IBM PSP Developer Support News - 1993 - Issue 4

IBM Personal Software Products

Issue 4 - 23 July 1993
 * Notice: IBM PSP Developer Support News is normally published once a month, around the middle of each month. However, extra issues - such as this one - will come out when there is timely news. The next regularly scheduled issue will appear on or about 16 August 1993.

Contents
The table of contents contains search codes for going directly to items that interest you.


 * IBM Device Driver Workshops Begin 9 August
 * Driver Development Support Center Update
 * IBM Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta
 * Beta for IBM LAN NetView Fix
 * IBM PenAssist Developers Program Offerings
 * IBM PSP Rebuttal to Microsoft Document Comparing Windows NT and OS/2 2.1
 * IBM's Personal Software Products Technical Interchange - the Home Stretch!
 * Common Desktop Environment Developers Conference
 * Second International Colorado OS/2 Developers Conference
 * Correction to Application Discount Advertising Program Fax Number
 * Announcement Letters Available Via IBM FAX
 * 800 Phone Numbers
 * Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, Service Marks

CDN = Canadian GMT = Greenwich Mean Time GST = Goods and Services Tax (in Canada) USD = United States Dollars SD = Singapore Dollars
 * Abbreviations

IBM Device Driver Workshops Begin 9 August
The IBM Boca Raton PSP Development Laboratory announces a series of OS/2 (R) 2.x Device Driver Workshops. Designed for C or Macro Assembler programmers, these five-day workshops are presented at IBM's Boca Raton Design Center, or can be brought to your location.

In each workshop, you design and build device drivers for your specific hardware. The morning lectures cover the topics listed in the workshop descriptions below; the afternoon lab sessions concentrate on developing your custom device drivers. Workshop Schedule for 1993                                   Workshop # 9 - 13 August    Multimedia Physical Device Drivers           OS2DD309 20 - 24 September Physical Device Drivers                      OS2DD101 11 - 15 October   Pointer Device Drivers                       OS2DD304 15 - 19 November  Virtual Device Drivers                       OS2DD201 13 - 17 December  Device Managers                              OS2DD305 Other Workshops in the Series o Presentation Manager Display Drivers                         OS2DD301 o SVGA Seamless Windows PM Drivers                             OS2DD302 o Adapter Device Drivers                                       OS2DD303 o Printer Device Drivers                                       OS2DD306 o Industrial Control Device Drivers                            OS2DD307 o LAN Device Drivers                                           OS2DD308
 * To Enroll

To enroll in an OS/2 Device Driver Workshop, call the Dynamic Upload/Download Environment (DUDE) BBS at 1-407-982-3217, and follow the instructions, or leave a voice message on 1-407-982-4239.


 * August Workshop: Multimedia Physical Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD309

Kicking off the IBM Device Driver Workshop series is the pilot Multimedia Physical Device Drivers workshop, to be held 9 through 13 August at the IBM Design Center in Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

This workshop enables programmers to write OS/2 multimedia physical device drivers (MM PDDs). An MM PDD allows multimedia I/O ports (audio, video capture, MIDI, and so on) to be shared by multiple OS/2 applications. This workshop describes how the MM PDD communicates with the OS/2 kernel using the DeVHlp interface. Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively to build and test the MM PDD.

The target audience is IBM or OEM programmers who code device drivers for PC multimedia hardware, such as audio, video capture, or MIDI interfaces.

Outline: o OS/2 structure o Device driver types -- Physical device driver -- Character versus block -- Modes, times -- Init, kernel, interrupt, timer o Init sequence - CONFIG.SYS processing o Utilities, debuggers o Semaphores o PDD address space -- Memory management o MM extensions, DLL interfaces -- MIDI, audio, video -- Device-sharing techniques -- Streaming protocols o VDD communication o Lab: Developing OEM MM physical device drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C or Macro Assembler o Have written device drivers/utilities for OEM hardware (DOS device   drivers, ROM BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft   (R) C Compiler 6.0) There is NO CHARGE for attending this pilot workshop or for the class materials. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation, accommodations, and meal expenses.

Each attendee will be assigned a fully configured OS/2 workstation to use during the week.

You will need to bring the source code for the device driver that you want to convert to OS/2 2.x; your favorite text editor; and any third-party software you may need for device-driver development.

You must also bring your own personal computer to use for development. The following specifications are suggested for a development PC: o 386- or 486-based, 25 MHz or faster o 8 MB of RAM memory (16 MB recommended) o VGA display (or SVGA or XGA) o 100 MB hard disk (200 MB recommended) o OS/2 2.1 installed o Any additional hardware to be used for development. IBM is limiting the seating in this workshop to 14 people, in order to offer quality technical assistance and to have a productive session.

To confirm a seat in this workshop, complete the OS/2 Device Driver Workshop Registration Form, file REGISTRA.TXT on the DUDE BBS, by Wednesday 4 August. The BBS phone number is 1-407-982-3217.

For more information about this workshop, call Bob Peterson at 1-407-443-8289.


 * Other Workshop Descriptions

Some of the other workshops in the Device Driver Workshop series are described below in workshop numeric order. The remaining workshops are under development; their descriptions, when available, will be published in this newsletter.


 * Physical Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD101

This workshop enables programmers to write OS/2 2.x physical device drivers (PDDs). A PDD enables PC hardware to be shared by multiple OS/2 applications. This workshop describes how the PDD communicates with the OS/2 kernel using the DevHlp interface. Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively to build and test the PDD.

The target audience is IBM or OEM programmers who code device drivers for PC hardware, such as serial, parallel, SCSI, or proprietary interfaces.

This workshop is a prerequisite for all other device driver workshops.

Outline: o OS/2 structure o Device driver types o Physical device driver -- Character versus block o Modes, times -- Init, kernel, interrupt, timer o Init sequence -- CONFIG.SYS processing o Utilities, debuggers -- Compiler, Assembler, Linker usage -- Symbol generation (MAPSYM) -- Kernel debugger (KDB) o Processor support o Semaphores o PDD address spaces -- Memory management o Monitor implementations o VDD communication o Lab: Developing OEM physical device drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in either C or Macro Assembler o Have written device drivers for OEM hardware (DOS device drivers, ROM   BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0)
 * Virtual Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD201

This workshop enables programmers to write OS/2 2.x virtual device drivers (VDDs). A VDD enables multiple DOS applications to share hardware. This workshop describes how the VDD communicates with the OS/2 kernel and DOS session manager using Virtual Device Helper (VDH) Services. Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively to build and test the VDD.

The target audience is IBM or OEM programmers who code device drivers for PC hardware, such as serial, parallel, SCSI, and custom interfaces.

Outline: o OS/2 structure -- Device driver types o Virtual device drivers -- MVDM - Definition and overview -- VDH - Virtual DevHlp -- Event trapping: Interrupt, port -- Memory management . VDM initialization (instance, global) . Synchronization with system events o Utilities, debuggers -- Compiler, Assembler, Linker usage -- Symbol generation (MAPSYM) -- Kernel debugger (KDB) o DDK contents -- Organization, build tree, sample code o Debug procedures o Lab: Developing OEM virtual device drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C (expertise in Macro Assembler useful) o Knowledge of OS/2 2.x physical device drivers (attendance at workshop   OS2DD101 recommended) o Have written device drivers/utilities for OEM hardware (DOS device   drivers, ROM BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0)
 * Presentation Manager Display Drivers, workshop OS2DD301, and SVGA Seamless Windows Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD302

These workshops enable programmers from PC video board manufacturers to write OS/2 2.x Presentation Manager (PM) display drivers (DDs). A PM DD enables video hardware to support the PM desktop and the Workplace Shell (WPS). These workshops cover the PM DD modules that are used to interface OS/2 to the display; this includes support for WIN and GPI calls. Graphics engine interfacing is covered in detail. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively in order to build and test the PM DD.

The target audience is IBM or Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) programmers who code device drivers for video display cards. Outline: o OS/2 structure -- Device driver types . PM device drivers o Block diagram (PM driver modules) -- Logic, data flow o Device context -- Types, data types, stack usage o Dynamic Link Library (DLL) functions (imported, exported) o Presentation Driver Interface o Protocol -- Return codes, error strategy -- Allocating memory, protection implementation -- Exit list processing, interrupts o Development topics -- Transform matrix values, bounds computations -- Clipping, coordinate values -- Correlation, drawing to display drivers o DDK contents -- Organization, build tree, tools, DSPINSTL -- Display Test Tool (DTT), test case DLLs o OS/2 2.1, 32-bit SVGA display driver -- IBMVGA32.DLL, IBMDEV32.DLL, DSPRES.DLL . Background mix options, palette management o Lab: Developing OEM PM display drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C, Macro Assembler o Have written device drivers for video hardware (DOS device drivers,   ROM BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0, MASM 6.0)
 * Adapter Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD303

This workshop enables programmers to write OS/2 adapter device drivers (ADDs). An ADD communicates with SCSI or proprietary I/O interfaces that usually connect to hard disks, CD-ROM devices, and so on. This class describes how the ADD communicates with the Device Manager (DMD) using the Input/Output Request Block (IORB) interface. Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively to build and test the ADD. The target audience is IBM or OEM programmers who code device drivers for PC I/O interfaces such as SCSI or proprietary. Outline: o OS/2 structure o Device driver types o Driver stack under OS/2 2.x   --  Adapter Device Driver (ADD) -- Filter ADD (FLT), Device Manager (DMD) o CONFIG.SYS -- Installation (BASEDEV= ) -- Boot sequence o ADD development consideration -- Command-line parameters -- Error handling o IORB - format, control o Device table structure o TESTCFG.SYS -- IOCTL functions, parameters o CDROM filter ADD example -- Sample code layout o Device driver profiles o Impact: SCSI versus proprietary interfaces o Lab: Developing Adapter Device Drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C (expertise in Macro Assembler useful) o Have written device drivers for hard disk I/O (DOS device drivers,   ROM BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0) o Knowledge of OS/2 2.x PDDs (attendance at workshop OS2DD101   recommended)
 * Pointer Device Drivers, workshop OS2DD304

This workshop enables programmers to write pointer device drivers to enable pointing devices, such as mice, trackballs, touch screens, light pens, tracking pens, and Braille pads, to be used with OS/2 2.x by OS/2, DOS, and Windows (TM) applications. This class describes how to communicate with other device drivers and the kernel using the DevHlp interface. Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The OS/2 Device Driver Kit (DDK) is used extensively to build and test the pointer device driver.

The target audience is IBM or IHV programmers who code device drivers for pointer devices such as mice, pens, etc.

Outline: o OS/2 structure o Device driver types o Pointer device driver model -- Character -- Elements: physical, virtual -- Device-dependent code versus device-independent code -- Swappable / resident -- Physical versus logical -- FG / BG / detached request processing o Required functions -- Collision check -- Pointer positioning logic -- Queue processing o IOCtl support o Request handler structure o Error handling o IDC to other modules o Monitor processing o Lab: Developing OEM pointer device drivers Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C and Macro Assembler o Have written device drivers / utilities for OEM hardware (DOS device   drivers, ROM BIOS, test utilities) o Have purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0) o Knowledge of OS/2 2.x PDDs (attendance at workshop OS2DD101   recommended)
 * Device Managers, workshop OS2DD305

This workshop enables peripheral manufacturers to use a SCSI adapter to communicate with diverse peripherals, such as SCSI laser printers, CD-ROMs, scanners, and other SCSI peripherals, by writing an OS/2 device driver. Because SCSI supports multiple device types, multiple device managers allow support for dissimilar I/O devices operating from the same SCSI adapter. This workshop describes how to implement a device manager (DMD) in order to provide a uniform interface between clients and adapter device drivers (ADDs). Installation and debug techniques are also covered. The target audience is IBM or IHV programmers who code device drivers for logical devices such as CD-ROM, WOM, etc. The code developed in this module is independent of the physical connection (e.g., SCSI or proprietary) to the logical device. Outline: o OS/2 structure o Device driver types o Driver stack under OS/2 2.0 -- Adapter device driver (ADD), filter ADD, device manager (DM) o CONFIG.SYS -- Installation (BASEDEV= ) o Boot sequence o DMD development considerations -- Command-line parameters, error handling o Input/Output Request Block (IORB) -- Control, format o Device table structure o OS2DASD.DMD example walkthrough -- Sample code layout o Device driver profiles o DDK contents -- Organization, build tree -- Tools . Display Test Tool (DTT) -- Test case DLLs o Lab: Device driver development Prerequisites: o Programming expertise in C (expertise in Macro Assembler useful) o Knowledge of OS/2 2.x physical device drivers (workshop OS2DD101) or   equivalent o Knowledge of IHV programming protocol o Purchased development software (OS/2 2.1, OS/2 DDK, Microsoft C   Compiler 6.0, MASM 5.1)

Driver Development Support Center Update
The Driver Development Support Center (DDSC) group in IBM Boca Raton, Florida has the mission to provide worldwide support to all device-driver developers, both within and outside IBM. The DDSC provides a single point of contact for all device-driver developers to get answers to their questions. To obtain support, device-driver developers should use a PC and modem to call the Dynamic Upload/Download Environment (DUDE) BBS at 1-407-982-3217. After completing a self-registration, they will have limited access to the system, and will then receive further information about the BBS and about the DDSC. Within one business day, the DDSC group will verify completion of the registration information, upgrade the developer's access level to NORMAL, and notify the developer. Developers experiencing problems connecting to the DUDE BBS can leave a voice message on 1-407-982-4239. A member of the DDSC team will return the call before the end of the next business day. (For more details about the DDSC, see the 15 July issue of this newsletter.)

