OS/2 Warp CUSTOMERS RALLY AROUND MERLIN


 * Users put OS/2 Warp 4 on the map (literally)

This is the text of an international press release to publicize the international release of the latest version of OS/2 Warp. Despite the repeated and exaggerated announcements of its death, Warp continues stronger that ever with over 14,000,000 registered users worldwide. This figure compares more that favourably with the number of Windows 95 users who actually made the decision to pay for their software ( excluding OEM and Microsoft's estimate of pirated copies of Windows). There are presently over 4,000 applications available for OS/2, a figure that also compares favourably to Windows 95. Whilst these applications are not advertised or as accessible at every local computer store, they are available and are used everyday in Australia by everyday OS/2 users.

Australian OS/2 users are participating in the worldwide Warp 4 network, and here in Australia we expect to have up to 19 sites running simultaneously on the Saturday/Sunday weekend starting 26th October. These will be auspiced by various OS/2 Special Interest Group and other interested OS/2 users who are more than happy to donate their time to present a viable alternative to Macintosh, Windows 95 and Windows NT4.


 * PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA, USA (September 6, 1996) - As a sign of customer confidence in IBM's upcoming release of OS/2 Warp 4 (code-named "Merlin") hundreds of customers have been activated to conduct a worldwide demonstration of the product on Saturday, October 26, 1996.

What is unique about this project is that it was conceived and orchestrated totally by OS/2 users and not the vendor, IBM. "This event represents a sign of solidarity by OS/2 users," said Tim Bryce of M. Bryce & Associates, Inc. in Florida and project manager for the event. "We have hundreds of users from around the world who have volunteered their time freely to demonstrate OS/2 Warp 4."

The purpose of the event is to assist IBM in the launch of OS/2 Warp 4 by conducting on-site demonstrations of the operating system at computer stores, universities and schools, and cyber cafes on the same day. By accessing the Internet through native OS/2 web browsers (including the Netscape Navigator beta for OS/2 released last month) the volunteers will build a map of the world showing locations where OS/2 is used.

"We believe this event will be a powerful expression of customer commitment to OS/2," said Bryce. "It is our intention to communicate to the press, to potential purchasers, and to IBM that we, as customers:

Believe in OS/2 as a superior operating system Are committed to the use of OS/2 at work and at home, _ Believe IBM is committed to the longevity of OS/2."

Members of OS/2 user groups and Team OS/2 from around the world will be actively participating in this event. Bryce was also quick to point out that the project was organized and implemented using native OS/2 software exclusively, Even though OS/2 supports DOS and Windows 3.x programs, this will be an all-OS/2 show. Products used in the development of the project included Bryce's own "PRIDE" Information Factory (featuring a native OS/2 repository for managing information resources and a project management system), IBM Works (office suite included in the OS/2 Warp BonusPak), and SPG's ColorWorks graphics package was used to design the popular logo for the event. Store posters were also designed and printed using native OS/2 software and the group's web page is implemented on an Internet server running OS/2 Warp Server.

In addition to OS/2 Warp 4, other native OS/2 applications to be demonstrated during the event include:
 * SPG's ColorWorks graphics product (v2.0),
 * Mount Baker Software's new Money Tree financial planning/management product
 * (a la Quicken and MYOB),
 * Lotus Development's popular WordPro word processing package,
 * Revolutionary Software's InterCom Internet telephone.

All of these products exploit the strength of OS/2's 32-bit processing, they are multithreaded and speech enabled for Merlin.

The volunteers will also provide a demonstration of the new Application Sampler CD-ROM which will accompany OS/2 Warp 4. The sampler includes demo versions of a variety of native OS/2 applications including: and many more, approximately 80 products in all. This is a small but representative proportion of over 4,000 applications available for OS/2 today.
 * StarOffice (Internet enabled office suite),
 * Relish (time management package),
 * Mesa2 (spreadsheet programme now also available as an OpenDoc application),
 * Clearlook and DeScribe 5 (word processors),
 * Clear & Simple (tuning and utilities kit),
 * MGI PhotoSuite (digital imaging and mapping),
 * Unimaint (file management),
 * CFS Poker (game),
 * Unite (CD maker),
 * Back Again/2 (back-up software)

Not only are native OS/2 products out there, but we want to demonstrate the superiority of such products in a true 32-bit operating environment.

