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1991-04-30
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Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 15:50:00 +0200
Subject: OS/2 Discussion Forum 910405
Reply-to: Moderated discussion forum on OS/2 <OS-2@BLEKUL11.BITNET>
************************************************************************
OS/2 Discussion Forum Mon, April 29, 1991 Volume 9104 Issue 05
Relevant addresses :
submissions : OS-2@BLEKUL11.BITNET (bitnet)
OS-2@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
subscriptions : LISTSERV@BLEKUL11.BITNET (bitnet)
LISTSERV@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
moderator : TEWOS-2@BLEKUL14.BITNET (bitnet)
TEWOS-2@Liris.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
************************************************************************
Today's topics:
Lan Server NETAPI for DLR
RE: RE: LAN MAN Drivers
Re: OS/2 Discussion Forum 910404 - Part II
EDIX/GS Text Editor for PM
NetBIOS help sought ...
Re: OS/2 Stack size
FYI: Tetris/PM game
FYI: Report on how IBM is presenting OS/2 at user groups
Feed from the Usenet (UUCP/Internet) comp.os.os2.* newsgroups :
Re: Sytos Plus and IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit
Re: OS/2 2.0 is here!!! READ THIS, you'll be impressed. (was: Emacs)
Re: OS/2 2.0 is here!!! READ THIS, you'll be impressed. (was: Emacs)
Re: Tseng Labs drivers (and Paradise)
Re: Installing OS/2 1.3 on mono system
Re: Request for information from OS/2 neophyte
OS/2 2.0beta availability
Re: OS/2 2.0beta availability
OS/2 Version 2.0 Beta Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 91 09:14:00 CDT
Reply-To: Server-Requester Discussion List <SRVREQ-L@INDYCMS.BITNET>
From: Satish Movva <U37127@UICVM.UIC.EDU>
Subject: Lan Server NETAPI for DLR
Hello all,
Does anyone here have experience in using the NetAPI's for
developing applications? I am trying to find the header
files and the libraries, but have no clue as to where they
are. We are a DLR site with the servers running OS/2 1.3.
We dont have the OS/2 SDK by the way, I am only interested
in writing apps for the DOS side currently.
Also is the API as specified by MS Lan Manager supported
under Lan Server?
Thank you all,
Satish Movva Bitnet: U37127@UICVM
University of Illinois at Chicago Internet: u37127@uicvm.uic.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 91 08:04:28 EDT
Reply-To: Server-Requester Discussion List <SRVREQ-L@INDYCMS.BITNET>
From: "Yoke, Charles" <CYOKE@WVNVM.BITNET>
Subject: RE: RE: LAN MAN Drivers
In regards to OS/2 dual boot utilities - IBM OS/2 1.2 EE and 1.3 EE both have
a dual boot feature. If the machine is originally booted up in DOS, OS/2
can be booted from by typing BOOT /OS2. The machine will then rename
CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and other files and then reboot in OS/2. The
reverse can also be done (boot DOS from OS/2). In OS/2 1.3, the Utilities
menu actually has a "dual-boot icon". Please note that the machine has
to be set up a certain way to get dual boot. The disk must be formatted FAT,
not HPFS. DOS must be installed first, then OS/2. When installing OS/2,
you must tell it not to format partition.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 91 15:56:55 ADT
From: 880506s@aucs.acadiau.ca
Subject: Re: OS/2 Discussion Forum 910404 - Part II
I too am a coop student but am working for NT for the summer.
Have you had the chance to see bata OS/2 2.0 running, I am very anxious
to start using OS/2 over windows if it is as goood as has been said.
james
James R. Skinner VOICE: (902)-542-3378
FAX : (902)-678-6990
BITNET : 880506S@Acadia MAIL : COMP 451 RR#2
INTERNET: 880506S@aucs.AcadiaU.CA Wolfville, NS
UUCP : {uunet|watmath|utia|garfield}!cs.dal.ca!aucs!880506S B0P 1X0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 07:09:39 CDT
From: markj@saintjoe.EDU (Mark Johnson)
Subject: EDIX/GS Text Editor for PM
With all this recent swelling of interest in OS/2, brought on
by IBM recent -- and welcome -- announcements regarding that
platform, I'd like to through my hat into the ring of
discussions about OS/2 text editors and highly recommend
EDIX/GS, published by Emerging Technology of Boulder, Colorado,
(303) 447-9495. I had the pleasure of being in on the Beta cycle
of that product, which comes in versions for Windows, PM, and
even X Window a bit later this summer. I'm very, very excited
with the final version. It has all the goodies that programmers
could want: multi-windows, multi-files, a very powerful yet
easily learned macro language, sub-process execution (i.e., you
can compile from within EDIX/GS), a completely configurable
keyboard, complete undo-redo, a powerful search and replace
facility. I don't work for the company, of course. I'm just a
delighted customer who'd like to see others enjoy the advantages
of a very speedy, bulletproof editor -- even in Windows!