IBM Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta
Digital video is the business revolution of the '90s. Like the 1980s' desktop publishing revolution, personal desktop multimedia is exploding in this decade.

Now, you can be your own producer with the Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta. Users of OS/2 2.1 can watch the stimulating videos you make, right on their computers, without any additional video hardware. Imagine being able to add appealing digital video clips to create: Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta gives you the capability for all this and more!
 * Exciting business presentations for a stronger message.
 * Powerful electronic newsletters that better inform your readers.
 * Lively spreadsheets to enhance the look of the bottom line.
 * Effective training material for reinforced learning.
 * Great-selling multimedia CD-ROMs from your published printed books.

Add video segments to your business presentations using an easy-to-use authoring tool like Ultimedia Builder/2. Then take your pitch on the road and play it on your notebook computer. You'll amaze your audience!

To create movies in a few easy steps:

First, install a video capture adapter and the Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta software on your computer. Then, hook up a camcorder, VCR, or laserdisc player to the video capture adapter. Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta can record real-time video (camcorder and VCR) up to 15 frames per second, or frame-by-frame video on a laserdisc for higher-quality video.

Next, choose the video digitizing and compression technology you want, either Ultimotion 1 or Indeo (R) (shipped with the final product). Then record the video, adjusting the frame rates and image sizes, using the Video Recorder application. When you're done, AVI files are created.

The video files can be treated like any multimedia data object. And for distribution, any OS/2 2.1-installed system can play the files. It's as easy as that!

In addition, Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta has adjustable features such as selectable data rates. Typical rates are from 150 to 300 KB per second. Use low data rates for single-spin CD-ROM, or higher rates for improved quality.

By accepting the Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta package, you agree to evaluate multimedia applications under development for the OS/2 32-bit MMPM/2 environment, and to provide feedback to IBM. No warranty or service is implied. Information about this product will be posted in the MMPM/2 library section of the OS2DF1 forum on CompuServe (R), and responses to technical questions about the beta code will be provided only via CompuServe. To access the OS2DF1 forum, enter GO OS2DF1. If you are not a CompuServe user, call 1-800-524-3388, and ask for representative number 239, for a free introductory membership. To order the Ultimotion Workshop/2 Beta, call 1-800-3IBMOS2.
 * Highlights
 * Compression technology
 * Ultimotion
 * Indeo (supported in final product)
 * Video Recorder/Editor
 * Input monitor function
 * Real-time video record
 * Frame-step video record
 * Cut, copy, and paste
 * Video attribute control
 * Frame rate control
 * Still image capture (bit maps)
 * AVI File Utility
 * File browser/walker
 * Merge, split, interleave, and skew functions
 * Video Capture Device Support (NTSC and PAL)
 * Creative Labs' Video Blaster (ISA)
 * IBM Video Capture Adapter/A (Micro Channel)
 * Jovian Logic SuperVIA (Micro Channel and ISA)
 * Sigma Designs' WinMovie/Jovian QuickVIA (ISA)
 * Software Motion Video (asymmetric / real-time)
 * Audio Adapter Support
 * Creative Labs' Sound Blaster (TM)
 * IBM M-Audio Capture Playback Adapter and Adapter/A
 * Media Vision's Pro Audio Spectrum 16
 * Laserdisc Support
 * Pioneer 4200, 4300D (NTSC and PAL), 4400, 8000
 * Hardware Requirements
 * 386 SX-based, 25 MHz IBM PS/2 (R) (or equivalent non-IBM personal computer), or higher, for playback and asymmetric recording. A 486-based system is the recommended minimum for real-time recording.
 * OS/2 2.1 with Multimedia Presentation Manager/2 (TM) (MMPM/2)
 * 12 MB of RAM memory (more for better performance)
 * A supported display adapter: VGA, SVGA, XGA (TM), or XGA-2
 * A supported audio adapter (see list above)
 * Terms and Conditions
 * How to Obtain the Beta

Beta for IBM LAN NetView Fix
The IBM LAN NetView (R) Fix application is now available for beta testing. The Fix product is another the LAN NetView applications being made available for beta testing.


 * LAN NetView Fix

The IBM LAN NetView Fix Version 1.0 application is designed to receive and process Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) events in an OS/2 2.x environment.

The Fix program performs the following tasks:
 * Register for CMIP and SNMP event notifications from specified resources on selected managed systems.
 * Receive event notification from managed systems.
 * Store events specified by the user into an IBM Database Manager database.
 * Display events specified by the user on an event console as they are received.
 * Provide special handling for events that are designated as important by the user.
 * Retransmit events that cannot be processed at the managing workstation so that they can be received by another managing application (for example, LAN NetView Tie). If received by Tie, the events can then be forwarded to a NetView host.
 * Call a pager when a specified event is received.
 * Display a message pop-up when a specified event is received.
 * Invoke user-specified routines for personalized handling of received events.


 * Who Qualifies?

Qualifying applicants are network planners and administrators who want to become familiar with the LAN NetView Fix product.


 * Ordering Instructions
 * Current beta participants:
 * Customers who are currently testing with the LAN NetView family of products shipped at the end of June need to complete and return the surveys received with that shipment of beta code. Upon receipt of those completed surveys, you will be sent the LAN NetView Fix product.
 * New LAN NetView beta participants:
 * Customers may order all of the LAN NetView family currently in beta by doing one of the following:
 * In the USA, call 1-800-IBM-3040. You will be charged for reproduction and distribution costs. The costs will be 100 USD for the user package and 200 USD for the developer package, plus shipping. The developer package contains additional documentation for those interested in developing their own applications.
 * In Canada, call 1-800-561-5293. You will be charged for reproduction and distribution costs. The costs will be 120 dollars CDN for the user package and 200 dollars CDN for the developer package, plus shipping. The developer package contains additional documentation for those interested in developing their own applications.
 * In Asia/Pacific and Europe, contact your IBM marketing representative.

IBM employees can obtain the beta code and publications by typing at the VM command line: TOOLS SENDTO AUSVM1 D953TLS2 OS2DSM GET packagename PACKAGE Package names are: User package, LNVBETAU Developer package, LNVBETAD Publications only package, LNVBETAP Fix only package, LNVBETAF


 * Question-and-Answer Support
 * On CompuServe, use the LAN NetView messages section of the OS2DF2 forum.
 * On the OS2BBS, access the OS/2 Question-and-Answer bulletin boards, page down, and select the IBM LAN NetView beta code topic.
 * IBM employees may use the LANNETVU CFORUM on the IBMPC disk.

IBM PenAssist Developers Program Offerings
IBM offers two tiers of support in its PenAssist (TM) Developers Program. Tier 1, which has no annual fee, offers support on the IBM Pen forums on CompuServe; use of IBM test centers; and the PenDOS Software Developer Kit. Tier 2, for which there is a 500 USD annual fee, includes all offerings in Tier 1, plus many hardware, software, and business discounts. Tier 2 members also have direct contact with the IBM Pen Software support organization, which offers technical and marketing support. Here is a summary of IBM PenAssist Developers Program offerings.

Tiers 1 and 2
IBM has established two Pen forums on CompuServe. These forums, available at all times, provide additional technical information about IBM Pen products. In the message sections of these forums, you can ask questions and receive expert guidance from IBM and other developers who are writing software for the Pen environment. The OS/2 forum is the OS2DF2 forum, section 7 (Pen software). The general hardware / software forum is the THINKPAD forum. Members of Tiers 1 and 2 of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program are entitled to a free introductory membership to CompuServe. The PenAssist membership welcome kit tells how to obtain this CompuServe membership.
 * IBM Pen Forums on CompuServe

Members of Tiers 1 and 2 of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program can do early testing of their software using IBM ThinkPad (R) computers and pen computers from OEMs who have redistribution agreements for PenDOS (R) and Pen for OS/2. The test centers are located in Palo Alto CA; Atlanta GA; and Hamden CT. Each test center is equipped with an IBM PS/2 Model 70 with 8 MB of RAM memory, a 60 MB hard disk, digitizing pad, DOS 4.0 or higher, PenDOS, and Pen for OS/2. An IBM ThinkPad with an external 3.5-inch diskette drive is also available. OEM pen computers will be added as redistribution agreements are signed. Test center testing time is limited to 4 hours per day and 10 hours per week. Additional time will be granted if no one else is using the equipment. Test centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm local time.
 * IBM Test Centers


 * PenDOS Software Developer Kit (SDK)

The PenDOS Software Developer Kit (SDK) provides developers with tools to develop pen-centric applications, and to modify DOS-based applications to take advantage of the pen. With PenDOS SDK, pen-centric applications accept handwritten input, and execute commands based on "gestures" - special pen strokes that invoke application commands such as delete or insert. The PenDOS SDK includes Communication Intelligence Corporation's award-winning, multilingual Handwriter Recognition System software. PenDOS SDK is available directly from Communication Intelligence Corp. For additional information, or to order, call 1-800-888-8242 within the USA, or 1-415-802-7888 from elsewhere, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Pacific time (GMT-8). Members of Tiers 1 and 2 of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program receive a 60 percent discount on the price of the PenDOS SDK.

Tier 2 Only
Tier 2 members of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program can get, for a limited time only, a 20 percent discount on up to 15 IBM ThinkPad 710T systems and system components. Many OEMs also offer Tier 2 members significant discounts on their pen system hardware. Specifically, the special offers are available only to developers who have: o joined the IBM PenAssist Developers Program o received an IBM PenAssist Developers Program identification number (PDP number) o pre-registered by returning a signed terms-and-conditions agreement. The agreement form is in the welcome kit.
 * Special Offers on IBM and OEM Pen System Hardware
 * Developer Discount Program for IBM Printers

Tier 2 members of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program are eligible for a 50 percent discount on selected IBM printers and features. The printers and features must be ordered directly from Lexmark International, Inc., and must be used to develop, test, and support your application's print drivers. The Lexmark Developers Discount Agreement and the list of eligible products (Product Schedule) are in the welcome kit.
 * Business Show Support

Tier 2 members may be invited to demonstrate their Pen system offerings in the IBM booth at selected business shows and technical conferences. Invitations to program participants are based on the type of show, audience, location, and business objectives of IBM, as well as the participant's capability of meeting those objectives. IBM reserves the right to make all decisions regarding use of program participants in IBM business shows.


 * IBM National Solution Center

The IBM National Solution Center (NSC) has a powerful on-line database used by IBM marketing representatives and IBM Business Partners to find business solutions for their customers. As a PenAssist Developers Program participant, you may list your software with the NSC. This may provide you with better-qualified leads, and expand your geographic range of prospects. IBM will forward the appropriate information about your company to the National Solution Center for entry into the database. To submit details about specific software applications to be included in the database, fill out and return the NSC Online Software Catalog Nomination Form, included in the welcome kit.


