Desktop Manager released for OS/2 Workplace Shell

Desktop Manager released for OS/2 Workplace Shell

Development Technologies, Inc. is proud to announce DeskMan/2, the first and only tool designed to manage the OS/2 Workplace Shell; the potent new object oriented user interface that helps put OS/2 years ahead of its competition! For the first time, the Workplace Shell desktop can be backed up, restored, migrated and otherwise managed, all by using a simple Drag and Drop interface. This can be done with one or more individual Workplace Shell objects, or on the whole desktop, with a single command.

DeskMan/2 is fully functional on all versions of OS/2 from OS/2 2.0 plus SOMFIX through OS/2 2.0 plus ServicePak and up to OS/2 2.1 GA. It will not only provide forward compatibility, but also backward compatibility, as necessary. It is CUA-compliant, providing the OS/2 user with a familiar user interface.

DeskMan/2 is fully functional on both FAT and HPFS systems, although HPFS systems do naturally operate at faster speeds.

Typical uses for DeskMan/2 include:

1) For an OS/2 user with a single Workplace Shell desktop.
 * Backup and Restore the Workplace Shell desktop.
 * Share Workplace Shell objects with other users.
 * Create a library of icon files for every object on the desktop.
 * Delete objects which the built-in Shredder will not delete.
 * Query objects for their settings to learn more about them.
 * Create REXX scripts to completely recreate almost any object.
 * Query and replace OBJECTIDs for almost any object.
 * Replace any object's icon with any other object's icon.
 * Change an object's styles, temporarily or permanently.
 * Use Drive mapping when changing application file locations on the system.
 * Will neither save nor restore Minimized Window Viewer or its contents, allowing DeskMan/2 to be used regardless of other objects in use.

2) For an OS/2 user with multiple copies of OS/2 on a single machine.


 * Permits any or all objects to be saved, restored, or migrated between desktops easily.
 * If DeskMan/2 files are stored in a data partition and not an OS/2 boot volume, then Formatting and Reinstallation of new versions of OS/2 becomes a minor inconvenience instead of a major project as the desktop configuration can be easily restored. This is especially useful for those using beta versions of OS/2 who wish to upgrade to OS/2 2.1 GA, as IBM technical support personnel have said that such users will need to reformat their OS/2 boot volumes.
 * Will not replace the Desktop object, DeskMan/2 itself, nor Printer objects, allowing for system specific versions of these objects.

3) For an OS/2 user with multiple machines, such as at home and at work.
 * Permits any or all objects to be saved, restored, or migrated between desktops easily.
 * Will not replace the Desktop object, DeskMan/2 itself, nor Printer objects, allowing for system specific versions of these objects.
 * On most systems, will allow for the DeskMan/2 object description files and the full icon library to fit on one 3.5" 1.44MB diskette, or two 770K diskettes.

4) For an OS/2 administrator with multiple machines on a network.


 * Remotely installable and configurable, including CID enablement
 * Allows easy backup and restoration of OS/2 desktops, cutting the installation time for OS/2 2.1 GA upgrades by a significant factor.
 * Allows easy setup of both personalized and standardized desktops that can be accessed from any workstation.
 * Special corporate version also available.

For more information, please contact Evan Bergman [73220,1030] at Development Technologies, Inc. via email or by phone at (803) 790-9230.

Here are a few of the things that other people have said about DeskMan/2.

"I like to think of myself as an OS/2 power user and as such spend most of my time teaching Workplace Shell tips & techniques. DeskMan/2 is now part of my teaching.  Today I installed OS/2 2.1 golden code and DeskMan/2 saved me at least 4 hours of tedious labor.  I can't imagine being without it." David Barnes - Senior Staff Member - IBM's OS/2 Executive Briefing Center

"It is a beautifully designed, invaluable program. I love DeskMan/2." Edward Mendelson, Contributing Editor, PC Magazine

"Every system administrator of OS/2 networks would kill to get something like this!" Juergen Kuri, OS/2 Support Technician and freelance journalist for a German OS/2 magazine

"Love the program, and I think you have a real winner!" Michael Holmes, Office Technology Manager, Norwich Life Insurance Australia Ltd.

"It is an excellent example of a SOM aware piece of software which is the best example that I have seen of what can be done within the Desktop/SOM paradigm." Lawrence Hunsicker, Chairman, Department of Medicine Computer Applications Committee, University of Iowa College of Medicine

"How could we all live without DeskMan/2 in the ancient times?" Olaf Koch, Author of "OS/2 2.0-Kompendium"

"We have been testing lots of beta 2.1 CDs and this is just what we needed." Mark Ahlstrom, Keller Group, Inc., developers of FaxWorks for OS/2

"DeskMan/2 is truly incredible! You've got a disciple!" Orest Skrypuch, President, Amdox Corp.