I read both the 2/98 and 3/98 editorials.
I've been a OS/2 user since 1990. I originally became interested in it at American
Airlines. After settling in at United Parcel Service in 1992, I have been used and
supported OS/2.
We are currently stopping all OS/2 development, and porting to NT.
While I attempted to stop this continued slide into "microsoft land"
IBM, even at our size, completely ignored the trend. We have no plans whatsoever
to use IBM products under NT.
I think that the refocus onto business for OS/2 will be better, but it may just
be the "death" of it yet. It holds both great opportunity *or* the back-burner,
no-new-version sort of stigma that will kill it.
I've tried many times to find people who use OS/2 in SOHO. I can't find a single
person in all of Maryland who does use it. I've been to 5 classes at IBM. But I'm
frustrated at the in-ability to use the skills I've learned. If the OS/2 users really
needed SOHO support, then people would be looking for people like me.
From the editor: That is the same situation many of us find ourselves in. That
is why we created VOICE, so we can linkup with other OS/2 users who may not be nearby.
I myself can not figure out what IBM's strategy is regarding marketing of OS/2.
They claim they are positioning it for the large corporate market, yet we keep hearing
about large OS/2 sites that are abandoning OS/2 because IBM doesn't promote it to
them and management sees OS/2 as a dead end. In IBM's rush to distance itself from
OS/2, they seem to have forgotten that their expertise is highly valued in their
own operating system, but not so valuable in the NT market, where Microsoft is king.
In addition IBM's shabby treatment of OS/2 users has left many with a bad taste
for IBM products in general. Whatever their real agenda is, the only benefits we
derive are the free enhancements and fixes released to keep their few large customers
happy. IBM has made it clear they are not interested in the SOHO market, at least
not in regards to OS/2 at the present time.
. IBM sponsors a new Mining Co. Web page...
. CONTINUOUS Releases of Fixes with SIGNIFICANT NEW FEATURES...
. Support for Java to about 1.1.6 or 1.2 on all IBM platforms, esp. Windows 3.1
and OS/2
. Work at Hursley on multimedia and smart web browser technology
. Have you seen the new Java Swing class look?
. Netscape Communicator 5.0
. Smartsuite 4.0 (98) for OS/2
. eSuite (would be a nice replacement for the bonus pak)
. and if there's anything you're really attached to, Timur Tabi will translate it
to OS/2 Native
The signs are everywhere, though I suspect people who really believe in OS/2,
that it's an outstanding system, and ought to thrive, are very likely keeping it
under their hats, so they don't spoil the surprise for Mr. William Gates. If I were
you, I would stop reading PC Magazine and browse the IBM and SUN sites more often.
I couldn't tell you for sure what will be in it, but a voice activated intelligent
browser, eSuite, and Java 1.2 with Swing would pretty much sink win-anything,and
slam-dunk the media, don't you think.
Now don't spoil the surprise ;) ,
Mike Rainville
Montreal, QC, Canada
Mr. Both's response:
I do not think that this is a "sneak attack." This is exactly what
IBM has been saying they would do for a number of years, now, and none of us believed
them. Also, I don't believe that I am being negative, just realistic.
I just discovered your publication by following links from os2ss.com
Good articles in the issue I read (os2 use in the nuclear sector etc). And no
whining about windows, thank you!
I'll be back.
Cheers!
Eric
From the editor: Thanks for your support Eric. This is an entirely volunteer
effort. If anyone would like to help out with an article reviewing an OS/2 software
package or perhaps installing some new hardware under OS/2, please submit your idea/article
to editor@os2voice.org We would be more
than happy to help you get published on the net. Also to help VOICE and yourself
as an OS/2 user, please consider joining VOICE. The cost is nominal, but with your
help we hope to make a difference by providing tangible improvement in the day to
day problems of OS/2 users. The newsletter is just part of what VOICE has to offer.
To find out more about VOICE, check out our meetings and our meeting information
page - http://www.os2voice.org/meetinginfo.html
Thanks for the online newsletter, OS2Voice. I'm afraid I've not seen it before;
I don't spend all that much time exploring online for newsletters, although I use
OS2 90% of the time.
I wanted to mention that when reading the Wall Street Journal -- a company that
is plainly bias toward Microsoft and badmouths OS2 whenever it can (they have a
deal with MS, I believe, to use MS products) -- I have noticed OS2 web ads on a
number of occasions.
Just thought I'd pass that along. Best wishes with your effort,
Al
From the editor: Well I hope you come back, especially since we're publishing
your letter. :-) I have seen those web ads as well. I have given up trying to figure
out IBM's OS/2 strategy. They say they are no longer interested in the small time
user, but they continue to direct advertising toward us. I have seen an OS/2 at
the Olympics ad in ComputerWorld as well (the paper version). But it was listed
as an Operating System specific ad, so my guess is if I had listed NT as my choice
of operating system on my ComputerWorld subscription form, I'd be seeing an ad for
IBM's NT solutions instead. In other words, for the most part these ads are preaching
to the choir. Once VOICE is successful within the OS/2 community, we can move on
to our true reason for existence, to promote OS/2 to the rest of the computing public.
Not that OS/2 is for everyone, but everyone deserves to know that a choice exists.
This article was exceptional. The idea was remarkable in itself.
dan
From he editor: Thank you. This is something I have been wanting to do for some
time, but wasn't sure I could find people interested in discussing their use of
OS/2 in their work. In this issue you will find an expanded series of interviews
with both Business and Home OS/2 users. When I put out the call for OS/2 users,
I had no idea what kind of response I was going to get. I am extremely happy to
report that I received over 65 messages with people asking to tell their story and
more continue to arrive. We will continue to have 3-5 OS/2 user interviews in each
future issue of the VOICE Newsletter.