The program costs around $240.00 direct from Emerging
Technology, but can be had for around $200.00 from places like
the Programmer's Connnection. Highly, highly recommended!
Mark Johnson
InterNet:markj@saintjoe.edu
#include <stdisclm.h>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: wareed@crc2.sofkin.ca (Wayne A. Reed)
Subject: NetBIOS help sought ...
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 91 13:27:38 EDT
Gentlepeople:
We need help.
We are developing an application for an IBM PS/2 Model 80 running OS/2
which communicates with an IBM PS/2 Model 60 running MS-DOS. The
application communicates between the platforms via an IBM Token Ring
LAN (i.e., LAN Server). We are trying to develop the network interface
using NetBIOS and, specifically, datagram communication. We have a
problem, however.
In the DOS environment, we have written a TSR which intializes the
NetBIOS interface and installs a NetBIOS post routine. The TSR then
issues a ReceiveDatagram command to NetBIOS. On the OS/2 box, we
send a datagram which triggers NetBIOS on the DOS box and the post
routine. We complete processing on the DOS box and want to issue
another ReceiveDatagram request. Now we have the problem.
From the post routine, it seems, we are unable to issue any function
call which uses the DOS 21H interrupt. To set up the NCB for NetBIOS,
however, we need to use int86x (which, presumably, uses DOS 21H).
Question: What does one have to do to issue a NetBIOS ReceiveDatagram
command (i.e., int86x) from a NetBIOS post routine (i.e.,
an interrupt routine)?
Perhaps my analysis of the problem is incorrect, but the question above
adequately states the problem which must be answered. Any and all help
would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
*** Wayne
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: jardined@qucis.queensu.ca (Don Jardine)
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 11:40:08 EDT
Subject: Re: OS/2 Stack size
I want to port an application from unix to OS/2, V2.0 (when it's available).
I need a 512K stack. Can such a large stack be handled by OS/2, any version?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 00:43:33 CST
From: Bertram G. Moshier 612/683-5419 <bgm@gallipolis.cray.com>
Subject: FYI: Tetris/PM game
FYI: A native PM tetris game is now available on the OS/2 shareware BBS
(703-385-4325 or 703-385-0931).
Bert.
Bertram (Bert) Glenn Moshier
Cray Research, Inc.
655F Lone Oak Drive
Eagan, MN 55121
V: 1-800-BUG-CRAY ext 5419
V: 1-612-683-5419
F: 1-612-683-5307
bgm@cray.com
uunet!cray!bgm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 01:08:59 CST
From: Bertram G. Moshier 612/683-5419 <bgm@gallipolis.cray.com>
Subject: FYI: Report on how IBM is presenting OS/2 at user groups
I picked this report up off the OS/2 shareware BBS (703)-385-4325 or
(703)-385-0931. It is FYI: (I am not sure who wrote this).
Bertram (Bert) Glenn Moshier
The following is a consolidation of messages I wrote shortly after
attending the IBM PS/2 Forum at the Washington, DC, Convention Center
on April 18, 1991.
Before beginning to describe the sessions I attended, however, I wish
to point out that despite the name of the seminar, the major subject
was OS/2.
And, to set the record straight once again, you do ** NOT ** need a
PS/2 to run OS/2. Of course, IBM would LIKE you to buy a PS/2 and
they GUARANTEE that OS/2 will run on PS/2s. After all, that is their
primary business!
OS/2, version 1.3, will also run on most compatible 386 machines
although earlier versions were more picky. And hardware
manufacturers have rushed to correct incompatibilities identified in
those earlier versions. IBM, of course, does not guarantee that OS/2
will run on other vendors' machines, however, they have done a lot
recently to assure compatibility. Version 1.3, will also run on most
AT 286 clones although the coming version 2.0 will require a 386
(this includes the 386 SX which runs OS/2 OK).
The opening session introduced the "IBM 1991 PS/2 Forum 'Imagine the
Possibilities'". This was a slick, multimedia event intended as an
Executive Perspective. It was, of course, a skilled sales pitch
intended to build attendees' confidence in IBM and IBM products. It
did showcase IBM's PS/2 product line as well as their thrust into
multimedia presentations and advanced systems software for 386 and
above PCs.
OS/2 obviously plays a central role in IBM's strategy for computing
in the '90s. They did, of course, pay homage to DOS and Windows as a
limited platform for users who do not need a full multitasking
capability. They also introduced the joint venture that IBM is
working on with Metaphor. The Constellation project should produce a
full object-oriented computing environment that sometime in the
future will run on multiple hardware platforms. But for today and
the near to mid range future, IBM sees OS/2 as the strategic software
platform for individuals as well as for organizations.
