OS/2 Warp Weekly Newsletter - 1995-08-18
THE OS/2 WARP WEEKLY - A production of PSP Worldwide Marketing Support
Covering information relevant to OS/2 Warp and LAN Server
The 8/18/95 Issue (A real collector's item)
The OS/2 Warp Weekly is now available on the Internet at gopher://os2info.austin.ibm.com/11/nl/os2news/os2news.70.
OS/2 Is Alive and Well
Here are a few clear messages about OS/2 to help counter the negative messages from the press:
- OS/2 is alive and well. We have higher sales than last year. We have sold over 1.1 million copies of OS/2 in Europe this year, and the total OS/2 volumes are over 9 million - more than when Microsoft declared Windows 3.0 a success. We were able to get 200 companies in Europe to agree to participate in an OS/2 ad - in less than a week.
- OS/2 is alive and well. IBM continues to make major investments in developing OS/2. The latest plan calls for new versions of OS/2 in both 1996 and 1997 on both Intel and PowerPC platforms.
- OS/2 is alive and well. IBM's acquisition of Lotus provides us with powerful OS/2 applications such as Notes and SmartSuite. Many other ISVs will deliver additional OS/2 applications within the next 6 months.
Why I Chose OS/2 (First in a Series)
Why are people choosing OS/2 Warp instead of Windows? These answers, which come from a wide range of computer users, cut through the hype.
- Because of its Stability
John Wunderlin
- Senior Dev. Ctr. Analyst
- Lands' End
"OS/2's stability means that mission-critical business functions aren't interrupted by runaway Windows programs. If a Windows program crashes, it doesn't stop host access or other programs. That means less lost work and less downtime."
BOTTOM LINE: OS/2 Warp is in its third generation as a battle-tested and proven 32-bit operating system.
- Because of its True Multitasking
Doug Strock
- LAN Specialist
- Dow Corning Corp.
"When we migrated from DOS to OS/2 in our department, we skipped over Windows because we needed true multitasking capabilities. OS/2 Warp permits us to process thousands of incoming documents, retrieve existing ones, print others in the background, send and receive e-mail, and work with other host and LAN applications all at the same time."
BOTTOM LINE: OS/2 Warp is a true 32-bit, preemptive multitasking operating system.
IBM Begins Public Beta Testing for OS/2 Warp Server
IBM has announced the start of public beta testing for OS/2 Warp Server, IBM's business server for customers ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. It provides an integrated platform for the emerging application server environment as well as a complete set of traditional file and print services. The software will be distributed to beta testers in the last week of August, and is expected to be released in the first quarter of 1996.
- "OS/2 Warp Server will raise the bar on what customers and resellers should expect from a server operating system," said Phil Powers, director of marketing for LAN Systems. "We believe that OS/2 Warp Server will provide an excellent application server foundation as well as provide high performance file and print capability in a single solution. The additional integrated features will also help customers reduce the overall cost of managing their networks."
Pricing for OS/2 Warp Server has yet to be determined. An upgrade program for LAN Server users is planned.
Users in the United States can enter the OS/2 Warp Server beta program by calling 1-800-393-8922 after August 28. The cost of the beta program is $15.95 for shipping and handling. OS/2 Warp Server is expected to be generally available during the first quarter of 1996.
In Europe, Middle East and Africa, the beta program details are available via: http://www.europe.ibm.com/getdoc/psmemea/progserv/beta/
Get Warped With Family FunPak for OS/2 Warp
Think two for one sounds like a good deal? How about twelve for one? How about twelve cool software programs the whole family can enjoy - all on one CD-ROM?
The Family FunPak for OS/2 Warp is a unique CD-ROM from IBM with a broad array of home titles. Designed for the home PC user, this unique collection of entertainment, education, reference and financial management programs includes something for every member of the household. The Family FunPak comes included with the new line of Aptiva personal computer systems from the IBM PC Company. The Family FunPak is scheduled for release as a stand-alone product in early September, 1995.
Now the whole family can get "Warped" with the Family FunPak for OS/2 Warp.
Expanded "JumpStart" Program for CommonPoint for OS/2
IBM has expanded the CommonPoint "JumpStart" beta program for OS/2 developers, to broaden the reach and accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge CommonPoint technology. Beta code of the CommonPoint Application System for OS/2 and the CommonPoint Application Development Toolkit for OS/2 will be delivered to corporate developers and ISVs participating in the JumpStart program beginning in September 1995.
InCharge Begins Beta Program, Debuts on PBS
InCharge, a complete financial management system for OS/2 home users and small businesses, will begin beta testing its new CheckFree direct connect support for electronic bill paying in two weeks. For more information on the beta test program, contact Atlanta-based Spitfire Software at 404-257-0187.
On August 23, the Nightly Business Report (PBS) will air a segment on OS/2 and Windows 95. They plan to demonstrate several OS/2 native applications including InCharge.
An in-depth review of InCharge is available in the August issue of the OS/2 Warp Monthly Newsletter at http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/newsletters.html
LAN Server Wins First Place in Poll
LAN Server won top honors in the Networking Software category in the German PC Magazine "OS/2 Inside" readers' poll. The survey results were as follows:
1. | LAN Server: | 24.8% |
2. | ClientConnect for OS/2: | 10.0% (popular German PEER Product) |
3. | Netware 4.1: | 6.6% |
Seniors Embrace OS/2 Warp
I recently had the pleasure of setting up computer systems for a group of senior citizens.
- All of them had or have worked with Windows 3.1
- All of them claimed they knew how to use Windows.
I setup their 16 computers with OS/2 Warp.
After about 60 minutes, most of the people had mastered OS/2 Many of them were able to drag and copy files easily. They even formatted diskettes. Once they realized that just double clicking on a program got it to go, they were thrilled.
Senior citizens as a whole tend to buy lots of software and computers for their grand children. While they may not need mission critical systems, they do want easy-to-use, fast, simple and reliable systems. OS/2 Warp gave them all the features they wanted.
The group was so impressed with OS/2, they promised to spread the word to their grandchildren and their adult children.
Jerry Sitbon
HyperACCESS Beta Testing Program
How would you like to help put the finishing touches on Hilgraeve's next communication software release?
Then please participate in the public beta test of HyperACCESS for OS/2! HyperACCESS for OS/2 is the complete, retail version of HyperACCESS Lite, the easy-to-use terminal program that comes in the BonusPak shipped with OS/2 Warp. Like HyperACCESS Lite, HyperACCESS for OS/2 was developed from the ground up for OS/2 to deliver the full benefits of the operating system's advanced 32-bit architecture, simple object-oriented user interface, and superior communications performance.
HyperACCESS comes packed with exciting new graphical powers, a resource library listing 1000s of ready-to-call on-line systems, and instant- benefit utilities that let even novice users reap immediate rewards from going on-line.
The Beta version of HyperACCESS for OS/2 is available at the following sites:
- Hilgraeve BBS (313-243-5915)
- Hilgraeve CIS forum (GO HILGRAEVE)
- Hilgraeve Web page (www.hilgraeve.com)
- Hilgraeve Gopher (gopher.hilgraeve.com 9005)
- Hilgraeve FTP site (ftp.hilgraeve.com) (/pub/vendor/hilgraeve)
Warp'd Humor
All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound?