The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/s/sdas9302.zip/SDAS9302.TXT

Text File | 1993-03-19 | 83KB | 2,004 lines

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*** February 1993     San Diego OS/2 User Group    Newsletter  ***
`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`

February 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, so 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 adjustements 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 2 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, notsubscriptions.  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 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
  La Jolla, CA 92039-3346


If you'd like to get in touch with somebody via electronic mail,
you can contact the following people:

EDITOR
======
Dave Sichak     Fidonet:  1:202/514
                Internet: [e-mail]


SAN DIEGO OS/2 USER GROUP ORGANIZER
===================================
Craig Swanson   Fidonet:  1:202/514
                Internet: [e-mail]


FEBRUARY MEETING
"OS/2 MINI-APPLETS PRESENTATION"
When                                                         Where
Thursday                                              IBM Building
February 18, 1993                      8845 University Center Lane
7PM to 10PM                                   San Diego, CA  92122


Main
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



When                                                      Where
Thursday                                           IBM Building
March 18, 1993                      8845 University Center Lane
7PM to 10PM                                San Diego, CA  92122



Main
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  *




FOR MEETING INFORMATION
CALL
[phone]
(Thanks for IBM's Help)


+-------------------------------------+
|          Stolen Taglines            |
+-------------------------------------+

Use a mail reader program?  Here's a few chuckles seen along
the BBS messages to add to *your* list...

"Please Lord...not ANOTHER learning experience."
"(S)he's got bobsled looks...going downhill fast."
"We all live in a yellow subroutine."
"On the 4th ring, your call will be diverted to Jupiter."
"Paul Harvey fans always have a ... Good Day."
"Age is only important if you're a cheese."
"Copper wire came from two lawyers arguing over a penny."
"Systems run SO MUCH better with the users OFF."
"Docs.  Why would I want to look at the Docs.  Nurses are better."
"This is abuse.  Arguments are down the hall."
"It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see one."
"Bored people, unless they sleep a lot, are cruel."

Of course, for those who like the OS/2 versus Windows one-line
jabs.

"OS/2:  A 32-bit OS today...NT (Not Tomorrow)."
"Windows:  Point, Click and...Pray."
"OS/2 Users with Supported Hardware - On the next Geraldo!"
"OS/2:  Your brain.  Windows:  Your brain on drugs."
"Over 2,000,000 OS/2 users can't be wrong."
"Friends don't let friends do Windows."
"Air conditioned environment -- do not open Windows."

+-------------------------------------+
|   How It Gets Done Department       |
+-------------------------------------+

For those of you who are curious about how the newsletter gets
done, here's what we do and use for each version:

*  WordPerfect 5.1 (DOS) -- for both the final hard copy and the
   ascii text version.
*  MoreFonts 3.0 (from MicroLogic Software)
*  CorelDraw for OS/2 2.5 clipart -- exported to *.wpg (for the
   newsletter) and OS/2 *.bmp for the *.inf version.
*  ArtRight clip art in *.wpg format.
*  Logitech Scan man 256 for the map and redraw.
*  Open Shutter for OS/2 screen captures.
*  Hyper Access/5 for OS/2 for geting those *.qwk packets with the
   information.
*  KWQ/2 OS/2 GUI mail reader for reading, printing and saving the
   messages we use.
*  IBM Toolkit for *.inf file compiling.
*  EPM -- the enhanced OS/2 editor for tagging the *.ipf file prior

   to compiling.

+-------------------------------------+
|     OS/2  USER  GROUPS              |
+-------------------------------------+


We try to list known OS/2 User Groups henever we get the
information.  You, the reader, are our best ource of this
information.  This month we came across two new roups that
announced formation on Fidonet.



Kawartha Computer Club
Contact:  Cedric Silvester
RR #1
Bailieboro, Ontario
Canada KOL 1B0

OS/2 SIG is part of the KCC
Phone: BBS -- [phone]
■■■■

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 -- [phone]
Internet:  [e-mail]


+-------------------------------------+
|     LETTERS TO THE EDITOR           |
+-------------------------------------+

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.