 * Equipment Rental

GE Rental/Lease extends a special rental discount to Tier 2 participants in the IBM PenAssist Developers Program. The discount is available for renting IBM ThinkPad 710T and IBM PS/2 systems. The equipment rental program includes attractive short- or long-term rental rates; optional next-day delivery on most configurations (within the USA only); and overnight replacement of malfunctioning equipment (within the USA only).


 * Travel Discounts

Tier 2 members receive a travel discount booklet offering substantial savings on hotel reservations and car rentals. Membership cards, instructions, and terms are provided in the booklet.


 * Business Discounts

IBM has negotiated special discounts for members of the IBM PenAssist Developers Program from the following vendors:
 * Penny Wise Office Products
 * Airborne Express
 * MemberCom Plus long distance


 * Product Discounts

SuperScript: SuperScript, Inc. offers, for a limited time only, a 30 percent discount on the SuperScript-MCA and SuperScript-ISA display tablet products. These tablets attach to a Micro Channel bus or to an ISA bus via a VGA card and cable. Kurta: Kurta Corporation offers special developer pricing on all Kurta digitizing tablets. This program enables Tier 2 PenAssist Developers Program members to purchase up to three Kurta tablets at 60 percent off list price. Slate: Slate Corp. offers a 20 percent discount on its PenApps Application Builder for PenPoint. Softway: Softway, Inc. is offering Tier 2 PenAssist Developers Program members a 45 percent discount on HI-SCREEN Pro II, the user interface system for DOS and PenDOS. First Pen Systems: First Pen Systems, Inc. offers a 15 percent discount on PenSIL, the graphical interface builder for the PenPoint operating system. Autumn Hill Software: Autumn Hill offers a 40 percent discount on Autumn Hill Software's Menuet/CPP with PenDOS extensions. Complex Architectures: IBM has negotiated a special discount for Tier 2 PenAssist Developers Program members for the Electronic Messaging System (EMS) mobility connectivity software from Complex Architectures, Inc. TelePad: IBM has negotiated a special discount for Tier 2 members for TelePad Corporation's Pen Computer With a TelePad SL.


 * For Information

For more information about the IBM PenAssist Developers Program, as well as the enrollment form, please call 1-800-627-8363 within the USA, 1-404-238-2200 from elsewhere, or send a fax to 1-404-238-4264.

IBM PSP Rebuttal to Microsoft Document Comparing Windows NT and OS/2 2.1
Typography note: Left and right square brackets do not upload properly, so they have been replaced in this document by (- and -) respectively.

This document is IBM Personal Software Products' rebuttal to the Microsoft Document "Windows NT and OS/2 2.1: The Advantages of Windows NT for Today's Client-Server Computing" (May, June, and July 1993 versions).

The purpose of this document is to rebut any inaccurate and/or misleading information that Microsoft published in a document called "Windows NT and OS/2 2.1: The Advantages of Windows NT for Today's Client-Server Computing". Although it is not IBM's normal practice to produce such a rebuttal, we believe our customers should make their decisions based on facts, and therefore, felt it was worth communicating our viewpoint relative to Microsoft's claims and statements made in this document. IBM is extremely proud of OS/2, and welcomes the opportunity to compare OS/2 to any version of Windows from Microsoft. We are confident that OS/2 provides a far better operating environment than Windows 3.1 and Windows NT, and that we will continue to provide superior technology and client/server solutions in the years to come. We therefore encourage our customers to get the facts when comparing OS/2 to Windows and Windows NT. There are currently three versions of the Microsoft document, dated May, June, and July 1993. The June version, in our opinion, did not correct any of the problems contained in the previous version. The July version corrected a few of the problems, due in part to our direct contact with Microsoft, but still included the vast majority of the problems. Although we have contacted Microsoft regarding this document, we do not endorse the July version as approved in any way by IBM. Our rebuttal is intended for customers who received the May, June, or July version of the referenced Microsoft document. To ensure we are direct and to the point in our rebuttal, we have organized our response as a series of claims from Microsoft's document, in the order of occurrence, followed by our viewpoint. The sections are divided by page numbers (from the original May version of the Microsoft document) for easy reference. Prior to the item-by-item discussion, it is worth discussing some overall themes that Microsoft consistently uses to distort requirements and features truly important to you, our customers, who are considering or are implementing a mission-critical client/server application. The most prominent theme Microsoft stresses throughout the document is that the client/server functions needed for most customers are "built-in" to Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server and, therefore, are integrated. Most of the functions, however, were actually previously available separately, or are still separate Microsoft products that are bundled with Windows NT (e.g., the LAN server function in Windows NT Advanced Server was a port of the Microsoft OS/2 LAN Manager product plus enhancements). Our customers have told us they want the flexibility to install and pay for the right function on the right machine, and to be able to choose that function from the vendor who is best-of-breed (e.g., the ability to choose IBM LAN Server, NetWare (R) from IBM, a third-party solution, or all of the above, based on their specific requirements and long-term strategies). To assist with this customization, we provide solutions such as LAN NetView to help customers centrally or remotely automate individual and LAN software configuration, installation, and distribution. "Built-in" does not mean products are more tightly integrated. Both IBM LAN Server 3.0 and NetWare from IBM for OS/2 products, for instance, are integrated down to ring 0 (privileged kernel areas) of the OS/2 operating system. The fact that Microsoft uses the word "built-in" is much more of a marketing and packaging statement than it is an integration statement. Another key requirement that Microsoft focuses on is reliability. We agree that this is a major requirement for client/server environments. We disagree with Microsoft's definition of reliability, which is summarized on Microsoft's chart on page 3 as "tightly integrated security", "built-in fault tolerance", "integrated systems and network management services", and "application and system integrity". Removing the words "tightly", "integrated", and "built-in", per the discussion above, OS/2 and its family of flexible extensions is delivering virtually all of what Microsoft is referring to, plus many more important IBM exclusives, and IBM PSP has demonstrated or announced products that extend our lead as the premier provider of client/server solutions. Most important, however, is that customers will view Windows NT as reliable when and if it establishes a track record of proven reliable operation in production client/server environments. Microsoft is claiming that Windows NT, on its first release, with over 4 million liens of new code (not including its client/server extensions of SQL Server/NT, SNA Server/NT, and Hermes systems management) will be more reliable than our 32-bit OS/2 and its family of extensions that have been shipping and in production use by well over a million customers for over a year. In addition, we just shipped the second generation, OS/2 2.1, which has met higher quality standards than all previous releases. Although Microsoft has done extensive beta-testing with a proclaimed 75,000 users, it is difficult to see how it can compare to the over 4 years that OS/2 1.x and 2.0 and its client/server solutions have been in actual production use. Reliability to us is what you tell us it is -- products that work. Reliability is a function of proven quality and maturity. Windows NT has yet to prove how reliable it is. The Microsoft document also has distorted Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1 volumes to emphasize Windows market acceptance. There is no dispute that Microsoft has achieved market success with the Windows 3.x family, but what is misleading about the document is that it uses Windows 3.x volumes when comparing to OS/2's market presence, but uses Windows NT's features when comparing product lines. We have therefore added Windows 3.1 to several of the comparison charts Microsoft uses to compare client/server features, to show that Windows 3.1 fails to meet most of Microsoft's own criteria. Given these overall observations, we would like to address the statements one by one. Page 1 (of May version of Microsoft's document):
 * Introduction

Microsoft Claim: "It (-OS/2 2.1-) does not run Windows applications as well as Windows does." IBM Response: OS/2 2.1 includes actual Windows 3.1 code to provide Microsoft Windows 3.1 functionality and compatibility. OS/2 can also provide Windows applications with key client/server features, such as crash protection and pre-emptive multitasking, by running them in separate Virtual DOS Machines (VDMs). (These are features that Microsoft presentations concede will not be supported in Windows NT for 16-bit Windows 3.1  applications.) Others agree. According to John Ruley, an editor for Windows magazine, "... OS/2 2.1 is a better DOS than DOS and probably a better Windows  than (pause for effect) Windows..." (June 1993 issue) Microsoft Claim: "Today, OS/2 does not support key Windows features (-such-) as dynamic data exchange (DDE), object linking and embedding (OLE) and even cut  and paste between separate Windows virtual device machines (VDMs)." IBM Response: Not true. OS/2's public clipboard enables DDE and cut-and-paste to work correctly between Windows applications in separate Windows VDMs (OLE works correctly between applications in the same Windows VDM, which is equivalent to Windows NT OLE support). Microsoft Claim: "Windows NT is a more powerful, reliable, and open solution for client-server computing." IBM Response: Windows NT is not yet generally available. While is it certainly designed to be powerful (with a 32-bit data model, multithreading, and pre-emptive multitasking, like OS/2 has available today), NT's  reliability and openness have yet to be proven. Microsoft's justification for this statement references symmetric multiprocessing, portability, openness, integrated security, and built-in networking as key high-end OS/2 features. o Multi-processor computers may be an option for customers with very high-capacity server needs, and there are different kinds of   multiprocessing architectures to consider. IBM provides asymmetric multiprocessor support for OS/2 on the PS/2 model 295 and 195 today. Recently, IBM also demonstrated symmetric multiprocessing on OS/2 on   a variety of multi-processor systems at COMDEX/Spring '93 in Atlanta and at PC Expo 1993 in New York. o Operating system portability is one alternative for customers who are integrating and supporting different hardware architectures. A   more important requirement for this environment is for vendors to    support open industry standards. IBM is supporting both of these requirements by supporting OSF's Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) and by providing an OS/2 environment on a portable (to RISC   architectures) and open microkernel, via the IBM Microkernel-based OS technology which was also demonstrated at spring COMDEX. o Microsoft's commitment to open systems, especially DCE and CORBA, has been incomplete. We are not alone in this viewpoint. From an   article in PC Week, March 1993, titled "Microsoft goes it alone:    standards stance leaves users concerned": "Users and observers say    that Microsoft Corp. is taking advantage of its dominant position as    a leader in the microcomputer software market to set its own    standards and ignore those set by other industry groups. ... Buyers    are concerned about interoperability, according to analysts critical    of Microsoft's often-proprietary approach. ... Microsoft claims that    it will support standards that have clear industry-wide support,    such as POSIX, TCP/IP, and remote procedure call, but has stopped    short of endorsing the full Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)    standard and some other widely supported standards." o Of course, security and networking are necessary requirements for distributed computing. Including these features in the operating system is a packaging and marketing consideration. It may be a   convenience for some customers, but it can also limit their options and unnecessarily increase the system requirements. The following table is a corrected version of the table in the Microsoft document, and includes a column for Windows 3.1: Windows NT Versus OS/2 2.1 and Windows 3.1 Summary Windows NT (1) OS/2 2.1     Windows 3.1 --          ---    Leverages Windows family       Yes             Yes           Yes benefits Meets high-end operating      Most            Most          No      system requirements (1) = when generally available Page 2

