Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Tue 4th Dec 2001 17:47 UTC
IBM's OS/2 has a great history as a workstation operating system, it was a major alternative OS in the '90s. At its peak time in the mid-'90s OS/2 had about 2 million users but the Windows NT and Windows 95 releases broke its further development. This year Serenity Systems has released a new client version of OS/2. This article will introduce you to what OS/2 is all about. You will learn its history, its user interface, and its power under the hood. The article is also accompanied by a number of screenshots.
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If you don't like Windows and you are NOT a Unix person, OS/2 (eCS) is the only available option to move on an X86. I am a little different kind of OS/2 user...I don't "remember the good old days" because I started using OS/2 Version 4.0 in 1999....that's right 1999! I am currently running OS/2 Warp MCP (4.5) on my server and eComstation 1.0 on my desktop. Back in 1999 I was dissapointed with Windows and it wasn't a stability issue. I really didn't have any crashes but I always ran an NT product and stayed away from 9x :-) I just got bored with the same crap and wanted something different....especially since I support NT4/2000 machines all day at work. My first avenue was Linux...WRONG ANSWER...and before anyone starts on how wonderful Mandrake 8.1 is I know, I have installed it and it really is very nice. BUT, for the normal user it is way to complicated and has too many things in too many places. The stability and power of Linux is superb and I see why so many are jumping on the bandwagon...I understand and AGREE with the interest there; but Linux for SOHO is not ready for primetime just yet. BeOS is really cool also (used BeOS 4.5 and 5.0 Pro) but it doesn't have a FULL-Java capable Web Browser or Microsoft Office compatible Office Suite and the network capabilities are poor (I have a SOHO LAN). So what is left other than an *nix variant??? What? That is why I bought OS/2. WOW! I love it. It doesn't do everything Windows does nor does it have all the apps; but if you are a SOHO user who needs Office suite capabilites, Internet Browsing, Email, MP3 goodies and CD burning, OS/2 has those features! And they are very nice. Even better the thing runs like a charm: smooth, stable and simply elegant. The WPS is one of my favorite things about it because it is so customizable. Windows 2000 and XP are very nice products but if you are like me and are just tired of Windows (and Microsoft's practices), please give Serenity a chance with their eComstation product. The installation was not hassle free by any means but with a little time and patience all is perfect and they have forums on their website if you need help. Serenity has done a wonderful job and I want their success. Hearing the news about Virtual PC is exciting because there is one app I use in Windows and I have another PC for it...NO MORE!! The biggest piece of advice I can give is to check and see if your hardware is supported. Check out: http://www7.software.ibm.com/2bcprod.nsf/WebCat?OpenView I can say I am very glad I gave the OS/2 Operating System a try. I hope others who feel that Linux and Windows is just not for them will do the same. You may be surprised at what you see!