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Software Vault: The Diamond Collection
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The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO
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cdr29
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os2qa.zip
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OS2QA.TXT
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1995-03-18
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9KB
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189 lines
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Q. What will OS/2 for the PowerPC include?
OS/2 for the PowerPC will roll out as a family of products to parallel the
OS/2 Warp family on the x86 platform. (It will be a WIN-OS/2 version; there
will not be a version running on top of existing DOS and Windows, since they
do not exist on the PowerPC platform.) The first product shipped will be a
PowerPC version of OS/2 Warp Connect.
OS/2 for the PowerPC is OS/2 Warp running on the PowerPC. When it ships, it
will have the same user interface, the Workplace Shell, and will run the same
applications, OS/2 32-bit apps recompiled to exploit the benefits of the
PowerPC platform, as well as existing DOS and Windows 3.x Intel binaries.
OS/2 for the PowerPC is not a back-level version of OS/2.
Q. When will OS/2 for the PowerPC be available?
The beta release of OS/2 for the PowerPC was shipped to select developers in
December and January. The final product will ship this summer when testing is
complete. The feedback we receive on our beta will help us to further assess
our progress.
Q. What is the brand name? Is it Warp?
We have not yet announced the name.
Q. Are you offering another beta in March as you promised when you shipped the
confidential beta in the fourth quarter?
Yes. We plan to deliver another beta in March.
Q. Will it be an open beta?
It will be a limited beta because of limited hardware availability.
Q. How will the open beta differ from the current version?
We are not discussing the content of the beta now.
Q. Can you define the IBM Microkernel? What is its history?
The IBM Microkernel is a software product that provides a new way to structure
system software to simplify and increase the range of hardware and system
configurations that can be supported. It's been specifically designed to
facilitate portability and scalability. The microkernel can be used across a
wide variety of devices ranging from small embedded controllers all the way up
to massively parallel processors.
Q. Will the microkernel support multiple personalities?
The microkernel design makes it technically feasible, but customers have told
us they don't want to deal with the complexity and overhead of supporting
multiple dissimilar environments simultaneously. Instead, they are asking for
a single, flexible object-oriented environment, easier integration of
services, and additional APIs and frameworks. Application migration and
scalability will be enhanced by supporting the UNIX standard SPEC 1170 APIs.
We'll provide frameworks that will lead to greatly increased application
development productivity. OS/2's personality will evolve by applying advanced
OpenDoc and Taligent technologies. And we'll provide some unique new
opportunities for our OS/400 customers that will preserve their current
investment while expanding their access to new environments and services.
Q. Is it true that Warp is the last version of OS/2 for the Intel platform?
No. We are continuing development for OS/2 on the Intel platform. We just
announced the fullpack, or WIN-OS/2, version of OS/2 Warp with integrated and
optimized Windows 3.1 application support. And we just briefed reporters on
OS/2 Warp Connect, our one-box networking solution for small business,
workgroup and enterprise customers.
Q. Is it true that the sniffer file on the upgrade package, which identifies
that you are an upgrade customer, prevents customers from re-installing
Warp?
Yes. The upgrade version of OS/2 Warp ($129) requires that OS/2 2.x be
present on the hard drive. After Warp has been installed, the system will no
longer find the earlier versions, therefore it will not install again. In the
rare case when a customer needs to re-install Warp, our customer support line
can help them do it.
Q. Forrester recently issued a brief predicting that Microsoft's Windows 95
would slip once again until November, missing the 1995 holiday buying
season. How would this affect OS/2 Warp?
IBM does not comment on products from other companies. You would have to ask
Microsoft about Windows 95's actual ship date. OS/2 Warp is available now,
offering 32-bit power and easy Internet access to users who are tired of
waiting for Windows 95. OS/2 is the best-selling 32-bit operating system for
PCs. We look forward to competing with a real product rather than vaporware.
Q. Federal Judge Stanley Sporkin rejected Microsoft's consent decree with the
U.S. Department of Justice. What does this mean for IBM and its operating
systems?
IBM does not comment on the legal proceedings of other companies. Interest in
IBM's OS/2 Warp and PC DOS has never been greater. OEMs are realizing that
they have a choice in the operating systems they preload on their machines and
increasingly these OEMs are looking at OS/2 Warp and PC DOS. Many European
OEMs and retailers, including Vobis and Escom, have chosen to preload OS/2
Warp. Osborne Computers in Australia recently decided to standardized on IBM
systems, choosing to preload PC DOS and OS/2 Warp over MS-DOS and Windows.
Q. Microsoft recently announced in Hong Kong that a Chinese language version of
Windows 95 would be available in October 1995. Is IBM planning to release a
Chinese language version of OS/2 Warp?
IBM will make a Chinese language version of OS/2 Warp available in China this
Spring, months before Microsoft promises to deliver a Chinese version of
Windows 95. OS/2 is increasingly popular in China. IBM recently signed an
agreement with the China National Grain Information Center involving the
purchase of 3,000 units of OS/2 2.1P. Under this agreement, OS/2 will help
support a nationwide network of grain storage and distribution centers.
OS/2 Warp began shipping in November in North America, Europe, Latin
America, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. IBM begins shipping a
Japanese language version of OS/2 Warp this month.
Q. With OS/2's lack of market share as an operating system, what is the value
for developers to build native applications for OS/2 Warp?
OS/2 has consistently been the best-selling 32-bit operating system. In fact,
OS/2's increasing market share has caught the attention of major software
vendors -- Corel, Lotus, Novell, Computer Associates, Stac, and others -- who
have announced that they will develop or already are developing native OS/2
versions of their applications.
Q. IBM is developing some software for Windows rather than for OS/2 Warp. If
IBM doesn't believe in its own operating system, why should developers?
IBM provides solutions for different platforms because some customers have
those platforms and want to stay with them. At the same time, customers are
moving to 32-bit operating system environments, and IBM's OS/2 is the leading
32-bit operating system. IBM has made a major investment and commitment to
OS/2, and will remain firmly committed to it.
Q. What is your response to the fact that the revenue opportunity for ISVs
writing Windows applications far exceeds that for OS/2?
Windows 3.11 is a 16-bit operating environment. Personal computers are moving
to 32-bit operating system environments and Windows 95 must compete with
existing 32-bit operating systems, like OS/2, AIX and UNIX. There is no
guarantee that Windows 95 will capture anywhere near the market share of
Windows 3.11. In fact, there are few native Windows NT or Windows 95
applications currently available, and when Windows 95 ships, there will still
be relatively few choices for customers. With more than 7 million copies of
OS/2 installed, and with increasing demand for OS/2 Warp, OS/2 has a market
share that cannot be ignored.
Q. Which PC manufacturers will preload OS/2 Warp?
The IBM PC Company, Dell, Toshiba, CompuAdd, Osborne, Vobis and Unisys, among
others, have announced plans to preload Warp. We already have OEM contracts
with Compaq, AST, Everex, Wyse, Z-Bull, NCR, Escom, NEC and Hitachi, among
others.
Q. Is IBM offering special deals to OEMs who preload OS/2 Warp?
The terms of our negotiations are confidential, however, when you combine the
inherent benefits of Warp, including Internet access and BonusPak
applications, OS/2 Warp is a very compelling value offering for OEMs and their
customers.
Q. Why don't you preload Warp on PC Company machines?
This month, the IBM PC Company will begin the worldwide offering of OS/2 Warp
preloaded across its personal computing line, at no extra charge. OS/2 Warp
is now available on the IBM Personal Computer 300 and 700 series, to be
followed by ThinkPad mobile computers in April and the Aptiva consumer systems
in May.
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