Microsoft Claim: "IBM has no single strategy ... long-term, IBM is working on eight different operating systems." IBM Response: IBM recongizes that there is no "one size fits all" strategy when it comes to customer computing environments. The number of operating systems offered by IBM is a result of our long-term leadership in helping customers develop mission-critical systems to meet their needs on a wide variety of hardware platforms. The breadth of IBM offerings is underscored by a singular commitment to serve our customers. On the Intel-compatible platform alone, Microsoft has at least eight operating systems supporting their strategy: Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT, Windows NT Advanced Server, Chicago, Cairo, Modular Windows, and Winpad, all of which have differences in their application programming interfaces (APIs). For a complete discussion of IBM's microcomputer-based operating systems strategy, see the related document called "Why OS/2?" (updated version available August 1993). Microsoft Claim: "IBM embraces Windows." IBM Response: It is true that the IBM PC Company resells Windows, and may also pre-load Windows NT when customers request it. IBM recommends OS/2 and its client/server extensions over Windows and Windows NT because it is a superior platform for client/server computing. Microsoft Claim: "Key ISVs, such as Micrografx, are halting their OS/2 development efforts ... " IBM Response: This statement is incorrect. OS/2 Professional magazine published the following in the May 1993 issue: "PC Week recently published an article saying Micrografx was not behind OS/2. On the contrary, J.  Paul Grayson, Micrografx CEO, says the company has more people working  on OS/2 than ever before. Grayson says Mirrors is doing very well, and  they are evaluating new directions for OS/2 products. Among  Micrografx's OS/2 offerings are Designer and Windows Draw. Grayson  also reportedly attempted to get the PC Week article corrected prior  to publication, but was unsuccessful." Microsoft Claim: "... 25 million customers are using Windows already ..." IBM Response: While the shipment volumes of Windows is granted, there are several reasons to question the number of actual Windows users. First, the 25 million number is the number of shipments since Windows 3.0. Most users of Windows 3.0 have upgraded to OS/2 or Windows 3.1. Second, 60 percent of all PCs ship with Windows pre-installed, whether the user intends to use it or not. Last October, Windows magazine estimated that only 1/3 of all Windows shipments were actually being used. Microsoft Claim: "Windows 3.1 leverages existing hardware and software better." IBM Response: It is a pretty safe assumption that most of the PCs that are running Windows 3.1 are 386 or above class machines with 32-bit architectures. While Windows 3.1 runs on more existing machine configurations, it does not fully exploit the capabilities of those machines like OS/2 2.x can, since Windows 3.1 is a 16-bit DOS extender running on 32-bit hardware. In addition, there are more software packages that run on OS/2 2.1, since it runs DOS, Windows 3.1, and advanced 32-bit OS/2 applications. Microsoft Claim: "... Usage of OS/2 has dwindled. This is because Windows NT best addresses customer requirements for high-end operating systems." IBM Response: Contrary to Microsoft's claims, usage of OS/2 has not "dwindled". Shipments of OS/2 2.0 exceed all previous releases of OS/2 combined, and OS/2 2.1 has had a very positive reception in the market and is currently shipping in high volumes. (-The phrase "Usage of OS/2 has dwindled" was removed from the July version of the Microsoft  document.-) The assertion that Windows NT best addresses requirements for high-end operating systems is subjective and unsupported. A phone survey done by Communications Week for their 19 April issue asked the question "Which operating system is more strategic to your enterprise network: IBM's OS/2 or Microsoft's forthcoming Windows NT?" Over 1,400 votes were cast for OS/2, with only 75 cast for NT (95 percent to 5 percent). Page 3

The following table is a corrected version of the table in the Microsoft document, and includes a column for Windows 3.1: How Windows NT, OS/2, and Windows 3.1 Address These Customer Requirements Windows NT (1) OS/2 2.1     Windows 3.1 --          ---  Powerful: Capacity                      High           High           Low Symmetric multiprocessing     Yes            Yes (2)        No    Supports RISC architectures    Yes            No (3)         No    Built-in networking /          Yes          Available     Available workgroup services                       option (4)    option Powerful development platform TBD            Yes            No      for client/server solutions 32-bit pre-emptive            Yes (5)        Yes            No      multitasking Reliable: Tightly integrated security   Yes          Available        No                                                option Built-in fault tolerance      Yes          Available        No      services                                  option Integrated system and network Yes          Available        No      management services                       option Application and system        Some (5)       Yes            No      integrity Open: Broad hardware and peripheral Yes            Yes            Yes support Application compatibility and Some (6)       Yes            Yes availability Built-in support for standard Some (7)     Available     Available protocols                                option        option Built-in support for          Yes          Available     Available industry-standard network                option        option management environments (1) = when generally available (2) = IBM demonstrated SMP on OS/2 2.x on a variety of hardware configurations at COMDEX/Spring '93. (3) = IBM plans to support RISC via our IBM Microkernel-based OS       family (which includes support for DOS, Windows, and OS/2        applications). Also, IBM offers AIX/6000, a UNIX-based operating system for our RISC System/6000 RISC workstations. (4) = IBM chooses to offer options on selected features, which enables our customers to configure options most appropriate to their needs. (5) = Windows NT runs all Windows 16-bit applications in a single address space, and does not provide protection or pre-emptive multitasking between these applications (per the Microsoft       presentation "A Technical Overview of Microsoft Windows NT        3.1"). (6) = DOS and Windows applications that ship with and use a DOS device driver will not run under NT without modification unless a new device driver is supplied (per the same Microsoft presentation). (7) = Microsoft has made no commitment that we know of to support the full DCE standard, except for RPC. IBM has, in beta for OS/2, support for DCE's RPC and DCE's network time management, security, and distributed directory services. The primary correction (besides the inaccuracies about OS/2) is to include Windows 3.1, Microsoft's high-volume client OS. As you can see, it fails Microsoft's own criteria as a client for client/server computing. By these criteria, Microsoft's strategy might be looked at as a server/server strategy. Microsoft Claim: "Windows NT is the most powerful, reliable and open operating system for client-server computing." IBM Response: This statement is subjective and unsupported. See Introduction. Microsoft Claim: "NT runs on all Intel 386/486 and compatible CPUs and will take full advantage of Intel's Pentium processor." IBM Response: This is not correct. The recommended minimum environment for NT is either a very fast (25 MHz+) 386 or 486 processor with 12 to 16 MB of  memory. International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates this to be only 20 percent of the installed base of PCs. OS/2, on the other hand, runs on 386SX or above processors, and requires less memory (6 to 8 MB recommended). Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 2.x only runs on the Intel x86 platform. IBM claims they are porting OS/2 to the Mach kernel, but this means creating an entirely  new OS, which is a long and difficult project. For example, Windows NT  took over four and one-half years to develop and spent over a year and  one-half in large-scale external testing." IBM Response: To compare the development of an OS/2 personality that works on top of the IBM microkernel (Mach-based) to the development of Windows NT is  very misleading. Windows NT was developed from scratch to provide complex, high-end operating system functions that are not available in the DOS/Windows environment, such as multitasking, multi-threading, 32-bit memory model, high-performance file system, etc. OS/2 already has all these high-end features, and we do not have to "create" an entirely new operating system to move them to a microkernel environment. We also do not need to "create" the Mach microkernel, which is an established code base developed by Carnegie Mellon University, and is adopted, approved, and licensed by the Open Software Foundation. Microsoft, on the other hand, decided to build the kernel for NT from scratch (which they admit is a long and difficult project). In doing so, they have also decided to keep their operating system proprietary, not truly open to the industry. IBM, on the other hand, is in the process of licensing our microkernel technology to various industry players. Page 4

Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 2.x does not support multiprocessor systems." IBM Response: As mentioned earlier, OS/2 currently supports the multiprocessing (asymmetric) PS/2 195 and 295 (available today), and OS/2 2.x was demonstrated on a variety of symmetric multiprocessing machines at COMDEX/Spring '93 and PC Expo 1993. Microsoft Claim: "(-Windows NT-) RPC facility is interoperable with other OSF/DCE compatible RPC implementations." IBM Response: While Microsoft claims Windows NT's RPC will be interoperable with DCE, there are at least 13 known incompatibilities between it and the DCE RPC, as documented in Microsoft's RPC developers guide available with the March 1993 Windows NT beta program. Microsoft's decision to develop their own proprietary code base, instead of licensing it from the Open Software Foundation (TM) (OSF), introduces the potential for additional incompatibilities. IBM's implementation of DCE is based on software licensed directly from the OSF. In addition, IBM is enhancing the RPC software with plans to license it back to the OSF, meaning Microsoft will always be playing "catch-up" with the latest OSF RPC specifications. IBM is also licensing software for the other OSF DCE standards, which are: network time management, security, and distributed directory services (we know of no Microsoft commitment to support these other DCE standards). Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 does not have integration between 16-bit Windows and 32-bit OS/2 applications. In addition, integration features such as OLE and DDE do  not work between separate 16-bit Windows VDMs. In many cases, simple  cuts and pastes between VDMs do not work properly." IBM Response: As stated earlier, OS/2's public clipboard enables DDE and cut-and-paste to work correctly between application in separate Windows VDMs (OLE works correctly between applications in the same Windows VDM, which is equivalent to Windows NT OLE support). We also support cut-and-paste and DDE between Windows and OS/2 applications. (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, the phrase "OS/2 does not have integration" was changed to "OS/2 has limited integration",  with claims that Microsoft internal testing shows complicated cuts and  pastes, and that DDEs are not reliable between separate VDMs. Our  internal testing and customer feedback indicate that we met our design  goal, which was to support all cuts and pastes and DDEs between  Windows applications in separate VDMs that perform correctly under DOS  with Windows 3.1.-) Page 5

Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 2.x offers no integrated security. IBM promises security add-ons for future releases of OS/2, but to have truly integrated security, it  must be designed into the system from the ground up." IBM Response: The requirements for PC security vary from "none at all" for most end users to "government-certified" for military and international banking institutions. Microsoft is correct that some high-security features should be included in the base operating system. However, Microsoft's implication that OS/2 needs to be redesigned from the ground up is  subjective and unsupported by facts. We have made design changes in OS/2 to enhance security over the years, specifically in support of  OS/2 LAN Server, which is the current method of providing fundamental security on an OS/2 system. We have plans in place to improve OS/2's security further, and demonstrated a technology enhancing OS/2's  security at COMDEX/Fall '92. Microsoft Claim: "This (-NT's-) complete memory protection prevents errant applications from corrupting data, interfering with other applications, or damaging  the system." IBM Response: This is not correct. Because NT runs all 16-bit Windows applications in a single address space, it is possible for one of these applications to interfere with one of the others running in that same space. This can happen between 16-bit Windows applications under Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in the form of UAEs and GPFs, respectively, and can continue to happen under Windows NT. Microsoft Claim: "IBM claims that Windows 3.x applications are better protected in OS/2, but this is not the default configuration and can't be enabled  without sacrificing application integration." IBM Response: By "sacrificing integration", Microsoft is again implying that cut-and-paste and DDE don't work across VDMs. Again, OS/2's public clipboard enables DDE and cut-and-paste to work correctly between applications in separate Windows VDMs (OLE works correctly between applications in the same Windows VDM, which is equivalent to Windows  NT OLE support). Microsoft Claim: "LAN Server does not support RAID 5." IBM Response: This is misleading. LAN Server does not provide RAID 5 natively, but IBM offers an additional product called OASAS that provides RAID 5, with or without LAN Server installed. Page 6

The following table is a corrected version of the table in the Microsoft document: Windows NT Has Broad Hardware and Peripheral Coverage Windows NT (1)  OS/2 2.x                                            -- Intel-based uniprocessor systems         1000+            760+ Symmetric multiprocessor systems         21               2 (2) RISC systems                             6 MIPs,          0 (3) 2 DEC Alpha Printers                                 649              329 SCSI adapters                            49               67 Network adapters                         26               87 Display adapters (with 10 chip sets)     26               30 (1) = when generally available (2) = IBM demonstrated the OS/2 2.x base running on two different symmetrical multiprocessor configurations at COMDEX/Spring '93 and PC Expo '93. Internally, IBM has tested six configurations, and plans to support many more when SMP support for OS/2 becomes generally available. (3) = IBM plans to support RISC machines via our IBM Microkernel-based OS family with an OS/2 personality. The format of this chart can be very misleading. For example, even though Windows NT may have more PC models and printers listed as "certified", Microsoft has not tested all configurations of those machines, per their compatibility document dated March 1993. Likewise, the number of PCs and printers tested by IBM is a subset of the machines that we support, given that we support all 386SX machines and above. Due to the system disk and memory requirements, it is likely that OS/2 can run on more installed PCs than Windows NT will be able to run on when it is generally available. Microsoft Claim: "25 percent of (-NT-) applications are being ported from UNIX, VMS, and MVS, including IBM's own DB2 database." IBM Response: This is a very misleading statement. IBM's MVS DB2 database is not being ported to Windows NT. In an effort to support a wide variety of server platforms, the DB2/2 product (currently available for the OS/2  environment) is being considered for porting to additional operating environments. Microsoft Claim: "IBM currently lists only 500 unique OS/2 applications." IBM Response: This statement is incorrect. IBM currently lists 1196 unique OS/2 32-bit-exploitive applications in our OS/2 Applications Guide. In addition, OS/2 2.1 runs existing DOS and Windows 3.x applications. Page 7

