Overview of OpenOffice.org 1.1.x for eComStation

2005-05-03 17:33:55 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The lack of 100% compatibility with Microsoft Office is not only a big problem for eCS, but actually for each operating system that tries to be an alternative for Windows.

However the situation isn't that dramatical for OS/2 and eComStation as you might think. There are for instance different office suites available for eComStation which can compete on functionality with Microsoft Office and which offer perfect data compatibility.

Here is the overview of Innotek OpenOffice 1.1.x for eComStation (russian text).

Game "Sunny pills for Roderick"

2005-05-02 22:35:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [eCo Software, software updates]

Missing the forthcoming summer? Going to loaf on a beach.. and inlay words with stones visible from the space? Try the "Sunny pills".. Swap adjacent pills to clear room for loafers and make sets of 3, 4 or 5. Combinations of pills cause appearance of stone with dynamite or atomic cobble-stone destroying all pills of the same color. Be in a hurry! The summer may end.

sNOa game pack homepage: http://www.ecomstation.ru/ecobaby

Week of DVD devices

2005-05-01 14:04:53 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The seventeenth week of 2005 is dedicated to collection of info about compatible/non-compatible DVD devices. Our database contains 14 records only... Major part of the models are not produced anymore. Post new reports using the web-form.

Moreover, we invite you send us logs of eCS installer. If sound/network card was not detected by the eCS 1.2 installer, then send instlog.zip file (\var\log) to support (at) ecomstation.com

Black PR in action

2005-04-30 14:24:41 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some days ago www.os2world.com site published "petition making OS/2 Open Source". As usual, such events cause negative reactions in press. For example www.computerra.ru published aricle about OS/2 and the petition with many mistakes and wrong conclusions.

Of course, we should thank the author for the topic selected, but reproach him in incompetence and usage of OS/2 word to advertise his own OSes.

Pavel Shtemenko publishes reply to this and other pioneers hating OS/2, in form of "Volunteers of eternityи" essay (russian language).

eComStation Roadmap 2005

2005-04-26 21:12:46 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The development of eComStation OS gathers speed. We have published the eComStation Roadmap 2005 on russian language. You can get the original document from www.ecomstation.com site or view the duplicate at www.os2ecs.org.

eComStation users obtain access to new components and drivers when available in the eComStation beta-zone.

Users should consider this information for planning purposes, only.

Pay attention to useful drivers

2005-04-23 00:11:54 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We would like to call attention of users and developers to 2 new drivers:

• USB 1.1 Expanded Control Driver allows directly control classless usb devices attached to an OS/2 system. Has been specifically designed to ease the development and test of simple homemade usb devices under OS/2. Uses standard/vendor control transfers and data (bulk/interrupt) transfers. Made in Holland by Wim Brul. eCo Software thanks Wim for attentive and detailed support and implementation of bulk/interrupt transfers!
  Coolfm now supports additional hardware thanks to this driver: AVerMedia USB Radio, Model MR-800 and Mediaforte RadioXTreme USB Radio, Model: FMU-100.
  USBECD homepage -- http://home.hccnet.nl/w.m.brul
• Driver for USB-tablets. It supports Intuos 2 model now. Join testing of Wacom (FAVO) Graphire 2 and 3, Wacom Volito, Cintiq tablets. Every modern computer designer uses tablets.. only one graphics editor for eCS supports this kind of hardware - QueenCy (receives information about strength of pressure, pen pitch).
  Homepage of QueenCy and digitizer driver -- http://www.1drop.net/os2.html

VOICE Newsletter 04/2005 available

2005-04-20 23:11:16 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS]

The April issue of the VOICE Newsletter is now available online.

In the latest issue you find:

• Keeping OS/2 up-to-date -- by Christian Hennecke
• Current Printers? One that works, the Canon PIXMA iP4000 -- by Peter Brown
• ClipView 2.9 -- by Keith Merrington
• Stripping Down Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) for quick loading and browsing -- by Harry Travis
• Samba server for OS/2 -- by Paul Smedley
• Help to keep XWorkplace up-to-date -- by Christian Hennecke
• And of course letters, addenda, tips, and the compiled news of the previous month!

