OS/2 Professional/OS2PRO194.ISO/os2/info/document/usergrps/sandiego/issue_01/sd9301.inf

OS/2 Help File | 1993-02-01 | 110.7 KB | 1,454 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. January Issue Topics ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Meeting
 2. Stolen Taglines
 3. Spock's Logical Tips
 4. Craig's Corner
 5. OPTUNE Does Not Like OS/2 Software Bug Report
 6. IBM Future Strategy for Personal Software
 7. HPFS Tape Backup Support
 8. Software Reviews
 9. New OS/2 Software Announcements
10. OS/2 Reading
11. BenchMarkTests
12. Media Scan
13. Consumer Advocate
14. OS/2 User Groups
15. Where to Buy OS/2 Apps
16. New OS/2 Magazine
17. OS/2 BBS's


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Meeting ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Announcement
Schedule
Directions
Parking and Cost
Mark Your Calendar
Information


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.1. Announcement ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

We have two main events this month. Interest in the OS/2 version from IBM is
growing.  The news media reports OS/2 2.1 is in beta.  Ron Lingley of IBM will
provide a preview of the upcoming release.  Among the anticipated features are
Windows 3.1 support, improved Windows application speed, the ability to do DOS
and OS/2 applications while in Win-OS/2 full screen and more -- attend and find
out.  Ron will also provide a different look at the REXX language available in
OS/2 by demonstrating "Visual REXX".  Developing your own OS/2 batch files
should be more appealing with this feature.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.2. Schedule ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. User group announcements and OS/2 news.
 2. OS/2 2.1 Presentation.
 3. Visual REXX demonstration.
 4. Our ever-popular OS/2 question and answer session where you can get help
    and advice from many other OS/2 users.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.3. Directions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

IBM Building
8845 University Center Lane
San Diego, CA  92122

Driving from south of the UCSD area, take Interstate 5 north.  Get off at the
Nobel Drive exit right after 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 the exit and then left at first
light.

Driving from north of the UCSD area, take Interstate 5 south and get off at the
La Jolla Village Drive exit.  Head east until you reach Lebon.  Take a right
and continue until you reach Nobel.  Take a right onto Nobel Drive and continue
until you see the IBM building at the next light on your right just before
reaching Interstate 5 again.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.4. Parking and Cost ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Free of charge in the IBM parking lot.

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1.5. Mark Your Calendar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

We get together on the third Thursday of the month.  Mark your calendar for
these upcoming dates:

Thursday, February 18, 1993 at 7 pm.

Thursday, March 18, 1993 at 7 pm.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For meeting information call 587-5955

Thanks for IBM's help!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. Stolen Taglines ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use a mail reader program?  Part of the fun is adding the tagline to your
message.  Here's a few chuckles seen along the BBS messages to add to *your*
list...

 1. "Artificial Intelligence:  No match for natural stupidity."
 2. "Artificial Intelligence:  The other guy's opinion."
 3. "On A Clear Disk, You Can Seek Forever."
 4. "Unauthorized amphibians will be toad away."
 5. "Every morning is the dawn of a new error."
 6. "Sociopathic Apathy:  I'd kill you if I cared."
 7. "When the chips are down, the buffalo's empty."
 8. "Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations."
 9. "C Code.  C Code run.  Run code run."
10. "I'm not confused.  I'm just well-mixed."
11. "Hindsight is an exact science."
12. "Life is a sexually transmitted disease."
13. "Dead Atheist:  All dressed up with no place to go."

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

 1. "Bugs come in through open Windows."
 2. "WindowError: 001  No error...yet."
 3. "WindowError: 00F  Unexplained Error.  Tell us what happened."
 4. "WindowError: 010  Reserved for future errors."
 5. "WindowError: 014  Nonexistent error; cannot really be happening."
 6. "Windows is a pane."
 7. "Windows.  Just another pane in the glass."
 8. "Windows.  It's not pretty.  It's not ugly.  But it's pretty ugly."
 9. "OS/2:  Logic, not magic."
10. "OS/2:  The choice of the next generation."
11. "OS/2.  Industrial strength operating system."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4. Spock's Logical Tips ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You don't have to be a Vulcan to learn the logic of OS/2. It's not even magic.
Earthlings call it common sense. Here's another little tip to those just
starting out.

Question:  I just downloaded a couple of dozen ATM fonts from my favorite OS/2
BBS and now I want to use them in OS/2.  But I haven't been brave enough to
figure that out yet.  How about walking me through this process?

Logical Solution:  Fear not.  While it takes many steps, you'll find after you
do one, it's rather logical in adding a font to your system to customize the
Work Place Shell (WPS) to your liking.  Let's try these steps:

 1. Unzip your ATM files to a convenient sub-directory.  Remember where they're
    at.  I unzipped mine to the D>\OS2\DLL\ subdirectory.
 2. Open up the "OS/2 System" folder on the WPS.
 3. Click-on the "System Setup" icon.
 4. Click-on the "Font Palette" icon.  The "Font Palette - Palette" dialog box
    opens up.
 5. You'll see a group of 8 fonts.  This is sort of similar to the selection we
    saw when you used Lotus with Allways or in Excel 2.10.
 6. Highlight a font that you want to change or replace.
 7. Click-on "Edit" font.
 8. The "Edit Font" dialog box opens up.  Under "name" you can click on the
    "down" arrow to see what fonts you already have installed.  Select "Add".
 9. The "Add Font" dialog box opens up.  Either put your diskette in drive a:
    (if your new fonts are on a diskette) or tell OS/2 2.0 which sub-directory
    the font files are in.  In my case, they were in the D>\OS2\DLL\
    sub-directory.
10. You'll also need to notice the "copy font files to drive/directory" area of
    this dialog box.  The default path shows up where they're at -- the
    D>\OS2\DLL\ sub-directory.  If you've changed the location since you
    installed OS/2, you may see a different sub-directory.  If they're already
    in the sub-directory you're copying to, don't do anything.  Then select
    "add".
11. You're back to the "Edit Font" dialog box.
12. Now, the funny thing is, you'll have to close this dialog box, then select
    "edit" on the "Font Palette -- Palette" dialog box for OS/2 to "recognize"
    the addition of this font.  Well, if you consider the alternative of
    re-booting as you sometimes do for system changes, this is a minor
    annoyance.
13. Under "name", click on the little "down" arrow and scroll through til you
    see your new font.  Mine was called "Old- Town".  You'll see an example of
    it in the lower right corner.  Change the size of the font if you're not
    satisfied yet. Then close this dialog box.
14. Your new font is now one of the eight available.  If you want to use it,
    just drag it with the right mouse button.  For example, drag the font to
    the WPS.  All of the icons/folder text on the WPS will change to your new
    font.  If you just want to change a folder's text -- open it up and drag
    the font to the folder.  Only that folder's fonts for the icons will
    change.  It's that simple to make a change.
15. What about printing with them you say?  You have access in the OS/2
    editors.  It's also available with your OS/2 applications.  In WinOS/2 --
    if you're set up with the correct printer driver, that is, the "A" for ATM
    doesn't have a line through it when you load WinOS2, you can choose that in
    any Windows application.