Microsoft Claim: "IBM's strategy ... (-is to-) show that Windows NT is broken." IBM Response: This is not correct. IBM does not believe that Windows NT is broken. It is late, still unavailable, and definitely unproven. We do, however, believe that Microsoft's client/server strategy and products are not as good as ours, as we offer a more reliable, comprehensive, and available set of client/server solutions. Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 does not have the mission-critical features of Windows NT today." IBM Response: Today, OS/2 has more mission-critical features available than Windows 3.1 and NT. When NT does become generally available, it is planned to have some additional features that are specific to niche needs. These features are either available in OS/2 via add-ons (such as fault tolerance and RAID 5), or are planned for OS/2 or a future add-on. On the other hand, even after NT is generally available, Windows 3.1 will still have inadequate mission-critical features for the client, such as pre-emptive multitasking and crash protection, which OS/2 has today. Microsoft Claim: "Today, OS/2 is missing key mission-critical features customers require, including true pre-emptive multitasking (with asynchronous  input queues) ..." IBM Response: This is a very misleading statement. OS/2 has true pre-emptive multitasking (i.e., the system can interrupt, or pre-empt, a running task, and give control to another task). Asynchronous input queues address a different aspect of the system. An asynchronous input queue gives a separate keyboard and mouse channel for each application running on the screen. This feature does make the system feel more response to the end user, but has no value on an unattended server, which is Windows NT's main targeted market. IBM has publicly stated that asynchronous input queue support for OS/2 is in development. Also, note that 16-bit Windows applications running under Windows 3.1 or under Windows NT are lacking both features (pre-emptive multitasking and asynchronous input queues). Microsoft Claim: "IBM has promised these features and others that Windows NT has today for the future, but equivalent functionality is still one to three  years out." IBM Response: Windows NT is not generally available today, and Microsoft's statements do not reflect IBM's priorities or product plans. OS/2 has a 15-month lead as an available 32-bit operating system, and has features Microsoft does not plan to ship in Windows NT 3.1, such as an object-oriented Workplace Shell (TM) user interface and our System Object Model (SOM), which incorporates object technology directly into the operating system to allow object reuse between different object languages. In addition, we have announced delivery for the third quarter of 1993, and are beta-testing Distributed SOM (DSOM), which allows object communication and re-use over networks, between different languages, and potentially even different operating systems (e.g., AIX and OS/2). In addition, IBM has recently stated its intent to use OpenDoc technology from Apple for compound document integration that will support SOM and DSOM, providing application integration across multiple operating systems, including UNIX, and across networks (both of which are features that are lacking in OLE 2.0 from Microsoft). OpenDoc is vendor-independent, and has growing industry support from major players, including IBM, Apple, Novell (R), WordPerfect (R), and Borland. (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, the phrase "but equivalent functionality is still one to three years out" was changed  to "but can't deliver them today". The "functionality" Microsoft  refers to includes "built-in systems management tools" (Hermes), which  is not available from Microsoft today. IBM's LAN NetView family of  systems management products all entered beta testing with customers in  June 1993, and LAN NetView Start is generally available.-) Page 8

Microsoft Claim: "Windows NT is compatible with Windows 16-bit and MS-DOS applications." IBM Response: We believe NT will be compatible with the high-volume applications, but Microsoft will not focus on compatibility for lower-volume or home-grown applications. Also, DOS and Windows applications that ship with and use a DOS device driver will not run under NT without modification unless a new device driver is supplied (per a presentation from Microsoft called "A Technical Overview of Microsoft  Windows 3.1"). Microsoft Claim: "Windows NT's 16-bit application protection model provides error trapping between applications and more importantly provides full  integration between applications. OS/2's model breaks application  integration." IBM Response: The error-trapping mechanism in Windows 3.1 (and NT) for 16-bit applications is not the same thing as the true protection that OS/2 provides for all applications by running them under separate processes. Error trapping just notifies the user once the damage has been done, and recommends the user reboot (Windows 3.1) or restart the Windows subsystem (Windows NT). Also, as stated earlier, Microsoft is incorrect about OS/2's ability to support DDE and cut-and-paste between Windows applications in separate VDMs, and OLE works correctly between applications in the same Windows VDM, which is equivalent to Windows NT OLE support. Also, IBM has announced its intention to support OpenDoc, which will provide compound document integration across multiple operating system types, including UNIX, and over networks, which are features that OLE 2.0 does not support. Microsoft Claim: "Neither OS/2 nor Windows NT runs on (-Intel 386 systems with 4 MB of RAM-)." IBM Response: This is incorrect. OS/2 does run on 4MB Intel 386 systems (although 6 to 8 MB are recommended). Windows NT does not. Microsoft Claim: "OS/2's model forces customers to choose between integration or task switching with protection." IBM Response: Microsoft is again implying that cut-and-paste and DDE do not work between separate Windows VDMs in OS/2. With the public clipboard enabled, DDE and cut-and-paste work correctly between applications in separate Windows VDMs (OLE works correctly between applications in the  same Windows VDM, which is equivalent to Windows NT OLE support). Microsoft Claim: "IBM Asserts: OS/2 2.1 runs Windows applications faster than Windows NT on identical hardware ... Windows NT performance is equivalent to  OS/2 2.1." IBM Response: Some independent performance tests on Windows NT and OS/2 have been described on public bulletin boards that have drawn the conclusion that DOS and Windows applications run faster on OS/2 than on Windows NT; however, IBM has not and will not "assert" anything officially until the Windows NT code is made generally available. (-The July version of the Microsoft document changes this claim to "Windows NT  performance, given a certain level of hardware (e.g., Windows NT does  not support 6 MB RAM configuration), is equivalent to OS/2 2.1."-) Microsoft Claim: "Windows NT is better optimized for performance-critical applications." IBM Response: The three reasons listed are the implementation of asynchronous input queues, use of asynchronous I/O, and the ability to pre-empt a running time slice. OS/2 supports the last two features today, and we have publicly stated we intend to support asynchronous input queues in a future release. Asynchronous input queues affect only the responsiveness of the client, and not of an unattended server. Also, as stated above, some independent performance tests have indicated that OS/2 is probably a better choice if performance is a concern, although we plan to wait for NT to ship to draw that conclusion. Page 9 (start of sentence on page 8)

Microsoft Claim: " ... in IBM's OS/2 applications catalog, only 500 are unique, of which only 15 are general desktop applications." IBM Response: This statement is incorrect. IBM currently lists 1196 unique OS/2 32-bit-exploitive applications in our OS/2 Applications Guide. They break down into the following categories: Category                            Number of Shipping Applications --- Productivity / business              509 Communications                      139 Development tools                   219 Multimedia                          102 Utilities                            98 Other                               130 TOTAL                              1196 In addition, OS/2 2.1 runs existing DOS and Windows applications. Microsoft Claim: "Microsoft has met every development milestone with Windows NT and plans to deliver it as promised in Q2 1993." IBM Response: The following would seem to suggest otherwise: MacWeek, 13 July 1992: "NT (New Technology) is on track to ship by the end of the year (-1992-) and is expected to cost less than 500 USD,  Gates said." Computer Reseller News, 28 September 1992: "Walker says that Windows NT will ship during the first few months of 1993." Newsbytes, 28 September 1992: "The new date is now 'early 1993', with Microsoft officials saying that it 'needs more time to respond to  customer suggestions for improvements in the Windows NT system'." Software magazine, December 1992: "At the ITAA conference ... Mike Maples, Microsoft's executive vice president, said NT would ship in  April." InfoWorld, 15 March 1993: "NT could ship to customers later than the promised date of 30 June, but no more than 30 days late, Walker said." Windows World, Spring 1993: Gates said in his keynote address that Windows NT would ship within 60 days (-by 22 July-) and that Windows NT Advanced Server would ship within 30 days of Windows NT (-by 21 August-). PC Week, 5 July 1993: "Gates also said Microsoft will ship Windows NT by the end of the month (-July-) ...". (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, this claim was removed.-) Page 10

Microsoft Claim: "OS/2 requires add-on products (costly products) ... and they are not well integrated with OS/2." IBM Response: Maintaining only the necessary functions on desktop machines is a significant benefit of client/server systems, and it is what "rightsizing" is all about. Unnecessarily upgrading hardware and forcing unused functionality into every machine is what can be costly. Our customers have told us that they need flexibility ... so we are providing a robust and stable base for both client and server systems, with optionally available features to customize each system as necessary. We also provide LAN mechanisms to manage this process centrally via remote electronic software configuration, installation, and distribution. Microsoft's assertion that networking features need to be built in to be well integrated is simply not true. (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, the "(costly products)" phrase was removed.-) Page 11 (Appendix 1)

Microsoft Claim: "By using the Windows NT microkernel architecture model, IBM claims OS/2 will ..." IBM Response: THe IBM Microkernel is based on the Mach 3.0 architecture, not the Windows NT architecture model. IBM has since made significant enhancements in this microkernel, and is now in the process of licensing this technology to other vendors, making it an open architecture. Windows NT's kernel technology is not considered a true microkernel, since device-driver and file-system functions were allowed to reside in the kernel itself. The Windows NT kernel is also proprietary. (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, the phrase "By using the Windows NT microkernel architecture model" was changed to "By  using the Mach microkernel architecture model".-) Microsoft Claim: "IBM's development cycle is one to three years behind Microsoft's. Windows NT will have been on the market for several years before IBM  ships its first microkernel based version of OS/2." IBM Response: In the paragraph preceding this statement, Microsoft also states that IBM plans to have a microkernel-based version of OS/2 available by mid-1994. Putting these two statements together implies that Windows NT has been "on the market" for several years before mid-1994. Obviously, IBM is not behind Microsoft in any sense. OS/2 is at least 15 months ahead of Windows NT in making mission-critical features available to customers. IBM is also years ahead of Microsoft in object technology -- we shipped an object-oriented operating system shell, called Workplace Shell, with OS/2 2.0 in March 1992, and have delivered beta versions of our Distributed Systems Object Model in February 1993. On 15 June 1993, IBM announced the SOMobjects (TM) Developer Toolkit Version 2.0, the first professional programming toolkit to incorporate IBM's System Object Model (SOM) and Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) technologies, and announced a scheduled availability date of 3Q '93. Microsoft doesn't plan to deliver an object-oriented interface, or support distributed objects on Windows NT, until release 2 (Cairo). Microsoft has made no formal commitment for these object features on Windows 4.0 (Chicago) that IBM is aware of. (-In the July version of the Microsoft document, the claim above was changed to "IBM PSP group plans to ship a full beta release of its  first microkernel-based version of OS/2 by the end of 1993. ...-) For more information on the competitive advantages of OS/2 2.1 in a client/server environment, please read Why OS/2? (updated version available August 1993) and the article titled "IBM Personal Software Products: Product Line Update" from the April 1993 edition of IBM Personal Systems Technical Solutions magazine. Both documents can be obtained from your IBM marketing representative or systems engineer.


 * Disclaimer

Some of the information in this paper concerns future products, or future releases of current, commercially available products. Discussion of Windows is based on information which the Microsoft Corporation has made publicly available as of 16 July 1993, or information in the public trade press, and is subject to change. IBM's future products and their performance, functions, and availability are based upon IBM's current intent, and are subject to change.


 * Special Notices

References in this document to IBM's current and future products, programs, or services do not imply that IBM intends to make these generally available in all countries in which IBM operates.

IBM may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter in this document. This document does not grant anyone a license to those patents, patent applications, or to any other IBM intellectual property.

