HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tomh@wes.on.ca (Tom Haapanen)
Subject: Re: An open letter to PC Magazine
Organization: Waterloo Engineering Software
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 19:04:29 GMT

bgm@cray.com (Bert Moshier) writes:
> Richard E. Hodges asked me to repost this letter on comp.os.os2.misc and CIS.

A rather long letter!  Anyway, I'd just like to correct two errors (I won't
comment on Richard's opinions) that I noticed in the letter:

> Finally, Charles Petzold's piece on Windows NT holds some academic 
> interest, [...] Furthermore, Microsoft's 
> abysmal track record on meeting an announced delivery date with 
> systems software causes one to seriously question the credibility of 
> statements such as, "Microsoft is predicting the retail release by the 
> end of 1992." This credibility is stretched even further by the fact that
> to this date, Microsoft has not yet produced a reliable multitasking 
> operating system. 

Wrong.  Microsoft Xenix (no, not SCO Xenix, but Microsoft Xenix for 68000-
based systems) is a functional and reliable multitasking operating system.

> Mr. Miller observes that, "From a technical standpoint, OS/2 2.0 does 
> appear to be a 'better DOS than DOS.'  Of course, the same can be 
> said of DESQview, which is simpler to install, or Windows." This is 
> complete nonsense! Does DESQview or Windows allow one to boot 
> different versions of DOS simultaneously? Virtualize device drivers? 
> Multitask sessions under the control of a preemptive time slice 
> multitasking system? Provide true protection between DOS sessions? 

Wrong. Windows both virtualizes device drivers and preemptively multitasks
DOS sessions.  I believe DESQview also provides preemptive multitasking.

[ \tom haapanen    "i don't even know what street canada is on" -- al capone ]
[ tomh@wes.on.ca                   "trust the programmer" -- ansi c standard ]
[ waterloo engineering software      "to thine own self be true" -- polonius ]
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: CATHIE@SLACVM.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Comdex Big Event (FTN from Sunnyvale, CA)
Date: 8 Apr 92 18:05:01 GMT
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center

Yesterday morning at the FTN gathering in Sunnyvale, California, IBM gave
away ten copies of 2.0 and said it wasn't easy to obtain those.  The crowd was
enthusiastic so I hope no recipient was mugged on the way to the car.

The FTN reminded me of the presentation at the OS/2 and Windows show
(some people claim the words are reversed in my name for that show) with
all of the IBM claims demonstrated, plus the final surprise of Windows 3.1
running in OS/2.

The best thing for me was I finally obtained the actual upgrade form for
my home copy.

One last observation:  I couldn't help but notice how much Lee Reiswig's
hair has grayed in the past year.  He's really worked hard and done a
fine job...and I hope he has a sense of humor.

Cathie Burke Dager   cathie@slacvm.slac.stanford.edu   415-926-2904
my opinions only; SLAC, Stanford University and the DOE rarely agree
REXX Symposium, May 3-5, Annapolis, Maryland
From: sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 "Buglet" Report
Date: 14 Apr 92 02:17:56 GMT
Reply-To: sip1@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: Dept. of Econ., Univ. of Chicago

In article <1992Apr14.011425.25016@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> smsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen M Smith) writes:
>What??!!  Tell me it's not true!  I read through the rest of this 
>thread and no one even commented on this.  Does this mean that I
>can't format 1.2 MB disks in my 5 1/4 drive just because I have a
>5 1/4 drive and a 3 1/2 drive?  Is this what you are saying?  :-(

No.  It works fine on mine.

This problem only applies when the 3.5 inch drive supports "media
sensing" (meaning it pays attention to that floppy notch that
distinguishes a high density diskette from a double density one).