This is just one of many ways to customize the OS/2 WPS to your liking.  Check
the next issue for another idea or two.  Or send us your favorite tip.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5. Craig's Corner ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Operating System Wars Have Just Begun

By Craig Swanson
San Diego OS/2 User Group

Over the past two years of spreading the word about OS/2, I've come to realize
that the biggest challenge IBM faces selling OS/2 2.0 is overcoming the "image
of failure" that the product has in the minds of many users because of the
biased writings of journalists who should know better.  To illustrate what I'm
talking about, here a couple quotes from a recent issue of the Ziff-Davis
publication Corporate Computing where columnist Robert Ziff writes about why he
thinks OS/2 is doomed to failure:

"The Prognosis for OS/2"

"The unfortunate truth for IBM is that Windows has become standard.  The market
has soundly rejected PM.  It is time to face reality and recognize that the
current development of PM products cannot hold a candle to the daunting pace of
software development for Windows.

"Today, OS/2 conforms to that standard; soon it won't.  That alone is enough to
doom OS/2.  I don't care how good it is, or how bad DOS and NT are."

Is Windows really a standard?  That depends on what Ziff means by the word
"standard."  As far as market penetration goes, Windows is very far from
running on every personal computer sold.  In that sense, Windows is not a
standard like DOS.  Recent industry press reports state that Microsoft claims
to have shipped 15 to 16 million copies of Windows 3.0 and 3.1 to date.
Assuming that none of these 3.1 copies are upgrades (which is unclear from the
figures I've seen) and all of those copies are in use (which is unlikely), that
represents only about 15% of International Data Corporation's October 1992
estimated installed base of 103.8 million PC compatible.  That's a far cry from
the 90+% usage of DOS in this same installed base of machines.

An independent study on the usage of Windows 3.0 described in an early 1992
issue of ComputerWorld found that an estimated 50% to 60% of the 9 to 10
million copies of Windows 3.0 shipped by that time were actually in use. In the
middle of 1992, InfoWorld and PC Week both reported on a leaked Microsoft study
that indicated the usage rate was even much lower than the independent study
suggested, possibly as low as 30% or less.  While these figures are nothing
more than unverifiable statistics like so many figures printed in the trade
press, it is undeniable that a substantial number of copies of Windows are
"shelfware." This shelfware situation exists even after many years of
improvements to Windows.  Considering it has had well over seven years on the
market, Windows still has a very small market penetration compared to DOS.  If
anything can be learned from these figures, it is this:  the operating system
wars are not over as it takes a long time for personal computer users to switch
to a new operating system platform.

Mr. Ziff's assertion that the market has rejected Presentation Manager is
ridiculous.  Only now are a substantial number of 32-bit OS/2 PM applications
starting to be delivered.  Prior to this, the only things the market was
rejecting were a lack of PM applications to buy and the poor quality of several
of the OS/2 programs written by companies like Microsoft.  It is no wonder that
users would be hesitant to buy products like Excel 3.0 for OS/2 PM.  Microsoft
didn't even bother to make the on-line help functional nor did they take
advantage of OS/2's unique features such as multithreading. Since the release
of OS/2 2.0 there has been a trickle of new 32-bit PM applications.  Programs
like DeScribe 4.0 take advantage of multithreading and Workplace Shell
functions that demonstrate how OS/2 software can be better than anything
Windows can offer if the applications are written to use OS/2 well.  Soon the
trickle of new OS/2 applications will turn into a torrent as many significant
applications are already in beta testing and more will start beta testing soon.

Lotus and Computer Associates are both writing new suites of OS/2 applications
that use multithreading and Workplace Shell functionality.  The Comdex/Fall
1992 demo of the upcoming 32-bit cc..Mail for OS/2 showed a quintessential
Workplace Shell application with an extensively object-oriented user interface
and drag-and-drop functionality.

Borland is far along in development of its C++ programming environment and
compiler for OS/2.  Word Perfect Corporation has recently started soliciting
beta testers for Word Perfect for OS/2 PM.

If these applications live up to the promise of some of the beta versions I've
seen and used, several excellent OS/2 PM applications will be on the market
around the time OS/2 2.1 is expected to be released in March.

Robert Ziff could have written in 1986 that the market had soundly rejected
Windows -- it had hardly any applications, a pathetic user interface, and no
market share.  Yet today he is saying that Windows is the hot fad. The computer
industry is very dynamic. Many customers have not committed to a post-DOS
environment yet.  Mr. Ziff's assertion that PM is dead is being made far too
early to have much chance of being accurate by anything more than chance.  One
might propose that if he had been a newspaper reporter in the early 1940's, Mr.
Ziff might have written on December 8, 1941, that the United States had lost
World War II after being crushed by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Aside from the long time it takes for users to move to new operating system
platforms, one can find other reasons to doubt that Windows has an unbreakable
lock on the market.  PC users sometimes get sidetracked by inferior
technologies like Windows, but usually they realize the limits and start asking
for more power.  Although the media often suggests that Windows 3.1 is a good
choice for all applications, especially new technology ones like multimedia, it
is not powerful enough to handle such applications. For example, Windows 3.1 is
a joke for multimedia because it lacks preemptive multitasking and
multithreading. But if you don't mind listening to multimedia presentations
interrupted by frequent pauses as you copy files to diskettes or your
spreadsheet macro runs, maybe it would be adequate.  Of course, psychologists
might like Windows multimedia support for experimenting with the effects of
randomly corrupted soundtracks on human patience.

The Windows advocates point out that the shortcomings of Windows 3.1 will be
fixed in the upcoming Windows NT, but no matter what Microsoft may claim, NT
isn't going to be a miracle solution to everybody's needs.  While NT will have
the preemptive multitasking and multithreading needed for reliable and powerful
communications and multimedia, it requires significantly more machine resources
than any version of OS/2 to date.  Even Microsoft prints that a system with 8MB
RAM and a 100MB hard drive will be the minimum for NT.  If this is anything
like the 1MB minimum for Windows, there are going to be a lot of unhappy owners
of machines with 8MB RAM if Microsoft sells more than a few copies of NT.

The users of the October 1992 NT beta release with whom I've corresponded point
to huge paging file sizes even on machines with 20MB RAM or more, poor
compatibility, slow performance running DOS and Windows 3.1 applications, and a
general expectation that it won't be available until around the middle of 1993
at earliest.