There are 18 registered sites in Australia and 225 from 28 countries worldwide where formal demonstrations will be presented. Because we will all be connected via the Internet, we consider each site as 'Ground Zero' for the event. In addition to our core 225 sites, hundreds of other OS/2 volunteers will be logging on to our Internet world map for impromptu presentations and to register as a sign of support.


 * ZERO HOUR

The demonstrations will be conducted at convenient local times on Saturday, October 26th. However, as an international event, organizers had to consider the many time zones around the world. Consequently, the event will run for 35 hours in its entirety. "We had to consider the store hours in both our farthest eastern time zone (New Zealand) and our farthest western time zone," explains Bryce. As a result, the total event will begin and end at:

STARTING (synchronized) from...
 * 9.00 AM, Saturday, Oct 26 - New Zealand
 * 7.00 AM, Saturday, Oct 26 - Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane
 * 6.30 AM, Saturday, Oct 26 - Adelaide
 * 5.00 AM, Saturday, Oct 26 - Perth
 * 9.00 PM, Friday, Oct 25 - London (GMT)
 * 4.00 PM, Friday, Oct 25 - New York (Eastern)
 * 11.00 AM, Friday, Oct 25 - Honolulu

STOPPING (synchronized)
 * 8.00 PM, Sunday, Oct 27 - New Zealand
 * 6.00 PM, Sunday, Oct 27 - Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane
 * 5.30 PM, Sunday, Oct 27 - Adelaide
 * 4.00 PM, Sunday, Oct 27 - Perth
 * 8 AM, Sunday, Oct 27 - London (GMT)
 * 3 AM, Sunday, Oct 27 - New York (Eastern)
 * 10 PM, Saturday, Oct 26 - Honolulu

OS/2 Warp 4 will feature several new state-of-the-art technological features, including:
 * ABOUT OS/2 WARP 4
 * Speech Navigation/VoiceType Dictation,
 * full JAVA support,
 * universal client support for all major Network Operating Systems
 * (such as OS/2 Warp Server, Windows NT, Novell Netware, Banyan Vines, etc.),
 * OpenDoc and OpenGL,
 * a new speech enabled version of the popular Netscape Navigator web browser,
 * and much more.

The actual launch of OS/2 Warp 4 was on Wednesday, September 25th. The "Connect the World with Merlin" event was scheduled approximately one month later to accommodate foreign versions of the product.


 * INTERNET HELP DESK

During the entire event, the Tampa Bay OS/2 Users' Group (TBOUG) will be hosting an OS/2 Help Desk implemented by Revolutionary Software's InterCom Internet telephone, featuring both audio and video. TBOUG volunteers will be on hand to answer technical questions or just to greet users from around the world. The group will be headquartered at a Tampa cyber cafe that will be open around the clock for TBOUG and OS/2 enthusiasts.


 * PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

"It's really amazing how many people wanted to see this event happen," Bryce commented. "Hundreds of volunteers have come forward to offer their products and services on a gratis basis. When you compare the magnitude of this worldwide event to the nominal costs involved, this will be an incredibly cost-effective marketing program.

We hope to reach thousands of people from around the globe with this event."


 * IBM'S ROLE

"IBM has been very supportive of our efforts," said Bryce. "Although they were not involved with the formation of this project, they certainly appreciate this initiative as a vote of confidence in OS/2. As we all know, customer testimonials are a powerful sales aid and to have your customers stand-up for your product on a worldwide basis, without any solicitation, speaks well of your product."