Also IBM said a fix is imminent for those systems that do have the
problem.
-- 
Timothy F. Sipples       Keeper of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions
sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu  List, available via anonymous ftp from
Dept. of Economics       128.123.35.151, directory pub/os2/faq, or via
Univ. of Chicago  60637  netmail from LISTSERV@BLEKUL11.BITNET.
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples)
Subject: Re: OS/2 on 386SX 16MHz?
Reply-To: sip1@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: Dept. of Econ., Univ. of Chicago
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 05:02:08 GMT

In article <1992Apr15.033015.2282@towers.rn.com> davidh@towers.rn.com (David Holland) writes:
>A couple of other things though, I've managed to hang OS/2 2.0 hard 
>(ie the reset button was required) several times now. Mostly after 
>mucking around with dos programs. Anyone have any suggestion about these
>problems? I suspect that part of it may be SVGA problems. (The last few
>times I was trying CShow on a dos full screen) but other times
>I wasn't

I've discovered that (a) running SVGA ON from a full screen DOS
session is nearly essential if you have a SuperVGA adapter; (b) do not
attempt to run DOS programs that use nonstandard VGA modes or play
with nonstandard VGA register settings in an OS/2 window.  Doing so
may crash your system.  To prevent this, mark the application as full
screen and enable ALT_HOME_BYPASS.

The README suggests the same, but not quite as directly or as
specifically as I just put it.

Hopefully vendors will come up with SuperVGA drivers that help address
this issue.  SVGA ON helps, but it isn't a total solution -- SuperVGA
adapter vendors will have to help out.
-- 
Timothy F. Sipples       Keeper of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions
sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu  List, available via anonymous ftp from
Dept. of Economics       128.123.35.151, directory pub/os2/faq, or via
Univ. of Chicago  60637  netmail from LISTSERV@BLEKUL11.BITNET.
From: rafetmad@cheshire.oxy.edu (David R. Giller)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: OS2 My experience/minor problems
Date: 10 Apr 92 18:02:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: cheshire.1992Apr10.180246.16425
Organization: Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA.

In article <1992Apr10.101431.18818@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> byu@csri.toronto.edu (Benjamin Yu) writes:
># >In article <1992Apr9.152625.28104@cs.rose-hulman.edu> swartzjh@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (Jeff H. Swartz) writes:
># >>
># >>       The printer is set up on LPT1. 
># >>
># >>	System Configuration
># >>		483 -33 8 megs of ram
># >>		130 meg IDE hardrive
># >>		Soundblaster Card
># >                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
># >OS/2 uses IRQ7 (the default for the Soundblaster) for printing.  All you need
># >to do is change it to a free IRQ, and you should be in business.
># >
>
>Can anyone tell me how to change OS/2 to use a free IRQ please?  Thanks!

It's not OS/2, but the PC hardware that dictates that the printer goes on
IRQ7.  I've not seen a parallel port that can be changed from this.

The SB was poorly designed, because they assumed that since DOS itself
doesn't use the interrupt mode of the parallel port, they could use it
for themselves.  If they would have done it right, they would have allowed
the user to choose one of the upper 8 IRQs.

I beleive there is a workaround.  At any rate, try it: I use the SB
in my PC without problems, and I didn't change anything.  I have not, however,
used both the SB and the printer at the same time.

-Dave

-- 
David Giller, Box 134 | Q: How many Oregonians does it take to screw in a light
Occidental College    | bulb?  A: Three.  One to replace the bulb, and two to
1600 Campus Road      | fend off all the Californians trying to share the
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | experience. ---------------------------rafetmad@oxy.edu
From: timewarp@camelot.bradley.edu (Matthew Edens)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: How long for arrival
Date: 5 Apr 92 23:54:39 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Bradley University

Subject: Re: How long for forms?

In <a froody chair> sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples) writes:

>In <a not so froody chair but a entirely neat one nonetheless> rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain) writes:
>>I requested my upgrade forms from 1.3EE over two weeks ago. You guessed
>>it, nothing.  Is this normal or can I assume the black hole got it.

>The upgrade form was posted a couple days ago.  For all those that
>missed it, here it is.

>You can print it out and use it just as you would any other printed
>copy.  (In fact, IBM rather encourages it.)  This upgrade form is also
>available for download from the IBM NSC BBS.

