From the September 1992 Bits of Blue

Secretary’s Report
[Editor’s Note: Either Jim Clark or Charles Howe]

TAMPA IBM USER’S GROUP

MINUTES OF 8/12/92

The focus of this meeting was on IBM’s OS/2 Version 2.0 and there was a good turnout to learn what they could about the program. While a few other subjects were discussed, the presentation of OS/2 and the before & after discussion of same occupied about 90% of the evening. Things moved a bit fast for this hard-of-hearing reporter, so I am sure that I will only scratch the surface of what transpired - another reason you should all turn out for these always interesting and worthwhile meetings.

CLUB NEWS

Harvey reminded all present of the Word Perfect 5.1 for DOS classes that are to start next month and continue fo the subsequent three months. They will convene on our regular meeting nights at 5:45. They will be conducted by our own inimitable Ed Buzza. An excellent opportunity for those interested. Please be on time --Ed has a lot of ground to cover in a short time.

Our Prez informed us that our Board is considering trying to start a S for communications -- using a modem and a BBS. A good bit of interest was evident from those present and Don Patzsch, who has been CO-SYSOP and technical answer man for the large Sunshine BBS for a number of years, agreed to lead the SIG. It appears another very worthwhile and productive project is about to get underway. Watch for more info on this.

The president of the Tampa Bay OS/2 User Group was present and invited all interested in OS/2 to join their group which meets from 3-5 PM on the 4th Monday of the month. The next meeting is August 24. The meetings are held at the same place as ours -- room 450 of the Lake Pointe One building (IBM facilities). The group focuses exclusively on OS/2 with a view toward exploring and learning about the many features of OS/2, and to solve user problems with same. For more information, call the group coordinator, Joe Poston, at (813)343-3488. If you are an OS/2 fan, give it a shot.

Steven Woas, the author of a new book, Learning DOS: A Beginners Guide, was on hand. He noted that his new book is a basic treatment of DOS designed specifically for new computer users and is written in easy-to-understand language. It retails for $14.95, but he is making it available to all of our members at 40% off -- or $9. George Pollak of Computers and More was also on hand. George announced that he would make available an internal 14.4 modem w/FAX capability to all members for $229. And, if 10 or more of the modems were purchased by club members, he would donate one to the club for its use. If you are interested, George can be reached at 254-2810 or 251-6833.

INDUSTRY NEWS - Harvey covered quite a few notes of interest from industry news, with several additional contributions from those present. I was able to take sporadic notes on some, including the following items:

Microsoft is getting into the sound card business and reportedly will have one on the market by the end of the year. The reported reason is that it will be a means for Microsoft to help push Windows. If that is true, we could expect very competitive pricing on their card. Those considering buying a sound card might want to wait awhile.

QMS (I believe I heard) is coming out with a 32 page/minute - I repeat 32 page/minute - laser printer. Hey, that is fast! I think I also heard a price of something like $2995 for the machine.

Several of the chip/computer manufacturers are coming out with a 68 MHz line of chips/computers. And, I guess we are still scratching the surface, with much more powerful and faster chips/machines on the horizon.

An upgrade for Harvard graphics was report in the BOB newsletter just a couple of months ago. Well, still another upgrade for Harvard Graphics is out. Wow! (Such rapid changes are not restricted to Harvard Graphics, however.)

PROGRAM PRESENTATION:

We were fortunate to have Chris Mayers, our IBM representative, on hand to give us a presentation on IBM OS/2 Ver. 2.0. 1 am not about to try to cover all that Chris showed us and the many features he pointed out about the program -- it is much too powerful and feature-loaded to do that.

Some compare OS/2 with Microsoft Windows - and to the extent that they both use windows and have graphic interface, and allow multitasking, and have a few other similarities, a comparison can be made. But in reality, comparing OS/2 and Windows is an apple/orange comparison. First off, OS/2 is an operating system, just as DOS and UNIX are operating systems. Windows is not -- it is based on and must have the operating system DOS, and it is subject to the limitations of DOS. Among the many features and capabilities of the OS/2 (Ver. 2.0) program are:

OS/2 includes and will run DOS and Windows and any applications made for them, as well as its own operating system and applications.

