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OS/2 Help File | 1993-03-08 | 187.3 KB | 2,449 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. February Issue Topics ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Meeting 2. Stolen Taglines 3. How it Gets Done Department 4. OS/2 User Groups 5. Letters to the Editor 6. OS/2 on TV!!! 7. IBM Releases Device Driver Kit 8. Late News...Norton Commander for OS/2 Bug. 9. For the New User: OS/2 First Impressions 10. San Jose Windows and OS/2 Conference 11. Lee Reiswig Speaks to OS/2 Bay Area Users Group 12. William Zachmann Speaks in Houston 13. New Backup Software Due... 14. New OS/2 Software Announcements 15. Software Reviews -- Norton Commander for OS/2 16. OS/2 Magazine Department 17. OS/2 Reading 18. Media Scan -- Items of Interest 19. Consumer Advocate 20. More Late News...BackMaster Availability 21. Coming Attractions in March! 22. OS/2 BBS's 23. Seen Our Electronic Editions? 24. How to Get the Newsletter or Contact Us ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Meeting ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ February Announcement March Preview Directions Parking and Cost Call for Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.1. February Announcement ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ San Diego OS/2 Users Group Thursday, February 18, 1993 7:pm - 10:pm OS/2 Mini-Applets Presentation Ed Miller, the author of a chapter in a soon-to-be released OS/2 book, will be showing us the uses of the mini-applications included with OS/2 2.0 (Alarm, Database, PM Chart, etc.) Ed will also give an overview of the EPM toolkit recently released by IBM as part of the IBM Employee Written Software program. The EPM toolkit lets you extensively customize the EPM editor environment including adding macros and even incorporating the EPM editor into other programs. Schedule * User group announcements and OS/2 news * * OS/2 Mini-Applications Presentation * * EPM Toolkit Presentation * Our ever-popular OS/2 question and answer session where you can get help and advice from many other OS/2 users. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.2. March Preview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ San Diego OS/2 Users Group Thursday, March 18, 1993 7:pm - 10:pm Discover OS/2's CONFIG.SYS and the Work Place Shell OS/2 consultant Jeannine Wolf will give an overview of OS/2's CONFIG.SYS file and what settings a user would be likely to customize. She'll concentrate particularly on performance tuning tips like cache and multitasking settings you can adjust to make OS/2 better suit your style of usage. Jeannine will also show some of the useful customizations you can make to your Workplace Shell setup such as adding your own programs to the desktop and folder menus. Schedule * User group announcements and OS/2 news * * Discussion of OS/2's CONFIG.SYS file * * Performance tuning tips for OS/2 * * Workplace Shell tips * Our ever-popular OS/2 question and answer session where you can get help and advice from many other OS/2 users. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.3. Directions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ IBM Building 8845 University Center Lane San Diego, California 92122 Directions Driving from south of the UCSD area, take the Interstate 5 north. Get off at the Nobel Drive exit right after the passing the Mormon temple which is under construction. The IBM building will be immediately in front of you as you are stopped at the exit stop light. Turn right off exit and then left at first light. Driving from north of the UCSD area, take Interstate 5 south and get off at the La Jolla Village Drive exit. Head east until you reach Lebon. Take a right and continue until you reach Nobel. Take a right onto Nobel Drive and continue until you see the IBM building at the next light on your right just before reaching Interstate 5 again. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.4. Parking and Cost ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Parking Free of charge in the IBM parking lot. Cost As usual, this is a free meeting open to anyone interested in attending. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.5. Call for Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ FOR MEETING INFORMATION CALL (619) 587-5955 Thanks for IBM's help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. Stolen Taglines ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Use a mail reader program? Here's a few chuckles seen along the BBS messages to add to *your* list... 1. "Please Lord...not ANOTHER learning experience." 2. "(S)he's got bobsled looks...going downhill fast." 3. "We all live in a yellow subroutine." 4. "On the 4th ring, your call will be diverted to Jupiter." 5. "Paul Harvey fans always have a ... Good Day." 6. "Age is only important if you're a cheese." 7. "Copper wire came from two lawyers arguing over a penny." 8. "Systems run SO MUCH better with the users OFF." 9. "Docs. Why would I want to look at the Docs. Nurses are better." 10. "This is abuse. Arguments are down the hall." 11. "It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see one." 12. "Bored people, unless they sleep a lot, are cruel." Of course, for those who like the OS/2 versus Windows one-line jabs. 1. "OS/2: A 32-bit OS today...NT (Not Tomorrow)." 2. "Windows: Point, Click and...Pray." 3. "OS/2 Users with Supported Hardware - On the next Geraldo!" 4. "OS/2: Your brain. Windows: Your brain on drugs." 5. "Over 2,000,000 OS/2 users can't be wrong." 6. "Friends don't let friends do Windows." 7. "Air conditioned environment -- do not open Windows." ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. How It Gets Done Department ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ For those of you who are curious about how the newsletter gets done, here's what we do and use for each version. 1. Wordperfect 5.1 (DOS) -- for both the final hard copy and the ascii text version. 2. MoreFonts 3.0 (from MicroLogic Software) for the hardcopy fonts. 3. CorelDraw for OS/2 2.5 clipart -- exported to *.wpg (for the newseletter) and OS/2 *.bmp for the *.inf version. 4. ArtRight clip art in *.wpg format. 5. Logitech Scanman 256 for the map and redraw. 6. Open Shutter for OS/2 Screen Captures -- saved in *.pcx and OS/2 *.bmp formats. 7. HyperAccess/5 for OS/2 for getting those *.qwk packets with the information. 8. KWQ/2 OS/2 GUI mail reader for reading, printing and saving the messages we use. 9. IBM ToolKit/2 for *.inf file compiling. 10. EPM -- the enhanced OS/2 editor for tagging the *.ipf file prior to compiling the *.inf version. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4. OS/2 User Groups ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ User Group Introduction Canada North Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4.1. User Group Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ We try to list known OS/2 User Groups whenever we get the information. You, the reader, are our best source of this information. This month we came across two new groups that announced formation on Fidonet. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4.2. Canada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Kawartha Computer Club Contact: Cedric Silvester RR #1 Bailieboro, Ontario Canada KOL 1B0 Note: OS/2 SIG is part of the KCC Phone: BBS -- (705) 748-0023 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4.3. North Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Triangle OS/2 User Group Contact -- Steve Gallagher IBM Building 4800 Falls of The Neuse Road Room 5074 Durham, North Carolina Meets -- 7.30pm, 3rd Tuesday Phone -- Voice -- (919) 254-5637 Internet -- sjgalla@vnet.ibm.com ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5. Letters To The Editor ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Editor's Note Escanaba, Michigan #1 Escanaba, Michigan #2 Soest, Netherlands San Diego, California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5.1. Editor's Note ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Ah, we are starting to get some notes along the way. Remember, you can contact us (Craig Swanson or Dave Sichak) via Fidonet or write us at: San Diego OS/2 User Group P.O. Box 13346 La Jolla, CA 92039-3346 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5.2. Escanaba, Michigan #1 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Dear Editor, I have enjoyed reading the December 1992 and January 1993 newsletters. I am responding to your generous offer on the Fidonet OS/2 echo to send copies of future newsletters to interested parties. Therefore, I am enclosing six self-addressed and stamped envelopes for this purpose. Thank you in advance. Nancy Smith Escanaba, Michigan ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5.3. Escanaba, Michigan #2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Dear All, I received my first copy of the San Diego OS/2 newsletter and I enjoyed it greatly. It's a good start that could grow up to be much more. Nicely laid out. You can copy it ad lib for other folks. I hope to contribute some pieces to future issues. Kudos to the San Diego group for their great effort. I'm sure future issues will come with suggestions on how to subscribe, for now contributing pieces may keep one on the mailing list (?). Look into your notes and give Craig Swanson a call! John Faughnan Escanaba, Michigan Internet: 4867991@mcimail.com Via Silver Xpress V2.28 (1:139/930.0) Editor's Note: We have arranged for a way to obtain a copy of our newsletter no matter where you are or how you wish to read it, we think we've covered all the bases...so far. Double click on Number 24 in the "February Issue Topics" window for "How to get the newsletter and how to contact us. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5.4. Soest, Netherlands ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Dear Editor, In response to your message in the (Fidonet) OS/2 Echo: As you may have noticed, I am the coordinator for Fernwood distribution in Europe. Our club exchanges most OS/2 Echo's and Fernwood directly with Emmitt (Dove). And we send them on to more than 120 BBS's in Europe. I also write OS/2 columns in the monthly Newsletter of the Club and in a bi-monthly National magazine. And always several pages. I am usually concentrating on utilities for beginners and new Fernwood files. Question is: Would the San Diego Newsletter be interested in articles from me on the above mentioned subjects? Since I have a heavy schedule, I first want to get a reaction before doing the extra work. At any rate, I would like to get an idea of the content and STYLE expected in your newsletter. I would appreciate it if a copy could be sent to me to check out. I'll be sending my request for an issue or two to the address you mentioned in your announcement on Fidonet. Jan Schoonenberg Soest, Netherlands Editor's Note: Hmmm. I guess we'll consider ourselves an international newsletter. We welcome all editorial contributions to the newsletter. We can't promise we'll use everything we get, but the main point is to share information and provide different points of view. We encourage your efforts and look forward to your continued support. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5.5. San Diego, California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Dear Craig, CS>Yes, some of your observations were used in CS>the January issue. It is not yet available CS>in an electronic version, but Dave Sichak CS>almost has one done. The January issue is CS>the second done so far. We will be announcing CS>our plans on how to get the newsletter outside CS>of the San Diego area shortly. I assume that electronically means an .INF file? If so that would be great for us who already use OS/2. How about making a version available in ASCII or in Windows Write... the more people who can read it, and convert to OS/2, the better! Bryan Talbot San Diego, CA General Discussion Area of OS/2 Connection BBS Editors' note: Yes, we have created a newsletter in the INF format. It took a little work over one Saturday to learn all of the "tagging" commands you have to use to compile one, but it's done. It would make a lot of sense to use the ASCII format as nearly everybody can read that without any problem where as there a lot of DOS users that don't have Windows Write. The ASCII version was exported from WordPerfect. Check elsewhere in this issue to find out the filenames to look for on your local favorite BBS around town. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.6. OS/2 On TV!!! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 On TV!!! From Robert Montgomery from Fidonet OS/2 conference Patrick Pearce, Chairman of the Westchester OS/2 User Group formerly announced that the PBS that the PBS Television Show "The Computer Chronicles" will be airing a HALF HOUR show dedicated entirely to IBM's OS/2! It's scheduled for airing the week of March 9 - 16, 1993. Check with your local PBS Station as to the exact day and time. The show, originally slated for later this year, was moved up in schedule and was being taped the weekend of January 23-24(?), 1993 in San Mateo, Ca. It was moved up as a result of a truly inspirational four page letter written by one of our members, Jason Perlow, on behalf of the user group, extolling the merits of OS/2 and why they should cover it in depth. The show is reportedly seen by over ONE MILLION viewers each week in the USA alone! It will also be broadcast in Europe and Australia! Not bad exposure for a 29╨½ picture of Elvis, eh? Talk about getting the most bang out of a marketing "dollar". Stewart Cheifet will host two segments: Segment One John Soyring of IBM and George Oliver of the Royal Bank Of Canada will speak from the end user perspective along a with MultiMedia demonstration by Greg Kelly form DigiBox in the first segment. Segment Two John Soyring of IBM and Greg White from Lotus Development will demonstrate the 32 - Bit Version of cc:Mail. There may also be some tape of the Win-OS/2 show from San Jose included in this second segment. Special thanks is given to Lee Reiswig, John Patrick, John Soyring and Madeline Mansfield of IBM, JoNell Patterson the show's producer and all the staff at WITF in Harrisburg, PA. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.7. IBM Releases Device Driver Kit ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ IBM Releases Device Driver Kit By Albert Shan Submitted by Craig Swanson Originally from Fidonet Area OS/2, February 12. 1993 Starting February 8, 1993, independent hardware vendors and experienced device driver developers can order a Device Driver Development Kit (DDK) from IBM to help develop device drivers and applications for OS/2 Version 2.1. This DDK, which replaces previously distributed Display and SCSI Device Adaptation Kits, is a release of over 50MB of full function source code, build tools, test tools, and on-line documentation for several OS/2 2.1 device drivers. It includes source code for PM display drivers, virtual video drivers, base video handlers, printer, DASD, SCSI, CD-ROM, and mouse drivers. Source code for WIN-OS/2 seamless display drivers is available separately. Some of the prerequisites mentioned: A CD-ROM player is needed. The DDK is intended for use on IBM OS/2 2.0 with the OS/2 2.0 Service Pack (XR06055) or later releases; use with a system earlier than OS/2 2.0 and the Service Pack may produce unpredictable results. Developers are advised to have the OS/2 2.0 Toolkit installed on their system so the 2.0 kernel debugger can be used. If you are developing video drivers and you require the WIN-OS/2 seamless supplement, you are required to have licenses to use the Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1 DDK. Adobe Systems files included in the DDK must not be changed. Persons changing these files are subject to legal action by the Adobe Corporation. This DDK is available at a nominal shipping and handling charge to developers who are currently developing or planning to develop OS/2 device drivers. United States: Telephone: 407-982-4239; FAX: 407-982-4218. NOTES: When ordering a DDK, please FAX your name, company name, full business address, and telephone number to 407-982-4218; the DDK order materials will be mailed to you. If you are a member of the Boca Raton OEM (Device Driver) Support Bulletin Board or are a device driver developer in the Developer Assistance Program (DAP), you need NOT request a DDK unless you have not received DDK order materials by February 19, 1993. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.8. Late News...Software Bug ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Norton Commander for OS/2 Bug Reported By Phil Greb Original from Fidonet OS/2 Echo on February 9, 1993 I had a problem or inability to open Norton Commander for OS/2 on my desktop. I got a call back from their technician who said to double click on the icon and watch for the cross-hatching. Press CTRL-ESC and when the list appears, click on the NC/2 line with the left mouse button, go with the right button to get to the menu. Click on "tile" and NC/2 appears; save this configuration immediately. It seems that if you open it full screen during a session, it will not reopen normally again. Stated to be a bug and being worked on. Other goodies are reportedly planned for NC/2, too. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.9. For the New User...OS/2 First Impressions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ For The New User... OS/2 First Impressions By Rollin White Submitted via NetMail from Huntington Beach, California Editor's note: Not everyone is an experienced OS/2 user. Some are still thinking about it or becoming curious about it. Here's someone's initial experience with OS/2. We'll try and get some details as to his PC configuration next time. Having jumped on I.B.M.'s Windows upgrade offer, I thought I would share my experiences with OS/2 2.0 so far. The requirements for using OS/2 are a 386 or 486 computer with at least 4 megabytes of RAM and 30 megabytes of hard drive space. However, for more reasonable performance 8 megabytes of RAM is recommended. Are the system requirements steep? Look at it this way. OS/2 replaces your DOS files (about 2K for MS-DOS), Windows files (about 7-10K plus the permanent SWAP file), and many of your DOS utilities (Norton Utilities, PC Tools, QEMM, etc.). Installation was straightforward and required little attention other than switching disks. You'll have to set aside at least an hour for installation. And you'll probably use another couple of hours to play with your new toy. Perhaps the most powerful feature of OS/2 is the ability to multitask OS/2, DOS, and Windows programs. OS/2's support for DOS programs is excellent allowing the user to control the entire environment from the file setting to the video refresh rate. Have an SVGA monitor with the appropriate video drivers? Windows 3.0 programs will run on your OS/2 desktop, otherwise OS/2 will switch between a Windows style desktop and the OS/2 style desktop as needed. One of OS/2's advantages is that you can use your existing applications, but this may not be the true power of OS/2. First, OS/2 has the option of a new file system - High Performance File System (HPFS). HPFS is much faster than DOS's FAT file system. It allows file names up to 254 characters and does not have the problem of file fragmentation. Another major advantage is OS/2 specific programs, which will operate much faster and efficiently, especially the newer 32-bit applications than their DOS or Windows equivalents. Overall, I guess you could say I've had a good first impression with OS/2 and glad I tried it. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.10. San Jose, California -- Windows & OS/2 Conference ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Windows & OS/2 Conference San Jose, California By Stephen M. Lacy Originally from Area:comp.os.os2.advocacy 1:202/723 Submitted by Craig Swanson. The message also contained a line at the end for: Audrey Kalman/19930122, perhaps contributing to this in some way. SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.