Technotools/Technotools (Chestnut CD-ROM)(1993).ISO/os2tools/os2inf/os2inf.txt

Text File | 1989-11-20 | 18.0 KB | 515 lines

General OS/2 Information Sources

Summary:

This article contains a list of sources of information for OS/2 users
and developers. It includes the following sections:

   Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup
   OS/2 Discussion Forum Internet Digest
   ISO8859 Internet Mailing List
   OS/2 Application Guide
   Microsoft OnLine
   Microsoft University
   IBM Developer Assistance Program
   Publications
   Information Systems
   Bulletin Boards
   Anonymous FTP Archive Sites
   Books and Reference Manuals
   Microsoft and IBM Toolkits

More Information:

Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup
----------------------------

The unmoderated Usenet newsgroup comp.os.os2 is a general forum for
all OS/2-related questions on the OS/2 operating system. Messages in
this newsgroup are NOT gatewayed into the "OS/2 Discussion Forum" OS/2
internet digest.

OS/2 Discussion Forum Internet Digest
-------------------------------------

The "OS/2 Discussion Forum" is an internet OS/2-specific digest that
is unrelated (i.e., not gatewayed) to the OS/2 comp.os.os2 newsgroup.
This moderated digest originates from the K.U.Leuven (Catholic
University of Louvain) in Belgium, and currently has approximately 450
subscribers and 14 local redistribution aliases. There is no charge to
receive the digest or access the files it makes available. The digest
is based on a list server. The domain and bitnet paths to the digest's
list server and moderator are as follows:

   listserv:    [e-mail]      (bitnet)
                [e-mail]   (domain)
   submissions: [e-mail]          (bitnet)
                [e-mail]       (domain)
   moderator:   [e-mail]       (bitnet)
                [e-mail]  (domain)

If you have BITNET access, you can interactively access the list
server using the standard listserv virtual machine commands (such as
the VM TELL command). If you are not on BITNET, you can use email to
talk to it, with the listserv command as the message body. To obtain
back issues from the listserv at blekul11 (see addresses above), use
the following message:

   get os-2 logYYMM

where YYMM is the name of the log (for example, "get os-2 log8905").
Valid values of YYMM currently are 8905, 8906, 8907, 8908, 8909, and
8910. To subscribe to the digest, use the following message

   subscribe os-2 YOUR FULL NAME

where YOUR FULL NAME is your full name (for example, "sub os-2 John
Doe"). To get a current list of the files available in the OS/2 file
archives, use the following message:

   index os-2

To get a file list with additional comments, use the following
message:

   get os-2 filelist

To retrieve a file, use the following message:

   get os-2 NAME EXTENSION

where NAME is the filename and EXTENSION is the file extension. For
example, use "get os-2 arc2 exe" to get the file ARC2.EXE; note that
there is no period between the filename and the file extension. To get
a list of subscribers, use the following message:

   review os-2

The policy for submitting new OS/2 files is that the author should
approve being placed on the digest's list server. For more information
on this subject, contact the digest moderator. To get general listserv
help, use the following message:

   help

ISO8859 Internet Mailing List
-----------------------------

"ISO8859" is an internet listserv-based mailing list that specializes
in working with character sets; its subtitle is "ASCII/EBCDIC
Character Set Related Issues." Although its name implies that this is
only for the ISO 8859/[1-8] character sets, there is a large amount of
discussion on the ASCII and EBCDIC codepages of MS-DOS, OS/2, and
other IBM platforms. Thus, although this mailing list is not OS/2
specific, it is beneficial to OS/2 developers who write applications
that support multiple codepages.