Several themes seemed to predominate the opening session. These
included:
a. IBM's advances in audio/visual (called multimedia in current
jargon) computing. This included advanced displays; fast
computers; powerful video adapters such as their new XGA 1024 x
768 256,000 color adapters; and special video effects
coprocessors (such as capture and motion boards).
b. DOS is not powerful enough or reliable enough to serve as the
platform for the new advances in products and applications.
c. IBM is committed to interoperabilty of their hardware and their
software through Systems Applications Architecture (SAA)
products. (The pull-down menus, icons, and general screen
layout you see in Windows or the OS/2 Presentation Manager are
the Common User Access manifestation of SAA.
d. OS/2, verison 2.0 has now gone public and will reach the public
later this year after the most extensive testing period in IBM
software history. More than a thousand Beta testers and Early
Experience Program participants will participate in this test.
e. OS/2 version 1.3 is a strong, viable computing platform NOW.
IBM has dramatically lowered the price of 1.3. It multitasks,
has advanced Presentation Manager (PM) SAA interface and runs
more than 400 PM and 2500 OS/2 character mode apps today!
f. IBM says more than 600,000 copies have shipped to date and they
expect the total to exceed 1,000,000 by year's end.
g. The price of both current versions of OS/2 have been lowered
dramatically in response to user demand!
h. OS2 Version 2.0 will be:
- A better DOS Than DOS!
- A better Windows Than Windows!
- A better OS/2 Than [the present] OS/2!
********** session on
"OS/2 More Than Just an Operating System"
[By the way, all of the slides presented were prepared using Lotus's
Freelance Graphics for OS/2--an excellent package similar in concept
to Microsoft's PowerPoint which is only available in the more limited
DOS Windows environment].
This presentation started with the familiar IBM slide depicting all
of the components of the Systems Applications Architecture with
special emphasis on the Common User Acess standard which:
o Provides a Consistent User Interface
o Allows Easier Learning and Skills Transfer
o Defines a set of guidelines for:
- Entry model
- Graphical model
- Workplace environment
o Will Evolve to Meet Future Needs.
The presenter, D.L. (David) Barnes, is from the Personal Systems
Briefing Center in Boca Raton, Florida.
The components of OS/2 are:
o Multiple Threads, Protected Mode Operations, and Preemptive
Multitasking
o High Performance File System
o Adobe Type Manager [for better WYSWIG]
o Desktop, File Manager and Usablity Features
He compared the generations of PCs as:
o 8088/8086 machines which could address only one megabye of memory
of which DOS made 640KB available to the user.
o 80286 machines which could address 16 MB of memory and which in
OS/2 version 1 required programmers to swap 64kb program
segments.
o 80386 (and 80486) machines which can address up to 4 gigabytes (4
billion) of unsegmented memory (the flat memory model) and up to
48 terrabytes of virtual memory. OS/2 version 2.0 will be a 32
bit operating system which can manage multiple OS/2 as well as
DOS programs.
The chart on microcomputer characteristics showed the 32 bit
i386/i486 families of processors using an operating system which
supports Multiple Virtual DOS Machines (MVDM) each of which will have
approximately 613 K of AVAILABLE memory after loading DOS, etc. Each
MVDM will have its own CONFIG.SYS, its own AUTOEXEC.BAT and will
support drivers and Lotus-Intel-Microsoft (LIM) expanded memory.
OS/2 version 2 will support Muliple Concurrent Applications:
o This requires the hardware assist of the 386/486 processors in
order to support sophisticated memory management.
o OS/2 uses the memory "Protect Mode" to give greater reliabiltity
to programs. i.e. To protect programs from each other. (If one
crashes, it doesn't kill the others).
o OS/2 supports "multiple threads" wherein the application is
divided into separate processes which can run concurrently for
better performance. i.e. When you start formatting a document
for printing, the thread can start and (if you have a long
document) control is given back to the user while the
reformatting continues in the background.
o Interprocess communications to pass messages control information
and data between threads or programs.
o Multiple levels of priority (premptive scheduling) allows the
highest priority thread to continue processing first. This
generally gives priority to the foreground thread (i.e. to those
things on which the user wants to focus).
The High Performance File System is an important feature of OS/2.
OS/2 suports HPFS as an "Installable File System", which means that
when needed, new files systems can be installed to take advantage of
new devices. HPFS:
o Manages large hard disks/large files in a fast and consistent
manner.
- Up to 2 gigabyte partitions
- Up to 16 partitions
o Built-in caching of directories, data and file system structures
o Supports Large File Names
- Up to 254 characters
- Extended attributes
o Several times faster than FAT disks
o Uses "balanced Btrieve" methods for speed and limiting
fragmentation
Adobe Type Manager (ATM)
o Built in font manager both for screen and print
o Provides much more accurate WYSWIG screens
(What You See Is What You Get)
o Uses leading industry Postscript Type 1 fonts
- on screen
- to drive the defined system printer
(EVEN IF IT IS NOT A POSTCRIPT PRINTER)
The OS/2 Presentation Manager includes a Desktop/File Manager and
Direct Manipulation of Files
o Uses icons to represent programs/groups
o Provides a program/group hierachy structure
o Allows moving of items singly or in groups
o Provides for direct manipulation of programs within groups
This exists in improved form in the 1.3 version, but will be
significantly improved in the 2.0 version. It allows true "click and
drag" operations. (I never realized before though that I could click
on a file, drag it to the printer icon and drop it into the
printer--but it does work now)!
