Results of polls

2007-03-17 16:15:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We closed some polls:

• Capacity of eComStation market
• Do you need support of HASP HL security keys in eComStation?
• Do you need hardware OpenGL? (read comments)
• Do you use a firewall?
• Does OS/2 community need IEEE-1394 support? (read comments)
• Do you need WarpVision as a plugin for Mozilla?

OpenOffice.org 2.0 RC2

2007-03-15 12:32:30 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Release Candidate is available for immediate download in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian and Dutch to all customers of an active Support Agreement for OpenOffice.org for eComStation and IBM OS/2, via their download-area at the Mensys Online Shop.

You can login to the Mensys Online Shop at: http://www.mensys.net/login/

Whatsnew:

• Performance improvements.
• Filter issues.
• Better error reporting on OOo/2 crash.
• Menu automatic hilite follows XWP settings (needs OOo/2 restart).
• Mouse sliding focus (requires XWP 1.0.8 or greater).
• Spool name in printer object now uses document name.
• PDF export
• Printing issues
• Clipboard text
• Accelerator cut off
• Implemented kerning support, now font rendering matches OOo for windows.
• Detect of symbol font was wrong, fix font rotation for horizontal fonts.
• Navigation Float quickhelp not updated when moving mouse over icon.
• New quickstart icon.
• Use LVM to query drive-types in file-open dialog.
• Added new launchers, now OOo starts from every directory.
• Use lxlite to compress binaries, saving required diskspace for installation.
• Implements quickstart feature for OS/2 with WPS support.
• New keyboard handling, fixes problems with incorrect keyboard layout and numeric pad.
• Added missing mouse pointers.
• Startup windowsize will be OS/2 default or last client area size, no longer start fullscreen.
• Use WarpIN default application path instead of D:\programs (eCS only).
• WarpIN 1.0.12 is now the minimal required version.

Screenshots:

• Impress
• Partial DBCS support

Results of poll "Capacity of eComStation market"

2007-03-13 17:51:04 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Imagine that 100 shareware/commercial applications are developed during the year. How much money are you ready to invest in new usefull applications for eComStation?

What is the purpose of this poll? It allow see:

• You can see how users value the software
• You can see how much euro users assigned for OS/2 in their pockets
• More optimistic users (those which are ready invest much miney) push other to invest more
• Those, who never purchase applications, can see that other users do this

Some conclusions:

• The major part of users is ready invest into software for eComStation
• 3/4 of users are ready invest 50 .. 300 EURO. (Let's accept that small shareware application costs 15 EURO, expensive - 50 EURO, as you can see users are ready purchase 3 .. 20 cheap applications or 1 .. 6 large expensive shareware-applications)
• What do users need? Usually they need native software, not Odin. Users need: ICQ, Accounting software, graphical editors, drivers, multimedia players, software for syncronization with mobile devices.

This poll covers shareware only. Users spend more money to eComStation software because update subscriptions, sponsor to open-source projects.

Let's gather ACPI events

2007-03-12 10:12:07 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

When do you need ACPI? It is obligatory for any modern notebook and desktop.

• ACPI intializes your motherboard/notebook properly
• It is useful to configure hardware (via ACPI snooper) or run "obstinate" computer (with broken ACPI DSDT tables)
• It allows startup Multi Processor / Multi Core machine and feel the power of eComStation true multithreading and multitasking
• Provides Power control for notebooks and desktops (battery indicator, throttling control)
• Control of idle state
• Indicators of system state

If you need new utility which allows easily switch power consumption, please join testing (ASUS and Lenovo thinkpads).

T e s t i n g -- If ACPI.PSD is working fine on your notebook and GetNotify.exe and EmbeddedEvent.exe catch events (brightness, LCD on/off, multimedia keys) then

• Download ACPI Manager, Start it, press OK, exit. Find .dat and .dsl files in the directory of ACPI Manager.
• Collect codes (switch to AC, to battery; Brigthness, Volume, LCD On/off, notebook cover close/open, power button) generated by util\GetNotify.exe, util\EmbeddedEvent.exe
• Find a super button on your notebook. For example Thinkpad is equipped with Access IBM button
• Send us the logs, codes and information about super button.

