IBM OS/2 Beta Panel Chat

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Article Info
Author IBM
Date 1994-07-14
OS Version
Companion File N/A
Source [1]
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) Welcome, today we have 4 members of the OS/2 development organizationhere. Shon Saliga, Ross Cook, Jack Boyce, and Laura Sanders. You may


(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) ask any question of any one, and we will redirect if necessary.
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) I ask that the IBM'ers hold thier questions to the end.
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) To ask a question, you issue a /QUE and you will be put into a queue.
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) When you are done with the question, place a GA at the end so
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) we know.

(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) Shon, would like to say a few words...

(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) (Shon) Thank you for joining us this evening.  We are looking forward to a
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) candid session.  As you may know, we have just shipped our latest Beta driver
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) which contains much of the feedback received from the first Beta driver.
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) In addition, we have modified our CompuServe Forum to list the problems that
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) you will identify in this Beta and our development status for those problems.
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) Our experience with the Beta program has been outstanding.  We are very
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) fortunate to have had exceptional participation from many
(#3,IBM OS/2 Beta Panel) of you.  So let's get started.
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) OK, we are ready...
(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) First question please


(#13,David Hutt) I have a question regarding AS/400 DDM support for OS/2
(#13,David Hutt) Is AS/400 Distrubuted Data Management supported on OS/2, and if so, does the
(#13,David Hutt) Os/2 side support both target and source?
(#13,David Hutt) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) OS/2 2.1 will be supported as an improved AS400 client
(#3,IBM) via RUMBA for OS/2 as well as Communications Manager/2.  This
(#3,IBM) will be based on improvements in 2.1 and follow-on announcements
(#3,IBM) from AS400.  Does this answer your question? GA

(#13,David Hutt) Yes. I believe so.  Just for the record the goal that I am seeking:
(#13,David Hutt) Since OS/2 and large size Ps/2 systems could now be used as in-store
(#13,David Hutt) processors (instead of AS/400's), it would be neat to use an OS/2
(#13,David Hutt) file server as the source DDM and the IBM 4680 controllers to use
(#13,David Hutt) the existing target DDM support.
(#13,David Hutt) GA

% Moderator recognizes question #4
  Tony Valenti (20)

(#20,Tony Valenti) I would like to know the status of the C++ Class Libraries. Have the Libraries
(#20,Tony Valenti) been updated on the March PDK?  Will there be further updates soon?
(#20,Tony Valenti) TV

(#3,IBM) (Laura) Yes, but I don't have the specific details of which
(#3,IBM) classes were updated but this is discussed in the new PDK. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #6
  Larry [GCP] (9)

(#9,Larry [GCP]) I'm very concerned about the overall stability of the 2.1 betas.  From
(#9,Larry [GCP]) what I've seen so far, there's a *very* long way to go before this code is
(#9,Larry [GCP]) ready to ship.
(#9,Larry [GCP]) I was never able to get the 12/92 beta installed, and after running the
(#9,Larry [GCP]) 3/93 (498G) for the last week, when I lost my OS/2 partition for the 4th
(#9,Larry [GCP]) time last night, I gave up on this cut of the 2.1 beta.
(#9,Larry [GCP]) While it shows great potential, and the windows 3.1 compatibilityy
(#9,Larry [GCP]) shows great promise, it's just not stable enough to be usable ... yet.
(#9,Larry [GCP]) How is IBM going to insure that the customers will receive a usable (&
(#9,Larry [GCP]) stable) product when 2.1 does ship when the "last public beta" is so
(#9,Larry [GCP]) shakey? ga

