OS/2 Shareware BBS: 14 Text/14-Text.zip/merl0920.zip/MERL0920.TXT

Text File | 1996-09-20 | 18KB | 461 lines

CONNECT THE WORLD UPDATE #13
September 20, 1996

Dear "Connect the World with Merlin" (CtWwM) volunteers,

OS/2 NEWS

1.  Last Monday, September 16th, I was pleasantly surprised by
    IBM when I received a final "shrink wrapped" version of OS/2 Warp 4.
    Many thanks to our friends at IBM.  I was impressed with the
    packaging.  From the outside, the box looks like the blue
    OS/2 Warp Connect box we have become accustomed to.  However,
    the box was lighter due to less sales documentation inside.
    There is, of course, the basic OS/2 manual and, best of
    all, the headset/microphone was included!  There is also 3
    installation diskettes and four CD-ROM's included:

    *  OS/2 Warp 4 (with BonusPak)
    *  Application Sampler CD-ROM
    *  Device Driver CD-ROM
    *  Lotus Notes Mail

    The installation went smoothly and quickly.  It didn't take
    us long to get on the Internet and resume operations.  In
    other words, we were very impressed!  We think you will be as well.

2.  In case you've missed the announcement for IBM's launch of
    OS/2 Warp 4:

    Where:  Center for the Arts Forum
       701 Mission Street at Third, adjacent to the Moscone
       Convention Center
       San Francisco, California
    When:  September 25, 1996
    Announcement event:  10 - 11 a.m.
    Technology showcase, lunch and interviews:  11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    You can see this at any one of a number of teleseminars being
    scheduled around the world.  To enroll, call 800/365-4425 x 680;
    WWW:  http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/telesemi.html
    E-mail:  [e-mail]

    By the way, if you're in the United States, keep your eye on
    the morning news shows for demonstrations of Merlin - such as the
    Today show, and Good Morning America.

PROJECT STATUS

1.  VOLUNTEERS

    We now have over 800 volunteers from 45 countries registered
    for the event.  I have quietly withdrawn the volunteer registration
    sheet from the OS/2 CONNECT newsletter (the October issue was
    released earlier this week).  Although I will not turn away any
    volunteer, I won't be actively soliciting more volunteers at
    this time.

    Again, I am including the latest e-mail list (EMAIL.TXT) and
    telephone book (PHONES.TXT) in the attached zipped file
    (MERL0920.ZIP).  PLEASE ADVISE ME ACCORDINGLY OF ANY CHANGES OR
    CORRECTIONS (particularly as we get closer to the date of the
    event).  It's vital that we maintain our communication lines.

2.  COUNTRY/REGIONAL COORDINATORS:

    AUSTRIA - Kianusch Sayah Karadji in Vienna
    ([e-mail])

    AUSTRALIA - Terry Kemp in Dandenong, Victoria,
    ([e-mail])

    BELGIUM - Alex Wyckmans ([e-mail])

    BRAZIL - Angelo Klin in Sao Paulo - ([e-mail]) or
    ([e-mail])

    DENMARK - Eric Johannesen in Hoeng ([e-mail])

    ISRAEL - Rann Glaser - ([e-mail])

    LITHUANIA - Rimas Zdanavicius ([e-mail])

    NETHERLANDS - Reinout van Schouwen - ([e-mail])

    NEW ZEALAND - Roger Govind ([e-mail])

    SOUTH AFRICA - Francois van der Merwe - ([e-mail])

    SWITZERLAND - Joelle Nebbe in Bleiken ([e-mail])

    CANADA:
    ALBERTA - Michael Chajkowski ([e-mail])

    BRITISH COLUMBIA - John Phillips ([e-mail])
    and David Stevenson ([e-mail])

    ONTARIO - Robert Ensing ([e-mail])

    QUEBEC - Luc Roseberry - ([e-mail]) or
    ([e-mail]) assisted by Sylvain Tanguay
    ([e-mail]).


    We would like to thank the Country/Regional Coordinators for
    their assistance in this project.  If you reside in any of
    these areas, be sure to contact your local Coordinator at the
    e-mail address listed above.

