OS/2 Archive

eComStation (eCS) is an Internet enabled platform for business desktop computing. The focus of eCS is to provide an organization with a set of world class business applications and an application engine which can support multiple API sets. eCS is REXX enabled and comes with support for DOS, Java, Windows 3.1, OS/2 applications. Here are some screenshots of the installation process of the upcomming eComStation 1.1. We did a review of eCS 1.0 a few months ago. On a related note, IBM refreshed the Java Development Kit 1.3.1 for OS/2 (paid subscription required to download it).

OSNews reader Prognathous writes: "Well, actually it was released earlier this year, but I couldn't find any references in your news section, so it's about time. The only problem is that other than in usenet, details are scant and the official release was very subdued (search the page for "4.52")." This release is only available to IBM's active software subscription customers of OS/2 Warp 4 and it does seem to be a service pack ("Convenience Package" as IBM calls it). IBM does not intend to provide any additional convenience packages in the future.

"IBM's first 32-bit version of its advanced PC operating system was released 10 years ago this month. It was better than anything around, yet it failed. Its hopes were pinned on many of the same things we hope today will bring Linux to the forefront. What lessons are to be learned? Will we learn them? A glimpse of a sorry chapter in computing history." Read the editorial at LinuxAndMain.

This paper at IBM.com is a summary of problems encountered by the LAN Distributed Platform (LANDP) for Linux team whilst porting LANDP from OS/2 to Linux. This paper should be useful to other teams that are porting OS/2 applications to Linux.

IBM's OS/2 operating system was once lauded for its ability to run DOS and Windows applications. But, since the release of Windows 95, 32-bit Windows applications haven't been supported. That situation may change soon. Connectix Corp. Tuesday unveiled Virtual PC for OS/2, along with product development and marketing help from software developer InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH and the distribution support of Serenity Systems. The software promises to let corporate users run both Windows and OS/2 applications on one PC. Using Connectix's virtual machine technology, any x86 operating system can be loaded under the "host" operating system.

A PC World article reports that though OS/2 has enjoyed years of success in key niches such as automated banking and airline systems, those days may be numbered as Microsoft targets those markets with Windows XP. OS/2 has virtually disappeared from the desktops of all but an elite hard-core group of enthusiasts, but its stability made it popular for devices like ATMs. With IBM's support for OS/2 having waned years ago, things are looking pretty grim for its continued existence as a live product.