D e e p t e s t i n g -- If ACPI.PSD is working but events are not catched then

• You should have experience how to install ACPI.PSD, how to make acpica log, how to send zip files via email.
• Join #ecolabs irc-channel (download configured irc-client)
• Check if your notebook has fixed DSDT table at acpi.sourceforge.net. Inform us if your notebook has fixed DSDT table.
• You should have notebook available in your hands, stay at irc-channel for 2-3 days, 3 hours per day.
• And you should be ready to work in stress mode 1 hour per day (execute commands and send logs to the developers)

Send logs to: support at ecomstation dot ru (rename .zip files to .ziq)

P.S. ACPI is the main component of eComStation v.next, to get access to the drivers, please extend your eComStation Software Subscription.

Software news on our site

2007-03-07 13:30:48 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eComStation.Ru holds APeCS database with news about fresh eComStation software. You can add info to the database by yourself.

Let's gather solutions based on eComStation

2007-02-28 20:21:35 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Whatsnew:

• PBX on eComStation -- private phone network of arbitrary size with a central controlling unit (Germany, WS IT-Service and Logic Consult GmbH)
• Oz. Of Prevention System -- Computerized Maintenance Management System (Aviar, USA)
• eComStation is more favourable for enterprises than Windows (russian text).
• The largest interactive FM radio stations in Russia are using technology based on eComStation. Here is the overview on russian language: Interactive FM radiostations in Russia. 'Interactive' means that listeners are sending SMS/email/phone messages to RadioDJ and his guests. SMSRC32 and eComStation are used to gather & process such SMS messages. (russian text, look at screenshots)

OS/2 (eComStation) is alive while people are using and improving the system. The developers of solutions ensure long life for our operating system because computers with OS/2 make money for their customers year by year. The developers bring new industrial technologies to OS/2, feed support service, fill OS/2 with unique features to keep the solutions competitive.

Examples of solutions based on OS/2: ATM, sound processing (speech, digital restoration of sound), training devices (astronauts, oilmen), technical appliances (measuring, medical), virtual machines (mainframes, SVISTA), CMMS, restaurants, etc.

Why should you write the story today?

• You should do this to protect your investments made into OS/2 platform.
• OS/2 users are located in different countries and cities. They will read the story because of OS/2 word :) And spread the information about your company and products among own colleagues.
• The developer of the operating system will get information about your requirements and improve OS to satisfy them.
• Your story gives stimulus to thousands of users, developers and companies.
• It's easy. Solution story is based on usual product flyer.

Where to collect solutions? www.ecomstation.ru site is hosting Solutions list since 2002. Yyou can publish german, dutch, english texts there.

How to write Solutions story? Take the flyer of your product, add Introduction, add one-two paragraphs about advantages of OS/2 usage, add 2 advertisement photos/screenshots, 2 screenshots of back-end demonstating usage of OS/2. Send the story to e-mail: support (at) ecomstation.ru

Welcome to homepage of solutions!

Capacity of eComStation market

2007-02-26 15:10:40 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Imagine that 100 shareware/commercial applications are developed during the year. How much money are you ready to invest in new usefull applications for eComStation?

New offerings from eCo Labs

2007-02-25 01:43:09 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

There are new tasks for standalone developers. It's necessary implement more ACPI tools, update some drivers, create new WorkPlace shell applications and write few overviews.

We should invest ten thousand euros into standalone russian developers during this season.

To attract developers, we are going invite them to eComStation conferences.

Which network adapters are supported in eComStation?

2007-02-21 19:45:27 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some manufacturers of adapters update the drivers every month. Help us gather information about updated network adapter drivers.

