frequent intervals: www.pasug.org/
Please be on time. The meeting will start *promptly* at 7:00pm, as per the following agenda and schedule.
Planned April Agenda:
General announcements, news of interest, new OS/2 products, future plans, SIG business, etc. (7:00 - 7:20pm)
Brief "how-to" or "neat feature" member presentation (7:20 - 7:30) Subject TBA via Poiseidon meeting reminder notice.
Q&A Session (7:30 - 8:30pm): If you have questions, this is the place to bring them up. Someone is sure to have the answers. Or if you have something of interest to contribute, please don't hesitate to share it with the others.
Intermission and Raffles (8:30 - 8:50pm) In addition to our regular 50/50 raffle, there will also be some additional software products for raffle.
Feature Presentation (8:50 - 10:00pm) April's main feature will be a presentation/demo of IBM's forthcoming OS/2 Warp Server for eBusiness (aka Aurora), based on the latest pre-release test versions.
Aurora is scheduled for GA release later this year, and will also be the basis of a possible "Warp 5" client. Aurora has many new significant features which should be of great interest to all of us.
The presentation will be conducted jointly by SIG members David Moskowitz and Alonza Baker, both of whom are Aurora beta testers, and have been working with it for quite some time. There's also a very slight possibility that an IBM'er might participate.
Looking forward to a great April meeting. Please make an effort to attend, and bring a friend or associate to see what OS/2 can do.
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