FixPak-6 for OS/2 Warp 4 was officially released for public ftp download on March 2nd. There are 15 disk image files, totalling approximately 21 MBytes. FixPak-6 includes several new features. User feedback reports have been unanimously positive.
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/ps/products/os2/fixes/v4warp/english-us/xr_m006/
EDITOR's NOTE: Although FixPak 6 is larger than its predecessor (FP6 is nearly 21mb in size, requiring 15 diskettes) I downloaded and installed the update with great ease.
Cut the Hype! Find out how Java and Network Computing Really Works for You
Have you heard the hype about Java and Network Computing? Are you wondering, "What does it really mean to me?"
We would like to clarify a few things.
How would you like to reduce your number of PC software reloads? Or reduce the risk of corporate data sneaking out on a diskette or in someone's pocket?
You can forget about the waste of buying a $4,000 PC and loading it with 10 gigabytes of software for that user who just needs to access your mainframe to send e-mail. WorkSpace On-Demand, Host On-Demand, and Lotus eSuite are your keys to reducing PC cost of ownership.
These are just a few of the things Java and Network Computing can do for your company. And, they can do them right now with IBM's WorkSpace On-Demand. WorkSpace On-Demand puts the promise of Java and Network Computing to work for you NOW with the equipment and software you already have.
Live demonstrations of WorkSpace On-Demand will illustrate how you can cut your frustration, cost, and effort. There is no charge for this seminar. However, seating is limited. Enroll today!
Dial 1-800-426-7777 and request priority code 6L8HB002
| WHEN | WHERE |
|---|---|
| Monday, March 30 | Cleveland, OH |
| Tuesday, March 31 | Columbus, OH |
| Thursday, April 2 | Cincinnati, OH |
| Monday, April 6 | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Wednesday, April 8 | Southfield, MI |
8:00 - 8:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 11:00 AM Java/Network Computing Seminar
Sun Microsystems, developer of the JavaOS for network computers, has enlisted IBM to get the delayed operating system out the door, according to sources close to the agreement.
IBM is offering its 2,400 Java developers to help make the JavaOS more robust and stable. The companies hope IBM's involvement will boost user confidence in Java-based NCs by leveraging IBM's influence and by ensuring that the JavaOS isn't proprietary to Sun.
Both Sun and IBM are banking heavily on the JavaOS. Sun now plans to roll out its JavaStation next month, 18 months after it was announced. IBM plans to introduce a JavaOS-based Network Station in several months.
Sources say IBM and Sun will pool their JavaOS developers to address a number of issues, including security, device drivers, servicing, and administration. The companies will also co-develop tools and services for Java developers and collaborate on educational and certification services for software and hardware vendors. The companies will also share marketing responsibilities for the operating system.
NCSD adds Service Group
IBM's Network Computing Software Division (NCSD) has responsibility for developing and deploying the network computing technologies that move companies both big and small towards e-business. To aid in this mission, NCSD has added a services group that complements IBM Global Services' offerings by targeting four important but specific market requirements.
For establishments with OS/2 applications and perhaps eNetwork products, this new group can help:
Press Points
InfoWorld Electric, "IBM augments OS/2 with new Java virtual machine," by Steven E. Brier, February 12, 1998.
This electronic article explains how IBM is continuing to keep OS/2 relevant by integrating a new version of the Java virtual machine (JVM) into both the operating system and WorkSpace On Demand and releasing an OS/2 FixPack. The JVM improvements include enhancements to the kernel and video subsystems as well as faster performance. See http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980212.ecos2.htm for the complete article.
US. News, "Men in Blue" by William J. Cook, February 9, 1998
In a special report that starts with "Once dismissed as a dinosaur, IBM is thriving in today's fast-changing computer world," writer William J. Cook lauds IBM's efforts in the area of network computing and more specifically Java. To see the article and a related piece go to: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/ibmhigh.htm and http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/ibmivu.htm.
More Navigator for OS/2 details
A strong encryption version of the latest Netscape Navigator 2.02 for OS/2 newly refreshed with Java 1.1.4 support will be available as of February 23, 1998. This option, available only to citizens or legal permanent residents of the US or Canada, allows users to talk to sites that encode sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, with strong cryptography that prevents others from capturing and reading data as it travels over the Internet.
To order the strong encryption version CD in:
the US., call 1-800-513-7043
Canada, call 1-800-462-2255 and ask for PSP product support.
Although the software is free to eligible users, there is a $US15 ($CN21.15) shipping and handling fee. In compliance with US. government restrictions on exporting 128-bit encryption products, customers will need to provide eligibility information. IBM will only ship to North American addresses.
Correction: The February WARP FM listed eSuite application support as one of the benefits of the new Java 1.1.4 support in Navigator 2.02 for OS/2. While Java 1.1.4 will support eSuite applications running as desktop applets, these applications will not run inside the Navigator browser. The security capabilities of Navigator 2.02 do not include support of trusted applets. The follow-on Netscape product for OS/2, targeted for 2H98, will remove this limitation.
Notice: The latest level, seven, of the recently updated Netscape Navigator 2.02 for OS/2 eliminates the possibility of a "hang error" on certain web pages. Levels six and below may be effected by this problem. Look at the NETSCAPE.PKG file to determine the level of the code. To download the latest, visit the Software Choice home page at: http://www.software.ibm.com/swchoice. Downloads completed before Saturday, February 14, 1998, may require the correction.