(#3,IBM) (Shon) Fortunately, not all of our users have had this level of
(#3,IBM) difficulty in using the current Beta.  My entire development team
(#3,IBM) (>250) developers have this installed throughout the center.
(#3,IBM) I am aware of some problems relating to the recent INI file update
(#3,IBM) which we incorporated into this Beta in order to improve system
(#3,IBM) stability size of the INI files and performance.  It was important
(#3,IBM) this set of problems in the GA product and our experience in the Beta
(#3,IBM) fortunately has identified a set of problems that we are pursuing
(#3,IBM) agressively and therefore will be fixed in the GA product.  Our
(#3,IBM) ship decision for OS/2 2.1 will clearly be based on the feedback from
(#3,IBM) our customers, Beta testers, large ISV's, internal testing, and will
(#3,IBM) be shipped when it's ready.  If you have specific problems in the
(#3,IBM) development of your applications, please use the CIS forums to report
(#3,IBM) your problems and we will take appropriate action. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #7
  Alan Able (15)
(#15,Alan Able) Thank You...and Happy 1St Birthday for OS/2 2.0 (and Thanks for all the hard work)...My question follows...
(#15,Alan Able) Well, Happy 1st birthday to OS/2 2.0!  Thsanks to all the hard work from the
(#15,Alan Able) development staff...I am quite pleased with the technical capabilities of
(#15,Alan Able) OS/2/exit
(#15,Alan Able) I am interested in development of OS/2 WPS applications using SOM and C++.
(#15,Alan Able) Understanding that the PDK's are shipping with BETA code,,,what type of
(#15,Alan Able) support is planned for SOM bindings for C++?  What kind of time frame? GA

(#3,IBM) (Ross) We are committed to support the C++ SOM bindings for the
(#3,IBM) Workplace shell in OS/2 2.1 and the associated toolkit.  We are
(#3,IBM) currently testing that support.  Thanks for the Happy Birthday. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #8
  Mark Addleman (42)

(#42,Mark Addleman) When can we expect to see WpS enabled applets?  I'm not looking for increased functionality, just something to show off to my Mac-centric
(#42,Mark Addleman) Oops
(#42,Mark Addleman) When can we expect to see WPS enabled applets?
(#42,Mark Addleman) I'm not looking for increased functionality, just something to show off to my Mac-centric friends :)
(#42,Mark Addleman) Also, what can we expect in the future regarding increased WPS functionality?
(#42,Mark Addleman) GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura)  We are assessing the best of the bunch right now.
(#3,IBM) Stay tuned. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #9
  Ronald S. Woan (12)

(#12,Ronald S. Woan) When do you think 2.1 upgrade pricing and distribution details
(#12,Ronald S. Woan) will be made public, i.e. will the 2.1 upgrade be sold directly
(#12,Ronald S. Woan) or through retail outlets?
(#12,Ronald S. Woan) GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) Upgrade will be made available through all channels.  Pricing
(#3,IBM) and distribution will be released to channels prior to GA at
(#3,IBM) and contained in the announcement. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #10
  Eric Pinnell (29)

(#29,Eric Pinnell) I am not a happy camper.  I too am very disappointed by
(#29,Eric Pinnell) beta 6.498.  My concern is with the beta testing procedures
(#29,Eric Pinnell) being used.  I have been told that internal testing at IBM
(#29,Eric Pinnell) would spot the seroius flaws.  Obviously, based on
(#29,Eric Pinnell) what I have seen of 6.498, this is not the case.  EVERY single
(#29,Eric Pinnell) other ISV I have ever beta tested for (literally dozens of
(#29,Eric Pinnell) firms) sends out regular betas to small groups of outside
(#29,Eric Pinnell) testers to make sure the bugs are worked out.  the issue isn't
(#29,Eric Pinnell) whwther a beta works in the lab, it is whether not not it works
(#29,Eric Pinnell) on the users machines.  Given this fact, when is IBM going to adopt this policy
(#29,Eric Pinnell) so that we can see stable beta releases? GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) We exploit every opportunity to test this Beta in every
(#3,IBM) environment we can think of.  That includes ISV's, OEM's, large
(#3,IBM) customer sites, internal testing, and the Beta programs.  A Beta
(#3,IBM) program is meant to identify problems in code that has been introduced
(#3,IBM) since the previous beta.  As opposed to something that constantly
(#3,IBM) gets better.  If this Beta was rock solid and perfect, we wouldn't
(#3,IBM) give it to you for free. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #13
  Leif Braeuer (ger) (8)