IBM Personal Software Products, 11400 Burnet Road, Austin TX 78758 USA

IBM's Personal Software Products Technical Interchange - the Home Stretch!
It's the home stretch for enrolling to attend the only IBM-sponsored event of its kind - IBM's Personal Software Products Technical Interchange, featuring OS/2 and IBM LAN Systems! From 29 August through 2 September, 1993, at the Walt Disney World (R) Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA, IBM is pulling out all the stops to bring you the newest, latest, best technical information ever about OS/2 and IBM LAN Systems products! No other such conference offers you the complete picture -- up-to-the-minute technical details, about a comprehensive variety of hot topics, covered in depth, and presented by IBM's own developers of OS/2 and LAN Systems. In just four days, you'll amass a vast amount of crucial knowledge that would normally take you much longer to gather -- if you could find it at all! This is the real thing ... the only IBM-sponsored technical interchange of its kind. Don't be fooled by imitations; accept no substitutes! Maximize the effectiveness of the IBM PSP Technical Interchange by choosing your topics from 15 intensive elective tracks. See, first-hand, the latest OS/2 and LAN Systems tools and applications from leading independent software vendors and IBM. Get one-on-one assistance from IBM's own technical experts in two hands-on labs. Hear prominent executives -- James Cannavino, Art Olbert, Cliff Reeves, and John Soyring of IBM, and John Landry of Lotus (R) -- offer their views on industry trends and directions. Participate in a one-hour Q&A session with Lois Dimpfel and the OS/2 and LAN Systems development teams. Boggle your mind as David Barnes, everyone's favorite OS/2 pitchman, puts OS/2 through its paces. See demonstrations of state-of-the-art PSP application software from more than 75 leading independent software vendors, who have developed leading-edge software for major PSP operating platforms -- OS/2, LAN Systems, Multimedia, and Pen. Take home a bundle of premiums -- OS/2 2.1; a CD-ROM with beta versions of IBM LAN Systems products; a copy of IBM Communications Manager/2; a beta version of IBM's Developer Connection CD-ROM; and software from our co-sponsors: a choice of Computer Associates' CA-REALIZER or CA-SUPERPROJECT; Lotus' Ami Pro for OS/2; and WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2. Get a complimentary one-year subscription to OS/2 Developer magazine. Sign up for daily product raffles. Collect OS/2 "32-bit" entry forms when you participate in functions and sessions, and use them to vie for the grand prize -- a brand-new IBM ThinkPad! Enjoy the "Tacky Tourist" welcome event on Sunday night 29 August, and the Tropical Heat Wave reception the next evening. Come with us on chartered buses to Universal Studios Florida on Wednesday evening, and enjoy a dinner buffet, continuous use of some of the most popular rides and attractions, and a private viewing of the Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show. The Orlando area is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, featuring the many Disney World attractions, Universal Studios, Sea World, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens, the Kennedy Space Center (the latter three attractions within two hours' drive), lots of outdoor activities, and shopping to fit everyone's tastes.


 * Fee - Discount Extended!

The registration fee is 895 USD. Due to delayed mailings, the discount for early registration has been extended to 15 August; the early registration fee is 795 USD. Three or more people registering from the same company at the same time get a 100 USD discount per person off the rate in effect at the time of registration. The registration fee includes: attendance at all functions and sessions, special premiums / bonuses, handouts, continental breakfast and lunch daily, the two receptions and the Universal Studios tour and dinner mentioned above, and opportunities to win prizes and raffles.


 * Hotel

The PSP Technical Interchange is being held at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, in the heart of the Disney World resort complex. Attendees qualify for a reduced rate of 115 USD per night for single or double accommodations. For reservations, call the hotel at 1-800-227-1500 within the USA or 1-407-934-4000 elsewhere.


 * Travel

The Disney World area is served through the Orlando airport. To obtain discounted air fares, call 1-800-688-6700 within the USA, and specify identifier number 260631. The Dolphin Hotel is 20 minutes from the airport, and transportation is available for 20 USD round trip.


 * Families

Your family can come too! They will find lots to do in the Orlando area while you attend the PSP Technical Interchange. Meal tickets for family members are available for all food functions at a cost of 350 USD per person for the week; for children age 6 and under, the cost is 100 USD. The price for participating only in the Universal Studios party is 33 USD per person. Register early to ensure your place! To register, call 1-800-872-7109 in the USA and Canada, or 1-508-443-4990 from elsewhere, or send a fax to 1-508-443-4715, or write to: PSP Technical Interchange, Chiswick Park, 490 Boston Post Road, Sudbury MA 01776 USA. The IBM PSP Technical Interchange features 15 elective tracks covering many subjects of interest to independent software developers: 12 IBM tracks:                                                 Initials o Application Development                                      AD o  C and C++                                                    CC o  Communications                                               CM o  Database                                                     DB o  Device Driver Development                                    DD o  Distributed Systems Management                               DM o  LAN Systems                                                  LS o  Multimedia and Pen Computing                                 MM, PN o  Object-Oriented Technology                                   OO o  Open Systems                                                 OP o  OS/2 2.1: The System                                         OS o  Technical Support                                            TS 3 co-sponsor tracks: o Computer Associates International, Inc.                      CA o  Lotus Development Corporation                                LT o  WordPerfect Corporation                                      WP Birds-of-a-feather sessions                                     RT
 * To Register
 * Elective Tracks
 * Agenda