Here is the list of tested adapters: 91 models. Add new reports or comment reports posted by other users.

Drivers for network adapters:

• eComStation CD1 holds dosenz of drivers licensed by hardware manufacturers.
• www.OS2Warp.be
• GenMac Wrapper, GenMac Wrapper FTP (allows use Windows network drivers in eCS)

eComStation sites in Internet

2007-02-12 14:56:58 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some interesting news:

• Swiss company Netlabs.org updated own site -- www.netlabs.org, opened blog. Wait for official announcements. We are very dissapointed that many projects of this company suffered from Voyager plans (they spend resources to Voyager dreams, not to maintenance of existing projects). On the other side, we are happy that under pressure of users they changed plans and promote Voyager as eComStation extension, not as Linux extension.
• forum.ecomstation.ru is growing bit by bit, there are 800 postings already, seems that the forums become popular.
• Other useful links for eComStation users -- collection of urls

eComStation is more favourable for enterprises than Windows

2007-02-09 22:29:07 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We asked users help us compare eComStation and Windows. When to recommend eComStation to customers? What are the advantages?

eCo Software newsletter, 200702

2007-02-09 01:39:14 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [eCo Software, news]

This message contains news about: ACPI subsystem, eComStation kernel, USB Tools homepage, Hardware database, JRescuer, General Network Utilities, OpenVPN, Personal Cards Manager, eSchemes gallery, Bootable JFS.

How many companies are needed to keep eComStation community in tone? Any company is able publish one newsletter per month (developers of industrial solutions can publish news about updates of own libraries and tools; developers of shareware should announce updates of old projects and new products). Seems that 30 companies are able keep all users in tone and bring assurance of success. Here is the list of companies working on eComStation market.

ACPI drivers

Installation procedure changed significantly! Please read docs again.

Please inform us if poweroff.exe or PowerOff button do not work on your computer. If PCI devices are not visible by drivers after installation of ACPI then immediately inform us.

• New APM.ADD 1.9 (requires ACPI 2.17), Whatsnew: Fixed C state for Uni, added HLT/Cx for SMP, fixed acpidaemon logging, S3 state Fix.
• New ACPI snooper (2.17), You need it if running Core 2 Duo in APIC mode or to solve IRQ conflicts

ACPI is available via eComStation beta-zone.

Current target: improve support of Thinkpads.

Disk utilities

Download updated JRescuer. JRescuer (JUne) best-seller is aimed to undelete files from JFS volume, recover files from damaged JFS volume.

USB applications

We updated the list of existing drivers and applications which control USB hardware.

USB Dock database is updated. Download USB Dock from eComStation beta-zone.

Internet utilities

• General network utilities were updated. GNU are aimed to collect TCP/IP information, diagnose and solve network problems, optimize IP settings for your computer. Whatsnew: many utilities are updated.
• OpenVPN to eComStation is updated. Whatsnew: Significant increase of speed. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. Download beta from hobbes.

eComStation kernel

Whatsnew:

• Rudi updated OEMHLP$ driver.
• HLT added to minimize Power Consumption (use it if CPU cooler is loud)

This features may be activated via ACPI driver. Download eComStation kernel from eComStation beta-zone.

WorkPlace Shell extenders

• Personal Cards Manager -- download updated version and fixpak. This project is important for us. If users support it, we can create dosenz of applications to keep data on desktop.

  Whatsnew: fixed small bugs, improved installation procedure. Use address books as Groups, keep all cards in address books only.

• Who said that eComStation desktop is ugly? Visit eSchemes gallery, read the rules before posting new screenshots. The gallery is a perfect place to advertise your applications!
• Updated eStyler (you need it if testing eCS 2.0 beta 3), available from eComStation betazone

eCo Software support service

eCo Software support service recommends install 2 copies of eComStation on every PC. This simple rule significantly simplifies:

• recovery of system in case of small or large troubles;
• simplifies setup of modern eComStation drivers when many reboots are needed
• simplifies upgrade to new version of eComStation (replace unnecessary copy of eCS with new version)

The hardware database contains more than 1090 reports of supported hardware. You can post new reports or add notes to published. Now gathering reports about supported Barebones and Industrial PCs.