OS/2 Updates Hardware Support
Partitioned Removable Media Support for Iomega jaz and Syquest Syjet drives
OS/2 Warp versions 3 and 4 now support the popular SCSI Syquest Syjet 1.5 GB portable and Iomega jaz 1 GB and 2GB personal hard drives. These large removable drives with caching HPFS and FAT file systems are ideal for file transfers, backups, archiving confidential data and on-line storage. An OS/2 system updated with Warp V300 FixPak 35 or Warp V400 FixPak 6 or LAN Server SelectPak IP_8508 will fully exploit these large drives, managing data efficiently and effectively. The new support allows users to:
divide removable media into multiple partitions
format with either HPFS or FAT
exploit caching performance
use HPFS long file names
use the Workplace disk object for drag and drop
safely eject media
prevent floating drive letters by assigning letters to the end of the drive
lettering chain
predetermine a fixed number of partitions to use for removable media
enable vendor media protection utilities
These OS/2 Service Fix Packages are available access on-line at: http://service5.boulder.ibm.com/pspfixpk.nsf/.
SuperDisk LS-120 Drive Device Driver
The IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line, at http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/, now includes the OS/2 device driver for the SuperDisk LS-120 Drive. Simply adding the OS/2 driver IBMATAPI.FLT enables an installed system to support 120-MB diskettes while maintaining compatibility with 3.5 inch 1.44-MB standard diskettes at five times the performance. SuperDisk LS-120 drives, which are slated to become a popular option for laptops, are available on Compaq Deskpro and ProLinea Personal Computers.
OS/2 Support Matches Iomega Zip ATAPI Removable Drive Availability
OS/2 Warp now supports Zip ATAPI 100 MB drives, which connect existing EIDE system ports. These recently available drives read and write data from flexible media contained in a durable plastic cartridge. The removable 100 MB cartridges provide a convenient, large capacity package for data security, storage and the transportation and interchange of data. To fully exploit these removable drives, use driver IBMATAPI.FLT in conjunction with the partitioned removable media support available in the Warp FixPaks (described under the new Partitioned Removable Media Support).
The Iomega Zip ATAPI Removable Drive device driver, IBMATAPI.FLT, is available from the IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line at: http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/.
Large IDE Hard Disk Drive Support
To ensure an OS/2 BIOS system has the ability to properly remap the parameters of hard disk drives greater than 4.3 GB with Enhanced IDE use the new versions of the IBM1S506.ADD and IBMIDECD.FLT device drivers, available from the IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line at: http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/BAF5BD953449F3F3862564F200662885.html
Additional device driver updates to support Enhanced BIOS for even larger IDE hard disk drives -- greater than 8.4 GB will be available in March 1998 at the same URL.
Improved Parallel Port Printing
A new OS/2 parallel port device driver, PAR1284.SYS is available from the IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line. This parallel port device driver takes advantage of the IEEE 1284 bi-directional communication protocols on new printers from HP, Lexmark, and Epson. This new device driver takes advantage of the Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP) operational mode.
The OS/2 PAR1284.SYS features with these new printers improve:
the installation and configuration of presentation printer drivers,
system performance,
print job transmission and
print job error detection and recovery.
This PAR1284.SYS device driver can be found on the IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line at: http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/CE7558BA7305FF150625636F007AAA3D.html
I2O Technology Enhances Server Configurations
Intelligent Input/Output (I2O), a technology that offloads I/O activity from the server's main microprocessor thereby increasing overall server performance, has become a requirement of a high-performance Intel-based server configuration. To provide increased performance and improved scalability on OS/2 servers, IBM offers I2O Storage support through the OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line. The I2O SCSI server configuration requires only two OS/2 device drivers, I2OSOSM.ADD and I2OXPORT.SYS, copied to the \OS2\BOOT directory and added to the CONFIG.SYS file . No other updates are necessary. These drivers are available just in time for the 1998 Servers.
This device support an be found on the IBM OS/2 Device Driver Pak On-Line at: http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/D793C5BB48A2CC7E8625649D005A0752.html.
INFORMATION BRIEFS
OS/2 Warp in Nagano
For a look at how IBM used OS/2 Warp and middleware such as eNetwork Communications Server in its Olympic applications, see http://www.software.ibm.com/compete98. Also visit http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980213.ehnagano2.htm for an InfoWorld Electric article by Lynda Radosevich entitled, "IBM Hitting Its Mark in Olympic Fashion."
WorkSpace On-Demand Handbook
The WorkSpace On-Demand Handbook, which includes an introduction to the product, an explanation of RIPL (Remote Initial Program Load) as well as planning, installation and administrative information, is now available. The publication features seven appendices:
Tuning WorkSpace On-Demand
Hints and tips
Web Pages to read
Network Adapter considerations and work-arounds
RIPL error/status messages
Tools for working with machine classes
REXX tools to manage in the Enterprise.
To order, use number SG24-2028 at: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/.
Back Issues of OS/2 WARP FM are available on-line at http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
For more information on the OS/2 Family of products see: http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp.
Check out other Network Computing Software Division Publications --
Subscribe to Java Update at http://www.software.ibm.com/mailing-lists/java-update.
Visit the on-line edition of the eNetwork Connection newsletter at: http://www.networking.ibm.com/cover/cover.htm.
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Machines Corporation.
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