Here is the agenda for the PSP Technical Interchange as of 23 July 1993. Schedules are subject to change. Most elective sessions are presented more than once, to give everyone the maximum chance to participate. Use the agenda to plan your personal itinerary for the interchange! Sunday 29 August 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm  Registration 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm  "Tacky Tourist" Reception Monday 30 August 7:00 am - 7:00 pm  Registration 7:00 am - 8:00 am  Continental breakfast 8:00 am - 11:30 am General session 11:30 am - 1:00 pm  Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm  13 elective sessions: Application Development Directions                              AD01 IBM C Set ++ for OS/2                                           CC01 Communications Manager: The Application Developer's View        CM01 IBM DB2 Family                                                  DB01 Pen for OS/2                                                    PN01 Multimedia Trends and Directions                                MM01 OS/2 Up to the Minute                                           OS01 Distributed Computing Vision                                    OP08 OS/2 LAN Server 3.0 Overview                                    LS01 IBM LAN NetView Strategy                                        DM01 CA-UNICENTER                                                    CA01 Developing Notes Applications                                   LT06 WordPerfect OS/2 Development                                    WP01 2:15 pm - 3:00 pm  Break 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm  14 elective sessions: Multi-Threading OS/2 Applications                               AD02 Introduction to IBM C Set ++ Class Libraries                    CC02 Communications Manager/2: Installation and Configuration Tips   CM02 and Techniques (part 1) IBM DATABASE 2/2 Client/Server Programming                      DB02 Base Video Handler and Virtual Device Drivers                   DD04 Multimedia Presentation Manager/2: 32-Bit Support               MM02 OS/2 System and Application Performance Tuning                  OS03 Distributed Applications                                        OP09 LAN Systems Peer Capability                                     LS02 Lotus Notes "Hands-On"                                          LT07 IBM LAN NetView Family Overview                                 DM02 Xbase Development Tools for OS/2                                CA02 Lotus Working Together on OS/2                                  LT01 WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2                                        WP02 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm  break 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm  14 elective sessions: OS/2 Architecture on the Microkernel                            OS02 C Set ++ Optimization Tips and Techniques                       CC03 Communications Manager/2: Installation and Configuration Tips   CM03 and Techniques (part 2) IBM Distributed Database Connection Services/2                  DB03 Developer Assistance Program                                    TS01 OS/2 Tools for Multimedia Application Development               MM06 Customizing the Workplace Shell Using RC Files and REXX         OS04 Personal Systems Object Technology Plans                        OO01 Graphic Architecture on the Microkernel                         OS07 OS/2 LAN Server Administration "Hands-On"                       LS11 OS/2 Trouble-Shooting Tips, Tricks, and Hints                   OS09 CA-REALIZER                                                     CA03 REXX Meets the King of Spreadsheets                             LT02 WordPerfect Office 4.0                                          WP03 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm  Tropical Heat Wave Reception 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Elective sessions and birds-of-a-feather sessions: Distributed Systems Management                                  RT01 Software Developer Information Exchange                         RT02 CompuServe "How-To"                                             RT03 OS/2 Client/Server in Banking: LANDP                            RT05 Application Development with Gpf and SOM                        OO05 Multimedia Performance Considerations for the PC Platform       MM07 Tuesday 31 August 7:30 am - 6:00 pm  Registration 7:30 am - 8:30 am  Continental breakfast 8:30 am - 9:45 am  13 elective sessions: Printing from OS/2 Applications                                 AD04 Mail-Enabling Applications Using VIM                            AD06 CICS OS/2: 32-Bit Client/Server Computing                       CM04 IBM DATABASE 2/2 Performance and Tuning                         DB04 Pen for OS/2                                                    PN01 OS/2 2.1 Software Motion Video                                  MM03 Customizing the Workplace Shell Using RC Files and REXX         OS04 Distributed Computing Vision                                    OP08 Introduction to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)         OP01 VAR Roundtable                                                  RT04 IBM LAN NetView View: Integrating Managing Applications with    DM04 an Object-Oriented Topology Display CA-CommonView and CA C++                                        CA04 Developing Notes Applications                                   LT06 WordPerfect OS/2 Development                                    WP01 9:45 am - 10:15 am Break 10:15 am - 11:30 am 14 elective sessions: OS/2 Architecture on the Microkernel                            OS02 Migrating to C Set ++                                           CC04 What's New for APPC in Workstations                             CM06 IBM DATABASE 2/2 Forward Recovery                               DB05 Graphic Architecture on the Microkernel                         OS07 Distributed Multimedia with IBM LAN Server                      MM05 Exploiting the Workplace Shell from Your Application            AD08 Distributed Applications                                        OP09 DCE Application Programming Interface                           OP02 Lotus Notes "Hands-On"                                          LT08 IBM LAN NetView Manage and Enable: Implementing the OSI         DM05 Managing and Managed System Model CA-UniCenter                                                    CA01 Data-Enabling Your Applications Through DataLens                LT03 WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2                                        WP02 11:30 am - 1:00 pm  Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm  14 elective sessions: Application Development Directions                              AD01 C Set ++ Optimization Tips and Techniques                       CC03 Communications Manager: The Application Developer's View        CM01 IBM Distributed Database Connection Services/2                  DB03 Device Driver Development Techniques                            DD03 Plugging Into Multimedia Presentation Manager/2                 MM04 OS/2 System and Application Performance Tuning                  OS03 Personal Systems Object Technology Plans                        OO01 OS/2 LAN Server 3.0 Overview                                    LS01 DCE Application Programming Lab "Hands-On"                      OP11 IBM LAN NetView Strategy                                        DM01 Xbase Development Tools for OS/2                                CA02 Application Development and Integration Using Ami Pro           LT04 WordPerfect Office 4.0                                          WP03 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm  Break 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm  13 elective sessions: Multi-Threading OS/2 Applications                               AD02 Introduction to IBM C Set ++ Class Libraries                    CC02 Communications Manager/2: Installation and Configuration Tips   CM02 and Techniques (part 1) IBM DATABASE 2/2 Client/Server Programming                      DB02 Building Virtual Device Drivers                                 DD02 OS/2 Tools for Multimedia Application Development               MM06 Comparing and Contrasting OS/2 and Windows                      OS05 OS/2 LAN Server Tips and Techniques (part 1)                    LS03 Introduction to DCE Systems Administration                      OP03 IBM LAN NetView Family Overview                                 DM02 CA-REALIZER                                                     CA03 Lotus Working Together on OS/2                                  LT01 IBM Worldwide Services and Support                              TS02 4:30 pm - 4:45 pm  Break 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm  14 elective sessions: Base Video Handler and Virtual Device Drivers                   DD04 IBM C Set ++ for OS/2                                           CC01 Communications Manager/2: Installation and Configuration Tips   CM03 and Techniques (part 2) IBM DB2 Family                                                  DB01 Introduction to WIN-OS/2 Seamless Architecture                  DD01 Multimedia Trends and Directions                                MM01 DOS and Windows Compatibility                                   OS06 OS/2 LAN Server Tips and Techniques (part 2)                    LS04 LMU/LAN NetView Positioning                                     DM03 DCE Basic System Administration Lab "Hands-On"                  OP10 Internationalization on the Microkernel                         OS08 CA-CommonView and CA C++                                        CA04 REXX Meets the King of Spreadsheets                             LT02 cc:Mail for the Workplace Shell                                 LT08 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm  Lotus and Computer Associates hospitality suites Wednesday 1 September 7:00 am - 6:00 pm  Registration 7:00 am - 8:00 am  Continental breakfast 8:00 am - 9:15 am  14 elective sessions: Graphical Programming Interface Programming Techniques          AD07 C Set ++ Debugging Tips and Techniques                          CC05 Configuring APPC for OS/2 and DOS                               CM05 Data Access Services                                            DB06 OS/2 Up to the Minute                                           OS01 Multimedia Presentation Manager/2: 32-Bit Support               MM02 System Object Model (SOM): a Technology for Language-           OO03 Independent Objects NetWare Server for OS/2                                         LS08 Introduction to Distributed Computing Environment               OP01 OS/2 LAN Server Administration "Hands-On"                       LS12 Enabling Applications with Configuration, Installation, and     DM07 Distribution Services LMU/LAN NetView Positioning                                     DM03 Data-Enabling Your Application Through DataLens                 LT03 OS/2 LAN Server Remote IPL                                      LS10 9:15 am - 9:45 am  Break 9:45 am - 11:00 am 14 elective sessions: Developer Connection for OS/2                                   AD09 Performance Tuning with EXTRA                                   CC06 APPC's New Programming Interface                                CM07 Comparing and Contrasting OS/2 and Windows                      OS05 Device Driver Development Techniques                            DD03 Distributed Multimedia with IBM LAN Server                      MM05 Designing OS/2 Applications                                     AD03 Network Transport Services/2 Overview                           LS06 DCE Application Programming Interface                           OP02 IBM LAN NetView Start and CID "Hands-On"                        DM14 IBM LAN NetView Start                                           DM08 LAN Management Utilities/2                                      DM12 Application Development and Integration Using Ami Pro           LT04 LAN Automated Distribution/2                                    DM13 11:00 am - 12:00 n  Q&A Panel with IBM Developers 12:00 n -  1:00 pm  Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm  14 elective sessions: Porting Existing Applications                                   AD10 NLS and DBCS Programming Considerations                         AD05 CICS OS/2: 32-Bit Client/Server Computing                       CM04 DOS and Windows Compatibility                                   OS06 Introduction to WIN-OS/2 Seamless Architecture                  DD01 IBM DATABASE 2/2 Performance and Tuning                         DB04 Developing Distributed System Object Model (DSOM)               OO04 OS/2 LAN Server, Novell, Banyan, and TCP/IP Coexistence         OP05 Distributed System Security                                     OP04 DCE Application Programming Lab "Hands-On"                      OP11 IBM LAN NetView Start                                           DM08 IBM LAN NetView View: Integrating Managing Applications with    DM04 an Object-Oriented Topology Display Migrating Host Office Systems to the LAN                        LT05 IBM Services and Support                                        TS02 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm  Break 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm  14 elective sessions: Printing from OS/2 Applications                                 AD04 Mail-Enabling Applications Using VIM                            AD06 What's New for APPC in Workstations                             CM06 IBM DATABASE 2/2 Forward Recovery                               DB05 Building Virtual Device Drivers                                 DD02 OS/2 2.1 Software Motion Video                                  MM03 Object-Oriented REXX Technology                                 OO02 Multi-Protocol Transport Services                               LS07 OS/2 LAN Server Performance Tuning                              LS05 IBM LAN NetView Monitor "Hands-On"                              DM15 IBM LAN NetView Tie                                             DM10 IBM LAN NetView Manage and Enable: Implementing the OSI         DM05 Managing and Managed System Model cc:Mail for the Workplace Shell                                 LT07 IBM Personal Systems Services and Support                       TS03 4:30 pm - 4:45 pm  Break 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm  13 elective sessions: Exploiting the Workplace Shell from Your Application            AD08 Migrating to C Set ++                                           CC04 APPC's New Programming Interface                                CM07 LAN Systems Peer Capability                                     LS02 Developer Assistance Program                                    TS01 Plugging into Multimedia Presentation Manager/2                 MM04 The X-Window System for OS/2                                    OP07 Client/Server Programming with OS/2 and LAN Server              OP06 IBM Remote LAN Access Capability                                LS09 IBM LAN NetView Fix                                             DM11 IBM LAN NetView Agents and Agents Extended: Managing the        DM06 Resource Managers Migrating Host Office Systems to the LAN                        LT05 Technical Coordinator Program                                   TS04 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm Party at Universal Studios Thursday 2 September 7:30 am - 3:00 pm  Registration 7:30 am - 8:30 am  Continental breakfast 8:30 am - 9:45 am  14 elective sessions: Graphical Programming Interface Programming Techniques          AD07 Performance Tuning with EXTRA                                   CC06 OS/2 LAN Server Tips and Techniques (part 1)                    LS03 IBM Remote LAN Access Capability                                LS09 The X-Window System of OS/2                                     OP07 System Object Model (SOM): a Technology for Language-           OO03 Independent Objects Object-Oriented REXX Technology                                 OO02 Network Transport Services/2 Overview                           LS06 Introduction to DCE System Administration                       OP03 IBM LAN NetView Monitor "Hands-On"                              DM15 Enabling Applications with Configuration, Installation, and     DM07 Distribution Services IBM LAN NetView Agents and Agents Extended: Managing the        DM06 Resource Managers LAN Server 3.0 Application Certification Program                LS11 IBM Personal Systems Services and Support                       TS03 9:45 am - 10:15 am Break 10:15 am - 11:30 am 14 elective sessions: Developer Connection for OS/2                                   AD09 Configuring APPC for OS/2 and DOS                               CM05 OS/2 LAN Server Tips and Techniques (part 2)                    LS04 NetWare Server for OS/2                                         LS08 Distributed System Security                                     OP04 Designing OS/2 Applications                                     AD03 OS/2 LAN Server, Novell, Banyan, and TCP/IP Coexistence         OP05 OS/2 LAN Server Performance Tuning                              LS05 IBM LAN NetView Start                                           DM08 DCE Basic System Administration Lab "Hands-On"                  OP10 IBM LAN NetView Fix                                             DM11 Client/Server Programming with OS/2 and LAN Server              OP06 Technical Coordinator Program                                   TS04 Internationalization on the Microkernel                         OS08 11:30 am - 12:45 pm Lunch 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm  14 elective sessions: Porting Existing Applications                                   AD10 NLS and DBCS Programming Considerations                         AD05 OS/2 and LAN Server Remote IPL                                  LS10 Data Access Services                                            DB06 C Set ++ Debugging Tips and Techniques                          CC05 Developing Distributed System Object Model (SOM)                OO04 Multi-Protocol Transport Services                               LS07 LAN Management Utilities/2                                      DM12 IBM LAN NetView Tie                                             DM10 IBM LAN NetView Start and CID "Hands-On"                        DM14 IBM LAN NetView Monitor                                         DM09 LAN Server 3.0 Application Certification Program                LS11 LAN Automated Distribution/2                                    DM13 DCE Application Programming Lab "Hands-On"                      OP09 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm  Closing session and raffles

Common Desktop Environment Developers Conference

 * A technology of the common open software environment


 * Date and Place

26-28 October 1993 San Jose (California) Convention Center


 * What is the Common Open Software Environment?

The Common Open Software Environment (COSE) process was announced by Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, The Santa Cruz Operation, SunSoft, Inc., Univel, and UNIX System Laboratories in March 1993. These sponsoring companies saw the need to expedite the adoption of standards and to promote greater consistency and interoperability among UNIX system products in the industry. In addition to the Common Desktop Environment (CDE), other areas of focus for COSE include graphics, multimedia, object technology, system administration, and networking.


 * What is the Common Desktop Environment?

The Common Desktop Environment provides end users with an innovative, intuitive, easy-to-use desktop computing environment. CDE provides software developers with a single set of programming interfaces for H-P, IBM, SCO, SunSoft, Univel, USL, and other platforms. The Common Desktop Environment incorporates existing technology from participating vendors and has been designed to support distributed enterprise computing applications. As such, it will scale across a range of client/server platforms, support small workgroups to large enterprises, and support simple text and data uses as well as advanced collaborative multimedia applications.


 * Who Should Attend the CDE Developers Conference?
 * People who would like to expand the number of platforms that their existing applications run on.
 * People interested in creating applications that will run on platforms available from multiple vendors.
 * People who want to take full advantage of the desktop feature set to deliver applications that are highly integrated with the desktop.
 * System integrators who provide cross platform solutions.
 * OEMs interested in providing CDE on their platforms.

If you are a: - Software engineer - System administrator - Engineering manager - Value-added reseller - Independent software vendor - Original Equipment Manufacturer - Systems integrator - Software and technology consultant - System engineer then you should attend the CDE Developers Conference so you can immediately begin to take advantage of the benefits CDE has to offer.


 * What is the Conference Program?

The CDE Developers Conference is the official developers conference for the Common Desktop Environment. It is a technical conference which will feature sessions taught by the developers of the CDE software.

A series of general conference sessions will provide answers to key management questions. By attending the General Session, you will meet with the key industry executives who are sponsoring the Common Open Software Environment. And, you will learn, first-hand, why the CDE is so important to software development. You will get a jump on your competition!

The CDE Technical Program will feature in-depth courses, papers, tutorials, technology demonstrations, and expert panel discussions on how to implement the CDE, providing application developers, multi-platform software suppliers, end users, and systems integrators with the latest technical details about writing and integrating applications for the CDE.

CDE Developers Conference Program

General Sessions
 * 1) Keynote
 * 2) Executive Panel - the Common Open Software Environment
 * 3) Overview of the Common Desktop Environment
 * 4) Panel Discussion - Why CDE Makes $ense
 * 5) Roundtable with CDE Architects

CDE Technical Program

Adding File Types and Actions to the Desktop: Tools, APIs, and configuration files for defining new desktop icons and associating them with applications or data files.

Application Installation Techniques: Description of the policies and guidelines for delivering an application that will automatically integrate into the desktop.

CDE Customization and Your Applications: Tools, APIs and configuration files that enable your application to participate in CDE customizing.

CDE Graphical User Interface Toolkits: An overview of CDE's GUI toolkits.

CDE System Architecture: Overview of the APIs, guidelines, and configuration files for creating CDE applications.

Customizing Your Front Panel: Tools, APIs, and configuration files for controlling the layout and content of the CDE front panel.

Desktop Administration: An overview of the policies and configuration files that control your CDE desktop.

Drag and Drop: APIs and policies for adding drag-and-drop to your applications.

Drag & Drop Proxy

Guidelines for Common Font Use: APIs and conventions for accessing CDE fonts from your application.

Help Design and Authoring: Techniques for authoring hyperlinked, online information.

Internationalization and Localization for Global Applications

I18N + L10N = Globalization: Standard APIs and CDE conventions for configuring your application for specific countries and languages.

Leveraging CDE Applications with Messaging: APIs and conventions for integrating your application with other applications and the desktop through messaging.

Linking into Help Services: APIs for adding online help to your application.

Migrating Applications (Panel): Tips for migrating existing applications into CDE.

Motif Interfaces for Shell Scripts: Tutorial on adding Motif interfaces to your shell scripts.

Placing Your Application in a Workspace: APIs for integrating your application into the workspace.

Power of the Distributed Desktop: Understand how to take full advantage of the CDE's client/server capabilities in a distributed, heterogeneous network.

Session Management: APIs and conventions for preserving your application's state across login and logout.

Taking CDE Home

Terminal Emulator

Tools and Tips for Icon Design: Guidelines for creating effective icons for your application.

Usability and Style: Using the CDE style guide to create intuitive applications. Includes suggestions for using color effectively.

Will My Existing Application Run On CDE (Panel): Questions and answers on integrating existing, unmodified applications into CDE.

You Can Print From X!: APIs for adding WYSIWYG printing to X applications.

In addition, a full-day Motif tutorial will be offered for people who desire to build or enhance their Motif programming skills.