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


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: [e-mail]
--- 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.  Check out page
16 for details.)


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.)

Dear Craig,
CS>Yes, some of your observations were used in the January
CS>issue.  It is not yet available in an electronic version,
CS>but Dave Sichak almost has one done.  The January issue is
CS>the second done so far.  We will be announcing our plans on
CS>how to get the newsletter outside of the San Diego area
CS>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.


+-------------------------------------+
|          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 & time.

The show, originally slated for later this year, was moved up in
schedule and was being taped the weekend of January xx, 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 & Australia!  Not bad
exposure for a 29¢ 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.


+-------------------------------------+
|  IBM RELEASES DEVICE DRIVER         |
|       DEVLOPMENT 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: [phone];
FAX:  [phone].   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.


+-------------------------------------+
|        LATE    NEWS    .....        |
|   NORTON COMMANDER FOR OS/2 BUG     |
+-------------------------------------+

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.


+-------------------------------------+
|  OS/2 2.0 FIRST IMPRESSIONS         |
+-------------------------------------+

By Rollin White

(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.


+-------------------------------------+
| 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 & 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?"


+-------------------------------------+
|            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 & 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!


+-------------------------------------+
|      WILLIAM  ZACHMANN              |
| EX PC WEEK / 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, 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.

+-------------------------------------+
|       NEW BACKUP SOFTWARE DUE...    |
+-------------------------------------+

(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.)
By Woody Sturges (Original post on Fidonet's OS/2 area,
December 14, 1992)

 HL> 409-564-1862 is supposed to releasing a package early
 HL> next week that supports the Colorado Memory Jumbo
 HL> drives on OS/2 2.0  This is supposed to be a multi-
 HL> 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:  [phone]
BBS:    [phone]


+-------------------------------------+
| >>>  NEW OS/2 2.0 SOFTWARE          |
+-------------------------------------+

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 [phone].


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 [phone].  Call Watcom at [phone].  Call
Symantec at [phone].  Call Computer Associates at (516)
342-5224.


R:Base 4.0 for OS/2
(PC Week - February 1, 1993, page 32)  Columnist Peter Coffee
does a review of R:Base that leads to praise for its recent release
of its OS/2 version.  Mr. Coffee stated he's been a loyal R:Base
user since way back when.  He had gone back to R:Base after
some sour experiences with dBASE and the then new Clipper
compiler.  He's an admitted fan of R:Base and the database
principles honed using this program.  Peter says R:Base 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 R:Base, starting with "Prompt" and the way it lead you to
"execute".  He feels that R:Base is easy enough for novices to
learn but at the same time advanced users were able to satisfy
their needs.  The new R:Base 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 [phone].


+-------------------------------------+
|    NORTON COMMANDER FOR OS/2        |
+-------------------------------------+

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 &var

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 &path

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)

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.


+---------------------------------------------+
|          New  OS/2  Magazine!!              |
+---------------------------------------------+

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:
Spotlight:                         OS/2 2.0 Development Team
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
Multimedia:                        AVC Digital Video Interface,
MMPM/ AAudio


                                   Subsystem


Database:                          Advanced Programming, User Exits




LAN:                               LAN Transport Layer, 32-Bit
NetBIOS
Communications                     HyperACCESS/5

Here is what appeared in Vol. 4 No. 4, 1992 (Fall 1992) of "IBM
OS/2  Developer:

Spotlight:                         Borland International (With
looks
                                   at Borland C++ for OS/2 and
                                   ObjectVision for OS/2)
Tools:                             SourceLink, Smalltalk/V PM,
                                   Synetics, AM/Workplace
                                   Productivity through
multitasking
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: [phone], Fax [phone]
Article Ideas:  Dick Conklin, Editor, CompuServe 76711,1005.


