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OS/2 Shareware BBS: 16 Announce
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16-Announce.zip
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293341.zip
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293341.ANN
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1993-06-30
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267 lines
NUMBER 293-341
DATE 930629
TITLE IBM PEN FOR OS/2 VERSION 1.0
ABSTRACT The IBM Pen for OS/2 (R) operating system extensions to
OS/2 Version 2.1 allow users to access programs and operating system
services and functions using a pen, instead of a mouse or keyboard.
The pen provides handwriting recognition and "soft" keyboard data
entry and supports existing programs, including programs not designed
to use a pen.
Pen for OS/2 supports 16-bit and 32-bit unmodified
OS/2 programs, unmodified Windows (1) programs running in a WIN-OS/2
(TM) window and unmodified DOS programs running in a DOS window.
Pen for OS/2 has integrated features built around the
capability to interpret handwriting as commands and data. This
capability allows the keyboard to be eliminated in some applications,
reducing the physical dimensions and weight of a system.
Pen for OS/2 provides a set of system gestures or hand-drawn
symbols translated into commands for the operating system or
application program. Pen for OS/2 also includes tools that enable
pen-aware and pen-unaware programs to use a pen. These tools make
pen-unaware programs work as if they were receiving information from
a mouse or keyboard.
The pen is a natural writing and pointing device. By using
the pen for navigating the Workplace Shell (TM) and all application
windows, users can achieve a more natural interaction with OS/2. Pen
for OS/2 also supports finger-touch-sensitive digitizing devices with
a separate "touch" device type for applications for which touch is a
better user interface.
A pen-based chalkboard applet is included with Pen for OS/2.
This application allows users to establish a link over a local area
network (LAN) and share the same viewing and editing space
simultaneously, adding bitmaps, screen captures, colored ink, shapes
and handwriting in real time.
The open architecture provided by the Pen for OS/2 application
programming interface (API) invites independent software vendors to
modify existing applications or create new applications that take
advantage of the pen/ink on paper metaphor. To accommodate the rapid
evolution of pen computing components, Pen for OS/2 provides a number
of well-defined interfaces for peripheral and integral pen devices
and handwriting recognition providers. These interfaces allow
developers to take advantage of breakthroughs in technology without
appreciable impact to previously-developed code.
One-Time Charge: $89.
Availability Date: June 29, 1993.
(R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
(1) Trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
(TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
IN BRIEF . . .
o Provides pen extensions to OS/2 Version 2.1
o Increases the effectiveness of information and communication with
the use of:
- Interactive teleconferencing
- Handwritten notes
- Freehand drawing
- Annotation of documents
- Data capture in mobile environments
- Presentations with mark-up and pointing
- Signature capture
o Runs existing OS/2 Presentation Manager (R) (PM), Win-OS/2, and
DOS applications unmodified
o Provides mouse emulation for existing applications
o Provides on-screen pop-up keyboards for text entry
o Provides a set of standard gestures (symbols written with the pen
or touch that trigger system or application functions)
o Allows the user to assign gestures for fast menu item selection
or macro execution
o Provides handwriting recognition that translates pen input into
alphanumeric text and forwards that text to an application
o Provides device drivers for the most popular opaque tablets and
allows for others to be added in the future
o Includes LAN-based chalkboard applet
o Includes Sketch Pad tool for creating freehand drawings inserted
into applications through the system clipboard.
PRODNO 61G1171
61G1173
61G1174
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION
IBM Pen for OS/2 is a set of operating system extensions to
OS/2 Version 2.1.
Pen support enhances the usability of all application programs
by allowing users to manipulate existing applications with a more
direct and natural approach. Fastpath gesture commands can be drawn
on the display to quickly invoke program features that previously
required a combination of mouse and/or keystroke actions to invoke.
The availability of "electronic ink" enables new applications and
features such as handwritten annotation of text and images, and
interactive communication using handwriting and drawings.
Pen for OS/2 provides pen input capability for mouse
emulation, keyboard emulation and handwriting recognition in existing
OS/2, Win-OS/2 and DOS applications that execute in the Presentation
Manager environment. The Pen for OS/2 API allows applications to
include advanced pen capabilities such as: high fidelity annotation
of images, signature capture, character recognition within forms and
verification of signature authenticity.
Pen for OS/2 has the following features:
o On-screen keyboards to enter character data either with the pen
or touch
o Standard gestures that trigger system or application operations
such as moving from one application to another, text editing or
opening a file
o User-assignable gestures for macro execution or menu item
selection
o Handwriting recognition that translates written alphanumeric
characters into text for application input
o Electronic chalkboard applet that provides simultaneous graphical
communication via LAN
o All the advantages associated with OS/2 such as preemptive
multitasking, flat memory model, OS/2, DOS, and Win-OS/2
environments.
Pen for OS/2 has the following related products available from
IBM:
o Software Developers Kit -- provides well documented API and
source code examples for the development of pen-aware
applications.
o Device Driver Kit -- provides direction and source code examples
for vendors to write device drivers that enable new equipment to
run Pen for OS/2 under OS/2.
USER PRODUCTIVITY
New applications provide the largest area of extended user
productivity. These applications will allow the user to add comments
to images, add handwritten notes and drawings to documents, verify
signatures, fill in forms quickly and naturally, and make using the
computer much easier.
New applications also allow people who were previously unable
to use computers because of the mobile nature of their work to have a
computer that can go where they go, helping them when they need it
most.