 * Why Should You Register Now?
 * You will save $100 on the registration fee
 * Space is limited
 * Free attendance at full day Motif tutorial
 * First selection on registering for sessions


 * What Will You Leave With?

By the conclusion of the CDE Developers Conference, you will receive:
 * Pre-release software of the CDE for the Intel, IBM, H-P, and Sun platforms on CD ROM
 * CDE documentation
 * Conference proceedings
 * Membership in The UniForum Association


 * Registration Fee

The registration fee is 895 USD. If you register before 1 October, the fee is 795 USD. For groups of three or more people registering together, the fee is 695 USD per person.

Employees of the six companies participating in the common open software environment are eligible for discounted rates. For internal IBM developers, the rate is 295 USD per person. Rates for the other participating companies may vary.


 * To Register

To Register for the Common Desktop Environment Developers Conference, call 1-800-225-4698.

Employees of the six companies participating in the common open software environment should use their companies' internal registration processes.

Second International Colorado OS/2 Developers Conference
(Note: The original announcement about this conference appeared in the 15 June issue of this newsletter. The material below, furnished by the conference producer, updates that announcement.)

The Second International Colorado OS/2 Developers Conference (ColoradOS/2 (TM)) will be held 31 October through 5 November 1993 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.


 * Conference Topics

ColoradOS/2 provides the most extensive technical coverage of OS/2 ever brought together in a single conference. Some sessions focus on the transition from DOS or Windows programming to OS/2, while others focus on the transition from 16-bit to 32-bit programming. Many sessions are of particular interest to Presentation Manager programmers, as we provide detailed information on programming the new PM controls introduced with OS/2 version 2.x. Object programming sessions cover topics on Workplace Shell (WPS) and System Object Model (SOM) programming, C Set ++ and the User Interface Class Library, and Smalltalk/V PM. Other topics include REXX, OS/2 Device Driver development, multithreaded programming techniques for both PM and VIO programs, client/server programming, Extended Services, and Communications Manager.


 * Featured Speakers

ColoradOS/2's keynote speaker is John Soyring, Director of Software Development Programs in IBM's Personal Systems Products division, who is well known in OS/2 circles for his tireless efforts to assist OS/2 developers. Additional featured speakers include Bjarne Stroustrup of AT&T Bell Labs, the creator of C++; Paul Giangarra, lead architect for Workplace OS; Scott Kliger, technical lead for WordPerfect for OS/2; Mike Kogan, co-author of "The Design of OS/2"; Richard Hoffman, IBM's liaison to Taligent; and others.


 * Special Opportunity to Tour NORAD / Cheyenne Mountain

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has granted permission to have 35 ColoradOS/2 participants tour its Cheyenne Mountain facility on Monday 1 November from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Tour participants will witness the nerve center of the United States' missile-detection system, buried deep in Cheyenne Mountain southwest of Colorado Springs. The tour requires climbing three flights of stairs, at an elevation of 7,300 feet.

Tour participants will be selected at random in a drawing. To enter the drawing, furnish your Social Security number if you are a U.S. citizen, or your passport number if you are not a U.S. citizen. If you register by phone, ask the reservationist to enter your name in the drawing.

Tour participants will be selected at the end of September and will be notified shortly thereafter. If you are chosen as a tour participant, you must bring a photo identification (such as a driver's license) plus your Social Security card (if you are a U.S. citizen) or your passport (if you are not a U.S. citizen).


 * ColoradOS/2 Technical Agenda

Listed alphabetically by author. Data as of 22 June 1993. Keynote Address                                     John Soyring C Set ++ Optimizations                              Ian Ameline Writing High-Performance OS/2 Applications          Ian Ameline Object Databases, OS/2, and MIS: the Next Three     Tim Andrews Years Scalable Objects: A New Perspective on              Tim Andrews Information Architectures Introducing New Technology to an Organization:      Tim Andrews Cultural Transformation Object Programming and OS/2                         Noel Bergman Distributed Object Programming                      Noel Bergman Events, Messages, and Hooks -- Today and Tomorrow   Ivan Biddles Adding a REXX Interface to Your Application         Charles Daney Advanced REXX Programming                           Charles Daney PM Programming in Smalltalk                         Paul Duncanson Programming OS/2 PM Vector Graphics                 Paul Duncanson Programming Notebook Controls                       Rick Fishman Container Control Basics                            Rick Fishman Advanced Container Programming                      Rick Fishman Adding Drag-and-Drop to Your Applications           Rick Fishman Basics of Asynch Programming Under OS/2 2.x         Brady Flowers The Workplace OS                                    Paul Giangarra SOM's CORBA-Compliant Interface Repository          Dave Hock Taligent and OS/2                                   Dr. Richard Hoffman Internalization                                     Ian Holland OS/2 Multithreaded Programming                      Aidon Jennery OS/2 Inter-Process Communication                    Aidon Jennery Writing Industrial-Strength Commercial OS/2         Scott Kliger Applications OS/2: Platform for the 1990s                        Dr. Michael Kogan Comparing and Contrasting OS/2 and Windows          Dr. Michael Kogan DOS and Windows Compatibility                       Dr. Michael Kogan Introduction to SOM, with C++                       Alex Lane OS/2 Direct Manipulation Usng the IBM C/C++ Tools   William Law Power Programming with the OS/2 GPI                 Kelvin Lawrence Exploiting Fonts in an OS/2 PM Application          Kelvin Lawrence Writing Well-Behaved PM Applications                Kelvin Lawrence The IBM User Interface Class Library                Kevin Leong Introduction to OS/2 Device Drivers                 Steve Mastrianni OS/2 2.x Device Drivers: Advanced Topics            Steve Mastrianni Emerging Technology in OS/2 Devices                 Steve Mastrianni Introduction to the PM API                          David Moskowitz Designing Applications for OS/2                     David Moskowitz Getting the Most Out of OS/2                        David Moskowitz What Does It Take to Succeed as an OS/2 Consultant? David Moskowitz Value Sets, Sliders, and Font/File Dialogs          Kathleen Panov Multithreading in Presentation Manager              Kathleen Panov Dr. Comm Manager: Or, How I Learned to Stop         Toby Pennycuff Worrying and Love PU Type 2.1 3270 Support and the CM/2 Gateway                   Toby Pennycuff APPC/APPN Support: I Can Do ALL THAT? Toby Pennycuff VTAM/NCP Considerations: What is a MODE Table       Toby Pennycuff Anyway? CM/2 Productivity Aids: Some Really Great Tools,    Toby Penncuff for FREE! Programming OS/2 Presentation Manager with Style    Guy Scharf Creating Your Own Controls with Subclassing         Guy Scharf Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and C++ Roger Sessions Object-Oriented Programming on OS/2: the SOM Model  Roger Sessions Advanced SOM Programming                            Roger Sessions The Frameworks of the SOMobjects Toolkit            Roger Sessions The IBM Continuous Speech Series                    Vince Stanford C++ as a General-Purpose Programming Language       Bjarne Stroustrup Past, Present, and Future of the Workplace Shell    James Taylor Using the Advanced Layout Controls of the IBM C/C++ Hiroshi Tsuji Tools Writing Industrial-Strength Commercial OS/2         Greg White Applications
 * Hotel and Travel Information

ColoradOS/2 has reserved rooms at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort at a special rate of 75 USD plus tax for a single or double room. Your spouse and children can stay with you for no additional charge.

You can make your room reservations when calling to register for the conference. The number of rooms available at the resort is just over one-half the number of anticipated conference attendees. Therefore, be sure to register for the conference and reserve your room as early as possible. For those who register after the resort's rooms are committed, the resort will make your reservation for you at a nearby hotel. You will receive free shuttle service to and from the resort, and will have complete access to all of the resort's amenities.

ColoradOS/2 has made special discount travel arrangements with International Conference Resorts of America (ICRA) Travel Services. ICRA's airfares are typically 50 percent lower than published coach fares, although savings vary depending on city of origin, air carrier, and the season.

In addition to the normal ICRA discounted fares, you may be able to take advantage of special Ultra Saver fares, which require a 30-day advance purchase. The ICRA Travel Services representative can explain these fares and special requirements when you make your reservations.

To make your reservations for ICRA discounted fares, call a fax to 1-602-948-6690. ICRA's hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time (GMT-8).

ICRA provides air and ground transportation to and from the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort. The cost is 8.50 USD per person each way.


 * Fee

The standard registration fee for ColoradOS/2 is 1295 USD per person. Three or more standard registrations received from the same corporate location at the same time receive a discount of 100 USD per person. Early registration, prior to 30 August 1993, is 995 USD per person.

By phone:
 * Registration
 * If you are registering using a credit card, call 1-800-648-5717 within the USA, or 1-719-576-4600 from elsewhere.
 * Phone registration hours are 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7).
 * Tell the reservationist that you want to register for ColoradOS/2. You can make your room reservation at the same time. In addition, ask the reservationist to enter your name in the NORAD tour drawing. You will have to furnish your Social Security number if you are a U.S. citizen, or your passport number if you are not a U.S. citizen.

By fax:
 * Supply all pertinent information, including your credit card number and expiration date, on a sheet of paper, and fax the sheet to 1-719-576-2105.

By mail: The Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort Attn: Amy Seymour -- ColoradOS/2 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road Colorado Springs CO 80906 USA
 * Supply all pertinent information, including your credit card number and expiration date, on a sheet of paper, and mail the sheet to:


 * Cancellation Policy

All cancellation and refund requests must be received in writing priot to 30 August 1993, and are subject to a 100 USD cancellation fee. After 30 August 1993, your registration fee is not refundable. ColoradOS/2 Registration Form Please fill out completely. Print or type the information as you want it to appear on your badge. Photocopy this form for additional registrations and use one form per registrant. Mr. Ms. Mrs.  _______________________________________________________ Title __________________________________________________________________ Company ________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ City ___________________ State/Province _________________________ Zip / Postal Code _______________ Country ______________________ ___ Yes, please register me to stay at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort. Number in party: _______ Arrive: _____________ Depart: ____________ ___ Yes, please enter my name in the drawing to attend the NORAD tour. Social Security number / passport number: __________________________ Registration (check one) ____ Early-bird registration: 995 USD for registration and payment received before 30 August 1993. ____ Standard registration received 30 August and after: 1295 USD. ____ Corporate discount: 1195 USD per person for three more more people from the same company location registering and prepaying at the same time (not valid with any other discounts) Registration amount due: ________________ USD Method of Payment ____ Check   _____ Money Order   (Sorry, we accept no purchase orders.) Enclose your check or money order with this registration form and make it payable in US dollars to Kovsky Conference Productions Inc. ____ MasterCard    ____ VISA           ____ American Express ____ Discover      ____ Diners Club    ____ Carte Blanche Card number: __________________________ Expiration date: __________ Signature as it appears on card: _______________________________________ ____ Please do not give my name and company name to other conference participants. ____ Please do not give my name and address to anyone else. Please tell us who recommended that you attend this conference. _____________________________________________________________________

Correction to Application Discount Advertising Program Fax Number
To request the information package for the Application Discount Advertising program, including a complete list of publications and comparison rates, call 1-407-982-6408, option 3, or send a fax to 1-512-823-1693. (For the rest of this article, see the 15 July issue of this newsletter, file name DSNEWS.93C or DSN93C.ZIP .)

Announcement Letters Available via IBM FAX Information Service
The IBM FAX Information Service enables you to access complete IBM announcement letters via any fax machine. IBM FAX is easy to use and is available all the time. Here are the simple steps: Step 1: If your fax machine has a handset, pick it up and dial 1-415-855-4444.       If your fax machine does not have a handset: (1) Press the "voice" button (and ensure that the volume is up) (2) Dial 1-415-855-4444 (3) Press the "send/receive" button.

Step 2: Select Option 2

Step 3: Enter the selected Announcement Letter number(s)

Step 4: continue following the prompts to receive your response(s). For more information, contact Jo Mastroserio at 1-914-642-6270.

Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, Service Marks
This concludes the fourth issue of IBM PSP Developer Support News. Please let us know how we can improve it; see the beginning of the newsletter for ways to contact us. Thank you!