Asking OS/2 things to OpenAI - Fun and maybe Insightful.

[Martin Iturbide]

What is UCONV.DLL

UCONV.DLL is a dynamic-link library (DLL) in the OS/2 operating system that provides support for character set and code page conversion. It is used to convert text data between different character sets and code pages, which can be useful when working with text data that has been encoded in a different character set or code page than the one being used by the current program or system.

UCONV.DLL is typically located in the \OS2\DLL folder of the OS/2 system folder. It is loaded automatically by the system when it is needed, and does not need to be explicitly loaded by programs that use it.

Here is an example of how UCONV.DLL might be used in a program:

#include <os2.h>
#include <uconv.h>

int main() {
   // Convert a string from the ISO-8859-1 character set to the UTF-8 character set
   char *input = "Hello, world!";
   size_t input_len = strlen(input);
   char output[128];
   size_t output_len = sizeof(output);

   if (UconvFromUcs(input, &input_len, output, &output_len, "ISO-8859-1", "UTF-8")) {
      // An error occurred
      return -1;
   }

   // Use the converted string...

   return 0;
}

In this example, the UconvFromUcs function from UCONV.DLL is used to convert the string input from the ISO-8859-1 character set to the UTF-8 character set. The input_len and output_len variables are used to specify the length of the input and output strings, respectively. The UconvFromUcs function returns zero on success or an error code if an error occurred.

[Dave Yeo]

I notice that it is missing the needed defines before include os2.h, eg for the screensaver module, it should be something like,

Code: [Select]

#define INCL_DOS
#define INCL_WIN
#define INCL_GPI
#define INCL_ERRORS
#define INCL_TYPES
#include <os2.h>

The defines are so os2.h actually includes various things. Still for an AI, it isn't too bad at searching Google.

[Martin Iturbide]

But when I asked "Where is OS/2 source code?" it replied:

The source code for OS/2 is not publicly available by default. OS/2 was originally developed by IBM and Microsoft as a proprietary operating system, meaning that the source code was not made available to the public.

However, in 2001, IBM released the source code for a version of OS/2 called "Warp 4" under an open source license called the Common Public License (CPL). This made it possible for developers to access the source code and modify it as they saw fit, as long as they followed the terms of the CPL.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the OS/2 source code, you can try searching online for repositories or archives that contain the source code for Warp 4 or a later version of OS/2. You may also be able to find copies of the source code on forums or discussion boards for OS/2 enthusiasts.

Keep in mind that the source code for OS/2 is copyrighted and is subject to the terms of the CPL. You may need to obtain permission from IBM or other copyright holders if you want to modify or distribute the source code.

Even that I want it to be real, I guess it is wrong. But I wonder what is confusing OpenAI to think that Warp 4 was released under the CPL license?

Today I found it the OpenAI got partially corrected.

where did you find that Warp 4 was released under the CPL license?

I apologize for any confusion - I misspoke earlier. The IBM OS/2 Warp 4 operating system was actually released under a proprietary license and was not available under the Common Public License (CPL). IBM did open source some parts of OS/2, but it wasn't the entire OS and didn't happen at the same time of Warp 4 release. IBM has also ended support for OS/2 in December 2006 and development was halted.

It's possible that there may be some open source projects or forks of OS/2 that have been released under the CPL or other open source licenses, but these would be separate and distinct from the official IBM release of OS/2 Warp 4.

If you are looking for a version of OS/2 that is available under an open-source license, you can look for projects like eComStation or ArcaOS, these are modern versions of OS/2 and available for purchase, but their license may be different than the CPL

Again, I apologize for any confusion caused, and please let me know if you have any further questions.

[Martin Iturbide]

How can I get more young people to code for OS/2 and became part of the community

Getting young people interested in coding for OS/2 and becoming part of the community involves a blend of outreach, education, and creating opportunities that resonate with their interests. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Promote OS/2's Unique Value:

    Highlight the Niche Appeal: OS/2 is a legacy system with unique strengths, such as its stability, and it provides an opportunity to work on low-level systems programming or legacy systems that are rare to find.
    Connect with Retro Computing Enthusiasts: Many young people are drawn to retro computing as a hobby. Position OS/2 within this niche to attract those who have an interest in preserving or reviving older systems.
    Showcase Its Relevance: Emphasize how skills gained in OS/2 development can translate to modern systems programming, driver development, or even embedded systems.

2. Make Learning Accessible:

    Provide Learning Resources: Create beginner-friendly tutorials, guides, and resources that introduce OS/2 programming in a fun, engaging way. Consider creating video tutorials or interactive workshops.
    Leverage Modern Tools: Use modern platforms (YouTube, GitHub, Discord, etc.) to share code, collaborate, and teach OS/2 development. Make sure OS/2 development environments are easy to set up, possibly using virtualization or emulation.
    Hackathons and Coding Competitions: Organize online or in-person events where participants can work on OS/2-related projects. This could be a good way to engage young programmers and show the excitement of building for this platform.

3. Engage with Schools and Universities:

    Collaborate with Computer Science Programs: Offer guest lectures, workshops, or projects related to OS/2. If possible, provide internships or mentorship opportunities where students can gain real-world experience.
    Open-Source Contributions: Encourage students to contribute to open-source OS/2 projects. This can serve as a great entry point for them to get involved with the community and learn.

4. Modernize the Image of the OS/2 Community:

    Be Active on Social Media: Engage with younger audiences on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, or YouTube. Share OS/2’s history, its strengths, and what the community is working on today.
    Create a Vibrant Online Community: A supportive, welcoming environment is key. Consider using platforms like Discord or GitHub to host discussions, share projects, and mentor new developers.
    Highlight Career Potential: Show how working on OS/2 or similar systems programming can be a path to becoming a sought-after expert in legacy systems or even cybersecurity.

5. Offer Mentorship and Guidance:

    Mentorship Programs: Pair young developers with experienced OS/2 developers to provide guidance, encouragement, and advice as they navigate the system.
    Contribute to Meaningful Projects: Allow younger programmers to contribute to projects that have real-world impact, making them feel like they're part of something significant.

6. Gamification and Rewards:

    Create Challenges: Offer challenges or competitions where developers can solve real-world OS/2 problems or develop new features.
    Offer Incentives: You could offer prizes, community recognition, or even financial incentives for significant contributions to OS/2 projects.

By creating an engaging, accessible, and rewarding environment, you can inspire young people to explore OS/2 and become a part of its development community.

[Martin Iturbide]

    Highlight Career Potential: Show how working on OS/2 or similar systems programming can be a path to becoming a sought-after expert in legacy systems or even cybersecurity.

I think that "Highlight Career Potential" may be AI hallucinations 

[RTAN]

That’s interesting, I use ChatGPT quite a lot, especially for info on old OS’s like OS/2. For example I recently had quite a lengthy conversation about it regarding old networking protocols such as NetBIOS. When you install OS/2 Warp Connect you can choose from protocols such as TCP/IP, NetBIOS, and NetBIOS over TCP/IP. I was trying to understand the difference between vanilla NetBIOS and NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

And that took me off on a tangent about NetBEUI since that’s what’s available natively with Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

You are absolutely right Martin that it’s very important to double check answers and challenge ChatGPT quite frequently. It gets things wrong fairly often, such as thinking that OS/2 2.0 was available on CD-ROM (it wasn’t, except for a very limited pre-release). But, to its credit, when challenged it will go away and think about it, then come back with a correction that’s normally closer to the truth.

Perhaps this would be a good time to resurrect the phrase: trust, but verify. 

[Martin Iturbide]

Hello

Yes, it is interesting as a tool and it is always required to check it out the response.
For me it is like the marketing guy that you need to review his stuff before publishing what he says. 

But for me it is interesting tool that can give you some inspiration and ideas. Good for brainstorming.

Regards