+-----------------------------------------------+
|            ...OS/2  READING...                |
|            New & Old Books Seen               |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Found some new books
in the bookstores this
month and even a couple
of oldies but goodies.
--- Dave

OS/2 2.0 Programming
By Herber Schildt & 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 & 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.

***

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;
£37.60 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.

                                                               ***

OS/2 Notebook
General Editor - Dick Conklin.  (Microsoft Press) ISBN: 1-55615-
316-3.  769 pages.  List prices:  $29.95 USA; £27.95 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.

***


Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager
By Charles Petzold.  (Microsoft Press) 845 pages.  List prices:
$29.95 USA; £27.95 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.

***

Essential OS/2 Functions
By Ray Duncan.  (Microsoft Press) ISBN:  1-55615-177-2. 204
pages.  List prices:  $9.95 USA; £7.95 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.

***

Inside OS/2
By Gordon Letwin.  Foreword by Bill Gates.  (Microsoft Press)
ISBN:  1-55615-117-9. 289 pages.  List prices:  $19.95 USA; £18.95
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.

***

The Waite Group's OS/2 Programmer's Reference
By Asael Dror. (Howard W. Sams & Company) ISBN:  0-672-22645-6.
621 pages.  List prices:  $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.

***

OS/2 Presentation Manager Programming for COBOL
Programmers
By Robert Chapman (QED Publishing Group) ISBN:  0-89435-439-
6) Approx. 400 pages.  Includes disk.  List prices:  $XX.xx 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.

                                                               ***

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.


+----------------------------------------------+
|       Media Scan ... Items of Interest       |
+----------------------------------------------+

WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2
-- Spring '93 (PC Week  -- January 25, 1993)  At the Windows & 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.


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.




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."


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 smile
files received some minuses.  A new OS/2 version was reported
to still be in development.  For more information, you can contact
PKWare at [phone] in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.


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.



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...


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.


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 slowly
to 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?


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


+-----------------------------------------------+
|             CONSUMER  ADVOCATE                |
+-----------------------------------------------+

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 at your
DS>publication's abilities to get the magazine out on time.  I
DS>think your editor 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/5 and Open Shutter

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:  [phone].


+-----------------------------------------------+
|       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 [phone].  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.


+------------------------------------------------+
|          COMING ATTRACTIONS IN MARCH!!!        |
+------------------------------------------------+

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.


+-----------------------------------------------+
|            O S / 2   B B S ' s                |
+-----------------------------------------------+

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/[e-mail].

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.

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:  [phone]
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>.