3.  DEMO SITES

    We now have over 150 demonstration sites in 25 countries:

    Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
    France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Lithuania,
    Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia,
    Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom,
    and the United States.

    For the complete list of registered demo sites, please see:

    http://www.tbos2cla.com/ctwwm/demosite.html

 >> DEMO SITES "SOLD OUT"

    Each site will get a Demonstration Kit (included OS/2 Warp 4,
    3rd party software, and promotional materials - more on this later).
    Unfortunately, we have reached our limit in terms of supplies
    which as of Saturday, September 21st, are all in the hands of the
    packager for shipping.

    Please note that we have established a "standby" list of sites in
    the event another site cancels (but don't count on it as we approach
    our date).

 >> "BUT CAN I STILL REGISTER A SITE?"

    Yes but only if you are prepared to obtain a copy of Merlin yourself.
    If this approach interests you, please let me know and we will be happy
    to register your site on our web page.

 >> "HOW ELSE CAN I PARTICIPATE?"

    If you cannot participate at a registered site, we still need you
    for this event, particularly if you are in a remote part of the
    globe.  As you may remember, one of our objectives of this project
    is to demonstrate to the press where OS/2 is used throughout the
    world.  We therefore ask that you at least log on to our main
    web page and "sign-in" thereby demonstrating your support for OS/2.

    This will be explained in the forthcoming script.

4.  ACTIVITIES

    A.  PUBLICITY

        As most of you know, we issued our press release on Friday,
        September 6th.  Consequently, activity has noticeably increased
        on our demosite web page.  I have also seen it mentioned in the
        "IBM Software News Alert" and more and more people are linking
        to our page.

        I have printed over 400 copies of the press release for IBM to
        include in their Media Kits (to be issued to the press next week).
        In other words, the timing of our press release looks good.

        CHAIN LETTER

        To help get the word out, I will begin a "chain letter" next week.
        In the letter I will ask each person to take the letter and send
        it to 10 friends (preferably 5 OS/2 users and 5 non-OS/2 users).
        If we do this right, we can spread the word about the CtWwM project
        to thousands of people at Warp speed ;-)

    B.  WELCOME BACK POLYEX

        Do you remember a few months ago when I talked about a special
        edutainment package from PolyEx Software in Sarasota?  They had
        to drop out of the CtWwM project a few months ago due to other
        commitments.  Well, I received a call from the principals of the
        company who completed their demo for us after-all.  We are now in
        the process of testing it.  But if it is half as good as I think
        it is, it will make for a dynamite demonstration of OS/2
        (featuring audio and video)!  We have given the software to IBM to
        test and, if all goes well, look for it in the Merlin launch!  We
        will also try to get it out to the volunteers but, in all likelihood,
        it will have to be downloaded from an FTP or web site.

    C.  HELP DESK

        The Tampa Bay OS/2 Users' Group (TBOUG) is still planning on
        hosting an on-line OS/2 Help Desk throughout the event
        (35 hours to accommodate all time zones).  TBOUG's Help Desk
        will be hosted by the "At Home Cyber Cafe" at 3611-228 West
        Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa (next to the CompUSA who is
        generously providing the computer equipment for the Help Desk).
        And, YES, we will have a camera to talk with you "face-to-face".

        If you have a question about OS/2 or just want to call and
        say hello, please call our help desk (look for "Tim Bryce"
        in the InterCom telephone book (plus we'll be logged on all
        the time for it).

    D.  SCRIPT

        We're nearing the completion of the script.  Although it
        will not be included in the Demonstration Kits being shipped
        it will be made available either through e-mail or some place
        on the Internet (to be downloaded).  We hope to complete
        the script next week.

    E.  WEB SITE & WEB PAGE

        We have made significant progress on our world web page and
        hope to have the final version completed soon.  We will
        provide details in future updates (and the script).

     >> Also, during the CtWwM demo, you will be asked for the
     >> LATITUDE and LONGITUDE coordinates for your site.  This
     >> This will be used to plot locations on the world map.
     >> Please start researching the coordinates for your demo site.

        ACCESSING THE SITE - David Barnes has received permission
        for volunteers to access IBM's Global Network during the
        demonstration.