(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) OK
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) Hello, my question relates to some "multi-user" features of the WPS. First I
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) found some *ACL* files in the dec. 2.1 beta. Are they what they seem to be?
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) What kind of user access control will there be?
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) At second will ther be a LAN-base WPS (a user logs into a server and gets
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) his/her WPS)
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA

(#3,IBM) (Ross) The ACL files you found in the Dec. 2.1 Beta allowed us to
(#3,IBM) install over a Lan requester.  As far as multiple user workplace shell
(#3,IBM) we have done a lot of investigation in this area and will consider it
(#3,IBM) strongly for the next release. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #14
  Juan Falcon (46)

(#46,Juan Falcon) What are your plans for supporting Windows apps once the current license
(#46,Juan Falcon) expires later this year?

(#3,IBM) (Jack) We have all the rights we need to continue to support
(#3,IBM) windows applications for the foreseeable future.  Of course,
(#3,IBM) investing our time to do this will be based on the market demand for
(#3,IBM) the constant evolving WIN/nn API.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #15
  Carlos Barberena (43)


(#43,Carlos Barberena) OS/2 2.1 Beta looks great!  Very Stable.  Will there be any additional
(#43,Carlos Barberena) enhancements to it including some kind of way of saving the WPS icon locations,
(#43,Carlos Barberena) implementing OLE under OS/2, etc of significance that is not on the beta?
(#43,Carlos Barberena) ga
(#43,Carlos Barberena) GA
(#43,Carlos Barberena) send
(#43,Carlos Barberena) send GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) We won't  be adding any significant function prior to shipping OS/2 2.1.
(#3,IBM) Our future function is currently under development.  Our OLE
(#3,IBM) implementation is included in that.  GA
(#3,IBM) (Laura) P.S. Carlos, it's great to hear about oyour positive experience. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #20
  Tom Satter (61)

(#61,Tom Satter) I personally like the Beta policy (other than I haven't received
(#61,Tom Satter) the March beta yet).  When do you expect the GA to be ready?  I
(#61,Tom Satter) have heard May?  It seems to me that OS/2 still does have a
(#61,Tom Satter) stability problem.  While I can now use OS/2 for days with no
(#61,Tom Satter) problem, that is mainly because I have learned what to stay
(#61,Tom Satter) away from.  One of OS/2's biggest selling points is that it is
(#61,Tom Satter) a stable (protected) environment.  It is possible to write a
(#61,Tom Satter) 20 line program that will lockup OS/2 completely (no Ctrl-Alt-Del
(#61,Tom Satter) even.)  Sure, the program had bug (called WinCreateStdWindow with
(#61,Tom Satter) a null anchor - or some such thing) but this is exactly why OS/2
(#61,Tom Satter) uses the protected mode of the '386 - to trap such mistakes and
(#61,Tom Satter) halt the offending process rather than die.  Does the 2.1 March
(#61,Tom Satter) beta address an stability issues?  Thanks!  (Also, thanks for
(#61,Tom Satter) all of the hard work.  OS/2 is a great O/S!)  GA
(#61,Tom Satter) GA

(#3,IBM) ((Shon) Yes, the March Beta has a number of fixes that address
(#3,IBM) stability but we know we are not done yet.  We will ship GA when it's
(#3,IBM) ready. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #21
  Brian Bonner (45)

(#45,Brian Bonner) 3.  What IBM programs are available to assist folks in bringing new OS/2 type products to market???  For example, if we create tools that
(#45,Brian Bonner) are not developed in C or C++, but REXX...
(#45,Brian Bonner) Brian
(#45,Brian Bonner) I've got the new 6.498 beta.  It's better than the other's (I had numerous lockups before.  Now it's only limited to a few...)
(#45,Brian Bonner) Did you get that?  GA
(#45,Brian Bonner) GA


(#3,IBM) 3. Brian, there are programs to help assist folks to bring OS/2
(#3,IBM)    products
(#3,IBM)    to market.  The DAP - Developers Assistance Program.
(#3,IBM)    Enter GO OS2DAP onCompuServe to register and get more information.