- January 22, 1993 (NB) - Despite its parent company's record losses, the president of IBM's Personal Software Products (PSP) division is optimistic -- even bullish -- about the future. "We've come a long way in the last year," Reiswig said at a briefing at the Winter Windows and OS/2 Conference in San Jose, California. PSP division president, Lee Reiswig, reflected on the successes of the division's most visible product, OS/2, and outlined plans for the coming year as OS/2 version 2.1 continues in beta testing. Reiswig declined to give an exact date for the shipment of OS/2 version 2.1, saying only "we'll ship it when it's ready," but adding that he expected that to be "in the near future." John Patrick, vice president of marketing and sales for the Personal Software Products division, discussed an aggressive advertising plan for OS/2. Along with an increased budget, product-specific - - rather than image-oriented -- advertising will be used. Trade publications rather than business publications will be emphasized. PSP's sales and marketing efforts will be bolstered by brand management teams for each major product line. These teams work closely with engineering to ensure customer concerns are met and make decisions about distribution channels and marketing. Mr. Patrick described PSP's enhanced developer services program, which provides easier access for corporate developers. A discussion of IBM's position in the personal software market wouldn't be complete without mentioning Microsoft, which many believe is poised to de-throne IBM. Mr. Patrick described PSP division's positioning against Microsoft. IBM has the experience (with such issues as security) to help corporate users successfully manage large, networked systems. Microsoft approaches networking from the perspective of the desktop. "We are the future of IBM," Mr. Reiswig said in response to a question about the impact of its parent company's troubles on his division. Many people may be asking how IBM can afford to increase spending on so many aspects of OS/2 and other PSP products. Mr. Reiswig's reply: "How can we not?" ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.11. Lee Reiswig Speaks to OS/2 Bay Area Users Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Lee Reiswig Speaks to OS/2 Bay Area Users Group By David Posey 1:202/723 Original Post from comp.os.os2.advocacy Lee Reiswig addressed a special meeting of the OS/2 Bay Area Users Group tonight, in conjunction with the OS/2-Windows Conference in San Jose. Approximately 200 people turned up (30 minutes after the show closed) on short notice. Mr. Reiswig recapped his 'Strategy Briefing', given earlier in the day, and answered many questions. Note: I did not take extensive notes - I went as an individual developer, not a reporter. I thought what he had to say deserves repeating (briefly!). Here's some highlights: The 'Workplace Family' strategy continues to be refined and defined. One slide showed Workplace (WP) DOS for small machines, including pen-driven, WP OS/2 for 'normal' desktops (super client), WP OS for 'high-end' desktops/workstations, and WP UNIX at the top end. Mention was made of targeting the WP OS and WP UNIX at multiprocessor and parallel systems. The OS/2 2.1 beta was shipped with about 213 printer drivers, approximately the same number shipped with Microsoft's Windows 3.1. Support is also provided for printers released since last spring, like the HP LaserJet4, DeskJet500C, and Lexmark 4029 series. The OS/2 2.1 beta includes video drivers for the top 5 chipsets that comprise about 80% of shipping cards. But, S3, ATI and other accelerator cards are not included. Mr. Reiswig was apologetic over the lack of drivers, Device Developer's Kit (DDK), etc. The DDK is available in limited beta. Bug your IBM contact if you need it. (Editor's Note: IBM has since released the DDK - - see our report elsewhere in this issue.) The OS/2 advertising/marketing budget for 1993 is approximately $100 million - a massive upswing from 1992. "Event" marketing (Fiesta Bowl, etc.) will *not* be the emphasis. Focussed, content- rich print ads should be the norm. The "OS/2 100" 23-page tear- out section is a good start! (Editor's Note: Check out the February 9, 1993 issue of PC Magazine.) Some time ago, IBM polled developers to help them determine where IBM should focus electronic support efforts. Seventy percent said Compuserve, 50% said Internet, less for Fidonet/BBSs. As a result, IBM focused on Compuserve first, to get their feet wet. A greater Internet presence is possible, but was not promised. In response to the quote that "OS/2 cost $2 billion to develop", Mr. Reiswig said that it is quote "utter and complete bullsh*t" unquote. The numbers just don't work out - Mr. Reiswig's annual budget is about $400 million, including many non-developers not working on OS/2, marketing, etc. Somewhere in the range of $100M to $500M is more likely. Mr. Reiswig's reluctance to talk about Microsoft, or even mention them, was notable - and noble, considering Mr. Gates constant bad-mouthing of IBM, most recently in a series of PC Week interviews. The presentation was extremely well done - this was not the IBM I knew and loathed in the mid-80's! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.12. William Zachman Speaks In Houston ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ William Zachman Ex-PC Week and PC Magazine Columnist Speaks In Houston By Jim Dailey Original post on Fidonet Area OS/2 - December 10, 1992 Passed along by Craig Swanson Today I attended an appearance of Will Zachmann (ex PC Week / PC Magazine columnist), sponsored by IBM here in Houston. His topic of discussion was "OS Wars: Battle for the Desktop." Mr. Zachmann confirmed that the reason he left PC Magazine/PC Week was because of the pressure he received to boost the image of Microsoft and to bash IBM and OS/2. This is something many participants in the Fidonet OS/2 echo have complained about for the last 18-24 months. He said that most vendors were intimidated by Microsoft, but resistance was starting to build. In several appearances he has made with vendors, he was applauded for his efforts in standing up to Microsoft. Will predicted, that by 1993 or 1994, the Microsoft dynasty would start to crumble. But, he did not let IBM go by unscathed, and echoed a lot of the complaints we've aired on Fidonet. He's definitely confident that IBM will start to get stronger. Will referred to Unix, Windows NT and OS/2 as "Industrial Strength" operating systems. The key to winning the desktop war, would be backwards compatibility to DOS programs. The customer wants a migration path that does not require an immediate replacement of all current software because of a change of operating systems. Unix, though it has it's place will not win the battle. Windows NT, according to Mr. Zachmann, will not be generally available with the amount of reliability that OS/2 had at it's general release until 1994. He see's OS/2 as the clear winner of this battle. He says that it is a better DOS than DOS, today, but it won't be a better Windows than Windows until tomorrow. By the time a stable version of Windows NT is generally available coupled with the increasing rebellion of software vendors towards Microsoft, OS/2 will have a strong foot hold. In his opinion, OS/2 is a success that will only get better. If you ever get the chance to hear this man speak, I urge you to take the time to do so. He is a fascinating speaker. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.13. New Backup Software Due... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ New Backup Software Due... By Woody Sturges Original post on Fidonet's OS/2 area, December 14, 1992 (Editor's Note: Last month we included a discussion by Robert Montgomery on cost effective backup with OS/2. We meant to include this article as a companion to it, but ran out of time and space.) HL> 409-564-1862 is supposed to releasing a package HL> early next week that supports the Colorado Memory HL> Jumbo drives on OS/2 2.0 This is supposed to HL> be a multi-threaded product. I just called them. They don't have the product finished yet; it's due by end of year. They have a beta system set up, but the tape portion of the beta still hasn't shown up (i.e.: diskette only for another week or so). It's PM based, but they said that it'd do a complete backup/restore (including WPS). They have a commandline utility (so PM is not required on restores). Here's some of the advertised features obtained from their BBS: BackMaster is an OS/2 2.0 Backup application supporting Floppy and QIC-40/80 tape drives and has a Presentation Manager (PM) Interface. Total Backup/Restore/Verify and Partial Backup/Restore/Verify. You can select Individual or multiple Directories ( Folders ) From Tree view. Select Individual or multiple Files in detailed view. Partially Selected Directories are marked as Partially Selected. Fully Selected Directories are marked as Fully Selected. User Selectable Settings: Restore: Always Overwrite Existing files; Never Overwrite Existing files; Prompt before Overwriting Existing files. Unattended ( Time/Date ) Operation. Data Compression. Command Line Restore Program for Disk Crash Recovery. Backed up information describing WPS, and .INI files. Data handling features include: Reed Solomon Error Correcting Code; STAC DCS Data Compression (QIC Compliant); Backup/Restore/Verify of Extended Attributes. ( New QIC 500 Specs ); Backup/Restore/Verify OS/2 FAT, and HPFS file systems; Read tapes with DOS QIC-40 rev. I, QIC-80 rev. E Logical Format; OS/2 Users can restore files, and directories backed up using CMS Software on DOS Machines. Hardware Support said to include: 1.44M, 1.2M, 720K, 360K Floppy Drives; QIC-40/80; Colorado Memory Systems specific hardware; AB-10 Adapter Board; Y-Cable Drive-B Sharing. ( ONLY CMS ); Generic QIC-40/80 tape drives. Some hardware is not supported in this release, but is said to be a high priority: 2.88 Floppy Drives; Colorado Memory systems FC-10, and TC-15 Controllers; Drive-B Sharing of tape drives and B Floppy Drive by non CMS drives; SCSI based tape drives. Interested parties can contact: MSR development Rt 7 #6409 Nacogdoches, TX 75961 Voice: (409) 564-1862 BBS: (409) 560-5970 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.14. New OS/2 Software Announcements ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ MICROGRAFX DESIGNER 3.1 FOR OS/2 (PC Week January 18, 1993) Mixed reviews for a port of a Windows product. Biggest minus cited in the article is that if fails to use OS/2's features. It does mention it overcomes Windows' limitations of memory restrictions and limited support in graphics modes. It's said to be harder to learn than Coreldraw. Designer comes with a large selection of OS/2-able Type 1 fonts. This article states performance differences were insignificant when it compared the OS/2 and Windows versions. But why does PC Week cite Coreldraw 1.0 for OS/2 in its comparative table when I have Coreldraw 2.5 for OS/2 on my PC? Designer also reportedly does not support HPFS long file names. PC Week rated it 3.2 on a scale of 5.0. Drawing tools, clipart and fonts were rated highest; performance and integration with other applications rated worst. If interested, you can contact Micrografx at (800) 733-3729. Borland Next C++ Compiler for OS/2 (PC