Once you have used one listserv, the rest basically work in the same
manner. The listserv instructions listed above for the OS/2 Discussion
Forum also apply to this listserv-based mailing list, except that the
list name is ISO8859 rather than OS/2. The list is based on the
listserv at JHUVM. Thus, the addresses for the listserver are as
follows:

   listserv:     listserv.jhuvm.bitnet (bitnet)
   submissions:  iso8859@.jhuvm.bitnet (bitnet)

OS/2 Application Guide
----------------------

IBM and Microsoft produce the "OS/2 Application Guide," which is
distributed free of charge from IBM. This 5.5 x 8.5 x 1 inch paperback
lists hundreds of OS/2 applications that are available (or are
scheduled to be available). This guide provides free advertising for
developers, and a good collection of information for consumers. To
obtain a copy of the "OS/2 Application Guide," call [phone],
extension 120.

An ASCII copy of this archive is available in the Microsoft OnLine
Software/Data Library in a file named OS2APPS. This file is also on
CompuServe and other information systems. OS2APPS can be found in the
Software/Data Library by searching on the keyword OS2APPS, the Q
number of this article, or S12020. OS2APPS was archived using the
PKware file-compression utility.

A form of this application guide is available as an on-line database
from the IBM National Support Center BBS (Bulletin Board Service) in
Atlanta, Georgia; the data line is [phone]. You can scan or
search this database, which has products listed by category as well as
alphabetically, and cross-referenced by company. The "OS/2 Application
Guide" is also available on-line on another IBM BBS, with the data
line [phone].

According to the IBM Personal Systems Developer publication,
developers that want to place their product in this guide should call
IBM at [phone] and request an OS/2 application form. According
to the IBM National Support Center BBS, developers that want to
request an enrollment form to place a software listing in the "OS/2
Compatibility Guide" on-line database should write to the following
address:

   Ms. Mildred N. Sanderson
   IBM Corporation - 1709
   P.O. Box 1328
   Boca Raton, FL.
   33429 - 1328
   USA

According to the title page of the "OS/2 Application Guide," to apply
for inclusion in the OS/2 application database (from which the "OS/2
Application Guide" is derived), submit a written request to the
following address:

   IBM Corporation
   AG-ZIP 4607
   P.O. Box 1328
   Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328


Microsoft OnLine
----------------

The Microsoft OnLine support system is a fee support service that
provides developer support for OS/2 (in addition to providing support
for other environments and products). Microsoft OnLine contains a very
large database of information for OS/2 developers. There are also many
sample applications and updated versions of some OS/2 system files
(new video drivers, etc.). For more information on Microsoft OnLine,
call [phone].


Microsoft University
--------------------

Microsoft University (MU) is a training center that offers courses on
OS/2 for users and developers. There are OS/2 support, base (non-PM)
programming, PM programming, device driver programming, SQL Server,
and LAN Manager courses (in addition to Windows and other non-OS/2
courses). Their main branch is in Bellevue, Washington, but there are
other sites in Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Special arrangements can be made to hold seminars at your company. In
addition, courses are licensed by other companies (such as Intel). For
a course catalog or more information, contact the Microsoft University
Registrar at [phone], extension 1000. Their mailing address is
as follows:

   Microsoft University
   One Microsoft Way
   Redmond, WA 98052-6399
   USA

IBM Developer Assistance Program
--------------------------------

The IBM Developer Assistance Program offers on-line technical support
with IBM via IBMLink. It includes a free subscription to the quarterly
IBM Personal Systems Developer technical publication, includes
hardware rebates and discounts on IBM software, and allows
participation in IBM-sponsored technical seminars.

To qualify for this program, you must be a software developer working
on products for commercial release. The specific qualifications are
that you are developing products that support IBM OS/2, your company
is a US company or the subsidiary of a non-US company, and your
company is currently marketing your products.