     >> PLEASE NOTE:  ONLY THE REGISTERED SITES WILL BE GIVEN
        ACCESS PRIVILEGES TO THE NETWORK.  THIS WILL BE TIGHTLY
        CONTROLLED BY US DURING THE DEMONSTRATION.  More on this
        later.

    F.  DEMONSTRATION KIT

        All of the demonstration materials (except the final script)
        are now in the hands of IBM for packing and shipping by
        OCTOBER 1ST.  This should give us ample time to get the
        demo kits delivered to the volunteers (especially overseas) so
        they can practice with the software.  There is no charge for the
        demo kit.

        The Bill of Materials for each Demo Kit includes:

        1   - Copy of OS/2 Warp 4 "shrink wrapped" (less microphone)
              (includes Application Sampler CD, Device Driver CD, and
              Lotus Notes Mail CD)
        1   - Andrea Electronics microphone
        100 - copies of OS/2 Warp 4 brochures
        100 - copies of OS/2 Warp 4 flyers
        4   - CtWwM store posters (folded to 8 X 10)
        1   - Lotus WordPro promotional flyer/brochure
        1   - CD - SPG "ColorWorks"
        1   - SPG poster
        1   - SPG letter to volunteers
        1   - CD or diskette - Mount Baker "Money Tree" (CD likely)
        1   - Mount Baker promotional flyer/brochure
        1   - diskette - Revolutionary Software's "InterCom"
        1   - 8 x 10 envelope containing "Batch Manager" demo from MBA,
              (includes letter to volunteers and flyer)
        1   - packet - CD Cleaner (chamois) from Acme Sponge


     >> Sorry, there isn't a cover letter included in the shipment.
        PLEASE TRY TO KEEP THE MATERIALS TOGETHER.

     >> HOWEVER, YOU WILL WANT TO PLACE THE POSTERS IN THE STORES
        (THE DEMO SITES) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

    G.  DRESS REHEARSALS

        As you know, the official day of the dress rehearsal is
        Saturday, October 19th.  The purpose of the dress rehearsal is
        to walk through the whole demonstration and make any necessary
        last-minute adjustments.

        Where and when you wish to perform the dress rehearsal is
        strictly up to you:  either at the demonstration site or
        elsewhere.

        The World Map at our Internet site will be available for
        display that day but we will have only limited access in Tampa
        to the Internet telephone.  This means you will not necessarily
        be able to reach the TBOUG Help Desk that day.  But you should
        still be able to call other sites (and should practice).

    H.  GOING TO COLORADOS/2?

        If you are going to ColoradOS/2 (October 13-18), be sure to
        attend the closing session on Friday (the 18th) where David Barnes
        will walk attendees through the CtWwM demo as a prelude to the dress
        rehearsal.  This will be an excellent opportunity for you to
        pick up necessary tips for conducting the demonstration.

        David Moskowitz will also be attending ColoradOS/2 and would be
        delighted to work with attending CtWwM volunteers.

    I.  3RD PARTY VENDORS

        As mentioned in prior updates, we have other 3rd party
        vendors with native OS/2 apps for inclusion in the demo.
        This includes:

        *  SPG's ColorWorks product (v2.0).

           SPG is at:  http://www.spg-net.com/

           Included with the Demo Kit shipment is this letter from
           Joel Krautheim, President of SPG, with an excellent offer
           for CtWwM volunteers:

---------------------------------------------------
September 10, 1996

Dear CTWWM Volunteer,

SPG is honored to be involved in your world-wide OS/2 event.  All of
you will receive a demonstration version of ColorWorks V2 on CD-ROM
in order to show the software during this historic event.

To show our appreciation for your efforts and to give you the opportunity
to get better acquainted with our software prior to the CTWWM event, we have
made arrangements with J3 Computer Technologies to offer you a "real" copy
of ColorWorks V2 (the full product including the large User Book) for only
$99 USD, ordering details are at the bottom of this letter. This special
offer is valid between now and 25 October 1996.

I do hope you take advantage of this special offer -- for you have earned
it, and have a spectacular event!