OS/2 comes with a Dual Boot Facility. If for any reason you need to
revert to plain DOS, you can reboot your system with a command or
icon.
The System Editor is a vast improvement over the DOS line editor. It
is a full-screen SAA editor with pull-down menus, loadable fonts,
etc. but still puts out ASCII files. (I'm using it now).
o A windowed PM application
o Uses keyboard and mouse input
There is an extensive Online HELP facility and complete on-line
documentation
o Search facility
o Electronic bookmarks
o Hyper text cross references
OS/2 Directions (futures)
Windows features:
o Common User Access (of SAA)
o 1 to 2 MB minimum
o < 30 Mb disk
OS/2 Entry Level (1.3) all of above plus
o 2 Mb target
o Common toolkit
o Converging LAN products
o Swappable DOS
o Threads
o Long File Names
OS/2 90s Platform (2.0)
o i386/i486
o 4 Mb
o 60 Mb disk
o 32 bit OS/2
o Multiple PM apps
o Lan requester/server
o HPFS
o Demand paging
o Mulitple DOS apps
o 32 bit memory model
o RISC support
o DOD security
o Full object-oriented
o Multi-processing
KEY FEATURES OF OS/2 VERSION 2.0
o Exploit capability of i386/486
o Upward compatibility for today's PM apps
o 32 bit flat memory model
o Demand paging
o 32 bit APIs
o Multiple Virtual DOS Machines
********** session on
"IBM OS/2 & DOS+Windows 3.0"
The general session outline was:
o IBM OS/2 Directions
o User Environments
o Functional Comparisions
o Positioning Considerations
o Cost Comparisions
o Summary
o Demonstrations
In a one-hour session there was no way to cover all of the desired
details of this topic. The handouts would suggest design for a
two-hour session.
First, they outlined formal agreements between IBM and Microsoft.
They said the strategic agreements still exist, however, Microsoft
has diverted much of their OS/2 resources into other (Windows)
projects. The presenter, a Mr. Bill Milam (I didn't get his card so
don't know his position), made it quite clear that IBM was fully
committed to OS/2 whether Microsoft lives up to its committments or
not. My note exclaims..."IBM playing hardball in public".
Division of Responsibility
--------------------------
WHAT WHO
DOS 4.x IBM Lead
DOS 5.x Microsoft Lead
Windows 3.x Microsoft Exclusive
OS/2 1.x IBM Lead
OS/2 2.x IBM Lead
OS/2 3.x Microsoft Lead
OS/2 Extended Edition IBM Exclusive
IBM OS/2 Directions
-------------------
OS/2 a Better DOS Than DOS!
OS/2 a Better Windows Than Windows!
OS/2 a Better OS/2 Than OS/2!
Systems/Netword Management
OS/2 as "The Integration Platform"
USER ENVIRONMENTS
=================
o Standalone
- Dedicated resources
- Discrete applications
* Spreadsheet
* Graphics
* Electronic mail
* Word Processing
* Database
o Client/Server Computing
- Shared Resources
- Both standalone and server-based
applications
o Distributed System
- Distributed Applications and Data
- Distributed resources
- Enterprise-wide (agency-wide)
architected solutions
- Transparent access (means the
user need not know - or care -
where the data or programs
reside on the wide area net
Use the best resources where and
when needed.
FUNCTIONAL COMPARISIONS
=======================
of the following systems:
o DOS + Windows 3.0
o IBM OS/2 Standard Edition 1.3
o IBM OS/2 Extended Edition 1.3
o IBM OS/2 Standard Edition 2.0
DOS + Windows 3.0
Processor Memory Mode # Win # DOS
(min) (min) Apps Apps
o 8088/8086 640 kb Real few 1
o 80286 1MB-16Mb Protected multi 1
o i386/i486 2-16 Mb Protected mulit multi
DOS + Windows 3.0
o Expands functionality of DOS
o Icon-Based Program Manager
o 16 Mb addressable memory
o Limited multi-tasking
o Limited application protection
(limited reliablity)
o Multiple Virtual DOS Machines
(386 Enhanced Mode only)
IBM OS/2 Standard Edition 1.3 [avail NOW]
o 16 Mb Addressablity
o Full multi-tasking
o DOS compatibity mode [one DOS box]
o Dynamic Data Exchange
o Advanced Graphical User Interface
[Command mode interface stil there
too, just a click away]
o High Performance File System
o Multiple threads
o Pre-emptive scheduling
o Dual boot
o Advanced graphics
o Less memory [than earlier OS/2] (2 MB RAM)
o Less disk space required
o Improved performance
o Advanced text support
o Data and Network management
IBM OS/2 Extended Edition 1.3
o All features of Standard Edition
o Communcations Manager for asynch and mainframe
connections
o Database Mangager [Subset of mainframe DB/2
Structured Query Language relational database].