Graham Stair
3M Australia
[phone]   Aus

Alan Salmon
PC User's Group
[phone]   Aus

Bas Heijermans
Moving Sound OS/2 BBS
[phone]    Bel

Kevin Lowey
Univ. of Saskatchewan
[phone]   Can

Evan Smith
ECS Net
[phone]   Can

Ian Evans
Baudeville BBS
[phone]   Can

Herbert Tsui
BBS Council
[phone]   Can

Jerry Stevens
The Locutory
[phone]   Can

Rene Carlsen
OS/2 Task & FrontDoor H
[phone]     Den

Ulrich Roeding
BOX/2
[phone]   Ger

Luigi Ravina
Italy Network
[phone]   Ita

Peter Smink
BBS The Experiment
[phone]   Net

Terje Slydahl
PerlePorten
[phone]     Nor

Ivan Leong
Miqas/2 Singapore
[phone]     Sin

Alex Wyss
Gepard's Oracle Zuerich
[phone]    Swi

Mike Gove
MonuSci BBS
[phone] UK

Mike Mahoney
Emerald Isle, The
[phone]   AZ

Frank Ward
Encounter, The
[phone]   AZ

Patrick O'Riva
AsmLang and OS/2
[phone]   CA

Michael Nelson
SeaHunt BBS
[phone]   CA

Michael Cummings
Zzyzx Road OS/2 BBS
[phone]   CA


Craig Swanson
OS/2 Connection
[phone]   CA

Chuck Gilmore
Magnum BBS
[phone]   CA

William Herrera
Cuerna Verde
[phone]   CO

Randy Edwards
Socialism OnLine!
[phone]   CO

Chris Regan
Storm Front - OS/2, The
[phone]   CT

Felix Tang
Excelsior, The
[phone]   CT

Emmitt Dove
Fernwood
[phone]   CT

John Tarbox
Singer Bear BBS
[phone]   DE

Scott Street
Space Station Alpha
[phone]   DE

Mark Wheeler
SandDollar, The
[phone]   FL

Don Bauer
OS2 Exchange
[phone]   FL

IBM
IBM National Support Ce
[phone]   GA

IBM
IBM National Support Ce
[phone]   GA

Ed June
Information Overload
[phone]   GA

Craig Oshiro
Ghostcomm Image Gallery
[phone]   HA

Bill Cook
GREATER CHICAGO Online!
[phone]   IL

Bogie Bugsalewicz
I CAN! BBS
[phone]   IL

Mike Phillips
Catacombs, The
[phone]   IN

Jay Tipton
Play Board, The
[phone]   IN

Troy Majors
Byte Bus, The
[phone]   KS

Stan Brohn
HelpNet of Baton Rouge
[phone]   LA

Jim Sterrett
Padded Cell BBS, The
[phone]   LA

James Chance
Last Relay, The
[phone]   MD

Dave Shoff
Cornerstone BBS, The
[phone]   MI

Brady Flowers
Oberon Software
[phone]   MN

Woody Sturges
OS/2 Woodmeister, The
[phone]   MO

Bob Germer
Capital City BBS
[phone]   NJ

Mike Fuchs
Dog's Breakfast, The
[phone]   NJ

Kerry Flint
Caddis OS/2 BBS
[phone]   NV

Dennis Conley
Communitel OS/2 BBS
[phone]   NV

Mikel Beck
Kind Diamond's Realm
[phone]   NY

Thomas Bradford
Backdoor BBS
[phone]   NC

Richard Lee
Psychotronic BBS
[phone]   NC

Mark Lehrer
Akron Anomoly, The
[phone]   OH

Bill Schnell
Asylum BBS, The
[phone]   OK

Scott Dickason
BBS/2
[phone]   OK

Bill Taylor
Integrated Media Servic
[phone]   OR

Paul Breedlove
Multi-Net
[phone]   OR

Louis F. Ursini
Quantum Leap
[phone]   PA

Ed Barboni
System-2 RBBS
[phone]   PA

Paul Beverly
PMSC OnLine Resource
[phone]   SC

Operand BBS
Lonnie Wall
[phone]   TN

Edward Owens
Looking Glass, The
[phone]   TN

Robert McA
Live-Wire
[phone]   TX

Doug Palmer
Rock BBS, The
[phone]   TX

David Dozier
Roach Coach, The
[phone]   TX

Ken Rucker
RucK's Place/2
[phone]   TX

Pete Norloff
OS/2 Shareware
[phone]   VA

Joe Salemi
Max's Doghouse
[phone]   VA

LeRoy DeVries
Sno-Valley Software Exc
[phone]   WA

Rodney Lorimor
Gecko Control
[phone]   WA


+-----------------------------------------------+
|           Seen Our Electronic Editions?       |
+-----------------------------------------------+

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."

+---------------------------------------------------+
|                  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.


Parking
Free of charge in the IBM parking lot.

                                                              Cost
As usual, this is a free meeting open to anyone interested in
attending.


+----------------------------------------------------------+
|              How To Get a Copy Of The                    |
|                   San   Diego                            |
|                  OS/2 User Group                         |
|                    Newsletter                            |
+----------------------------------------------------------+

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, so 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:



EDITOR
Dave Sichak
Fidonet:  1:202/514
Internet: [e-mail]


SAN DIEGO OS/2 USER GROUP ORGANIZER
Craig Swanson
Fidonet:  1:202/514
Internet: [e-mail]