Regards,

Joel Krautheim
President SPG Inc.
[e-mail]

Contact Information for J3 Computer Technologies:

J3 has set up a special CTWWM Volunteer order form for you to get ColorWorks
V2 for $99 at http://www.os2store.com/ctwwm.html

You can also order ColorWorks V2 for this special price from J3 via e-mail
to [e-mail], by phone at +01-909-985-6786 (outside of the US) or
800-787-0930 (in the US and Canada), and by fax at +01-909-981-5423.
---------------------------------------------------

        *  Mount Baker Software's new Money Tree product; a financial
           planning/management application (a la Quicken).

           Mount Baker is at:  http://www.Mount-Baker.com

        *  Revolutionary Software's InterCom Internet Telephone -

           According to Jonathan Tew, the developer of InterCom, he is
           working on version 3.16 which he recommends for use during
           the demo.  If you haven't done so, you can download the
           InterCom product from:

           http://www.ixworld.com/ic/

           Diskettes of the product will be included in the Demo Kit.

5.  AVAILABILITY OF MERL0920.ZIP

    In case you have trouble downloading the attached file
    (MERL0920.ZIP), you can download it from:

    The Hobbes FTP site:
    ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu

    Look for it one of the following directories:
    /incoming  (temporary)
    /os2/info

    MBA's BBS (the "PRIDE" Network) at:
    +01-813/786-4864

    NOTE:  CtWwM Update files are named 'MERLmmdd.ZIP' where
    "mm" represents the month and "dd" represents the day;
    for example, MERL0920.ZIP represents the September 20th update.

    For past updates, look for:
    MERL0906.ZIP
    MERL0823.ZIP
    MERL0809.ZIP
    MERL0724.ZIP
    MERL0708.ZIP

    ALSO, WEB PAGES PERTAINING TO THIS PROJECT:

    http://www.tbos2cla.com/ctwwm/demosite.html
    (Main Page)

    http://web2.spydernet.com/merlin
    Oliver McDonald of Victoria, BC ([e-mail])

    http://www.os2ug.techpta.ac.za/OS2User/merlin_connect.html
    Anthony van Zyl of Gauteng, South Africa ([e-mail])

    http://www.caiw.nl/~rmschouw/ctwwm/
    Reinout van Schouwen of the Netherlands ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in Dutch)

    http://cip.physik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~arwagner/merlind.html
    Alexander Wagner ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in German)

    http://www.os2boutique.fr/ctwwm/demo.htm
    Vincent Delaruelle of Paris, France ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in French)

    http://www.enjoy.it/users/~1ferlo/ctwwm.htm
    Marco La Ferla of Italy ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in Italian)

    http://www.agora.dk/hotel/ctwwm/ctwwm.html
    Eric Johannesen in Hoeng ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in Danish)

    http://os2forum.or.at/ctwwm
    Kianusch Sayah Karadji of Austria ([e-mail])
    (NOTE:  page is in German)

    http://www.tornado.be/~os2-ug/ctwwm.html
    Alex Wyckmans in Belgium ([e-mail])

    FEEL FREE TO ESTABLISH LINKS TO THESE PAGES (HINT, HINT).

That's all for now.  I'll keep you abreast of developments
as they occur.

       ***********************************************
       *  JUST REMEMBER:  only 36 days until CtWwM!  *
       ***********************************************

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stay tuned!

Regards,
Tim Bryce
Editor, OS/2 CONNECT
M. Bryce & Associates, Inc. (MBA)
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, FL  34683
United States
Tel:  [phone]
Fax:  [phone]
BBS:  813/786-4864
E-Mail:  [e-mail]
CompuServe:  76235,2364
WWW:  http://warp.eecs.berkeley.edu/os2/connect/
Since 1971:  "Software for the finest computer - the Mind"
MBA:  Developers of the "PRIDE" Information Factory(R) and Batch Manager

IBM and OS/2 are the registered trademarks of the International
Business Machines Corporation.  All other trademarks both marked and
unmarked belong to their respective companies.

This document has not been reviewed or approved by IBM and the contents
herein are solely the responsibility of the volunteers in the
"Connect the World with Merlin" project.