Why should users be expected to either pick an inferior technology Windows 3.1
or wait several months for NT and then have to spend thousands of dollars for
hardware upgrades?  OS/2 has already proven its technical prowess at
communications and multimedia in a product that can be purchased today.

Windows didn't make a positive impression on users until Windows 3.0 was
released in May 1990, about five years after the original version shipped.
Likewise, OS/2 2.0 was the first version of OS/2 to do well on the market and
it also shipped about five years after the December 1987 release of OS/2 1.0.
New operating systems need time to gain acceptance, no matter how good they
might be.  OS/2 2.0 has sold at a rate similar to Windows 3.0 in its first
several months on the market.  In fact IBM has sold more than 2 million copies
of OS/2 2.0 to date.

Why is it that the industry press continues to point to Windows as a success
and OS/2 as a flop with small market potential?  Is it resistance to change?
If anything, there are significant market acceptance parallels between the
acceptance of Windows and OS/2 that indicate OS/2 has a chance at being much
more important than the journalists will admit.  With the upcoming OS/2 2.1
widely regarded as finally delivering on IBM's April 1991 promise of providing
a "better Windows than Windows," perhaps OS/2 2.1 will do for OS/2 what Windows
3.1 did for Windows and make OS/2 a new standard.  With NT's ship date slipping
off into the future and companies not being able or willing to wait forever to
make a choice for their next-generation operating system, OS/2 2.1 may surprise
the industry.  In fact, 1993 should be the best year yet for OS/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.6. OPTUNE ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

OPTUNE Does Not Like OS/2

Software Bug Report

By Douglas A. Bell (From Original Area: comp.os.os2.misc)  (Thanks to Craig
Swanson for passing along a mesage he saw.)

Do not use Gazelle software's Optune disk optimizer on any disk that has
extended attributes on it or has ever had extended attributes on it.  It can
cross like files and destroy directories, even when just doing a check disk.

I called Optune's customer support and they confirmed what I have seen. Optune
cannot deal with extended attributes.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.7. IBM Personal Software Strategy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By Ron Lingley - San Diego (Via NetMail to Craig Swanson) (Editor's Note:  The
following is a summary of Lee R. Reiswig's November 24, 1992 presentation at
Comdex -- "The Power of The Future NOW")

The presentation introduced IBM's Personal Software Products (PSP) organization
and described their product strategy for the future of personal software.  It
focused on the continuing evolution of IBM's current operating systems as well
as on IBM's vision for networking and operating systems in the future.  Future
operating systems software must take three factors into account:  software and
hardware innovation will continue -- making change a way of life; continued,
successful innovation must protect existing investments; and operating systems
must integrate a broad range of platforms -- from $300 palmtops to $300,000
workstations.

IBM's PSP strategy was designed to deliver:

Γûá easy access to information -- anytime, anywhere;
Γûá systems that will leverage their current investments in hardware,
applications, data and training; and
Γûá solutions that will adapt easily to new technologies - allowing customers to
keep up with the pace of change.

The IBM Workplace family will initially encompass DOS, OS/2 and AIX.  The
technology that unifies them will make the systems easy to connect and manage,
able to develop applications simply, and extremely easy to use.  The family
will evolve -- eventually to include Taligent -- by  introducing these unifying
technologies:

Γûá  a common desktop user interface, based on the OS/2 2.0 Workplace Shell that
will allow users to move readily between systems.  This desktop has two
additional benefits for developers: It provides common services, such as filing
and printing, and it results in applications software that has a consistent
design, regardless of the system for which it is built.

Γûá  Common components (e.g., databases, mail and communications) that are
implemented in identical ways and are available as servers from any system,
making it simpler to write applications that will run on multiple systems.  The
most significant of these common components is the microkernel.  It will form
the basis of the OS/2, AIX and Taligent operating systems,  and make those
systems portable across multiple hardware platforms.

Γûá  Powerful object technology from IBM and Taligent to introduce software
libraries that can be extended and combined easily to build new applications
from existing parts.  Application development will change from a model in which
every applications designed and constructed from scratch, to one where new
designs are adapted from standard patterns, or frameworks.  Like common
components, these software libraries will mask underlying differences in the
operating systems.  Applications built using them will be portable across  the
Workplace family.

Γûá  Distributed object technology that makes it natural and simple to build
distributed, client/server applications. Applications can be designed to span
multiple machines and can be tuned to match your particular network.  This
technology has been designed to support emerging industry standards from the
Object Management Group (OMG).  It also was designed in cooperation with
leading language and systems vendors.  It will allow software in the Workplace
family to communicate simply with software in other systems that support the
OMG standard.

Γûá Personalities (the unique characteristics of a particular system) can be
hosted on other systems.  This means that you can move to a new operating
system and carry forward the applications from the old one.  This feature will
enable applications from non-family systems like Windows and Macintosh to run
on family systems like OS/2 and AIX.

The IBM Workplace family operating systems of the future will provide a
framework that can innovate and evolve while protecting your investment in
hardware, applications and training.  Future family  members will consist of a
single microkernel that masks hardware  platform differences; server-like
components providing common services, such as file management and
communications; extensible application design frameworks; and personalities
that host the small number of unique characteristics necessary for an evolving,
innovative environment.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.8. HPFS Tape Backup Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By Robert Montgomery (from Fidonet); Additional comments by Craig Swanson
(Edited for Newsletter)

 1. MG> I am tired of backing up my 240 Mb hard drive to 1.44 Mb
 2. MG> floppies and would really like to get a tape drive for my system. Can
 3. MG> someone help me figure out the least expensive way to get a tape drive
 4. MG> that will work with OS/2 2.0 on a drive that is 240 Mb HPFS
 5. MG> single partitioned drive?

The problem that bothers a lot of people is how to do backup/restore.  A lot of
solutions exist but none are very satisfactory.  Some shareware programs do
partial work in this area.  A user typically wants to save the personalized
work place shell; and, if using HPFS a way to insure that the EA'S (Extended
Attributes) are saved.

Using DOS, most users either use diskettes (too much trouble) or have a QIC-80
tape backup system.  Colorado Jumbo has no OS/2 software, but Irwin has a QIC80
system that looks just like the Jumbo.

Irwin also makes a program called Eztapepm 3.1 that will backup FAT and HPFS to
tape.  But Eztapepm 3.1 has one major flaw.  It has no easy way to restore the
"personalized" Work place shell.  To restore the operating system, OS/2 2.0,
you do the lengthy reinstall.  Not to mention the time to redo the desktop to
your liking.  The average user probably cannot afford a SCSI backup system
($1,500.00 minimum).

Finally, I have discovered a solution.  At least if you have the money to buy:

 1. Irwin Accutrack Plus (external) ($350.00?)
 2. Irwin 4100 controller ($100.00)
 3. IBM Pmtape 2.01 ($88.00 mail order)

Total cost?  Hmmm, about $450 to $500.  Very reasonable price for an external
unit.  I have no experience with the less expensive internal unit or using the
4251 controller (less money than the 4100) or even an internal system that uses
the floppy controller.