INVESTMENT PROTECTION
The customer's current investment in applications is protected
by the ability to run existing OS/2, Win-OS/2 and DOS applications
without modifications. With Pen for OS/2, the customer can add pen
functions to their existing applications, while retaining the vast
majority of the existing code.
CUSTINFO PUBLICATIONS
Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0 Documentation Only (61G1173) is
available now.
The Documentation Only package contains the following
publications:
o Pen for OS/2 User's Guide
o Pen for OS/2 Quick Reference Card.
EDUCATION SUPPORT
The Pen Developer Assistance Program will conduct a series of
Migration Workshops for software vendors who want to modify existing
applications to take advantage of the interface to Pen for OS/2.
These workshops will help in converting pen-unaware applications and
applications for Windows for Pen Computing (2), PenDOS (3) and
PenPoint (4). Information on this offering is available through the
IBM Developer Assistance Program by calling 800-678-3187.
(2) Trademark of Microsoft Corporation
(3) Trademark of Communication Intelligence Corporation
(4) Trademark of GO Corporation
TECHINFO TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
MACHINE REQUIREMENTS: The IBM Pen for OS/2 minimum system
requirements are:
o Processor capable of running OS/2 Version 2.1
o VGA-resolution display and digitizer tablet, integrated display
and digitizer tablet, or tablet computer system with embedded
digitizer
o 2MB random access memory (RAM) over the requirements for OS/2 2.1
o 5MB of DASD over the requirements for OS/2 2.1.
PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS: IBM OS/2 Version 2.1.
COMPATIBILITY: Pen for OS/2 supports:
o DOS applications running in an OS/2 DOS window
o Windows applications running in a WIN-OS/2 window
o OS/2 16- and 32-bit applications.
LIMITATIONS: Gestures will not work with full-screen DOS or
OS/2 sessions. Some Win-OS/2 applications may not operate
consistently when gestures are mapped to menu items because not all
applications create menus and pull-down menu items with the proper
OS/2 mechanism. If an application adheres to the OS/2 standard,
gestures can be mapped to menu items for a shortcut to calling
application functions.
PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Mouse pointing devices report movement
at a rate of 60 points per second, while pen pointing devices can be
configured to supply considerably more of these reporting messages.
Pen for OS/2 recommends 100 points per second. The increased number
of messages that the system message queue receives can impact system
performance due to the extra number of CPU cycles needed to process
the increased message traffic.
Pen for OS/2 installs a system "hook" that examines each
system event, deciding whether it is an event that needs to be
processed by Pen for OS/2 for mouse emulation, macro execution or
other similar function. If the message needs no further Pen for
OS/2 processing, the normal OS/2 message processing is allowed to
continue. If the message requires further Pen for OS/2 processing,
Pen for OS/2 calls a procedure to perform the necessary function.
All of this processing adds overhead to all system events, some more
than others.
System performance degradation with Pen for OS/2 installed
under OS/2 2.1 has been measured in extensive test scenarios to be
less than 4% as an average.
PLANNING INFORMATION
PACKAGING: The Pen for OS/2 program package contains:
o Two 3.5-inch program diskettes
o IBM Program License Agreement
o Proof of License
o Pen for OS/2 User's Guide
o Pen for OS/2 Quick Reference Card
o Service Information on the inside cover of the User's Guide
o "Retail" box.
SECURITY, AUDITABILITY AND CONTROL
Pen for OS/2 provides no special security features.
User management is responsible for evaluation, selection, and
implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and
appropriate controls in application systems and communication
facilities.
ORDERING ORDERING INFORMATION
Orders for new licenses will be accepted now by IBM Direct
Response Marketing at 800-3-IBM-OS2 (800-342-6672).
PART
NUMBER PROGRAM NAME MEDIA
61G1171 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0 3.5-inch
61G1173 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0
Documentation Only
61G1174 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0
Additional License
Certificate
o Program Package -- program diskette with documentation.
o Additional License Copies -- authorization for the customer who
has a program package to make a single copy of the program
diskette and documentation. The customer can order a Proof of
Additional License certificate from IBM.
o Documentation -- separate documentation without program
diskettes.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
LICENSING: The programs in this announcement are licensed under the
terms and conditions of the IBM Program License Agreement. A copy of
the agreement is included in the program package.
ADDITIONAL LICENSE: Proof of Additional License certificate must be
acquired.
LIMITED WARRANTY:
o Program: Yes. Media: Three months.
o Additional Licenses: Yes. Media: Not applicable.
30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: The 30-day money-back guarantee
provides the end user with an unconditional money back guarantee. If
for any reason the end user is not satisfied with the products or
program packages, the products can be returned to the place of
acquisition for a full refund. The products must be returned within
30 days from the date of acquisition with a valid proof of license.
Only products obtained directly from IBM are eligible for this
program.
PROGRAM SERVICES: IBM Central Service and PSP Customer Technical
Solutions Center will provide support for Pen for OS/2 until
July 30, 1995. The statement of service included in the program
package describes this service.
VOLUME DISCOUNT: Not applicable.
NATIONAL EDUCATION LICENSE FEE: The National Education License Fee
(NELF) is not available for Pen for OS/2.
CHARGES
PROGRAM ONE-TIME
NUMBER ORDER TYPE CHARGE
61G1171 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0
Program Package $89
61G1173 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0
Documentation Only 10
61G1174 Pen for OS/2 Version 1.0
Additional License
Certificate 79
ADDITIONAL LICENSES CHARGE: Customers who pay a one-time charge for
additional licenses may copy machine-readable program materials and
printed documentation previously acquired from IBM in a program
package. One copy may be made for each additional license ordered.
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