o LAN Requester
IBM OS/2 2.0
o Everything in OS/2 1.3 PLUS + + +
o Exploits i386/i486
o DOS and OS/2 Applications upwardly compatible
o 512 Mb physical memory addressable
o Flat memory model
o Workplace shell
o Multiple Virtual DOS Machines
BETTER DOS THAN DOS
o Multiple DOS Applications
o DOS Applications continue to run in
background
o DOS apps run in OS/2 windows
o Cut and paste between DOS and OS/2 apps
o Unique DOS applications
o Specialized Hardware Support
o Able to boot other versions of DOS
BETTER DOS THAN DOS [Memory Requirements]
DOS 5.0 Win 3.0 OS/2 2.0
Conventional
DOS Memory 620kb 570kb 620kb
But then you must add
Mouse Device Driver -14kb -14kb Incl
LAN Adapter Device Drv -30kb -30kb Incl
3270 Adapter Device Drv-20kb -20kb Incl
----- ----- -----
Available memory 556kb 506kb 620kb
Windows Better Than Windows
o OS/2 2.0 Runs All Windows Applications
o OS/2 2.0 Delivers Superior Performance
o OS/2 2.0 Provides Superior System Integrity
OS/2 Better Than OS/2
o OS/2 16 bit Compatibility
o Greater than 2,000 OS/2 applications today
o Greater than 400 PM applications announce
and/or shipping
o 2 billion $ invested by customers in
applications development for OS/2
IBM OS/2: THE INTEGRATION PLATFORM
o Base operating system services
o Advanced user interfaces
o Multiple communications services
o Relational database services
o client/server databases
o mulitple hardware platforms
o mulitple operating environments
o distributed applications
o distributed computing
o systems/network management
o Open Systems Architecture
POSITIONING CONSIDERATIONS
--------------------------
o User environment
o Application requirements
o data requirements
o connectivity requirements
o system integrity
o security
o systems applcations architecure
o hardware platform
DOS Positioning Considerations
o 20,000 + applications
o Runs on entry level machines with < 2Mb memory
o Will continue to be enhanced over time
DOS+Windows Positioning Considerations
o Graphical solution for entry level or
immediate systems
o Designed for systems with > 1 Mb memory
o Good for personal productivity applcations
o Supports entry level communications
o Will continue to be enhanced over time
OS/2 1.3 (16 bit) Positioning Considerations
o Graphical user interface
o Full multi-tasking
o Full multi-threading
o Intermediate (286) and advanced systems
o 16 bit OS/2 designed for systems with > 2 Mb of memory
o Ideal for Mission-Critical, Line-of-Business Applications
o Supports Multiple and Simultaneous
Connectivity Protocols
OS/2 2.0 (32 bit) Positioning Considerations
o All of the factors for OS/2 1.3 PLUS +++
o 32 bit OS/2 designed for systems with
> 3 Mb of memory
o Enhances investment in DOS applications
o Can update host systems databases
o Good as client or server
o Will continue to be enhanced over time
COST COMPARISIONS
=================
Components DOS+Win3(enh) OS/2 SE OS/2 EE
[PS/2 55SX (2 Mb, 60 Mb Hard disk)]
$3295 $3295 $3295
Additional 1 MB 255
Additional 2 MB 495
DOS 4.0 165
Windows 3.0 149
OS/2 150 690
----- ------
TOTALS: $3864 $3445
Connectivity
Windows Connection 214 0
Personal Comm/3270 544 0
Asynchronous Comm 195 0
PC Lan Pgm 1.3 66 0
LAN Support Pgm 1.1 800 0
----- ------
TOTALS: $5962 $4480
MIGRATION CONSIDERATIONS
o Train technical staff
o Evaluate current application environment
o Select and test hardware platform
(new inventory)
o Determine application availablity
o Certify new applications
o Migrate in-house applications
o Prepare deployment plan
o Select pilot groups
o Migrate power users first/train end users
o share migration experiences
o Adjust plan if necessary
SUMMARY: COMMON BENEFITS
o Greater return on investment
o Better utilization of resources
o Increased user productivity
o Increased application performance
o Reduced systems complexity
SUMMARY: KEY DIFFERENCES
o Memory requirements
o Memory addressing
o Compatiblity
o Multi-tasking
o Multi-threading
o System integrity
o IBM Support
SUMMARY: Functionality
Win OS/2 OS/2 32 bit
Factor DOS 3.0 1.3 Directions
------------------------ ----- ----- ----- ----------
Integrated Comm/Database 640kb 16 Mb 16 Mb 4 Gb
Base Operating System Y Y Y
Single Task Y Y Y Y
LAN Client Y Y Y Y
Task Switching N Y Y Y
Grapical User Interface N Y Y Y
Inter-Task Communications N L F F
Multi-Tasking N L F F
Application Protection N N Y Y
Integrated Comm/Database N N Y Y
LAN Server N N Y Y
Distributed Data Management N N L F
Full 32 bit API N N N Y
Portable OS/2 N N N Y
Y=Yes, N=No, L=Limited, F=Full
SUMMARY: IBM OS/2
o System Integrity
o Multiple Threads
o Pre-emptive multi-tasking
o Protected Mode Exploitation
o Enhanced Memory Management
o High Performance File System
o OS/2 2.0 MVDM - Better Than DOS
o Investment Enhancement
o Connectivity -- Lan/Host
o Database services
o Systems and Network Management
o The Integration Platform
o Systems Applications Architecture
o IBM Committment ot OS/2
At the IBM PS/2 Forum, I also attended a session on Client/Server