But the combination listed above works!  I have done a complete command line
standalone restore using Pmtape standalone program (SR.EXE) on a "virgin" disk.
Made the 3 disks for the HPFS and just rebooted.  Inserted the QIC80 tape
(DC2120) and voila! My entire OS/2, from operating system to WPS, to all
applications were automatically restored without error.  After rebooting, I was
back in operation.

Now I have a fool proof backup of everything.  And it was so easy!  Boot with
three disks and insert tape and it was all done automatically.  It works with
FAT just as well as HPFS.

The Irwin unit has support for DOS (and Windows) and OS/2 via IBM Pmtape 2.01.
If you are ready to buy a tape unit, go with the Irwin.  If, like me, you have
a Jumbo unit, sell it to a DOS (Windows) user.  Some people are waiting for a
Jumbo tape backup application for OS/2.  My advice is don't.  Experience
counts:  Irwin and IBM have supported OS/2 for years.  You should also go with
IBM Pmtape 2.01, because it has standalone restore. That one feature makes it
worth the $88.00 mail order, from Corporate Software (they have an 800#, just
call 1-800-555-1212 and ask).

Craig's Response

I've saved your message because it is very informative and says basically
everything that needs to be said.  One factual error, however, is that the
Irwin tape unit is not QIC80, it uses the Rhomat tape format which is not a QIC
format.  The fact that it uses DC2120 tapes is not the same thing.  Aside from
this slight mistake, however, this is just the kind of thing we could use for
putting together an OS/2 newsletter.

Robert's last word

I hope you use it and correct it so that errors such as the QIC 80 don't
confuse things.  Hopefully I will be able to get some more info on other
variations.  And hopefully you will be able to modify it based on your personal
experiences.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.9. Software Reviews ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. HyperAccess/5

 2. Mr. File/PM

 3. File Commando


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.10. HyperAccess/5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By John Hlavac, NOCCC (North Orange County Computer Club -- California)
Beginning Modem SIG Leader (Fidonet area "OS/2") (Edited for Newsletter)

This program advertises itself as the number one communications program.  Not
the cheapest, but the best.  I felt this program had to prove it's worth the
extra money.  Being a Beginning Modem SIG leader, I also wanted to make sure
that this program is easy for beginners to configure and learn.  HA5 is also a
powerful program chock full of features for the power user.  HA5 comes in an
OS/2 version and a DOS version.  HA5 has  an interesting guarantee: "We
guarantee that you can install and place your first call in less then 20
minutes."  Beginners take note, HA5 won't lose money on either bet.

The user interface is text-based.  This means it's fast, not pretty.  It also
means that the underlying software is compact, good news to those trying to
wedge another program onto the harddisk.  When installed, the DOS version fits
into 1.4mb and the OS/2 version fits into 1.5mb.

Naturally I installed both so that I could compare and contrast. Both programs
look and 'feel' the same.  The difference is in the operating system.  OS/2
will run any DOS-based comm program and HA5 comes with instructions on how to
maximize OS/2 usage of its DOS version.  What isn't made clear, by IBM, is that
each of OS/2's virtual DOS machines has a limit on how many interrupts per
second it will handle.  That number is exceeded by modems faster than 9600 bps.
If you want to download any faster than that you should have an OS/2 based comm
program.  Another advantage of the OS/2 version is the ability to run in the
background, powerful given HA5's scripting and BBSing abilities.  Finally, the
OS/2 version has a unique diagnostic utility that collects data that Hilgraeve
Customer Support can use to track down errors or protection violations.

The look and feel of the screen is well thought out.  The top half has the main
menu, the bottom half has the system list (or dialing directory).  Navigating
the menus is easy using either the keyboard or the mouse. I found using the
keyboard faster. The menus themselves generally make sense although I found
times when I had to consult the online help facility to do what I wanted.

The documentation is full of suggestions to make the keyboard even faster once
you get used to what you are doing. The documentation is easy to read and
thorough, with only a few thin spots.  It comes spiral-bound so that you can
open it flat on the page you're reading. Configuring HA5 is easy.  195 specific
modems or ISDN desksets are supported, but setting up cheapie generic modems,
like mine, was easy.  I found an undocumented question in the user-defined
modem setup.  It gave me a good excuse to try out customer relations.
Unlimited support is available, but it's your phone call.

The Dialing Directory can be sorted three ways, by frequency of use, most
recent use, or alphabetically. It can also be searched. All this is handy since
the directory can hold up to 2000 entries.

The editor that comes with HA5 shares a lot of features with the main program.
The keys configure easily to your tastes.  It's fast, too fast for OS/2's
Workplace Shell to keep up.  To eliminate the jumpiness, HA5 recommends going
full screen instead of in a window -- good advice.  One of the nicer editor
features is the ability to work two files at once, even under DOS, so that you
can use one file as input and one as edited output. The editor has spell
checking, but frankly it's wimpy.

The biggest problem I found with HA5 is that the mouse is brain dead.  If you
want to flag a filename in the file directories of your local BBS you can't do
it.  If you select a filename with the mouse the software will select text up
to the dot and omit the extension name.  On top of that it doesn't just leave
you there, it also adds a CR-LF, so that you can't add the .ZIP with a macro.
It's dumb, dumb, dumb.  Another shortcoming is that HA5 has no fax handling
capabilities, though all the newer modems are fax-modems.

Scripting under HA5 is unusual in more ways than one.  First, it works.  The
learn mode is remarkably perceptive. The only time I had to go back and edit
the learned scripts was when *I* made a typing mistake while it was in learn
mode.  Another unusual aspect of the scripting is that you don't run the script
text, rather you compile it into a binary script.  The scripting language looks
to be extensive with more than 150 commands.  Personally I'm not much of a
script writer but I have a feeling that will change.  This program just begs to
be customized.

Some of the nifty features of HA5 are automatic unzipping of downloaded files,
if you so desire.  Extended point and shoot file handling capabilities are
built into the program, so you don't have to shell out to do basic maintenance.
The virus scanning feature is very nice.  Hilgraeve insists that the scanning
takes place even in ZIPped files.  If that's true it's a real breakthrough in
virus scanning technology.  As most people know, the zipping process changes
the virus' signature, making most SCAN's of ZIPped files an exercise in
futility.  I respectfully declined to test this, although I sure would like to
see it done by an outside authority.

As to upgradability of the signature file Hilgraeve invites customers to pick
up the latest copy quarterly FREE from their BBS, a classy touch.  More
evidence of their class is shown by the respect they pay DSZ, the
difficult-to-use shareware zmodem.  Although they have a Zmodem built-in to the
software, they realize that Forsberg is constantly tweaking his DSZ and they
provide prewritten scripts, so that you can easily use it.