Week - January 25, 1993) Borland will soon join IBM C Set/2, Symantec's Zortech C++ and WatcomC 9.0 as C compilers for OS/2. Borland was reportedly stating its a top priority though recent personnel changes have set it back a bit. Watcom's compiler for OS/2 was mentioned at a SRP of $895. Zortech's SRP for its OS/2 compiler was $499. Computer Associates recent acquisition of OS/2 pioneer Glockenspiel LTD announced C++ support for its compiler. IBM is also said to be beta testing its C++ compiler (call 800-342-6672, if you're interested). IBM's Workset/2 will be offered for $375 until April 5. Digitalk and MicroFocus are also reported to be readying their OS/2 compilers. Call Borland at (408) 438-8400. Call Watcom at (519) 886-3700. Call Symantec at (617) 275-4800. Call Computer Associates at (516) 342-5224. RBase 4.0 for OS/2 (PC Week - February 1, 1993, page 32) Columnist Peter Coffee does a review of RBase that leads to praise for its recent release of its OS/2 version. Mr. Coffee stated he's been a loyal RBase user since way back when. He had gone back to RBase after some sour experiences with dBASE and the then new Clipper compiler. He's an admitted fan of RBase and the database principles honed using this program. Peter says RBase was ahead the rest when it lumped a database into just three files -- the same number even in the current versions. He cites the ease of use in RBase, starting with "Prompt" and the way it lead you to "execute". He feels that RBase is easy enough for novices to learn but at the same time advanced users were able to satisfy their needs. The new RBase for OS/2 is multi-threaded among other features. But for the PC Week author -- it's a product doing databases better than most even 10 years later. You can reach MicroRim at (800) 248-2001. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.15. Software Review -- Norton Commander for OS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Norton Commander for OS/2 -or- Mr. File/PM By George Marengo 1:202/514 Originally posted on San Diego User Group echo Unfortunately I have basically nothing but a bad taste in my mouth from Norton Commander/2 (NC/2). I initially liked it (it *is* pretty) but the more I used it the less I liked it. NC/2 is no longer on my hard drive. In short, it is *NOT* a threaded app. If you start a copy of files to your A:> drive, you are locked out of OS/2 for quite a bit of time. It has no ability to add commands and has little in the way of customization potential. However, I do like the freeware Mr.File/PM a great deal and a bit of a review will follow. Mr.File is a file manager written by an IBM employee under the IBM EWS (Employee Written Software) program that was originally meant for Internal Use Only but has since been released as freeware. Mr. File/PM supports drag and drop, immensely customizable and fast. I have associations set up that will Unzip any *.Zip files to C>\Temp, view any *.INF files, UnArj any *.arj files, run Vpic for any *.Gif files, run any *.Exe or *.Com programs and finally use E (the OS/2 system editor) for many others. These are just association possibilities. Anytime you're in Mr.File you can hit the Esc key and a dialog box pops up for you to enter a command in, and it has its own command history box where you can click on a previous command. It has a structure that looks like so: You can open another instance of Mr.File by double clicking with the *left* mouse button and then drag and drop between the two instances. You can highlight a file or group of files and then run a pre-designed command on this group of files. For instance, the command could be: ".start PkUnzip andvar" This command would affect the files that you had highlighted and it would also pop up a "variable" dialog box. In this box you could type in "-v" to view the Zip file. Another possibility is to use the command: ".start PkUnzip2 andpath" This command will unzip the selected files but a dialog box will pop up for you select the path (point and click). Another option is the "Mask" command that allows you to set different file masking options. If you only wanted to view *.exe and *.com files, set the mask options and a new heading you set would show up on the title bar with the options. The customization possibilities are what I like best about Mr.File (the same reason I like the WPS) but there are performance advantages to consider as well. Mr.File is a threaded application. While a copy file operation is occurring, you could be customizing Mr.File or even switch to another directory and start unzipping a file! This will give you a taste of what a well threaded app can do. Sorry, I couldn't be more help on Commander/2 but compared to Mr.File/PM... well, it sucks. Editor's Note: We found another view of Norton Commander for OS/2 we thought we'd also include. Dean Mevis posted a note in the General Discussion echo on January 26, 1993 Thumbs Up to Norton Commander for OS/2 By Dean Mevis I haven't seen any local (San Diego) reaction to the new Norton Commander for OS/2. So I thought I would give my reaction. I have been looking for a SIMPLE tree-like directory program to use in OS/2. I have tried everything I can find including Gamma Tech Utilities, DIRMAN, etc., etc. However, I must say that I am very happy with Norton Commander for OS/2. Its is simple, efficient, and supports those OS/2 features that I want (long file names, drag and drop) without a bunch of junk I don't want. It does come with some stuff that doesn't make much sense in the OS/2 environment. How about a menu for launching applications -- this isn't needed with OS/2's ability to create or manipulate folders. Still I like this program a lot and will continue to use it. The program is currently selling for $49 from Symantec. This is actually the "upgrade" price, but they don't seem to care who gets it for that price. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16. OS/2 Magazine Department ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ IBM OS/2 Developer Magazine An Overview By Mark Kovarski 1:202/723 Original Area comp.os.os2.advocacy 1:202/723) For those of you who are interested in OS/2, I found IBM OS/2 DEVELOPER MAGAZINE to be very interesting. The IBM OS/2 Developer Magazine (formerly the Personal Systems Developer) is a quarterly publication for OS/2 application developers. The OS/2 Developer features a variety of technical articles, programming tips and techniques, product reviews, development case studies, and interviews with OS/2 industry leaders. The summer issue included: 1. Spotlight OS/2 2.0 Development Team 2. Tools Ellipse OS/2 Enhanced Editor SnapDump/2 WorkSet/2 WorkFrame/2 Developer's Toolkit CCL/2 Application Printing Class Objects in SOM Workplace Shell Programming 3. Multimedia AVC Digital Video Interface MMPM/2 Audio Subsystem 4. Database Advanced Programming User Exits 5. LAN LAN Transport Layer 32-Bit NetBIOS 6. Communications HyperACCESS/5 Here is what appeared in Vol. 4 No. 4, 1992 (Fall 1992) of "IBM OS/2 Developer: 1. Spotlight Borland International (With looks at Borland C++ for OS/2 and ObjectVision for OS/2) 2. Tools SourceLink Smalltalk/V PM Synetics AM/Workplace Productivity through multitasking 3. Multimedia MMPM/2 Developer's Toolkit Networked Full Motion Digital Video MMPM/2 and OS/2 Advanced Multimedia ActionMedia II and MMPM/2. <<<<Other Information>>>> Customer Subscriptions (U.S.) <-> $39.95/year (800) WANT-OS2 International Subscriptions <-> (708) 647-5960 Fax (708) 647-0537 Article Ideas <-> Dick Conklin, Editor, CompuServe 76711,1005. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17. OS/2 Reading ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Found some new books in the bookstores this month and even a couple of oldies but goodies. --- Dave 1. OS/2 Programming 2. Maximizing OS/2 3. OS/2 Notebook 4. Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager 5. Essential OS/2 Functions 6. Inside OS/2 7. The Waite Group's OS/2 Programmer's Reference 8. OS/2 Presentation Manager Programming for COBOL Programmers 9. Writing OS/2 Device Drivers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.1. OS/2 2.0 Programming ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 2.0 Programming By Herber Schildt and Robert Goosey Osborne Mc Graw Hill Publishers ISBN <-> 0-07-881910-5 306 pages Listed as $29.95 USA. Rated Intermediate. OS/2 2.0 Programming begins with an overview of OS/2 2.0 programming and quickly guides you through the basics of programming the Presentation Manager (PM) and then onto more advanced topics of this complex operating system. Topics covered in this book include: 1. Create PM programs quickly and easily; 2. Learn how to write multitasking programs; 3. Find out how to communicate between multiple tasks; 4. Build and use dynamic link libraries; 5. Write your own custom menus and dialog boxes; 6. Learn how to use graphics to enhance your programs; 7. Read and write to disk files like an expert; 8. Understand how OS/2 manages your program. This book is a step-by-step companion to the volumes of OS/2 technical information. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.2. Maximizing OS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Maximizing OS/2 By John W. Little, Toby Pennycuff, Marlene C. Semple and Stephen A. Gutknecht New Riders Publishing ISBN <-> 1-56205-118-0 816 pages Includes Disk List prices <-> $39.95 USA; ╨¼37.60 incl. VAT Net UK. Rated Intermediate/Advanced. Disk includes COEXIST, Window Washer, WPS Backup, Math for PM, INI Edit, Icons, Conversion Utilities, Golden Compass. Expands on the advanced topics found in the best selling OS/2 book, "Inside OS/2 2.0". Proficient users will learn how to take full advantage of all of OS/2's powerful new features, including connectivity, optimization, REXX, networking and integrating OS/2, Windows and DOS applications. Book unveils the secrets to increased power of IBM's full 32-bit operating system. You learn the details of customizing the Workplace Shell, how to secure DOS and Windows support under OS/2 and how to take full advantage of OS/2's advanced connectivity capabilities. Troubleshooting advice, installation options and optimization techniques help ensure your mastering of OS/2. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.3. OS/2 Notebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 Notebook General Editor - Dick Conklin Microsoft Press ISBN <-> 1-55615-316-3 769 pages List prices <-> $29.95 USA; ╨¼27.95 UK; $39.95 CAN. 1990 A collection of more than 50 of the best and most enduring articles that have been published in IBM Personal Systems Developer (now called "OS/2 Developer"). The OS/2 Notebook includes detailed technical data - programming code and commentary on the evolving OS/2 development environment as well as significant OS/2 marketing information. OS/2 2.0 articles cover OS/2 2.0, the new API's, OS/2 2.0 tools, Multiple Virtual Dos Machines (MVDM), named pipes support, numeric processing support. Other topics include OS/2 Presentation Manager (PM) -- an overview of it's architecture, CUA guidelines, multithreading, file systems, help, application installation. Separate chapters on OS/2 Communication Manager, OS/2 Local Area Networks (LANS), OS/2 Database Manager, and OS/2 Software Tools. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.4. Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager By Charles Petzold Microsoft Press ISBN <-> 1-55615-170-5 845 pages List prices <-> $29.95 USA; ╨¼27.95 UK; ($25.95 at Fry's Electronics) 1989 First full discussion of the features and operations of OS/2 1.1 PM -- the primary application environment under OS/2 systems. Key topics include: handling input/output; working with the keyboard, mouse and timer; controlling child windows; using bitmaps, icons; accessing menus,; using keyboard accelerators; working with dialog boxes; mastering the clipboard; understanding dynamic linking; multithreading techniques. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.5. Essential OS/2 Functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Essential OS/2 Functions By Ray Duncan Microsoft Press ISBN <-> 1-55615-177-2 204 pages List prices <-> $9.95 USA; ╨¼7.95 UK; $14.95 Australia. ($9.95 at Software, Etc.) 1988 Part of the "Programmer's Quick Reference Series". States to cover all the OS/2 Version 1.0 Kernel API Functions. Small pocket type guide claiming concise explanations of all the kernel API functions for OS/2 version 1.0: DOS, Kbd (keyboard), Mou (mouse), and VIO (video I/O). Concise explanations of each function as well as: 1) a list of the parameters each API call requires; 2) a description of the results it returns; 3) valuable programming notes and warnings; 4) an icon that identifies all family API calls; 5) a list of OS/2 error codes. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.6. Inside OS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Inside OS/2 By Gordon Letwin Foreword by Bill Gates Microsoft Press ISBN <-> 1-55615-117-9 289 pages List prices <-> $19.95 USA; ╨¼18.95 UK; $29.95 Australia. 1988 Contains the infamous Bill Gates' quote..."OS/2 is destined to be a very important piece of software. During the next 10 years, millions of programmers and users will utilize this system." Not to mention this one defining OS/2 ... "OS/2 is the operating system for the next thousand great applications." In this book Mr. Letwin ties the nuts-and-bolts details of the system's architecture to a breathtaking vision of how people will work in the office of the future. In the process, he makes a case for OS/2 itself and for the vision that OS/2 supports. He explains - as only the ultimate insider could - how the components of OS/2 work and how to work with them. This book is at heart, a programmer-to-programmer letter from the creator of OS/2. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.7. The Waite Group's OS/2 Programmer's Reference ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ The Waite Group's OS/2 Programmer's Reference By Asael Dror Howard W. Sams and Company ISBN <-> 0-672-22645-6. 621 pages List price <-> $24.95 USA. 1989 If you own the OS/2 operating system, a text editor , and an assembler or any OS/2 compiler, this book provides all the reference material you need to write OS/2 application programs: 1. condensed, clear tutorials explaining major concepts such as multitasking, including threads, processes, and screen groups; segment descriptors and offsets; memory management of tasks; child processes; and much more. 2. Explanations of appropriate uses of important API functions, including hard-to-find tips on programming techniques and known bugs. 3. Over 150 program examples. 4. Check boxes indicating at a glance API compatibility in protected mode or in DOS mode with or without restrictions. 5. Handy pocket-sized, fold-out reference card of all OS/2 functions. 6. convenient jump tables indexed alphabetically and by subject, with page references. 7. a separate disk with example listings available from the author. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.8. OS/2 Presentation Manager Programming for COBOL Programmers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 Presentation Manager Programming for COBOL Programmers By Robert Chapman QED Publishing Group ISBN <-> 0-89435-439-6 484 pages Includes disk List price <-> $39.95 USA. 1993 This book gives you the techniques and skills you need to create business applications using OS/2 2.X PM. You'll cover all aspects of PM from a simple display only window application to a multiple window DLL-supported, SQL-based, fully functioning application. Topics include: an introduction to OS/2 PM; an introduction to current programming concepts associated with OS/2 PM; basic functions needed to initiate a PM application; development and enhancement of a PM application. You'll also get a diskette containing source code, object code, executable code, SQL, transaction, input and output files, resource and icon files -- everything covered in the book. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17.9. Writing OS/2 Device Drivers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Writing OS/2 Device Drivers By Raymond Webster Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN <-> 0-201-52234-9 Approx. 516 pages List prices <-> $24.95 USA 1989 This book provides the application developer with a one-stop reference for planning and implementing drivers in OS/2. Topics include: device driver structure, device driver flow of execution, driver development strategies, i/o packets, device helper services. Strategy packets, the exclusive means by which requests for data are forwarded from the OS/2 file manager to the device driver are presented in a convenient format that defines field contents for LENGTH, UNIT, COMMAND, STATUS, RESERVED and LINKAGE. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18. Media Scan -- Items of Interest ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2 - Spring '93 2. To GUI or Not To Gui... 3. IBM Testing Peer Features for OS/2 4. New PKZIP Gets National Spotlight 5. Windows NT <> Late, Lite or Both? 6. IBM Previews Multimedia Workpad 7. Microsoft - The Good and the Bad 8. Who Says There's No Operating System Jokes? 9. The OS/2 Installation Blues...NOT! 10. To OS/2 or Not to OS/2, That is the Question 11. Separation of OS/2 Functions 12. Back to.....1987! 13. Hey, I Talked OS/2 Back In...1987! 14. About that CONFIG.SYS in OS/2... 15. Do You Know What SOM Is? 16. OS/2 with the CSD ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.1. WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2 - Spring '93 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2 - Spring 1993 (PC Week -- January 25, 1993) At the Windows and OS/2 Conference in San Jose, WordPerfect corporation announced its WordPerfect 6.0 for OS/2 (and its DOS and Windows versions) will be delayed to the end of the year. However, to meet OS/2 demand, it will release a 16-bit WordPerfect 5.2 version this spring based on its Windows features. It will include drag-and-drop and background priority. The article mentioned Southern California Gas is using Microsoft Word for OS/2 which Microsoft has said it's not going to upgrade. Lotus was stated to be testing a 32-bit version of Ami Pro for OS/2 but no release date was mentioned. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.2. To GUI or Not To Gui... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ To GUI or Not To GUI... (Computerworld -- January 18, 1993) Interesting Computerworld article on the cost to upgrade to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment such as Windows or OS/2. Article cites a study that says it costs $3,960 per unit to do so. This includes training, support plans and hardware upgrades. Survey of 400 MIS managers said no one has measured the savings, if there is any, of using a GUI interface. The main draw is the ability to do "dynamic information sharing". This item report that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has approved OS/2 2.1. States that the American Cancer Society is using OS/2 on servers, but users using text mode applications. Cajun Electric Power Cooperative reportedly moved to OS/2 without a major upgrade of its machines. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.3. IBM Testing Peer Features for OS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ IBM Testing Peer Features for OS/2 (PC Week - January 25, 1993) It was reported that IBM was "alpha" testing software that would give users peer networking capabilities. It was expected to be offered as an add on to OS/2 2.0 or built into a peer version of the operating system. Still to be made is a decision to base the peer services on IBM's LAN Server 3.0 NOS or Novelle hardware. Several users were quoted giving IBM favorable reviews for their approach versus Microsoft's "Windows for Workgroups." ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.4. New PKZIP Gets National Spotlight ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ New PKZIP Gets National Spotlight (PC Week - January 18, 1993) Probably one of the most famous shareware utilities gets its most recent release reviewed in PC Week. The article said it didn't like the fact that new zip files are incompatible with earlier versions of PKZip. It was given high marks for its compression ratios, but its handling of small files received some minuses. A new OS/2 version was reported to still be in development. For more information, you can contact PKWare at (414) 354-8699 in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.5. Windows NT: Late, Lite or Both? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Windows NT: Late, Lite or Both? (Computerworld - January 25, 1993) Computerworld reported that Microsoft's Windows NT is starting to look like the 'early days of OS/2." Analysts and users were quoted in the article as predicting NT will either be delayed in its release or stripped of functionality to meet a May/June shipping date. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.6. IBM Previews Multimedia Workpad ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ IBM Previews Multimedia Workpad. (PC Week - January 11, 1993) At a recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, IBM demonstrated the "Multimedia Workpad" - a 486SX system in a flat panel color thin-film transistor screen touted as being able to serve as the nerve center for home electronics like your TV and VCR and yes, even your air conditioning system. This little gem uses a custom chip for full-motion video along with two digital processors for video and audio. And it runs OS/2 with pen extensions along with "touch" capabilities. This article says its due in 1994 with an estimated initial price of around $7,000 but will be expected to drop to $1,500 - $2,500 about two years later. Start saving those pennies now... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.7. Microsoft - The Good and the Bad ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Microsoft - The Good and the Bad (PC Week - January 11, 1993) PC Week columnist Christine Comaford writes an interesting essay with a basic thrust -- Microsoft has good software and a bad attitude. Her vantage point is from a corporate MIS function and cites several areas needed for improvement. She says Microsoft doesn't bond with MIS (like assuring your customer Microsoft will do what it takes to get it to work). Humbleness is seen as lacking -- folks are upset with Microsoft's arrogance and the always vapor-like promise of doing Microsoft now because a newer version will have all the needed features...at some unknown date in the future. And the sneer a customer receives just because non-Microsoft products are used or even because a mainframe/minicomputer environment is used. And what about that offensive strategy that "business is war" -- an old 80's fad? Seemingly a message to Microsoft and anyone else dealing with large customers -- treat us with a bit of respect if you want our money. Give the customer what they want. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.8. Who Says There's No Operating System Jokes? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Who Says There's No Operating System Jokes? (PC Week - January 11, 1993) Ever wonder what driving to the store in a car running an operating system would be like? Jim Louderback in PC Week came across a few chuckles we'll pass along in our own way. Windows -- you drive your car slowlyto the store because you've got a long, long freight train attached to it. Windows NT -- imagine this -- you write a letter in your car that says "go to the store"; but you stop and get out to mail it to your dashboard. And what about OS/2? Put 6,000 gallons of gas in your car; drive to your store with a motorcycle escort *and* a marching band. But then you reach the halfway point and your car blows its engine and the town to that great CPU in the sky. Some good pokes at Unix, DOS, Pink, OS/400, C++, C, Assembly, etc. Who said computing has to be serious all the time? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.9. The OS/2 Installation Blues...NOT! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ The OS/2 Installation Blues...NOT! (Computerworld - January 11, 1993) Tired of reading about OS/2's installation? Paul Gillin (an executive editor at CW) decides to take a humoruous poke at installing OS/2. Talks of the "convenient 20 floppy disks"; needing three months training as a Boeing 757 mechanic to install OS/2; dark tales of those error messages, getting a "problem number" from IBM support, etc. But an editor's note at the end of the article added aline stating he actually installed OS/2 and likes to avoid a barrage of letters, I guess. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.10. To OS/2 or Not to OS/2, That is the Question ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ To OS/2 or Not to OS/2, That is the Question (Windows and DOS Users Guide - December 1992) Ron Friedman writes an essay with the question -- if you're a DOS or Windows user, is OS/2 for you and is it viable? Author feels you're a candidate for OS/2 if you meet two out of five criteria: multiple operating environments, a fast disk/file system, a GUI, a robust memory manager and true multitasking. He also says if you've ever tried cooperative multitasking (ala Windows) while opening files, running files or just printing, you'll like OS/2. He also feels OS/2 is the choice for those 'mission critical applications' and is especially strong in engineering, databases and client-server applications. And his final word -- when he wants to get his work done, he uses OS/2; if he wants to tinker around, he uses Windows. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.11. Separation of OS/2 Functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Separation of OS/2 Functions (PC Week - January 25, 1993 Computerworld - February 1,1993) At the Client/Server Expo in San Jose, California, IBM was due to unveil the separate, enhanced version of Communication Manager/2 and DBM/2. New features of Comm Manager/2 were reported to be DOS and Windows client support, ability to add up to 254 users, ISDN and frame relay connection to host, support for APPN peer networking. The unbundling is meant to allow users to buy only the features they need. But some users quoted questioned the advantages of this. Computerworld noted that the Federal Reserve branch in Chicago was installing OS/2 for 70 users. An announcement regarding a new IBM OS/2 application called the Distributed Control Access Facility (DCAF) that gives Net View operators remote control of OS/2 PM screens and Novell Netware servers is also expected. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.12. Back To.....1987! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Back To.....1987! (Personal Computing - October 1987) Came across an old copy of a computer magazine from the era of Windows 2.0 and the early OS/2. There's an article about "What Does the Graphics Interface Mean to You?" Author Russ Lockwood wrote an essay about Digital Research's Graphics Environment Manager(GEM), Microsoft's Windows, Apple's Finder for the Macintosh and IBM's Presentation Manager. Windows 2.0 was touted as being able to display "overlapping windows." Windows 2.0 was supposed to look and operate the same as Presentation Manager per Microsoft marketing director Jeff Raikes. Are you sitting down? The article said on page 143 that "...a 286 machine with a 20mb hard disk is rapidly becoming the standard personal computer configuration." It was predicted that these new-fangled GUI toys weren't going to bury DOS any time soon as it would be a couple of years before the bulk of software became available (has that changed even in 1993?). It mentioned that in the MS-DOS world, the primary restraint from using GUI stuff was the lack of Windows- and GEM-specific software. Although Microsoft and Digital Research proudly boasted that more than 200 products are in development for their systems. Sounds like history keeps repeating itself, eh? And in the same issue is many lists of popular items and duds. Can you name the top 10 software programs in 1987? In order they were listed as Lotus 1-2-3, PageMaker, Dbase III+, Symphony, DisplayWrite IV , Word, WordPerfect, AppleWorks, Excel, Works. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.13. Hey, I Talked OS/2 Back In...1987! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Hey, I Talked OS/2 Back In...1987! (Personal Computing - October 1987) Well, this issue has many guest columns by a few noteworthy folks. Thought some of their expressed ideas might be interesting to mention. Alan Ashton, president of WordPerfect Corp. thought OS/2 would be a viable force in the market, based on IBM's mainframe operating system experience. But he also said not everyone will need OS/2's features back in '87. Philippe Kahn, chairman of Borland International, Inc. told us to forget TSR programs -- get on with solutions that had powerful, integrated desktop systems like OS/2. He found it exciting. And another software company chairman said that they were pushing to build up the PC standard to give users the ability multiple applications without running into any memory limitations; keep apps from interfering with each other and build the GUI right into the core of the system. OS/2 pulls all of it together. Yeah, Bill Gates said all that and more, back in 1987 as OS/2 was being readied for release. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.14. About That CONFIG.SYS in OS/2... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ About That CONFIG.SYS in OS/2... (PC Magazine - February 23, 1993) Author Joe Salemi starts part one of a two part technical discussion of the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file. Mr. Salemi broke the file into several broad categories for his discussion such as operating system commands, optional devices and memory management. The article also points out 12 essential drivers needed in every OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file for "proper operation". Some of the discussions include the SWAPPATH statement, SET AUTOSTART=, IOPL=, LIBPATH=, IFS=, MEMMAN= (said to be the most import OS/2 memory management command), etc. Good discussion that will complement the OS/2 on line help system. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.15. Do You Know What SOM Is? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Do You Know What SOM Is? (Byte Magazine - January 1993) Well-known author Barry Nance delivers an in-depth discussion of the foundation on which OS/2's Work Place Shell is based -- the System Object Model or SOM. It's described as an object-oriented programming tool for developers. A rather technical article that describes various aspects such as SOM and the WPS, The WPObject Class, the 1-2-3 Worksheet Object, SOM appeal and the Drawbacks. He's sold on SOM in terms of helping him write better programs -- better quality software, better reliability and easier maintenance. But a drawback is that it supports only C right now, but IBM is said to be readying its C++ compiler somewhere down the line. Included are some programming examples of a SOM object and its uses. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.16. OS/2 with the CSD ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 With The CSD (Byte Magazine - February 1993) Seems Byte is a little late with Mark Minasi's article about the ServicePak released for OS/2 last year, but he offers an enthusiastic review of what he's used. He also offers good comments about the PDK CD-ROM, especially the OS/2 Freebies. Claims he's found more on this disk that he got on his original OS/2 1.0 Software Developers Kit for $3000. And expresses his pleasure in discovering Visual REXX (which we saw demo'd at last month's meeting). Article was written in November 1992 according to the author. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.19. Consumer Advocate ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ OS/2 Monthly, HyperAccess/5 and Open Shutter By Dave Sichak San Diego OS/2 User Group This month it's time for a little follow up from our column we wrote in our December issue. I recently posted a note asking the whereabouts of OS/2 Monthly -- the month of January had come and gone and no magazine. In response to my post titled "OS/2 Monthly -- Not!", I got a reply from one of their contributing editors, Timur Tabi. Here's his response for the problems they've had. Original from Fidonet Echo OS/2 on Feb 11-93 19:38 Number:1916; Origin: OS/2 Shareware BBS, Fairfax, VA (703) 385-4325 1:109/347 From Timur Tabi, Contributing Editor for OS/2 Monthly: DS>I think many of us are getting rather perturbed DS>at your publication's abilities to get the DS>magazine out on time. I think your editor DS>Joel Siragher owes us a bit more details DS>as to the real problems whatever they may be. "Okay, here are the real reasons: December issue - late because the printers couldn't get it right. We had to switch printers when we were supposed to mail issues. I don't know exactly what the problems were. January (aka February) issue - 1st attempt at trying to use all OS/2 applications for the issue. We tried it with Corel Draw 2.5, but it seems to have a bug in its graphics export features. After doing all the graphics, it turned out that we couldn't export any of them for the printers. So we had to switch to Micrografx and try it again. So, the deal is: we would normally be on schedule, but since we don't have a major-professional production staff, and since 90 per cent of the staff (including me) work on the magazine in our SPARE TIME, it's no wonder there are delays. I spoke with Joel the other day. He's confident that future issues from now will appear on a timely basis." HyperAccess / 5andOpenShutter And we don't always have to report "bad" news in this column. I want to let our readers know when we have good experiences, too. First, I've been shopping around for a good OS/2 based communications program. Lucky me, I got to read the review last month for HyperAccess/5 from the folks at Hilgraeve, Inc. Just as advertised in that report, I was able to get the $99.50 upgrade price. It was promptly mailed. And when I included a note with my registration card about something that I felt wasn't covered well enough in the manuals, I even got a written note from Jeff Beamsley, the director of sales. This all in the time in between issues of our newsletter. And perhaps you've noticed some screen shots in this issue. Pretty sharp, eh? These were done with a program called "Open Shutter" a screen capture and conversion utility for OS/2 2.0 from the folks at One Up Corporation. I found out about this company from a visit to their booth at the OS/2 room in Comdex and was looking through some files, trying to find something to help me do some screen captures that would enhance our newsletter when necessary. I gave them a call and got it in the mail promptly. Perhaps this is a mini-software review, but this program is simple and yet, powerful. It comes with a 21 page manual -- but I've yet to consult it. It is that easy to use -- point, click, select, save. You can save the same image in two formats at the same time. I have to save the images both in a Wordperfect readable format (i.e., *.pcx) and a PM Bitmap form for use in our *.inf version of the newsletter. And because I told them I had a shareware or is it freeware OS/2 screen capture program, I got it at the upgrade price of $19.95. The regular price is $59.95. If you're looking for ways to document to others what you're doing in OS/2, this is a must-have. Give One Up a call at (800) 678-01UP (translation: (800) 678-0187. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.20. More Late News...BackMaster Availability ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ More Late News...BackMaster Availability By Lane Lester Original from Fidonet Echo OS/2, February 10, 1993 See our story on BackMaster features elsewhere in this issue. In the latest issue of OS/2 Professional is an ad for the BackMaster backup program. I've tried the demo and liked it, so I gave MSR Development a call (409) 564-1862. It will list for $80, but the ad said only $50 until January 31, 1993! Seeing as how I got the magazine on February 9, I asked if they were extending the offer. Their support person replied that since they have had to slip the release date, they will be extending the offer one month past the release date. I left my name for them to call when they start shipping. I appreciate and want to support these companies who are pricing their products in line with DOS applications and not with the premiums that OS/2 software applications used to sell for. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.21. Coming Attractions in March! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Even as we close down the February issue of the newsletter, we're already thinking ahead to March. We've had to chop a couple of good ones this month -- a detailed review from CompuServe's OnLine Forum, a recent very well done review of the Lotus just released OS/2 applications and some features on REXX and Visual REXX. We're also planning a review of CorelDraw for OS/2 2.5 -- we'll see how it compares with the Windows version we've used. And you can be sure we'll pass along any tips we get from this month's meeting on putting those OS/2 mini applications to use so we can all put the desktop to better use. And if you like what you're seeing, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22. OS/2 BBS's ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ BBS Introduction Sysop Spotlight - Adolph Weidanz Australia Belgium Canada Denmark Germany Italy Netherlands Norway Singapore Switzerland United Kingdom Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Deleware Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Indiana Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri New Jersey Nevada New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.1. BBS Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Those of you who feel like a "treat" on your phone bill once in a while, or are lucky enough to half a portable PC and modem when you travel, we came across a rather extensive listing put together by Dave Fisher of OS/2 type Bulletin Boards. Space limits this month prevent us from listing all the details he has for each BBS, but we've tried to include a couple from every state in the US (Notice and hint to you sysops...not all states are represented.) and a few foreign countries, too. We've got more reserved for next month, too. Got a favorite OS/2 BBS you'd like to see listed? Send us a note. Dave Fisher's list is a compilation of OS/2 BBS's across the world. If you wish to make an addition or correction to his list, he's asked that you please netmail your BBS information to Dave Fisher at LiveNet, 1:170/110@fidonet.org. For the newsletter, I've sorted the in alphabetical order by Country for the international ones and by state for those in the USA to make it easier to find one close to you. His file has other details related to these BBS's but we didn't have room, okay? The file we got a hold of showed that the last update was September 7, 1992. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.2. Sysop Spotlight - Adolph Weidanz ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ But this month we'll single out one particular BBS and its sysop. Why? Well, he was the first to respond to a general inquiry I made on the Fidonet OS/2 area to provide information about an OS/2 specific BBS to add to our listing. The Gold Pegasus BBS Sysop <-> Adolph Weidanz Running Maximus/Binkley using OS/2 versions Bremerton, Washington Phone: (206) 698-8404 Fidonet: 1:350/35 Eznet: 255:1206/101 and 0 Adolph says he carries all of the Backbone'd OS/2 areas and is the Filbone center for the Fernwood OS2 stuff in this area. See what happens when you respond to my messages -- ya get special treatment...<G>. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.3. Australia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Graham Stair 3M Australia +61-2-498-9184 Australia 2. Alan Salmon PC User's Group +61-6-259-1244 Australia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.4. Belgium ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Bas Heijermans Moving Sound OS/2 BBS +32-3-3850748 Belgium ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.5. Canada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Kevin Lowey Univ. of Saskatchewan (306) 966-4857 Canada 2. Evan Smith ECS Net (403) 253-5996 Canada 3. Ian Evans Baudeville BBS (416) 283-0114 Canada 4. Herbert Tsui BBS Council (604) 275-6883 Canada 5. Jerry Stevens The Locutory (613) 722-0489 Canada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.6. Denmark ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Rene Carlsen OS/2 Task and FrontDoor H +45-98451070 Denmark ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.7. Germany ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Ulrich Roeding BOX/2 +49-89-6019677 Germany ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.8. Italy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Luigi Ravina Italy Network +39-11-8180069 Italy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.9. Netherlands ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Peter Smink BBS The Experiment +31-1150-15245 Netherlands ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.10. Norway ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Terje Slydahl PerlePorten +47-83-33003 Norway ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.11. Singapore ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Ivan Leong Miqas/2 Singapore +65-755-6463 Singapore ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.12. Switzerland ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Alex Wyss Gepard's Oracle Zuerich +41-1-3637037 Switzerland ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.13. United Kingdom ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mike Gove MonuSci BBS +44-0-454-633197 United Kingdom ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.14. Arizona ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mike Mahoney Emerald Isle, The (602) 749-8638 Arizona 2. Frank Ward Encounter, The (602) 892-1853 Arizona ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.15. California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Patrick O'Riva AsmLang and OS/2 (408) 259-2223 California 2. Michael Nelson SeaHunt BBS (415) 431-0473 California 3. Michael Cummings Zzyzx Road OS/2 BBS (619) 579-0135 El Cajon, California 4. Craig Swanson OS/2 Connection (619) 558-9475 San Diego, California 5. Chuck Gilmore Magnum BBS (805) 582-9306 California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.16. Colorado ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. William Herrera Cuerna Verde (719) 545-8572 Colorado 2. Randy Edwards Socialism OnLine! (719) 392-7781 Colorado ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.17. Connecticut ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Chris Regan Storm Front - OS/2, The (203) 234-0824 Connecticut 2. Felix Tang Excelsior, The (203) 466-1826 Connecticut 3. Emmitt Dove Fernwood (203) 483-0348 Connecticut ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.18. Deleware ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. John Tarbox Singer Bear BBS (302) 984-2238 Deleware 2. Scott Street Space Station Alpha (302) 653-1458 Deleware ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.19. Florida ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mark Wheeler SandDollar, The (407) 784-4507 Florida 2. Don Bauer OS2 Exchange (904) 739-2445 Florida ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.20. Georgia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. IBM IBM National Support Ce (404) 835-6600 Georgia 2. IBM IBM National Support Ce (404) 835-5300 Georgia 3. Ed June Information Overload (404) 471-1549 Georgia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.21. Hawaii ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Craig Oshiro Ghostcomm Image Gallery (808) 456-8510 Hawaii ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.22. Illinois ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Bill Cook GREATER CHICAGO Online! (708) 895-4042 Illinois 2. Bogie Bugsalewicz I CAN! BBS (312) 736-7434 Illinois ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.23. Indiana ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mike Phillips Catacombs, The (317) 525-7164 Indiana 2. Jay Tipton Play Board, The (219) 744-4908 Indiana ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.24. Kansas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Troy Majors Byte Bus, The (316) 683-1433 Kansas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.25. Louisiana ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Stan Brohn HelpNet of Baton Rouge (504) 273-3116 Louisiana 2. Jim Sterrett Padded Cell BBS, The (504) 340-7027 Louisiana ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.26. Maryland ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. James Chance Last Relay, The (410) 793-3829 Maryland ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.27. Michigan ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Dave Shoff Cornerstone BBS, The (616) 465-4611 Michigan ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.28. Minnesota ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Brady Flowers Oberon Software (507) 388-1154 Minnesota ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.29. Missouri ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Woody Sturges OS/2 Woodmeister, The (314) 446-0016 Missouri ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.30. New Jersey ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Bob Germer Capital City BBS (609) 386-1989 New Jersey 2. Mike Fuchs Dog's Breakfast, The (908) 506-0472 New Jersey ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.31. Nevada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Kerry Flint Caddis OS/2 BBS (702) 453-6687 Nevada 2. Dennis Conley Communitel OS/2 BBS (702) 399-0486 Nevada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.32. New York ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mikel Beck Kind Diamond's Realm (516) 736-3403 New York ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.33. North Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Thomas Bradford Backdoor BBS (919) 799-0923 North Carolina 2. Richard Lee Psychotronic BBS (919) 286-7738 North Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.34. Ohio ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Mark Lehrer Akron Anomoly, The (216) 688-6383 Ohio ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.35. Oklahoma ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Bill Schnell Asylum BBS, The (918) 832-1462 Oklahoma 2. Scott Dickason BBS/2 (918) 743-1562 Oklahoma ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.36. Oregon ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Bill Taylor Integrated Media Servic (503) 667-2649 Oregon 2. Paul Breedlove Multi-Net (503) 883-8197 Oregon ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.37. Pennsylvania ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Louis F. Ursini Quantum Leap (215) 967-9018 Pennsylvania 2. Ed Barboni System-2 RBBS (215) 631-0685 Pennsylvania ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.38. South Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Paul Beverly PMSC OnLine Resource (803) 735-6101 South Carolina ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.39. Tennessee ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Operand BBS Lonnie Wall (901) 753-3738 Tennessee 2. Edward Owens Looking Glass, The (901) 872-4386 Tennessee ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.40. Texas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Robert McA Live-Wire (214) 307-8119 Texas 2. Doug Palmer Rock BBS, The (512) 654-9792 Texas 3. David Dozier Roach Coach, The (713) 343-0942 Texas 4. Ken Rucker RucK's Place/2 (817) 485-8042 Texas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.41. Virginia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Pete Norloff OS/2 Shareware (703) 385-4325 Virginia 2. Joe Salemi Max's Doghouse (703) 548-7849 Virginia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.42. Washington ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. LeRoy DeVries Sno-Valley Software Exc (206) 880-6575 Washington 2. Rodney Lorimor Gecko Control (509) 244-0944 Washington ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.23. Seen Our Electronic Editions? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ Since we came out with our newsletter, we've had numerous inquiries and requests to put it in electronic form, too. And we listened to you and got it done. You can read the OS/2 INF version by using OS/2's "view" utility. Look for a file called "SDIN9301.LZH" on your local BBS. And to help others learn about OS/2 who don't have it yet, we've also got an ASCII edition -- look for a file called "SDAS9301.LZH." And it goes without saying, that the February files to look for are "SDIN9302.LZH" for the OS/2 INF version and "SDAS9302.LZH" for the ASCII version. But you wouldn't be reading this now if you didn't know that right? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.24. How to Get a Copy of the Newsletter or Contact Us ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ San Diego OS/2 User Group P.O. Box 13346 San Diego, CA 92039-3346 January 1993 marks the release of the second issue of our monthly newsletter. We've noticed interest in it from people outside of the San Diego area and would therefore like to provide a newsletter for any and all interested OS/2 users and potential users, including those outside of our area. As we are an informal volunteer user group, we don't have fees or charge subscriptions for the newsletter. So far we've been financing user group activities out of our own pockets. But this could get to be financially burdensome if many people outside of the San Diego area would like to have the newsletter mailed to them. We've come up with a tentative plan to address this issue in a way we feel will be fair and reasonable to all. Our intent is to try this plan for a few months and then evaluate how well it worked and make adjustments if necessary. If you'd like a sample issue of the San Diego OS/2 Newsletter, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage to cover two ounces ($0.52 in the USA) to our address listed at the bottom of this announcement. If you'd like more than one issue, send as many SASE envelopes as issues you'd like to receive. Since the newsletter costs more than just postage, we also have to get funding from people who are interested in it to help pay for duplicating costs, the post office box, and other newsletter related expenses. After some discussion, we've decided that for now the best way to be fair to all concerned is to ask for a donation to help cover newsletter expenses. We'll leave the amount up to you, suggesting that you are the best judge of what you feel is appropriate after you've seen an issue of the newsletter. Personal checks are completely OK as these are donations, not subscriptions. You can make out any donation check to "Dave Sichak" who is the editor of the newsletter. We'll use any donations we receive for covering newsletter expenses. If you'd like to contribute an article to the newsletter, we welcome your contribution in that regard also. If we use it, you would be entitled to a complimentary copy of the newsletter in which we used your material. We have an idea list and some hints at what we'd like your articles to include. Let us know if you are are interested in contributing articles and would like a copy of this list. You can submit material via US Mail or via electronic mail at the addresses listed below. Here's our mailing address: San Diego OS/2 User Group P.O. Box 13346 San Diego, CA 92039-3346 If you'd like to get in touch with somebody via electronic mail, you can contact the following people: SAN DIEGO OS/2 USER GROUP ORGANIZER Craig Swanson Fidonet: 1:202/514 Internet: Craig_Swanson@f514.n202.z1.fidonet.org EDITOR Dave Sichak Fidonet: 1:202/514 Internet: Dave_Sichak@f514.n202.z1.fidonet.org