To request an application form, call [phone] or write to IBM at
the following address:

   IBM Corporation
   Developer Support
   Internal zip 4605
   P.O. Box 1328
   Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328
   USA


Publications
------------

In addition to general computer magazines, which often contain
discussions on OS/2, the following publications periodically contain
articles on OS/2:

   Computer Language
   Dr. Dobb's Journal
   PC Magazine
   MIPS
   PC Tech Journal (now out of print)
   Computer Systems News
   InfoWorld
   PC Week

There are other magazines that specialize more in OS/2 related topics.
These magazines are as follows:

1. Microsoft Systems Journal

   The "Microsoft Systems Journal" (MSJ) has many OS/2-related
   articles. For general information on MSJ, call [phone]. To
   subscribe, call [phone]. Their mailing address is as
   follows:

      Circulation Department
      Microsoft Systems Journal
      P.O. Box 1903
      Marion, OH 44305
      USA

   MSJ is also available on microfilm, and can be obtained from the
   following address:

      University Microfilms, Inc.
      300 North Zeeb Road
      Ann Arbor, MI 48106
      USA

   The program listings from MSJ articles are available on CompuServe,
   Microsoft OnLine, GEnie, and the following bulletin boards:

      RamNet BBS:     [phone]
      Channel 1 BBS:  [phone]
      ComOne BBS:     [phone]

   If you are a sysop interested in maintaining MSJ files, you can
   contact the MSJ office.

2. IBM Personal Systems Journal

   The "IBM Personal Systems Journal" is a monthly publication that
   provides information on IBM software and hardware, mostly the PS/2
   line and OS/2. To subscribe, contact your local IBM Representative
   and use an IBM System Library Subscription Service (SLSS) form; you
   should specify form number GBOF-1229. Correspondence to this
   journal should be sent to the following address:

      Editor, IBM Personal Systems Journal
      IBM Corporation
      Internal zip 40-C2-02
      One East Kirkwood Blvd.
      Roanoke, TX 76299-0015
      USA

3. IBM Personal Systems Developer

   The "IBM Personal Systems Developer" is a quarterly publication
   distributed by IBM and targeted to developers of IBM platforms;
   currently this publication is mostly for OS/2 developers. The
   publication is a part of the IBM Developer Assistance Program.

4. IBM PC and PS/2 Seminar Proceedings

   The seminar proceedings periodicals from IBM, "IBM Personal
   Computer Seminar Proceedings" (before the PC/AT was introduced) and
   "IBM Personal System/2 Seminar Proceedings" (after the PS/2 was
   introduced) contain useful information on IBM hardware and
   operating system level software such as OS/2 and MS-DOS. The
   articles often consist of updates to IBM technical reference
   manuals. Their mailing address is as follows:

      IBM Corporation
      Editor, IBM PS/2 Seminar Proceedings
      Internal Zip 4629
      P.O. 1328
      Boca Raton, FL 33432
      USA

5. The SAA Spectrum

   "The SAA Spectrum" is a newsletter devoted exclusively to SAA,
   which is related to OS/2. For more information, in the USA, call
   the SAA Spectrum at [phone], extension 100 or
   [phone]. Or, write to them at the following address:

      The SAA Spectrum, Inc.
      P.O. Box 908
      Lafayette, CA 94549
      USA

   In the UK, you can call them at 44-0-256-850376, or write to them
   at the following address:

      The SAA Spectrum, Ltd.
      P.O. Box 70, Basingstoke
      Hampshire, RG24 9HW
      ENGLAND

   In West Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, you can call them at
   49-0-89-7911073/75 or write to them at the following address:

      SOFTCON GmbH
      Irmgardstr 15
      D-8000 Munchen 71
      WEST GERMANY

   In the Netherlands, you can call them at 31-0-1720-43726, or write
   to them at the following address:

      Adviesburo voor Telematica B.V.
      P.O. Box 184
      2400 AD Alphen aan den Rijn
      THE NETHERLANDS

6. OS Report

   OS Report is a newsletter devoted exclusively to OS/2. For more
   information, you can reach them at [phone], or write to them
   at the following address:

      OS Report
      P.O. Box 3160
      Peterborough, NH 03458
      USA

7. First Edition for OS/2

   "First Edition for OS/2" is a newsletter devoted exclusively to
   OS/2. For more information, you can call them at [phone], or
   write to them at the following address:

      First Edition for OS/2
      Attn: mailstop 375-1170
      Department 1703
      P.O. Box 7050
      San Francisco, CA 94120-9626
      USA


Information Systems
-------------------

There are many information fee-based systems that have conferences on
OS/2.