Person-to-person telecommunicating is enjoyable using this program.  If the
other person is using Hyperprotocol, a free external protocol available on your
local BBS, you can send bunches of files without having to ZIP them first. The
protocol compresses them for you.  If the person at the other end has HA5, then
access to your computer can be turbocharged.  DOS or OS/2 access can be
extended to the remote computer, so that the host computer becomes a terminal.
Imagine, being on the road and being able to get something from your home
machine.  File transfers are easy.  While you're on-line, pick up the mail that
HA5 has been automatically picking up for you.  This program will even call you
back, at a predetermined number, if you're really security conscious.

HA5 has gone out of its way to make it easy for ex-Procomm Plus users, like
myself, to make the change over. They've added little command macros for the
key sequences that I'm used to. Things like Alt-X to exit the program. I won't
say that there is no learning curve, but I can say that it's not very high.
The ability to add key sequences to a macro and assign it to almost any key you
desire is one of the indicators of the power of this software.  Don't like the
menu path that Hilgraeve supplies to do something?  Change it to your way of
thinking.  That's right, even stepping through the menus can be automated.

In summary, this is red hot software for communications.  All levels of
computer users will find plenty here. Beginners will find an easy to configure
program with a menu and online help structure that will make learning
telecommunications relatively painless.  More advanced users will find a
configurable program that offers true power at what turns out to be an
extremely reasonable price.

The suggested retail price for HA5(DOS) is $99.95, for HA5(OS2) $199 (carried
by bigger software dealers mainly).  The competitive upgrade price is $49.95
for DOS and $99.50 for OS/2.  If you don't have a competitive product, ask for
the User's Group Price, it's the same as the competitive upgrade. Should you
have a older version of HA5, the upgrade is $29.95; I list this to show that
Hilgraeve is not gouging its customers. Call 1-[phone] to order. UPS
shipping adds $6.00 for everybody.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.11. Mr. File/PM ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By John Faughnan (Originally from FIDONET area "OS/2") (Edited for Newsletter)

A SIMPLE, CONFIGURABLE OS/2 FILE MANAGER

Mr. File/PM is a file management utility that comes in 16 bit (1.x) and 32 bit
(2.x) versions.  It is a PM application that supports WPS drag and drop.  It is
started from the OS/2 command line:  "start mrfile32.exe".  I have a copy of
Norton Commander/PM, a commercial file management utility but I prefer Mr.
File/PM.  It is faster, less troublesome on my system, and much closer to
native OS/2 operation.  Best of all -- it's free!

Double clicking on a file in the Mr. File List launches an associated
application.  For example: double clicking on "config.sys" launches the OS/2
editor.  You can copy, move, delete, clone, rename, change attributes, or print
a file or a group of files.  There's a pseudo-tree  view, and you can sort
lists by name, extension, date or size. Information on file size is a quick-key
away.  You can "remember" a directory and it will then be available on a list
for a quick jump back to it - a useful feature.  You can also copy selected
entries to the clipboard.  A super handy feature is the command line available
by striking the <Esc> key.

It's possible to link extensions to commands.  You can also link behavior to
dropping files on windows with specific NAMES.  Such as a "*.cmd" or REXX
script that runs whenever a file is dropped into a folder with a specific name.
Imagine the possibilities.

The documentation is good and the help file is thorough, but the application is
so easy to use they're almost superfluous.

A must-have utility.  Four BYTES for Mr.File/PM!

Mr. File/PM (4.1)  (Look for "MRFILEPM.ZIP" 259,033k)

Shareware Author:  Mike Kaczmarski


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.12. File Commando ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By Stewart Davis (Originally from FIDONET area "OS/2") (Edited for Newsletter)

I had downloaded another OS/2 file, called File Commando (FC.ZIP, ARJ, etc.).
The author makes no bones about patterning File Commando after Norton's File
Commander and has done a pretty good job at it.

File Commando runs in a text mode only, either as a window on your screen or as
full screen, depending what you choose in the OS/2 settings for the app.  The
window is split into two areas vertically and you can have different
directories in each area.  You can mark, delete, copy or move files from one
directory to the other.  You can fire up a DOS or OS/2 app directly by simply
highlighting the executable and pressing your <ENTER> key.  You can view ascii
text files by highlighting it and pressing your <ENTER> key.  As supplied, FC
uses the OS/2 Editor (E.EXE) as both viewer and editor.  You can change that by
editing the TOOLS.INI file used by FC to call up any viewer or editor you wish.
I changed my viewer to LIST and my editor to TEDP.

FC uses menomic keys, such as V for view.  You can modify the setup to have a
direct command area at the bottom of the screen.  Function keys can trigger
your commands if you choose that method.

Using the selection bar or the function keys, you can rename files,  view
files, edit files, delete'em, move'em , copy'em, etc.

File Commando, unlike Mr. File/PM, does not use the WPS and does not really
have all the bells and whistles of Mr. File/PM.  However, it is simple, clean
and works great within its designed parameters. If you who have been thinking
of buying Norton Commander for OS/2, I suggest you download give File Commando
and give it a try first.  Like Mr. File/PM, it is FREE and may be all the file
management and program launcher you need with OS/2.

On a scale of 10, I would rate FC as a strong 8.

File Commando -- Freeware (tho "a six pack of good beer is always welcome." --
per readme.doc.)
Written by -- Sean Purcell
Hard Drive Space Needed:  57,531


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.13. New OS/2 Software Announcements ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ZORTECH C++ FOR OS/2

 Symantec has released their new C++ compiler for OS/2.  This new release
allows a developer to write text-based or GUI-based 32-bit applications for
OS/2 2.0.  Zortech now has a compiler version for OS/2, DOS and Windows 3.1.
The OS/2 version carries a suggested retail price of $499.  Upgrades from an
earlier OS/2 version will cost $249.  Symantec can be reached at (800)
441-7234. (As reported in PC Week December 14, 1992, page 69)

COLOR TOOLS FOR OS/2

Time Arts, Inc. is shipping the first integrated multimedia product for OS/2.
Color Tools for OS/2 provides tools for developers to build graphics screens
for multimedia applications.  The article also says that multimedia in OS/2 is
better than in Windows 3.1 and Apple's System 7 because of its multitasking and
background tasking. (Remember the film demo of the comparison at the November
meeting?)  Color Tools for OS/2 is reported to include drawing and painting
tools, a light box, color palette, special visual effects and supports
importing of other graphic formats.  Suggested retail price is $595.  Time
Arts, Inc. can be reached at [phone]. (As reported in PC Week December
21, 1992, page 49)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.14. OS/2 Reading ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Inside OS/2 2.0 Special Edition By Mark Minasi, John W. Little, Marlene Semple,
and Bill Camarda(New Riders Publishing)ISBN - 1-56205-134-2; 896 pages. Listed
as $34.95 USA, $43.95 CAN, Γûá32.45 UK.