Computing. This session explained IBM's strategic concepts for how
organizations will integrate the various computing and data resources
"enterprise-wide". This session was not specifically focused on OS/2
although it showed the importance of OS/2 to enterprise-wide
computing. IBM describes Client/Server Computing as the situation
where a client computer requests a service and the server provides
the service. For example, in my job, we intend to provide a central
database of electric power industry information on the Energy
Information Administration mainframe computer. But we want to
process the data at remote PCs. We have programs on the PCs to
perform screen manipulation, editing of data, and handling of the two
way communications between the system and the user. Client/Server
computing allows us to combine the responsiveness and
user-friendliness of the PC with the high speed data processing
power, multiuser access and good security of the mainframe.
The objective of client/server computing is to provide transparent
access to any computing or data resources in the organization
including:
o Any-to-any communication
o Multivendor support (imagine this from IBM!!)
o Interoperability between systems
IBM wants to provide end-to-end management of multivendor systems and
comprehensive service and support.
INFORMATION SYSTEM CHALLENGES
o Information Viewed as a Corporate Asset
o Extending the reach of computing resources
o Expanding role of intelligent workstations
o Emergence of workgroup LAN systems
o Multivendor environment
o Increasing role of standards
I will not report the details of this session here as it is a topic
above the level of a PC operating system. However, it is clear that
IBM sees OS/2 as a strategic component of enterprise-wide systems.
Indeed, IBM stated that OS/2 is now viewd within IBM as being as
important as their mainframe computer operating systems such as MVS!!
That is a dramatic statement for IBM, in my opinion and represents a
fundamental shift in their corporate view of the world.
One interesting (to me) piece of information was the existence of IBM
software to support the automatic update of software on PC
workstations from a central site in client/server networks. That may
solve a potential problem we had identified in C/S -- that of keeping
the client software up to date and in synchronization.
This last week, I attended the IBM OS/2 Forum at the Washington
Convention Center. Probably the most impressive product I saw was
the Describe Word Publisher from Describe, Inc. This is a word
processor designed especially for OS/2. It uses the advanced
features of OS/2 to provide WP with unparalled performance. It is
really fast, has true WYSWIG using the built-in Adobe Type Manager
Features of OS/2 to manage fonts, and, most impressively, uses
multiple threads for its processes. Using mulitiple threads, it is
almost always able to return contol to the user immediately after
starting any process. The started process itself continues in the
background, but in the meantime, the user can continue to perform
other functions in the foreground.
To me, it appears to be the most dramatic improvment in the state of
word processing since the introduction of Word for Windows moved us
into the WYSWYIG arena. Compared to Describe, Word for OS/2 is a
sloth -- as Word is just a slightly adapted Windows application
rather than a native OS/2 application.
An example of the threads is that Describe has a very advanced spell
checker/thesaurus capability. Specifically, it does not suffer the
delays normal to spell checking (at least in Word). It almost
instantly displays the first candidate for correction and continues
to check the rest of the document in the background while you are
considering the first suggestion. Furthermore, it displays the
thesaurus entry right away and fetches the definition of the word as
well by using another thread.
I intend to invite the Describe folks to demonstrate to the Windows
and OS/2 SIG in the next couple of months. Would any of you be
interested in attending this demonstration? We meet on the fourth
Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM in Rockville at the Monroe Street
offices of CPCUG.
Meanwhile, I've posted several messages summarizing some of the
presentations at the forum. You are welcome to join us in the OS2
Conference. The assertions being made by IBM are that the new OS/2
2.0 will be:
- A BETTER DOS THAN DOS
- A BETTER WINDOWS THAN WINDOWS
- A BETTER OS/2 THAN OS/2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feed from the Usenet (UUCP/Internet) comp.os.os2.* newsgroups :
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: cur022%cluster@ukc.ac.uk (Bob Eager)
Subject: Re: Sytos Plus and IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit
Date: 21 Apr 91 11:49:45 GMT
Organization: Computing Lab, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK.
