OS/2, eCS & ArcaOS - General > Events

Reminder about OS/2 VOICE IIRC speaktup in about 18 hours

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Eugene Gorbunoff:
Killer application is the topic #1.

There are 2 ways: 1) degradation and shrinking of the market  OR  2) expansion and growth

No killer application - no sellings of new licenses. If the killer application exists, then 1 license can be sold today.

Roderick Klein:
Anyway to keep it all very simple. There is not going to be a killer for OS/2 and I do not understand why you put so much focus on this killer application. Such a killer application may have been something possible 20 or 25 years ago. But does days are gone. Even if you would create this killer application you are referring to it would not result in more licenses.  A killer feature would be reimplemented on other platforms (mobile phone and tablet in no time).

What is a strong point as Martin mentioned running your OS/2 applications today on current hardware and that OS/2 is not a cloud connected OS that (like an Android phone) leaks data. You have not complete, but you have MORE privacy/control then with other devices/OS'es. That would be not a killer feature, but a killer functionality...

That said in order for people to use an operating they need more then just ONE killer app. Hence the idea for more software in RPM software to make the useability of the platform slightly bigger. LIke a repackaged media player that installs with a one click...

David Graser:

--- Quote from: Eugene Gorbunoff on February 18, 2018, 06:11:58 pm ---Killer application is the topic #1.

There are 2 ways: 1) degradation and shrinking of the market  OR  2) expansion and growth

No killer application - no sellings of new licenses. If the killer application exists, then 1 license can be sold today.

--- End quote ---

I think you both are correct.  The problem presently is limited resources and how to best utilize them.  The lack of eComstation development the past few years has set the platform back tremendously and hurt the developers who supported it.  In fact, I am sure a lot of them felt betrayed and some left.  Then there are those that think like I do that the WPS has no match on any other platform. 

I for one have been waiting for WIFI for around 7 years.  In fact, I was forced to use my wife's Mac because I had no easy access to an Ethernet outlet.  Yes, I could have bought a laptop with Windows, but I did not care to.  I don't like it being a resource hog and I don't like being tracked on my computer and internet.   However, seeing that OS/2 was being developed in its present form, I broke down and bought a refurbished laptop so I could test and see what has changed.  Yes, I have to use Windows for some things, but I don't like it.

Other thoughts I have.

1.  WIFI, USB3, and printing are a must just to continue to operate. 

2.  I don't think we have to worry about ArcaOS being a gaming platform since most gamers now prefer their gaming consoles.  However, small games like card games, poker games and Mahjong would have an appeal so long as they graphics are well done, enjoyable to play, and the software reasonably priced.

3.  It will have to have what everyone else has such as internet browser and emailer.

4.  People will have to have access to an up-to-date office suite.  Open office development must continue.

5.  PMView needs to be supported by the OS/2 community so we at least have some grahics capability.

Anyone ever played Warcraft or Starcraft back before online gaming became very popular?  One always started out overwhelmed by the opposing forces.  One had to build up ones resources fast just to just to stay alive long enough to counterattack the opposing forces.

I believe Roderick is correct that the base itself needs to be updated.  I like YUM after having used it.  Eugene is correct that a killer application will go a long way to bring in the youngsters.  One of the problems with a killer app is that Windows has no shame stealing ideas and possible code.  Remember back when it was believed that they were using Netscape coding in their software.

Eugene, what do you think the next killer app will be? 

One point ArcaOS developers can do is ensure that their are no back doors into their operating system that allows the alphabet agencies access to computers.  Make the system as hack proof as possible.  This could be a major selling point.  How fool proof is it against viruses?  Can a Windows virus bring down the system? 

This is just my thoughts from an end users perspective.

David

Roderick Klein:
David when it comes to the killer app I think that is fantasy by now. I will explain why.
More and more its about data and not the OS (platform you run).  While I do not like cloud storage.
I do need a computer to file my tax return and to have convenient access to my bank account etc.
I am more then happy to hear what Eugene his idea is what items we could think of being a killer app for the platform.

I read somewhere that USB 3.0 is getting pretty close. At least at AN they are working on this issue.
Printing we have CUPS and improvements continue to be made on it. ArcaOS I understood ships with a postscript that fixes longstanding issue's for supporting CUPS. \

Wifi is much more complex but its being worked as well by Arca Noae.  The wifi story is long and sadly more complex. I used to work at Mensys and the time the Multimac project was started. The idea was to first work on ethernet drivers by porting LInux code. Work on Wifi got started but after the Linux kernel guys modified something the Multimac Linux approach was broken. I understood from David Azarewicz from Arca Noae that Wifi drivers ARE WAY MORE complex then wifi drivers.  They now have a whole bunch of new ethernet drivers ported with a FreeBSD library and Wifi is being worked on.  So they are working on wifi drivers its just a lot of work. And other projects such as ACPI and other drivers also require attention.

We have the current version of Open Office and work on Firefox and Thunderbird moves on.

Anyway the community can not count on BWW and Arca Noae alone to pull this long overloaded freight train up the mountain. This why I was trying to see if people would be willing to help package RPM packages so that some of this software could be easly found in one repo and installed with one click and updated when updates are released.

All free of charge of course.

Doug Bissett:

--- Quote ---1.  WIFI, USB3, and printing are a must just to continue to operate.
--- End quote ---

WiFi can be worked around, by using an Ethernet adapter. I use a D-Link 506-L device. USB 3 is necessary, since manufacturers aren't supplying anything else now, and I do know that Arca Noae is working on it. Printing is an interesting topic. 30 years ago, I was told that printing wouldn't exist in 5 years. Well, here we are, and it is still essential. Personally, I don't print much any more, but it is still essential. I never did figure out how printer manufacturers could invent so many ways to do printing. It would seem to be a pretty simple concept, but I suppose that copyright laws force them to invent new ways to do it.


--- Quote ---4.  People will have to have access to an up-to-date office suite.  Open office development must continue.
--- End quote ---

This is more of a sales job, than a necessity. If you need to stay compatible with other platforms, yes, you probably need a current office suite. On the other hand, almost any office suite will do what most people need, and more.


--- Quote ---5.  PMView needs to be supported by the OS/2 community so we at least have some grahics capability.
--- End quote ---

Now, if there is a "killer" app, for OS/2, this is it. Unfortunately, one of these days, support for PMView is going to go away, unless the author takes steps to open source it, or turn it over to someone who can continue development. We lost Describe, because that wasn't done, but those who have Describe can still use it, and it works as well as it ever did (and better than most). The problem is, that you cannot get a new license to use it, and it can't be updated to support new hardware. There is nothing wrong with the program itself.


--- Quote ---All free of charge of course.
--- End quote ---

Nothing is "free'. You either put some effort into helping, or you support it by paying for it. Anybody who thinks it will come "free" is dreaming.

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