New Personal Finance program for OS/2-eComStation mail list

2005-04-18 22:54:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS, Mark]

Nathan Woodruff has setup a new mailing list/forum on Yahoo for the new Personal Finance program he is developing for OS/2-eComStation users -- Quick 'n' Easy Finances --. It is still in a very early stage of development, but he is looking for feedback.

Subscribe via email Or on the web.

OS/2 and eComStation Developers Workshop - Update

2005-04-18 18:46:55 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS, Robert Henschel]

There have been quite some updates to the developers workshop homepage since the workshop was first announced on February 22nd.

Whatsnew:

• 7 presentations are planned;
• Developers Workshop Merchandising available through the netlabs.org shop
• Online shop opened - you can purchase tickets now!

If you have not yet bookmarked the Developers Workshop Homepage, here is the URL

See you at the workshop!

VOICE OS/2 User group listing page updated

2005-04-18 18:07:29 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS]

Just a few updates to the new VOICE listing of known OS/2-eComStation User groups.

• Thanks to Per Johansson for notifying us about groups in Norway and Denmark.
• Thanks to Larry Lavins for an update on the Philadelphia Alternmate Systems User Group (PASUG).
• Thanks to Ed Durrant for an update on the OS2UGSA South Australia.
• Thanks to our webmaster Ken Kirchner for adding an online entry form to make it easier for people to send us new entries. You can access the form directly at http://www.os2voice.org/usergroupinfo.html

You can access the VOICE OS/2-eComStation User Group listing at this page. Or from any VOICE web page by clicking on the --User Groups-- link on the left hand navigation menu.

This list is just a starting point. We know there are more OS/2 and eComStation user groups around. So that is where you come in. If you know of an active OS/2 or eComStation User group in your area or have a correction for any information posted on the listing, please use the web entry form (http://www.os2voice.org/usergroupinfo.html ) or email us at os2groups@os2voice.org with the following details (leaving blank unused fields):

 Country:
  State:
  General Locale/City:
  Group name:
  Brief description of the group:

 Contact info:
  URL:
  Chair/President:
  Membership contact person:
  Contact email address:
  Contact Phone:
  Contact Fax:
  Contact mailing address:

 MeetingInfo:
  Meeting Schedule :

  Meeting location:

OS2 World need Your help!

2005-04-18 00:56:41 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We need your help to gather e-mail addresses to your local computer- and financial magazines inclusive larger news pappers in your region/country.

If you have any suggestion how to get in touch with editors of above magazines and as well other suggestion such as news sites, etc. Please then send an e-mail to kimh at os2world dot com.

New eComStation Pricing: Effective March 31, 2005

2005-04-03 10:59:13 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS, Bob St.John]

Serenity Systems International recently completed a new agreement with IBM. The agreement allows Serenity Systems International to continue providing eComStation users with access to all IBM software updates, drivers, and fixes for the OS/2 product in a manner consistent with IBM's software strategy for OS/2, as reflected by IBM in the terms and conditions for OS/2 products available through IBM Passport Advantage.

Existing eComStation users will continue to have access to all IBM updates and drivers currently available from the eComStation site. All eComStation users will continue to have access to IBM fixes for OS/2.

In the future, IBM software updates to be made available through the eComStation web site will be restricted and made available only to users of the current version of eComStation (1.2 at this time) for a period of 12 months. eComStation 1.2 users who purchased in 2004 will expire on 12/31/05. Users who have purchased in 1Q05 will expire on March 31, 2006. Users purchasing in 2Q05 will expire on June 30, 2006.

eComStation pricing for upgrades to 1.2 from eComStation 1.0 or Warp4 will be increased to satisfy the "reinstatementof support" required by IBM for continued access to IBM updates and drivers for OS/2. eComStation users who are currently on 1.1 or 1.0 may upgrade with the pricing listed below, or purchase a new product, PlusIBM, which also satisfies the "re-instatement" requirement. Or, the user can continue as before, accessing the current level of OS/2 code, and receiving fixes as these become available from IBM.

