Perhaps the most notable improvement in OS/2 Warp Server is its new Journaled File System (JFS). As IBM describes it, the JFS was created to "eliminate lengthy file system recovery times after a system crash with current file systems. Using database journaling techniques, JFS generally can restore a file system to a functional state in a matter of seconds or minutes. In contrast to a non-journaling file system (anyone we know here?), OS/2 Warp Server for e-business's JFS provides a quickly-restarted, transaction-oriented, log-based, scalable file system. JFS is key to helping improve server availability. The performance and reliability that JFS provides makes OS/2 Warp Server for e-business ideal for Web serving. Furthermore, JFS raises the previous file size limitation of 2 GB to 2 TB. Partition size is raised from 64 GB to 2 TB, allowing a file to be the same size as a partition.
IBM also tout's the product as "Year 2000 ready" , something that is incredibly important to file servers. For more information on the new features, be sure to see IBM's Warp Server Summary at: http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warp-server/summary/
Desktop On-Call was a bit of a surprise to everyone. Basically, the 100% pure Java product provides the user with the ability to control their PC via Java-enabled web browsers; e.g., Netscape Communicator. According to IBM, you can do such things as copy a file from a server through your browser. Some of the benefits IBM quotes...
- access your office system from home;
- manage your servers securely through a dial-up connection;
- help users remotely from any web client on the network;
- "run" OS/2 Warp applications on Windows systems or vice-versa.
Its this last feature that will be most intriguing to OS/2 users. Basically, it represents the ability to finally run Windows applications under OS/2, and OS/2 applications under Windows. To illustrate: many of us have our computers configured with OS/2 in one partition and Windows 95/98/NT in another. By using a shared partition that is readable by both, a user can conceivably run any OS/2 and Windows program they want from wherever they want. Consequently, I anxiously downloaded the Windows version of Desktop On-Call (the OS/2 version isn't quite ready) just for this purpose. In terms of file transfer: no problems whatsoever. However, I have yet to be able to successfully run an OS/2 program under this scenario. Admittedly, it could be due to the fact that I am still a novice with the product. But if IBM can do what they claim, some great prospects now exist for OS/2 users.
On the negative side, Desktop On-Call could be construed as a migration path for users to wean them off OS/2 and move to Windows. Regardless, IBM's Java push (including their new Windows Java Virtual Machine) is basically saying, "We don't care what your operating platform is, run anything you want, whenever you want to."
The product is reasonably priced at $34.99 (US) making it affordable to just about anyone. If you are a serious computer user with OS/2 and Windows on your computer, Desktop On-Call is definitely worth checking out.
BUT WHAT ABOUT P.R.?
Both the OS/2 Warp Server release and Desktop On-Call represent some very useful technology. Aside from Timothy Sipples press releases, I have yet to see any coverage of these important stories in the press. Either IBM has forgotten how to effectively issue a press release, or IBM and/or the press are simply turning a cold shoulder on OS/2 (I suspect the latter). Even the new IBM iSource news subscription service (via e-mail) failed to make mention of it. What gives?
Interestingly, Desktop On-Call was developed by IBM Japan which is gaining in stature for their programming capabilities. One question though: whatever happened to OS/2 R&D in the United States? Is it defunct or is it all being done offshore?
WHAT ABOUT WARP 5?
In my February editorial I mentioned there were several rumors about a new "fat-client" version of OS/2 in the offing, Warp 5. I still receive e-mail regarding this story from people who want to be brought up-to-date. Unfortunately, I haven't a lot to report. Although I have recently noticed a resurgence of these rumors, including the reference to Stardock Systems becoming the distributor for Warp 5, there has been no official or unofficial word from IBM. Back in February I predicted that if there was ever going to be a Warp 5, IBM would make some kind of announcement by the Spring Comdex conference in April. Well, April has come and gone, and IBM balked at making any announcement. If a Warp 5 is planned by IBM, I'm afraid we won't see it until next year. I hope I'm wrong.
Y2K NO PROBLEMO WITH PRIDE
To change the subject for a minute, in the past you have heard me talk about my company's PRIDE® products for systems development, including the PRIDE® Information Factory as described in the Products section of the newsletter. Well, I'de like to blow my own horn for a second. A few years back we wrote an article, "Moving IRM from an Art to a Science" describing how Japanese companies were using "PRIDE". In the article, Japan's "BEST Project" was discussed, a huge project conducted by a consortium of Japanese Banks who built over 70 major integrated banking systems with "PRIDE". Recently, our Japanese representative paid us a visit in Florida and updated us on the project.
Like everyone else, the BEST project members were very much concerned about the impact the Year 2000 would have on their systems. As a result, they initiated a project to study the problem. Remarkably, the project found no problem whatsoever with their systems, thanks in large part to the IRM Repository accompanying "PRIDE" which is used to catalog and cross-reference data and processing components in the systems. Using the IRM product they were able to extensively research all date related fields and determined everything was in proper working order. This confirmed the successful use of our product which we are understandably very proud of. Bottom-line: Its amazing what you can do with a little organization and planning!
Keep the Faith!
Copyright © M&JB 1999