In article <12150003@hpnmdla.hp.com>, joeb@hpnmdla.hp.com (Joe Barnhart) writes:
> If your tape drive is one of the small (DC-2000) units, it should be
> compatible with Irwin EZ-Tape for OS/2. I use an Irwin drive in my
> clone, and the EZ-Tape software backs up OS/2 partitions as well as
> any other software. (In other words, it doesn't backup EAs or INI
> files.)
I use the IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit in my PS/2 Model 80. It is in fact
an Irwin drive, as Joe indicates. I use the IBM Internal Tape Backup
Program (about 60 pounds sterling in the UK). Various clues scattered over
the program lead me to believe that it is in fact Irwin EZ-Tape (like strings
starting with EZ and with Irwin....).
My version handles EAs and the HPFS. It won't backup the .INI files. I have
a small utility for doing that automatically on each boot.
Bob Eager | University of Kent at Canterbury
| +44 227 764000 ext 7589
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: flusekw@ucs.indiana.edu (WILLIAM FRANKLIN FLUSEK)
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 is here!!! READ THIS, you'll be impressed. (was: Emacs)
Date: 22 Apr 91 22:54:00 GMT
Organization: Indiana University
Well, here are my two cents on the topic. I talked to our vender liason on
campus today and he said that the people that he deals with at IBM said
that the word in house is that OS/2 2.0 is DONE! (Is that a convoluted
statement, or what!) In a nutshell, the people within IBM have apparently
gotten notice internally that it is a finished product for all intents and
purposes. He was also told that the official public announcement was due
in the near future. (Who knows, maybe it will be tomorrow with the
supposed price cuts on the PS/2 line.) He also told me that last May (yes,
May, 1990) he saw a demo of OS/2 with virtually all of the veatures
mentioned in the postings on this thread.
That looks like about all I can write and stay within the boundaries of my
two cents worth.
Watchin' and Waitin'
Bill Flusek, Indiana University
Internet: flusekw@ucs.indiana.edu
Bitnet: flusekw@iubacs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GD.SAR@forsythe.stanford.edu (Sandy Rockowitz)
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 is here!!! READ THIS, you'll be impressed. (was: Emacs)
Organization: Data Center, Stanford University, California, USA
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 04:35:49 GMT
In article <1991Apr22.225729.24613@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>,
flusekw@ucs.indiana.edu (WILLIAM FRANKLIN FLUSEK) writes:
>Well, here are my two cents on the topic. I talked to our vender liason on
>campus today and he said that the people that he deals with at IBM said
>that the word in house is that OS/2 2.0 is DONE!
Whoa - The past week's news has certainly been exciting, but let's
not get carried away. From what I've been able to discern, OS/2
2.0 is far from done. Many of the latest features have not yet been
integrated into a single package. For last week's demo, several
separate systems were used to demonstrate the various new and
exciting features because there's not yet a single copy of OS/2 that
has them all. First word was that those who attended the NYC
presentation were given a copy of OS/2 2.0 to take with them. Then
it turned out that the boxes contained a blank manual and the
recipients were told to contact their IBM rep for the program (this
posted on IBM's Atlanta BBS). If I were a betting man, I'd wager
that OS/2 2.0 will ship in 1991 the same way that OS/2 1.3 shipped
in 1990, which is to say nominally.
Sandy Rockowitz
gd.sar@forsythe.stanford.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rommel@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE (Kai-Uwe Rommel)
Subject: Re: Tseng Labs drivers (and Paradise)
Date: 23 Apr 91 08:18:56 GMT
Organization: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Germany
>In article <1991Apr21.120356.17547@ugle.unit.no>,
>janeri@Lise.Unit.NO (Jan Eri) writes:
>>
>>I am currently testing Tseng Labs beta versions of their OS/2 1.2/1.3
>>drivers (800*600*16 and 1024*768*16). The drivers seems to work ok,
I think many are interested in this drivers. Could you make them
available for others, for example, by submitting to comp.binaries.os2?
Although I have already switched to a Paradise 8514/A, I would like to
get them. It would make it easier to propose customers to switch
towards OS/2 if they could get high resolution screen drivers. And
Tseng 4k boards with 1M RAM are really cheap now.
During the past few weeks I got Paradise VGA drivers for 1.2. I have
another machine with a PVGA-1024 and I tested these drivers. They work
well with 1.3 except for a few problems:
The three drivers (800x600x16, 1024x768x16 and 640x480x256) come with
four additional DLL's. One of them is specifically for the 640x480x256
driver (WDINIT.DLL). It needs IOPL so WDINIT has to be added to the
IOPL= statement in CONFIG.SYS.
The other three DLL's replace standard DLL's of OS/2. BVHWND.DLL should
not be used. Use the DLL of this name that comes with 1.3 instead.
Otherwise the machine hangs when calling the "Font size" command from
the system menu of VIO windows. Do also not use BVHVGA.DLL from
Paradise. When using it, I was unable to switch to the DOS box and the
machine hung. When ignoring all three of the DLL's (the third one
replaces BVHINIT.DLL), you get a reall mess on the screen when
switching back to the PM screen from the DOS box. Replacing BVHINIT.DLL
by the Paradise-supplied version reduced this garbage a lot (although
it is still there).