OS/2 supports true 32-bit processing, multi-threading and will allow up to 240 (yes, two-hundred, forty) virtual DOS windows. That is to say, up to 240 different programs could be run at the same time -- with any mix of DOS, Windows and OS/2 programs.

It would seem that OS/2 gives almost total control of all facets of the environment and desktop, including detailed control of settings for each program and the memory allocated for its use.

It includes a mini-database program and a mini-spreadsheet program which can handle small needs, but neither compares to dB IV or Quatro Pro. It also includes an editor, but does not include a word processor.

The installation program allows considerable latitude in which portions of the program you may load -- or not load. Hence, features loaded and HD space requirements can pretty much be tailored to meet your needs.

OS/2 may be shut down with programs operating, and it will load to that same configuration when next started.

At installation, you can configure your computer as exclusively using the OS/2 operating system; as dual boot where the computer will boot using the same operating system used when last shut down, but will allow you to select the alternative system (OS/2 or DOS) and then reboot; or to make the choice of operating system during start-up each time you start the computer. When in the DOS mode, only DOS supported operations are available to you. When in OS/2, all DOS/Windows/OS/2 operations are available. I believe the main reason the DOS-only option is included is because there are a very few programs that will operate only in a pure DOS environment.

One would think that the documentation for such a powerful program would be quite extensive - and it is. Except, it is not in written form. The written documentation is rather limited, covering primarily installation and information affecting that activity. Program documentation is loaded onto the computer and is available online - and it is very comprehensive and accessible -- with excellent cross-referencing. The index, for example, allows a search feature for any subject and will report all locations where info on that subject can be found - and you can switch immediately to any one of the them.

Online help is super and includes a glossary, a command reference and a tutorial.

Chris covered many other aspects and capabilities of the program, in spite of a glitch which interrupted things, but I did not get notes on them all. It is a super-powerful program and worth consideration by all, including Windows users. It is not all peaches and cream at this point, however. There are a few bugs still, one of which showed up tonight, but IBM’s working hard and fast to solve them all. OS/2 Ver. 2.0 includes Windows 3.0, not 3.1, and OS/2 does not recognize disk space controlled by compression programs like Stacker and Super Stor. But, most of these drawbacks will be corrected with an upgrade expected before the end of the year, that rumor has it will be free to Ver. 2.0 owners.

We understand that the producers of Stacker and Super Stor (and presumably the others) will soon have products on the market that will work with OS/2. It is also rumored that Stacker may be included with the OS/2 upgrade -- but I emphasize that that is RUMOR.

Chris reported that requirements to run OS/2 Ver. 2.0 are: 386SX or better; 4 meg of RAM minimum (will operate, but not well), 6 meg gives much improved performance, and 8 meg better still; and a 60 meg hard disk. Loading the complete package takes about 30 meg of HD space. Minimum load takes about 15 meg of space, while a standard loading would take something on the order of 20 meg. Printer driver support is very comprehensive, with 5 HD floppies full of printer drivers supporting just about any printer that is IBM compatible. Video driver support is not as good and OS/2 has drivers only up to standard VGA (8514 mode), and it appears that IBM is going to rely on the many manufacturers of video cards to develop their own drivers.

OS/2 is available at just about any software outlet, or can be purchased from IBM direct (l-800-3IBMOS2). The $49 Windows-upgrade introductory price ended July 31. The Windows-upgrade price is now $79, but one of those present at the meeting stated that a $16 rebate is available (but how and where you can get the rebate, I do not know).

Chris (and IBM), a BIG THANK YOU for the program you donated and for a job very well done, in spite of the computer glitch. You have a very powerful and useful program.

AND THE WINNER IS:

The following members were lucky enough to have a winning ticket at the drawing and won some very nice prizes, with one member winning two prizes:

(You know, there is something suspicious here. I bought the winning tickets at the meeting, but I didn’t win anything. It has been that way for some time. I think I will ask for a congressional investigation. You people had best be a little nicer to me!) u