Collaboration with other developers

eComStation developers and Willibald Meyer fixed bug in Bootable JFS: "JFS booter is reading files located above 4 Gb not properly", please download updated UJFS.DLL from eComStation beta-zone.

Additional information:

• Full pricelist of eCo Software products
• How to download ACPI, eSchemes?
• Welcome to eCo Software homepage
• Previous eCo Software newsletter

IBM Peer fix for Multi-core systems

2007-02-07 14:29:41 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Don't forward this message to other sites.

We remind to users about Peer fix for SMP computers to solve the problem of OS trap on startup. You can download it from www.ecomstation.com, search for "APAR IC31990 - Fix for Peer". The fix is included to the latest version of eComStation, so check if you need it before apply.

OpenOffice.org 2.0 Release Candidate 1 available

2007-02-04 20:58:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [www.ecomstation.com]

Serenity Systems International is pleased to announce the availability of Release Candidate 1 of OpenOffice.org 2.0 for eComStation and OS/2.

This build is based on the 2.0.4 sourcecode of OpenOffice.org.

Release Candidate 1 is available for immediate download in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian and Dutch to all customers of an active Support Agreement for OpenOffice.org for eComStation and IBM OS/2, via their download-area at the Mensys Online Shop.

You can login to the Mensys Online Shop at: http://www.mensys.net/login/

Notes:

• Please make sure to read the included READ1ST.TXT document, which includes hints on installation and a list of known issues.
• Installation takes around 300 MB of drivespace, plus an additional 40 MB per installed language.
• Innotek FontEngine is now fully supported, which provides improved fontrendering.
• It is advised to use TrueType fonts (TTF) over Type1 fonts (eCS default) as they render better with the Fontengine.
• no eComStation or OS/2 specific enhancements are available in this beta yet.
• UniClip is required to complete installation. You can get it from Hobbes
• Support for clipboard bitmap formats and unicode text.
• Support for mouse wheel.
• Numerous fixes have been implemented. For more details, please read READ1ST.TXT

Planned enhancements

• bidi & dbcs font support (depends on demand)
• WPS support
• native GUI controls
• support SANE for scanners.

Support for the following items is not planned

• Java support
• Mozilla support

More information

More information on OpenOffice.org can be found at: http://www.openoffice.org/

User Support

Support specific to the eComStation and OS/2 version can be obtained through the ticketing system at: http://www.ecomstation.com/support/ooo2/

A newsgroup is available for community support at news://news.ecomstation.com/ecomstation.support.openoffice or http://news.ecomstation.com/thread.php?group=ecomstation.support.openoffice

Enjoy!
Best regards,
On behalf of Serenity Systems International, the Mensys Team.

OS/2 FUND News

2007-02-04 13:56:33 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

OS/2 FUND is starting new season. The main current goal is create fresh port of Perl. Seems that only foreign developers can do this.

OS/2 FUND (russian language only) is the first successful project of such kind in the community of russian speaking users.

VOICE Newsletter 2/2007 available

2007-02-02 01:36:47 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS, Christian Hennecke]

The February issue of the VOICE Newsletter is now available online.

In the latest issue you find:

• Why does it have to be so hard? -- by Mark Dodel
• Warpstock Europe 2006 - revisited -Background details on event organisation -- Thomas Klein
• OS/2 and Multilingual Character Sets: Part 2 -- Alex Taylor
• Using Theseus to Study Memory Usage Under OS/2, Part 1 -- Sjoerd Visser
• Warpstock Europe 2006 -Report from Cologne -- Christian Hennecke
• Using the Intel 2200BG Mini PCI card -- Ed Durrant
• And of course letters, addenda, and tips!