CompuServe has the PCMAGNET (PC Magazine) forum and the Microsoft
Systems Forum MSSYS (GO MSSYS). In the MSSYS forum, Section 8 is for
OS/2 issues and Section 9 is for Presentation Manager issues. Another
Microsoft forum on CompuServe is the Microsoft Knowledge Base (GO
MSKB), which contains about 15,000 articles on Microsoft products and
the Software Library (GO MSL) containing official Microsoft files
(drivers, MSJ source code, etc.) available for downloading.

There are other systems as well. BIX has the ibm.os2 conference, and
other information systems, such as GEnie, Prodigy, etc., all have
similar forums.


Bulletin Boards
---------------

The following is a list of bulletin board systems (BBSs) that have
OS/2 conferences/forum, and/or have OS/2 files on them.

We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the information
obtained from these bulletin boards. This information is provided only
for your convenience.

Name:     IBM National Support Center BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    IBM Corp.
Comments: This BBS, located in Atlanta, Georgia, contains various
          IBM-related information, including an active forum on OS/2
          and many OS/2 files, including public domain OS/2 utilities
          and ASCII copies of IBM OS/2 press releases. Three files of
          current interest are OS2SE.ANN (IBM OS/2 Standard Edition
          1.20 press release), OS2EE1_2.ANN (IBM OS/2 Extended Edition
          1.20 press release), and OS2RBTE.ANN (IBM OS/2 1.20 rebate
          policy press release).

Name:     Gilmore Systems BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    Chuck Gilmore
Comments: This BBS is running under an OS/2-based BBS software
          package called Magnum made by Gilmore Systems. There are
          approximately 300 OS/2-related files on this BBS and an OS/2
          message forum. If you own a 9600-baud US Robotics modem, you
          can call Gilmore Systems at [phone].

Name:     University of Saskatchewan OPUS BBS (Fidonet node 1:140/43)
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    Kevin Lowey ([e-mail])
Comments: Contains OS/2 versions of MicroEMACS 3.9p, Kermit, SEDT, a
          LISP interpreter, etc.; 300/1200/2400 baud. The OS/2 files
          are in the OS/2 and GENERAL file areas.

Name:     RamNet BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    Ross M. Greenberg ([e-mail])
Comments: This BBS is listed in the "Microsoft Systems Journal" as
          containing program listings from this journal.

Name:     Channel 1 BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS is listed in the "Microsoft Systems Journal" as
          containing program listings from this journal.

Name:     ComOne BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS is listed in the "Microsoft Systems Journal" as
          containing program listings from this journal.

Name:     IBM PC User Group Support BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    IBM Corp.
Comments: This BBS is listed in "IBM Personal Systems Journal" as
          containing program listings from this journal.

Name:     PKWARE BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    PKWARE
Comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains the latest
          versions of the PKZIP/PKUNZIP utilities for OS/2.

Name:     System Enhancement Associates (SEA) BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    SEA
Comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains the latest
          version of the ARC utility for OS/2.

Name:     DeScribe (formerly LeAP) BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    DeScribe
Comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains a version
          of the DeScribe editor for OS/2.

Name:     You Bet Your ASCII BBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    Allen Duboff
Comments: This BBS has a large echomail OS/2 conference.

Name:     Computer Consulting Service
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files.

Name:     OhioNet Express
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files.

Name:     KBBS
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS contains OS/2 programs for downloading.

Name:     <unknown>
Number:   [phone]
Sysop:    <unknown>
Comments: This BBS reportedly contains many OS/2 PM programs, many of
          which include source code. This BBS has not been contacted
          by Microsoft.


Anonymous FTP Archive Sites
---------------------------

One anonymous FTP site that contains OS/2 files is the site
mtsg.ubc.ca (128.189.103.1); move into the OS/2 subdirectory after
logging in: "cd os2".

The SIMTEL20 archive contains some OS/2 files. The only OS/2-specific
subdirectory of the site simtel20.army.mil is the "PD:<MSDOS.OS2>".