I regret increasing pricing, but I'm obliged to do in order to continue providing access to updates as these become available. As always, I suggest users look at what is available and decide .. "Do I need to do anything? Is everything working?" and not make a "buy" decision until they see something they really want or need, which has value to them.

The following pricing, in US dollars, goes into effect on March 31, 2005:

Product    	Price 	
1.2		        $259
1.1-> 1.2	   $69
1.0-> 1.2	   $129	
Warp4-> 1.2	 $159
Plus IBM**	  $99

Renewals for PlusIBM will be available in 2006, if required. The estimated Suggested Retail Price for PlusIBM renewals would be $39, subject to change.

Let's gather solutions based on OS/2

2005-03-30 12:01:39 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

OS/2 (eComStation) is alive while people are using and improving the system. The developers of solutions ensure long life for our operating system because computers with OS/2 make money for their customers year by year. The developers bring new industrial technologies to OS/2, feed support service, fill OS/2 with unique features to keep the solutions competitive.

• Examples of solutions based on OS/2: ATM, sound processing (speech, digital restoration of sound), training devices (astronauts, oilmen), technical appliances (measuring, medical), virtual machines (mainframes, SVISTA), CMMS, restaurants, etc.
• Why should you write the story today?
  1. You should do this to protect your investments made into OS/2 platform.
  2. OS/2 users are located in different countries and cities. They will read the story because of OS/2 word :) And spread the information about your company and products among own colleagues.
  3. The developer of the operating system will get information about your requirements and improve OS to satisfy them.
  4. Your story gives stimulus to thousands of users, developers and companies.
  5. It's easy. Solution story is based on usual product flyer.
• Where to collect solutions? www.ecomstation.ru site is hosting Solutions list since 2002. Now it contains texts on russian language only but you can publish german, dutch, english texts there.
• How to write Solutions story? Take the flyer of your product, add Introduction, add one-two paragraphs about advantages of OS/2 usage, add 2 advertisement photos/screenshots, 2 screenshots of back-end demonstating usage of OS/2. Send the story to e-mail: support (at) ecomstation.ru

Welcome to homepage of solutions

Week of SMP computers

2005-03-24 16:33:19 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The 12-th week of 2005 is dedicated to collection of info about compatible/non-compatible SMP-machines.

You can post reports about brand machines, motherboards, SCSI, RAID controllers.

Attention! The developers of solutions are interested to know the experience of eComStation client usage (this is caused by high costs on server edition).

Moreover, we invite you send us logs of eCS installer. If sound/network card was not detected by the eCS 1.2 installer, then send instlog.zip file (\var\log) to support (at) ecomstation.com

Java Plug-ins for browsers on OS/2

2005-03-24 16:18:59 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [www.osnews.com]

This article provides an introduction to Java Plug-ins and describes the configuration details of Java Plug-ins from different flavors of Java Runtime Environment (JRE), such as Runtime Environment for IBM OS/2 Warp Developer Kit, Java 2 Technology Edition, Version 1.3.1 and InnoTek OS/2 Kit for Java 1.4.2, Runtime, for the Web browsers viz. IBM Web Browser (IWB) and Netscape Communicator; available on the OS/2 Operating System.

Writing DVD in OS/2 and eComStation

2005-03-22 18:46:39 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

DVD devices and DVD disks are cheap now. That's why users are migrating from CD-ROM to DVD. How to install drivers? Which software is available? Sergey Posokhov and nickk are discussing hot questions in Writing DVD in OS/2 and eComStation.

"Save your data. Build MP3-archive and share it with your friends. Put your web-site to DVD. Go!"