% Moderator recognizes question #22
  Garnett Gleim (32)


(#32,Garnett Gleim) How long will you be supporting OS/2 2.0, subsequent to
(#32,Garnett Gleim) 2.1's release?  We have numerous remote sites that are
(#32,Garnett Gleim) using 2.0 for very important production applications. An
(#32,Garnett Gleim) upgrade path to higher versions of OS/2 is quite a large
(#32,Garnett Gleim) undertaking for us. GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) OS/2 2.0 will be supported via IBM Service for approximately
(#3,IBM) two years from it's general availability.  We are aware that moving to
(#3,IBM) the next level of the operating system takes time and want customers
(#3,IBM) to be comfortable with their investment.  New function will be exploited
(#3,IBM) only in new releases.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #24
  Ken Wohlferd (16)


(#16,Ken Wohlferd) What do you see as the competition for OS/2, and how will 2.1 help? GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) The competition OS/2 is varied based on environments. 2.1
(#3,IBM) continues OS/2's standing as both an excellent server and client
(#3,IBM) solution.  Specific improvements in 2.1 includes support for Windows
(#3,IBM) 3.1 application, additional extensive new hardware support and
(#3,IBM) performance improvements.  We have also put alot of effort into
(#3,IBM) responding to customer environments regarding the stability of the
(#3,IBM) product.  2.1 has many new features too numerous to detail here.  Is
(#3,IBM) there a specific one you are interested in? GA

% Moderator recognizes question #25
  Tony Valenti (20)

(#20,Tony Valenti) I am very pleased with the latest beta, although I did have some install
(#20,Tony Valenti) problems which seemed to be related to my Trident SVGA. I am surprised
(#20,Tony Valenti) that it is now working nicely in 1024x768 seamless. I will soon be
(#20,Tony Valenti) trying the 8514 driver because all our production machines use 8514.
(#20,Tony Valenti) Will there be a new version of the 8514 driver in the near future?
(#20,Tony Valenti) (PS.. Thanks for all the good improvements...hope you are having fun too!
(#20,Tony Valenti) ga

(#3 Frank - IBM)  We have a 8514 seamless driver available for the March Beta.
(#3 Frank - IBM)  You can get it here on CompuServe in the PSPBETA FORUM
(#3 Frank - IBM)  library. ga.

% Moderator recognizes question #26
  Larry [GCP] (9)

(#9,Larry [GCP]) I'll pass at this time.  Thanks for a great OS!

% Moderator recognizes question #27
  Axel Salomon (60)

(#60,Axel Salomon) Hallo. I have more than question ...
(#60,Axel Salomon) 1. Will there be an intermediate Service Pack for OS/2 2.0 or do
(#60,Axel Salomon)    we have to wait for OS/2 2.1 to be release (i mean a secend one)
(#60,Axel Salomon) 2. When do you plan to release foreign Language versions of OS/2 2.1 ?
(#60,Axel Salomon)    At the same time, shortly after or months later (german version ?)
(#60,Axel Salomon) 3. The current DDK lacks a lot of information and looks like a quick
(#60,Axel Salomon)    build. (when) will there be a next release ?
(#60,Axel Salomon) 4. Even though 1993 will be the year of OS/2 2.x 32bit Apps. Will there
(#60,Axel Salomon)    be a PDK with LOTS (!!!) of (small) samples on it, to help writing
(#60,Axel Salomon)    new apps. including SOM+WPS, Win..., Gpi... and other Funktions ?
(#60,Axel Salomon) 5. What are your plans on Multimedia and the current HW-Support ?
(#60,Axel Salomon) My OS/2 2.1 works fine. i am very impressed.
(#60,Axel Salomon) tahnk you very much for your strong support (DAP, etc)
(#60,Axel Salomon) GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) We plan service for 2.0 independent of 2.1. Our national
(#3,IBM) language versions of OS/2 2.1 are targetted for concurrent release
(#3,IBM) with US for all but DBCS products. Next DDK is being updated now. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #28
  Leif Braeuer (ger) (8)

(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) OK
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) My questions. Will 2.1 be available on CD-ROM (as announeced for 2.0)?
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) Will ther still be any (thunked) 16 Bit code, or can we call it finally
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) puer 32-bit ?
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) (Oh yes. OS/2 is a really good OS ! Keep on with this.)
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA

(#3,IBM) (Laura) Yes, it will be available on CD-ROM.  Some thunked code still
(#3,IBM) exists.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #29
  Juan Falcon (46)

(#46,Juan Falcon) What are your plans for supporting Windows apps once the current license
(#46,Juan Falcon) expires later this year?
(#46,Juan Falcon) Will the release of the GA 2.1 be affected by the release of NT?  NextStep?
(#46,Juan Falcon) Solaris?  Also, will we see a "portable" OS/2?  In my company, scalability is
(#46,Juan Falcon) what makes our management go for Unix OSs instead of OS/2.

(#3,IBM) (Shon) You may have seen many recent articles regarding our future
(#3,IBM) direction relative to Workplace OS which is a portable/scaleable
(#3,IBM) operating system which supports OS/2 apps, Windows apps, DOS apps,
(#3,IBM) UNIX apps.  We demoed this at Fall COMDEX and plan additional
(#3,IBM) demonstrations and Beta's this year. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #30
  Vincent DeSanto (10)

(#10,Vincent DeSanto) Are you aware that installation for MS DOS 6.0 contains instructions for removing OS/2 from your hard drive?  Any comments?  I think that
(#10,Vincent DeSanto) dirty.  GA

(#3,IBM) (Shon) We are aware and appreciate your concern.  GA
(#34,Ross Cook) Yes, I have heard this.
(#34,Ross Cook) GA

% Moderator recognizes question #31
  Jeroen Frijters (21)

(#21,Jeroen Frijters) When will OS/2 be Pentium-optimized?
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) As OS/2 is leading tech. software it should be able
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) to take advantage of leading tech. hardware.
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) We are currently working our Pentium-optimization into the
(#3,IBM) OS/2 product.  Some will be in 2.1 and some in follow-on releases. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #34
  Bruce Beatty (40)

(#40,Bruce Beatty) I need your Help...We designed a new application using OS/2 and Ripps last fall.
(#40,Bruce Beatty) We have tested it under 12/92 Beta and it runs well.  We need to impliment this
(#40,Bruce Beatty) new application by early June, 1993.  Based upon what I have heard there is only
(#40,Bruce Beatty) a slim chance.  What is your best guess (90+%) of a final release date???
(#40,Bruce Beatty) June??? July??? August??? I need to tell my users something???
(#40,Bruce Beatty) Thanks Bruce from Walt Disney World....
(#40,Bruce Beatty) GA

(#3,IBM) (Shon) We are targetting for release as soon as possible based on
(#3,IBM) Beta feedback and final testing.  I would be very surprised and
(#3,IBM) disappointed if this was as late as August. Say hi to Mickey.

% Moderator recognizes question #35
  Michael Hoodes (59)

(#59,Michael Hoodes) What is a REAL reasonable memory for running Windows Apps. I have 8Mb ram
(#59,Michael Hoodes) and start with an 8Mb swapper. If I run 2 Win apps and PRINT (TRUETYPE) I go
(#59,Michael Hoodes) past the 8Mb (9.5 ...). Will this change in GA, OR should I add 6-8Mb more
(#59,Michael Hoodes) RAM? (This is on 2.1 4.698 and previous levels.) I don't forsee replacing
(#59,Michael Hoodes) my Windows apps very quickly. BTW: I love OS/2 and WPS!!! Thanks.
(#59,Michael Hoodes) GA

(#34,Ross Cook) It all depends on how much response you want from your system.
(#34,Ross Cook) And how much memory these 2 applications really need.GA

% Moderator recognizes question #36
  John Navas (38)