Claims to be the number 1 OS/2 selling title.  This is the successor to the
"Inside OS/2" book we reported in our December newsletter.  Featured is a
discussion of the inner workings and technical details of OS/2.  Discusses
installation, memory management and backward compatibility options.
Troubleshooting tips and hints are offered for the OS/2 user.  In-depth
coverage of the OS/2 WPS is touted.  You're told you'll learn how to access and
manage OS/2's generous multitasking and communication capabilities.  (Seen at
Bookstar and SD Technical Books)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.15. Benchmark Tests ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Craig Swanson came across some folks who had did some comparisons of the
Windows NT beta to Windows 3.1 and OS/2.  While perhaps not fair in that NT is
not a shipped product yet, it does show the progress that needs to be made yet.

October 1992 NT beta performance versus Windows 3.1

Craig's Note:  This set of benchmarks were done by Eric Lapaille and reported
on the Fidonet WIN32 echo.

Load a 2.3 MB Write document using Windows 3.1 WRITE

Windows 3.1   28 seconds
Windows NT    40 seconds

Find a Word at the End of the above Document

Windows 3.1   40 seconds
Windows NT    59 seconds

NT vs. OS/2 vs. Windows 3.1

Craig's Note:  The next set of benchmarks were done by Albert Shan and reported
on the Fidonet WIN32 echo.

Test software

   October 1992 NT beta
   Windows 3.1
   December 1992 OS/2 2.1 beta.

      (NT beta and OS/2 2.1 beta are on the *same* FAT  logical drive)

   PC Magazine WinBench 2.51 benchmark software

Test hardware

   486DX2/66 with 20MB RAM
   Display adapter is Diamond SpeedStar 24 (ET4000)
   ISA bus speed set to 11MHz

Test conditions

   No other background tasks were running (no clock, memory meter, etc.).
   The mouse pointer was constantly moved away from the client window from one
   benchmark to another.  This minimized mouse cursor blinks while the screen
   was updated.
   Tests were done in VGA 640x480 16-color mode.
   Only Enhanced mode was tested for native Windows 3.1 and OS/2 2.1 beta,
   since most people will be using Enhanced mode anyway.
   Winmark was run three times and the average was calculated.

There are two benchmark results, one with the CPU running at full speed --
turbo speed on; the other with the turbo switch off.

Norton SI 5.0

Running on Plain DOS

Turbo On   103.3
Turbo Off   46.5

October 1992 Windows NT Beta

Turbo On   2,149,032 pixels/sec.
Turbo Off   1,244,840 pixels/sec.

Windows 3.1 Enhanced Mode

Turbo On    3,996,561 pixels/sec.
Turbo Off   2,384,168 pixels/sec.

OS/2 2.1 Beta With WinOS/2 3.1 Enhanced Mode>>>Full Screen

Turbo On    4,009,681 pixels/sec.
Turbo Off   2,383,379 pixels/sec.

OS//2 2.1 Beta with WinOS2 3.1 Enhanced Mode--Seamless

Turbo On    3,670,278 pixels/sec.
Turbo Off   2,087,474 pixels/sec.

Just for comparison, seamless WinOS2 3.1 in standard mode under the latest 2.1
beta with "Turbo ON" achieved a Winmark score of 3,684,381 pixels/second,
approximately the same as seamless WinOS2 3.1 enhanced mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16. Media Scan December and January ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. OS/2 Sales Increasing?
 2. Ship Date of OS/2 2.1 Revised
 3. MACH Microkernel and OS/2's Future
 4. 1-2-3 and Freelance Betas Released
 5. Medical Center  Picks OS/2 Network
 6. MicroGrafx and IBM Extend Mirrors Pact
 7. Co-Creator of BASIC Dies
 8. Norton Commander for OS/2 Reviewed
 9. Microsoft Reviewed by U.K.
10. IBM Reorganization
11. PC Magazine Award for OS/2 2.0
12. PC Magazine Reviews OS/2 Books


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.1. OS/2 Sales Increasing? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Each month, Datamation publishes sales rankings of software, based apparently
on figures from Corporate Software, Inc.  These rankings "reflect monthly
software sales primarily to Fortune 1000 companies in the U.S."

In the "Utilities/OSs" category, OS/2 has climbed from a ranking of 8 in the
9/92 data to a ranking of 7 in the 10/92 data.  By cross-referencing the "DOS"
and "Utilities/OSs" categories, one can derive a ranking for OS/2 in relation
to the "DOS" software category.

Using the 9/92 data, OS/2's relative ranking is somewhere below the (last
reported) 10th ranking DOS program (Procomm Plus).  However, using the 10/92
data, OS/2's relative ranking is equivalent to the 6th ranking DOS program
(Harvard Graphics).

This appears to be an indication that OS/2 sales are significantly increasing,
for at least one vendor.

>       Datamation, September and October 1992 >       From Lou Culbertson
(From FIDONET "OS/2" area)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.2. Ship Date of OS/2 2.1 Revised ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The beta program for the next version of OS/2, version 2.1, reportedly
increased to include 5,000 users.  This beta version includes more SVGA
drivers, 32-bit graphics engine, more printer drivers, Windows 3.1 support,
multimedia extensions.  It was stated that we would be able to run OS/2 and DOS
applications when running full screen Win-OS/2.  It's also stated that Win-OS/2
3.1 could be installed separately, indicating the likelihood of a future
Windows-less OS/2 version.  A new mini-applet that is capable of sending
one-page FAXes was also reported.  Estimated ship date is March 1993.  If you
just can't wait that long, you can order the OS/2 2.1 beta for $15 (it's
shipped on CD ROM) by calling [phone].

>       InfoWorld, December 28 - January 4, 1993
>       PC Week - January 11, 1993


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.3. MACH Microkernel and OS/2's Future ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A technical review article offering some insight on the Mach Microkernel being
developed.  The idea behind Mach is that the core of the operating system
should be lean and portable.  Some of the vendors working with Mach are NeXT,
OSF and IBM.  The article discusses many topics such as the history of Mach,
Mach internals, Multiprocessing, Transparent libraries and Scheduling.  The
article tries to inform the reader of what Mach is and isn't to help evaluate
future products based on it.

>       PC Week - December 21, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.4. 1-2-3 and Freelance Betas Released ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Lotus is readying a suite of OS/2 applications to use the OS/2 WPS interface
and 32-bit memory management.  PC Week reported the betas were a bit rougher
than expected (remember the demo we saw in November?)  The new 1-2-3 OS/2
version reportedly has better graphics and charting abilities than it's Windows
counterpart.  Freelance for OS/2 is supposed to have spell checking and better
charting options -- features not in it's Windows edition. SmartIcons are
included.  The article was an extensive review of both products.  The review
deemed them both good upgrades for OS/2 users.