So far my experiences with this drivers. Everything else works fine.
Icons are coloured and the correct size. A drawback of the highres
drivers is, that the font size command for VIO windows offers only 8x8
and 14x8 where the 8514/A driver offers a lot more of resolutions.
If anyone is interested in the drivers, I would submit them to
comp.binaries.os2.
Kai Uwe Rommel
/* Kai Uwe Rommel, Munich ----- rommel@lan.informatik.tu-muenchen.dbp.de */
DOS ... is still a real mode only non-reentrant interrupt
handler, and always will be. -Russell Williams (MS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: gah@hood.hood.caltech.edu (Glen Herrmannsfeldt)
Subject: Re: Installing OS/2 1.3 on mono system
Date: 23 Apr 91 10:38:07 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
I used to run 1.0. THe program is called DMPC, or something similar.
It may still exist on the install disk. I used to have a strange problem
getting it to run of a hard disk in 1.0, though. I had to load cmd.exe
first, and have that load DMPC. Otherwise it got into an infinite
DMPC load loop.
The easiest to try is to start with PROTSHELL=CMD.EXE
then you can run other programs from there. This, in itself, only
gets you one session. See if DMPC will run. It has binary configuration
files like PM, but less well documented.
I tried this once, but gave up and bought a VGA board.
(After I ran PM on a CGA, that is.)
-- glen
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tok@slammer.UUCP (Terry Kane)
Subject: Re: Request for information from OS/2 neophyte
Date: 23 Apr 91 13:50:27 GMT
Organization: Just me and my computers. Norcross, Ga.
Where can you get OS/2? Good question. I don't know where *I* can buy
it in Atlanta. Try Businessland and NYNEX - corporate type dealers.
Yes, the world is ignorant of OS/2. I saw a recent issue of CommUnixations
wherein OS/2 was slammed at least half dozen times by people who probably
have never seen it. It really is a Good Thing.
Is it supported on non-blue hardware? Yes, when you buy it directly
from the hardware vendor, e.g. AST, Dell... These companies have it from
MicroCephaliSoft - IBM's agreement with MS prohibits IBM from supporting
it on nonblue hardware. However, reports are that version 2 will have been
tested and will run on at least twelve other vendor's hardware. They won't
support you, but you (knock on wood) wont't need support.
The official proce of OS/2 1.3 SE is $150, with a free upgrade to 2.0 when
_it_ comes out. This from press releases. (Yeah, but first you gotta
find somebody to sell it to ya.)
As far as future support - well if you get support from IBM now (blue hardware)
You'll surely be supported in a year. IBM is real intent on OS/2 2.0 becoming
a smash success! They really are.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tok@slammer.UUCP (Terry Kane)
Subject: OS/2 2.0beta availability
Date: 24 Apr 91 15:53:38 GMT
Organization: Just me and my computers. Norcross, Ga.
As I promised to pass on details regarding the download of OS/2 2.0beta,
here is Bulletin 3 from IBM's NSC PCUG bbs [(404) 835-6600].
Nota Bene: IBM has placed legal restriction on redistribution of this
code. They are gracious enough to make it available, so
I hope this policy will not be abused.
> We have prepared a system to download a complete set of
> OS/2 Version 2.0 BETA CODE.
>
> The phone number is (404) 835-6381.
>
> You will need to register on the new system as a new user.
>
> When you log-on to the BETA CODE BBS all you can do is download
> the OS/2 BETA CODE driver.
>
> If you have problems with the BETA CODE BBS during your
> download session, please leave a message to SYSOP in
> message base 30 of this BBS.
>
In conference on the NSC bbs, the sysop states that the complete download
takes ~5 hours at 9600 baud, and that the disk usage is ~18 mb.
One can now download any two diskette images selectively - there
is no longer the requirement to start at the beginning. Also,
there *were* CRC errors in some of the images, but they're now
fixed.
BTW, I still haven't been able to connect to the download bbs.
It's busybusybusy!
cheers
Terry Kane
...!emory!slammer!tok
+1-404-841-4881 days EST
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: lowey@herald.usask.ca (Kevin Lowey)
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0beta availability
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 91 05:12:40 GMT
From article <1991Apr26.002345.4659@comp.vuw.ac.nz>,
by Conrad.Bullock@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Conrad Bullock):
>
> Has anyone successfully downloaded it yet? I have the first 4 (of 13) files,
> but I haven't been able to get through for the rest of them.
>
Bad news, I just got off the IBM BBS. This message was there:
4-25-91
Subject: OS/2 Version 2.0 Beta Code
The distribution of OS/2 Version 2.0 Beta Test Code has been stopped
due to concerns about the license agreement.
We will post more information on the subject when it becomes
available.
- Kevin Lowey (Lowey@Sask.USask.CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF OS/2 DISCUSSION FORUM 910405
***********************************