(#38,John Navas) What is the status of resolving the compatibility problem
(#38,John Navas) between OS/2 and Phar Lap's TNT extender, which is used in
(#38,John Navas) new Windows tools from Microsoft like MASM 6.1 and Visual
(#38,John Navas) C++ 1.0.  Phar Lap claims that the problem is a bug in OS/2.
(#38,John Navas) I first reported this to IBM some months ago but so far have
(#38,John Navas) not been able to get a definitive response.  GA
(#34,Ross Cook) No one here right now knows anything.  Do you have an APAR numberr?
(#34,Ross Cook) GA
(#34,Ross Cook) Navas, I was just corrected: we are in fact working
(#34,Ross Cook) with Phar Lap right now on this.GA


% Moderator recognizes question #38
  Ken Wohlferd (16)


(#16,Ken Wohlferd) Thanks for the 2.1 positioning answer.
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) Next question: How do you see Portable OS/2 and Pink fitting in?
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) As new releases for OS/2 or new products?  The press has been saying that
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) OS/2 is a dead end because of these products.  I can assume that you don't agree?
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) GA

(#34,Ross Cook) We are looking into adapting Taligent technology into OS/2
(#34,Ross Cook) but none of this will happen in the near future.
(#34,Ross Cook) At least no significant changes to the current
(#34,Ross Cook) operation you know and love.  A portable version of OS/2
(#34,Ross Cook) is a very interesting point but there are lots of
(#34,Ross Cook) problems there - mostly in how do we continue
(#34,Ross Cook) to support existing 16-bit applications with
(#34,Ross Cook) good performance.
(#34,Ross Cook) GA

% Moderator recognizes question #39
  Leif Braeuer (ger) (8)


(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) Whats about new file systems ? Will there may be support for other filesystems
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) For example Microsoftfs NTFS or UNIX NFS. Somewhere I heared of using a object
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) oriented filesystem in the next release (someone mentioned Lotus Notes).
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) I think there is still a gap between the WPS and OS/2
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA

(#3,IBM) (Ross) Our file server that we implemented on the Workplace OS
(#3,IBM) includes support for memory Mapped files.  We will continue to develop
(#3,IBM) new technologies and introduce them both in our operating systems.GA

% Moderator recognizes question #40
  Jeroen Frijters (21)

(#21,Jeroen Frijters) I know it is possible to add a menu-item to the
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) desktop menu. But, I would like to see it possible
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) to remove an item from the desktop menu (specifically:
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) arrange icons).
(#21,Jeroen Frijters) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) While it is not possible to remove the arranged menu item,
(#3,IBM) using the Workplace user interface.  You can do this by sub-classing
(#3,IBM) the desktop class and removing the menu item with one of the methods. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #41
  John Navas (38)

(#38,John Navas) A combo ( sorry :) disk question:
(#38,John Navas) When can we expect native OS/2 disk compression?
(#38,John Navas) Will it be compatible with DOS 6.0 (which I expect to be
(#38,John Navas) When will OS/2 provide true removable media support for
(#38,John Navas) devices like SyQuest drives (preferably compatible with DOS)?
(#38,John Navas) GA

(#3,IBM) (Ross) Many vendors are working on products for OS/2 disk compression.  We are supporting these vendors
(#3,IBM) and expect them to release their products soon.  Not in OS/2 2.1 but
(#3,IBM) we are pursuing incorporating disk compression in OS/2.  DOS 6.0
(#3,IBM) disk compression is a question of installing on top of DOS as opposed
(#3,IBM) to compressing OS/2 files.  We are evaluating the DOS 6.0 compression
(#3,IBM) and how compatable it is with other operating systems including OS/2.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #42
  Brian Bonner (45)