>       PC Week - December 21, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.5. Medical Center Picks OS/2 Network ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma is reported to have revamped its IS
by implementing a network of OS/2-based PC's.  It's reported to go live in
March 1993.  It's using OS/2, Novell LAN and 3Net Systems, Inc. (for app
development) tools.  The reported goal of the project is to save $10 million
over 5 years in eliminating mainframe maintenance costs.  The medical center's
mainframe applications were stated to be over 20 years old.

>       Computerworld - December 14, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.6. MicroGrafx and IBM Extend Mirrors Pact ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

MicroGrafx (MG) and IBM inked a new two-year deal for joint licensing and
development.  MG will extend the Mirrors technology based DMK/2 toolkit to
support Windows 3.1, multimedia and international languages.  It will be sold
under the MG logo instead of IBM's.  MG is to assist 3rd parties porting apps
from Windows to OS/2. MicroGrafx will ship its own MicroGrafx Designer for OS/2
later in December.

>       PC Week - December 7, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.7. Co-Creator of BASIC Dies ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The BASIC computer language so many of us are familiar with was co-created by
John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz in 1964.  Mr. Kemeny died in early January 1993.
Autobiographical article.

>       Computerworld - January 11, 1993


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.8. Norton Commander for OS/2 Reviewed ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

As reported in the December newsletter, Symantec had released Norton Commander
for OS/2.  Two publications gave it their first reviews.  PC Week gave it a 3.3
out of a possible 5.  InfoWorld gave it a plus for easy use of OS/2's WPS but a
minus for lacking certain features.

>       PC Week - December 14, 1992
>       InfoWorld - December 28, 1992 - January 4, 1993


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.9. Microsoft Reviewed by U.K.: ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Microsoft is receiving scrutiny by both the FTC in the USA and by the FTC
counterpart in the UK -- the "Office of Fair Trading".  In question is
Microsoft's DOS licensing pricing practices.  Simply, Microsoft has vendors pay
a fee for all PC's made, even if MS DOS is not installed on them.  If they
don't choose this plan, the MS DOS licensing fee is higher.

>       Computerworld - December 21, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.10. IBM Reorganization ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Computerworld ran a front page dual set of columns discussing IBM's
reorganization.  From the PC to the AS/400 and OS, IBM's strategies are
reviewed.  The analysts also provide their opinions as to what IBM should have
done.

>       Computerworld - December 21, 1992


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.11. PC Magazine Award for OS/2 2.0 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PC Magazine (believe it) gave IBM's OS/2 2.0 it's 1992 "Award for Technical
Excellence" in the Operating System and Software Standards category.

>       PC Magazine - January 12, 1993


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.16.12. PC Magazine Reviews OS/2 Books ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PC Magazine reviewed 3 books we mentioned in the December newsletter.  The
editor's final summary of these books == "Now That I Have OS/2 on My
Computer...What Do I Do Next?" -- easy overview of OS/2's WPS.  "Using OS/2
2.0" -- comprehensive guide. "Inside OS/2" -- for extensive fine tuning of
OS/2.

>       PC Magazine - January 12, 1993


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.17. Consumer Advocate ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By Dave Sichak
San Diego OS/2 User Group

This month my investigative mind was aimed at Logitech.  I and many others have
waited in vain for months in getting OS/2 to recognize our Logitech 3-button
mouse.

A few months ago I called Logitech direct and left a message on their BBS,
inquiring about mouse and hand-scanner support.  Their initial response was
"IBM promised OS/2 would be compatible, not Logitech."  They also indicated
that they were not doing any OS/2 development.

I am still frustrated.  My routine when I get a system freeze (mostly in native
DOS) on occasion is to=>

 1. Re-boot.
 2. Disconnect the PS/2 style bus-mouse from the back of my PC for about 15
    seconds; reconnect the mouse.
 3. Type "MOUSE PC" at a DOS prompt.  This does not reactivate the mouse at
    this point.
 4. Re-boot machine.
 5. Mouse re-activates.

Other users have reported problems with other Logitech serial mice.  The common
reported fix is to make sure your OS/2 "config.sys" file has the following
lines=>

DEVICE=C>\OS2\POINTDD.SYS
DEVICE=C>\OS2\PCLOGIC.SYS SERIAL=COM1
DEVICE=C>\OS2\MOUSE.SYS TYPE=PCLOGIC$

January 13, I left another message on Logitech's BBS [phone] about my
mouse blues.  I called back January 17 and found a message -- they've changed
their tune.  The terse response from their tech support was:  "Thank you for
your feedback.  We are looking at all possibilities of OS/2 for future
consideration."

Then I replied, using my own version of "fuzzy" logic on them.  Their BBS lists
statistics of files downloaded. After I downloaded the latest mouse driver, it
noted that 2,936 callers had downloaded this file.  They have a file available
for download that has information on using Logitech mice with OS/2.  It's
"1002.TXT".  That file has been downloaded 1,311 times.  Therefore, aren't 45%
of their mouse customers interested in OS/2?  Stay tuned til we find the answer
to this dilemma.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18. OS/2 User Groups ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

User Group Introduction

California

Indiana

Texas

Illinois


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.1. California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. ΓûáΓûáΓûáΓûá San Diego OS/2 User Group

   Contact - Craig Swanson
   P.O. Box 13346
   La Jolla, CA  92039-3346
   Meets - 7pm on 3rd Thursday
   Meets at -- IBM @ LaJolla
   8845 University Center Lane
   San Diego, CA  92122
   Phone - Voice -- [phone]
   Phone - BBS  -- [phone]

