OS/2, Frequently asked questions

2020-04-12 02:23:48 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

New season - new questions If you have an answer then post here.

• Q1: How to install other video driver? SNAP or Panorama?
• Q2: How to create list of all files on disk? txt формат, 1 line - full path
• Q3: What video adapter to select for OS/2?
• Q4: How to update OpenOffice?
• Q5: How to setup CUPS printer driver?
• Q6: Why OS/2 stay on the same level and doesn't change?
• Q7: What audio mixers can I select?
• Q8: ArcaOS, yum / rpm is broken. how to fix?
• Q9: how to disable A: and B: drive letters
• Q10: What and How to automate on boot of OS/2?
• Q11: How to understand What version of ArcaOS do I use?
• Q12: How to join the development of ArcaOS?

We will publish the answers in the may somewhere here (points to deadend)

OS/2 new projects

2020-03-30 13:09:24 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

you can order software development of OS/2 utilities and programs to russian developers. Describe your project, we are searching hungry developers. Contacts e-mail: eg (at) ecomstation (dot) ru

OS/2 - did you installed proper drivers?

2020-01-26 16:17:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

Future versions of DevMan will show, did you installed proper drivers for every device or not. (in other words, is it possible accelerate work of video or it works at maximal speed = is it necessary replace universal device driver to accelerated or not)

Our experience with service of Windows users shows that huge amount of Windows computers are configured not properly: main drivers are not installed so computers work properly. Of course, Windows has all means to fix this problems. OS/2 will get the assistant in 2020 only.

DevMan Homepage

screenshot example:

• red vertical stripe - the device doesn't have driver or wrong driver
• orange indicator - a driver is installed but it should be replaced to accelerated one, оранжевая вертикальная полосочка - драйвер стоит, но нужно сменить его на более подходящий
• green stripe - optimal driver is installed

eCo Software, User Interface

2020-01-22 02:22:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

eCo Software is interested research User Interface development for OS/2.

1) We have offered TouchPM concept several years ago with the goal to update PM controls for compatibility with touch screens.

2) there were plans to change view of eCenter panel. we are collecting ideas how to redesign it.

3) the main door to PM upgrade is eSchemes program. we should select what tasks are the most important and real.

4) WPS Copy/Move dialog should be implemented. this is must have function for new users.

5)

So, to achieve some results in the next 5 monthes, we need some sponsor help. NeoWPS subscription => Sponsor units

OS/2 compatible hardware

2020-01-22 01:49:15 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

OS/2 GURU published more reports about tested hardware

• modern motherboards
• USB Audio adapters

What computer configuration is optimal for OS/2 in 2020?

• you don't need extreme NVidia video adapter
• no need in i9 and 64 Gb of RAM
• on the other side, it's stupid to run OS/2 on MMX and Pentium from 2004

OS/2 Benchmarks: http://os2.guru/sysbench

OS/2 Holy cows

2020-01-16 00:29:09 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

Is it normal to change the constitution? ops, what holy cow can be killed? and what cow is untouchable?

What sentence is correct when we discuss OS/2?

• Some parts of OS/2 are untouchable and can't be replaced
• OR any component, any feature of OS/2 can be changed? (but what we get in final? )

Holy cows of OS/2 - Pro and Contra

How to update OS/2 program for compatibility with ArcaOS?

2020-01-09 03:12:08 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

If your program was working in OS/2 Warp or eComStation, test that it is compatible with ArcaOS:

• X-1: directory structure was changed. example: system files are located in \sys now
• X-2: some aux utilities are absent or are located in other place. (example: pci.exe)
• X-3: USBCALLS: should work as early (new apps compiled with ArcaOS, may fail in old eComStation. let's test)
• X-4: if compiling XWP widget, then check X-1, X-2.
• X-5: ACPI dll, (help us with tests)
• X-7: the behavior of main drivers was changed 1) video: Panorama, 2) ACPI - test compatibility of your program with this drivers
• test the installer of your program that it works without mistakes: X-1, X-2

Warpstock Europe 2020 conference

2020-01-06 18:54:01 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

What do you expect to see and listen at the conference?

local site

• 1) ArcaNoae makes presentations every year
• 2) bitwiseworks makes reports every year

What do you expect? what you could do for the conference?

Tested hardware

2020-01-05 03:18:08 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

os2.guru makes efforts to update the database of hardware tested with OS/2. We could publish a hundred of reports during the january. Send us report about modern hardware manufactured after 2010.

What computer is better for OS/2 ?

2020-01-04 01:44:17 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

We are collecting benchmark logs at http://os2.guru/sysbench

Let's analyze the results,

• No need to use expensive external video adapters. Better use Intel integrated than NVidia external.
• (obviously) 4 cores is better than 2 cores
• (obviously) SSD is faster than HDD
• (obviously) New computers are faster than old

Let's collect other 30 reports to get more conclusions.

OS/2 2020: Killer application

2020-01-03 21:00:11 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

// Killer application = popular application = locomotive application = application which attracts attention of external users and makes them install OS/2 system. Definition, examples

We are discussing this topic since 2001, we still don't have such program on OS/2 market.

The latest discussion gives one more conclusion: we can't create large super Photoshop. But we should discuss what 5 small / medium size programs should be *developed* and *included* to the operating system DVD.

How are you going use PC in 2020? Order OS/2 popular application here.

What is the reason to move to ArcaOS?

2020-01-03 19:51:14 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

We confirm that the users don't have discounts when migrate from eComStation to ArcaOS.

ArcaOS is better than OS/2 Warp and eComStation, because works better on modern hardware:

• USB drivers: During installation of eCS you had many troubles: mouse and keyboard may be not available. you should reboot several times to edit config.sys, etc.

  ArcaOS includes improved USB drivers, which work much better. USB flash disks work faster. New devices are supported.

• Refreshed User Interface: ArcaOS includes PNG Desktop and FileOpenContainer. (by default this components are not configured, you should make some efforts to use this components)
• ArcaOS includes Firefox подробнее
• ArcaOS includes rewritten OS loader, which fixes some problems with memory, research was started in 2005, 2008
• New setup utilities: network, RAM-disk setup, etc.
• Updated drivers: ACPI, Panorama,
• To manage updates for apps ported from linux, yum/rpm is included.

Warpstock Europe 2020 is coming!

2019-12-24 23:53:45 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2.guru]

The OS/2 VOICE board is pleased to announce Warpstock Europe 2020. The event held in Europe where that you can visit to be informed about the latest developements regarding OS/2 and ArcaOS.

The event will be held in the youth hostel in Frankfurt Germany on Saturday 16 and Sunday the 17th of May 2020.

https://www.jugendherberge-frankfurt.de/

You can buy tickets here: http://www.os2voice.org/membership.html#warpstock

The 35 Euro's include coffee, tea and lunch. (You can get a vegetarian Lunch).

Please note, there is no information yet on http://warpstock.eu about Warpstock Europe 2020! This will follow in the coming week.

A big thanks goes out to Thomas Lösel for volenteering to look for an event location!

FROM: Roderick Klein, President OS/2 VOICE foundation