(#45,Brian Bonner) What is the best way for suggestions for OS/2 2.X enhancements to hit IBM?
(#45,Brian Bonner) It seems that in this fast paced world, the old methods are too slow...
(#45,Brian Bonner) I have placed suggestions on the PSPbeta, but I sometimes feel like they
(#45,Brian Bonner) have gone into a black hole.  It would be nice if there was a list kept
(#45,Brian Bonner) somewhere of the suggestions that you received, the one's you will implement
(#45,Brian Bonner) and the ones you won't.  Perhaps you can even use a vehicle like this to
(#45,Brian Bonner) Vote on them
(#45,Brian Bonner) Here are some excerpts of the suggestions:
(#45,Brian Bonner) Perhaps share OS2TOOLS and nurture them for the user community.  Two
(#45,Brian Bonner) good examples are NETFOLD and PRIVF.  These make it nice to shield people
(#45,Brian Bonner) from messing w/ the underlying system (hide the command prompts, etc.) - great
(#45,Brian Bonner) for kids...
(#45,Brian Bonner) Be nice to have the FORMAT for Drive A (and any drive for that matter appear
(#45,Brian Bonner) in the Window List.  I am formatting diskettes, while I use WINCIM, w/
(#45,Brian Bonner) Excel and Word in the background, waiting for me to finish my paper...
(#45,Brian Bonner) Minimizing all of the windows to find your format is done is a pain...
(#45,Brian Bonner) Locking down the Icons on the WPS (the question seen earlier...)  Avoiding the
(#45,Brian Bonner) sort problem.  Guy Scharf suggested INTRCPT, but it may not do what I need.
(#45,Brian Bonner) Enabling the Launching of WPS apps via DDE.  In other words, when I launch a
(#45,Brian Bonner) App, like Excel by double clicking on a data icon, I would NOT like to
(#45,Brian Bonner) launch another copy by clicking on another excel data icon.  I want it to put it
(#45,Brian Bonner) in the ALREADY running APP...Right now if I want to work w/ Data Icons, it takes
(#45,Brian Bonner) too long to load up a Windows session for each app to get the kind of protection I want.
(#45,Brian Bonner) I would like to take advantage of the Crash protection and interact with the
(#45,Brian Bonner) WPS through DATA instead of APPS...please help.
(#45,Brian Bonner) Did you get the message I send about Suggestions? and the black hole?
(#45,Brian Bonner) I was busy editing the message when my number was called.  Serves me right for
(#45,Brian Bonner) typing so much.
(#45,Brian Bonner) It would be nice to keep a log (file somewhere) of suggestions that people make
(#45,Brian Bonner) and if and when IBM will work on them.  Right now it appears that they go
(#45,Brian Bonner) into a black hole, never to be seen again.  My suggestions are mostly user
(#45,Brian Bonner) interface questions...
(#45,Brian Bonner) 1. Perhaps products from OS2TOOLS can hit the public more quickly (i.e PRIVF
(#45,Brian Bonner) and NETFOLD)

(#3,IBM) (Laura) We capture suggestions from the forum and feed that into the
(#3,IBM) OS/2 Product Plan.  We have initiated with this Beta a feedback mechanism
(#3,IBM) and will consider using the same feedback mechanism for product
(#3,IBM) enhancements.  GA

(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) The OS2TOOLS stuff is processed individually by employees

% Moderator recognizes question #43
  Rick Arabian (26)

(#26,Rick Arabian) I am currently writing a true OS/2 2.X multi-user BBS.
(#26,Rick Arabian) , I have had trouble cmmunicating through two com ports at bps rates above 2400, is IBM working to improve this or should
(#26,Rick Arabian) I write My own stuff?, HELP?!?!

(#3,IBM) (Jack) If you are protect mode application this should work just fine.
(#3,IBM) There are some problems on slow machines with non protect mode
(#3,IBM) applications.  We are pursuing all communication problems agressively
(#3,IBM) in the this product.  If you have a particular problem, please
(#3,IBM) describe this on the Beta forum. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #44
  Bruce Beatty (40)

(#40,Bruce Beatty) Ref O/S 2 2.1 GA
(#40,Bruce Beatty) If GA is not till August I may drop OS/2 and redo my application
(#40,Bruce Beatty) Is there any chance for May, June or July???  Mickey needs this Application...
(#40,Bruce Beatty) Thanks...Bruce...
(#40,Bruce Beatty) GA