 2. ΓûáΓûáΓûáΓûá Bay Area OS/2 User Group

   Contact - Guy Scharf
   Software Architects, Inc.
   2163 Jardin Drive
   Mountain View, CA  94040
   Meets -  4th Monday @ IBM Mountain View
   Phone -  Voice -- [phone]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.2. Indiana ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ΓûáΓûáΓûáΓûá Fort Wayne OS/2 User Group
Contact - Stephen Gutknecht
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Meets -  Central Soya on Cook Rd.
Meets -  7pm, 2nd Tuesday
Phone -  Voice -- [phone] (Bus. Hrs.)
Phone -  BBS  -- [phone]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.3. Texas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ΓûáΓûáΓûáΓûá Dallas-Forth Worth OS/2 User Group
Contact -  Toby Pennycuff
CompuServe ID -  70007,6267
1211 Wilshire Blvd.
Arlington, TX  76012-4623
Meets - American Airlines HQ
4255 Amon Carter Blvd. Arlington, TX
Meets - Time and date not listed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.18.4. Illinois ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ΓûáΓûáΓûáΓûá North Suburban Chicago OS/2 User Group
Contact - James R. Schmidt
Meets - William M. Mercer, Inc.
1417 Lake Cook Rd.
Deerfield, IL  60015
Meets - 5.30pm Tues preceding 3rd Thurs.
Phone - Voice -- [phone]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.19. User Group Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For those who travel and have the time or those who want to exchange
information, we'll try to list known OS/2 User Groups whenever we get the
information.  Of course, we can't be responsible if the information proves to
be unreliable -- you, the reader are our best source of this information.  This
month we got the names from a file called "OS2UG.ZIP" that we found on IBM's
OS/2 User Group forum on CompuServe, put together by the Association of PCUG's.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.20. Where to Buy OS/2 Software? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Guess what folks?  We can obtain  OS/2 software applications locally here in
San Diego.  No, it's not CompUSA or that new Computer City store.  It's a local
company called "PCAware Technology".  David Lents, one of our members and
co-sysop with Sue Lin Poh of the PCAware BBS and Pandora's Cafe BBS, did some
investigative research and put together a list of products that we can purchase
through PCAware Technology.  Here's a sampling of what he has to offer.  You
can call PCAware for more information at [phone].  Their BBS phone
number is [phone].

 1. Coreldraw for OS/2 Version 2.5

   Graphics for DTP
   $395

 2. MicroGrafx Draw

   Graphics Drawing and Clip Art
   $109

 3. MicroGrafx Designer

   Graphics for DTP
   $479

 4. Gamma Tech Utilities

   32-bit set of hard disk utilities (HPFS)
   $115

 5. DCF/2

   Disk Compression Utility (HPFS)
   $85

 6. DeScribe 4.0 (32-bit)

   32-bit full Word Processing
   $369

 7. Borland ObjectVision for OS/2

   Object development environment
   $185

 8. WatCom C/386 9.0

   32-bit C compiler (also supporting DOS and Win 3.X)
   $535

 9. HyperAccess/5

   Text mode (VIO) communication/term (DOS Version included, too.)
   $119

10. PMComm-32

   32-bit PM Communication.
   $69

11. Golden CommPass

   CompuServe communications and navigation
   $65

12. RBase 4.0 for OS/2

   32-bit database application
   $500


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.21. New OS/2 Magazine ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By Steve Landrum

I was out making my usual rounds at the mall when I stopped in the Software
Etc. at the Grossmont Shopping Center to ask where the OS/2 software section
was.  They never know but I have to let them know someone wants OS/2 software.
But, I did see an OS/2 magazine called OS/2 MONTHLY.  I noted a couple of
differences about this magazine.  The first difference I noticed was this new
magazine didn't have a slick cover like the other pc magazines.  This is a good
clue that the magazine hasn't been around very long (issue six).

The second difference I noted about the magazine was that there are more
articles than advertisements -- how refreshing.  I went back to the counter to
buy OS/2 MONTHLY where the salesclerk  informed me they did have a book about
OS/2 called "Inside OS/2" but no software.  "I already have that book," I
replied,  "I'll just buy this magazine".

OS/2 MONTHLY seems to be aiming at the broadest possible audience.  Articles
ranged from the OS/2's beginner interest "On the Eve of Installation" by Bill
Zinsmeyer, to the Programmer's interest in "Introducing Containers" by Guy
Scharf with several articles covering the range between these two extremes.  I
didn't see a "Letters to the Editor" department and the QandA department did
not have a question but instead had a good article about the author's
experience in overcoming the media's standard objections to OS/2.  On the
whole, I thought the articles were well written and the magazine was laid out
well but artwork was minimal.  I guess OS/2 MONTHLY reminds me most of the
LAPALS Paradox user's group newsletter INSTANT SCRIPTS.  The contents of issue
Six are below=>

Features

   The OS/2 DOS Environment Part III - by Les Bell
   On the Eve of Installation - by Bill Zinsmeyer
   OS/2 + MIS - by Gary Murphy

Departments

   QandA
   by David Hunt
   Discovering the Workplace Shell - by Brett Kotch
   Review - by Ron Beauchemin and Paul Duncanson
   Advanced PM Programming - by Guy Scharf
   The Ultimate OS/2 Game - by Timur Tabi
   Object Objective - by David Moskowitz
   In The Trenches - by Eric Pinnel

OS/2 MONTHLY is published by

   JDS Publishing
   PO Box 4351
   Highland Park, NJ 08904
   [phone]

Prices

   Cover price  $4.50
   1 Year rate -  $39.00
   2 Year rate - $75.00


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22. OS/2 BBS's ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

BBS Introduction

California

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Missouri

Nevada

New York

Tennessee

Virginia


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.1. BBS Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Those of you who feel like a "treat" on your phone bill once in a while, here's
a list of some local and some not so local OS/2 specific Bulletin Boards....


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.2. California ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. OS/2 Connection

   San Diego, CA
   619-558-9475

 2. PCAware TechNet OS/2

   San Diego, CA
   619-291-9791

 3. PCAware TechNet OS/2

   San Diego, CA
   619-291-2963

 4. Pandora's Cafe

   San Diego, CA
   619-291-9792

 5. Zzyzx Road

   El Cajon, CA
   619-579-0135

 6. AsmLang and OS/2

   San Jose, CA
   408-259-2223

 7. Spectre OS/2 Tech Exch

   Santa Ana, CA
   714-751-9307

 8. T.E.L. Net Systems #2

   Chino, CA
   714-597-7858


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.3. Nevada ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Communitel OS/2 BBS

   Las Vegas, NV
   702-399-0486

 2. Caddis OS/2 BBS

   Las Vegas, NV
   702-453-6981

 3. Las Vegas OS/2 SIG BBS

   Las Vegas, NV
   702-443-5535


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.4. Illinois ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Greater Chicago Online

   Chicago, IL
   708-895-4042


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.5. Florida ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Marquee Systems

   Miami, FL
   305-424-0465

 2. Short Circuit

   Boca Raton, FL
   407-997-2235


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.6. Connecticut ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Fernwood I

   Branford, CT
   203-483-0348

 2. Fernwood II

   Branford, CT
   203-481-7934


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.7. Georgia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. IBM Natl Suppt Ctr

   Atlanta, GA
   404-835-5300

 2. Information Overload

   Riverdale, GA
   404-471-1549


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.8. Virginia ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. OS/2 Shareware

   Fairfax, VA
   703-385-4325


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.9. New York ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. International Lounge

   Babylon, NY
   516-321-8125


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.10. Missouri ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Multitasking Systems

   Kansas City, MO
   816-587-5360


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.22.11. Tennessee ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. The Looking Glass

   Memphis, TN
   901-872-4386