(#3,IBM) (Shon)  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!! Once again we would be happy to go over
(#3,IBM) your specific customer scenario.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #45
  Tony Valenti (20)

(#20,Tony Valenti) Some people find the recommendation to format before installing OS/2
(#20,Tony Valenti) on top of previous betas onerous and intimidating. Why don't you
(#20,Tony Valenti) publish (in a readme?) a procedure for manually deleting OS/2
(#20,Tony Valenti) to prepare for an install without losing programs/data? (This way
(#20,Tony Valenti) one could use the MS DOS6 delete procedure for a good cause!)
(#20,Tony Valenti) ga

(#3,IBM) (Jack) There are several sharware programs that support back up and
(#3,IBM) restore of WPS objects that could be used.  While in some cases
(#3,IBM) installing over previous Beta's may work, we choose not to support this. GA


% Moderator recognizes question #46
  Leif Braeuer (ger) (8)

(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) Just to return to filesystems. Do you think about extending HPFS with links
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) (the feature I like so much on the WPS). And second will there be a HPFS
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) support for removeable medias like Syquest or the IBM Optical drives.
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) And just another question. The format of the OS2.INI has changed. How
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) do I migrate my 2.0GA desktop to 2.1
(#8,Leif Braeuer (ger)) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) Last question first.  When you install the shipped 2.1 product
(#3,IBM) it will automatically migrate your 2.0 GA desktop.
(#3,IBM) HPFS and FAT will be modified to support removable medias including
(#3,IBM) Syquest and IBM Optical drives. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #47
  John Navas (38)

(#38,John Navas) I find that the OS/2 system is too hard to restore from back up for my
(#38,John Navas) clients.  Are there any plans to make it simpler to save/restore
(#38,John Navas) critical system files to/from media like tape?  (We have tried and
(#38,John Navas) rejected Sytos, which required a new OS/2 install before we could
(#38,John Navas) restore, and that a kludge workaround to restore system files in use.)
(#38,John Navas) When will OS/2 provide true removable media support for devices like
(#38,John Navas) SyQuest drives (preferably compatible with DOS)?  GA
(#38,John Navas) Amend SSyQuest question to WHEN?

(#3,IBM) (Laura) Yes, we plan to improve our backup/restore utility.  GA

% Moderator recognizes question #48
  Ken Wohlferd (16)

(#16,Ken Wohlferd) Speaking of stuff I would like to see in OS/2:
(#16,Ken Wohlferd)   The ease of use items are high on my list.  The CONFIG.SYS is worse than
(#16,Ken Wohlferd)   DOS, and that was pretty bad.
(#16,Ken Wohlferd)   MAKEINI is a clumsy was to recover my system.  OS/2 needs built-in recovery.
(#16,Ken Wohlferd)   The Backup/Restore process is a pain, booting from diskettes and all.
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) I presume these won't be fixed in 2.1?  Should I be pushing for 2.2?
(#16,Ken Wohlferd) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) The INI file changes made in the recent 2.1 Beta are intended
(#3,IBM) to address the problems that cause you to do a MAKEINI in the first place.
(#3,IBM) We recognize the set of problems that you have described here and will
(#3,IBM) adress the problems in this and future releases of OS/2. GA

% Moderator recognizes question #49
  Brian MacDonald (19)

(#19,Brian MacDonald) I'd like to know what the plans are for SOM bindings for
(#19,Brian MacDonald) languages other than C++, ie. SmallTalk. Any hints on when
(#19,Brian MacDonald) I can expect to see them, ie. 2.1, 2.2 .... <pretty please ;-) >
(#19,Brian MacDonald) GA

(#3,IBM) (Jack) DigitalK Talk has publically stated that they will support SOM
(#3,IBM) bindings in their products. We will pursue any language binders that
(#3,IBM) supply any competitive advantages. GA

(#1,Irv Spalten [IBM]) Thanks folks, it has been fun...