	About these forms...

	How long would it be until OS/2 gets here. 
	I'm at school until May 18th and I would like to know if OS/2
	would get here before then.  I would think that it would
	be able to get here in 6 weeks but with the response it's gotten
	I'm not sure.

	I'm located in Peoria, Illinauseous by the way.
			       (Illinois)

	Matte

================================================================================
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=  --==# Mentally Healthy #==--  |       Glenn and Matte on WRBU 90.3/Ch5      =
================================================================================
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"Am I a clown?  You find me amusing?!"
	--- Crow, "Aquatic Wizards"
================================================================================
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain)
Subject: Re: News from L.A. OS/2 Celebration and COMDEX announcement
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 92 04:05:22 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

rafetmad@cheshire.oxy.edu (David R. Giller) writes:
: In article <1992Apr7.225834.5596@cheshire.oxy.edu> rafetmad@cheshire.oxy.edu (David R. Giller) writes:
: >I just got back from the OS/2 rollout at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown
: >L.A.
: 
: One more thing:
: 
: Not a tie to be seen.  Everyone who presented wore rugby shirts/sweaters
: and trousers.
: 
: Cavianno even wore ski-boots out onto the stage.
: 

And if like S.F. nearly everyone who listened wore coats and ties or
dresses or both.

Bob
-- 
Bob Cain    rcain@netcom.com   408-358-2007

"There are some strings.  They're just not attached."
                                                    Victoria Roberts
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: bradleyt@spot.Colorado.EDU (Todd "Slan" Bradley)
Subject: Is there really a PFM2AFM utility somewhere?
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 20:30:37 GMT

I decided today that I need more ATM fonts.  It's easy
to find tons of ATM fonts for use with MS Windows.  Now
I just need the .AFM files to go with them.  According
to Tim S's great OS/2 FAQ list, there is a program 
called PFM2AFM which converts the Windows .PFM files
to OS/2 .AFM equivalents.  The FAQ list says the prog-
ram is available on several of the OS/2 archives around.

Much to my dismay, I spent about half an hour poking
around on four of the ftp sites listed in the FAQ to
look for such a program but I found nothing of the sort.
Also, my listing of the files on the OS/2 BBS showed
nothing related to converting these files.

Does anybody know the story behind PFM2AFM?  Does it
exist?  Where is it?  Any help would be much apprec-
iated.

Todd.
-- 
Todd "Slan" Bradley -- Postmodern Reaganomics Renaissance Man, The 
Exception to Every Rule, An Example To All Men, The Biggest Jerk In 
The World, Supreme Ruler Of The Galaxy, AND Captain of The Flying 
Bitheads Ultimate Frisbee Team. (303) 443-6317 or 492-5826
From: gulcu@masg1.epfl.ch (Ceki Gulcu)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: os2 and dos both single tasking?
Date: 13 Apr 92 09:40:10 GMT
Reply-To: lbdsun6.epfl.ch
Organization: EPFL, Physics Department

In article <em15iB1w164w@student.business.uwo.ca>, mark@student.business.uwo.ca (Mark Bramwell, Computer Staff) writes:
|> I have been a beta tester for os/2 v2.  I have also been an user of
|> windows 3.0 / 3.1.
|> 
|> I ask both IBM and the net 'why do you think "os/2" is multi-tasking?'
|> 
|> The best way to describe the question is this;  lets compare dos and
|> os/2.
|> 
|> With dos, I boot up a single tasking text-mode environment.
|> With os/2, I boot up a single tasking text-mode environment.
|> 
|> With dos, I can optionally run windows (a graphically front end that 
|> gives multi-tasking features)
|> 
|> With os/2, I can optionally run PM (a graphical front end that gives 
|> multi-tasking features)
|> 
|> With unix, I can  'ps' to see processes, even in single-user mode.  It 
|> has swapper/scheduler processes.  Can I see this in os/2 if PM is not 
|> running?
|> 
|> What is the difference between the two?  Saying 32bit means nothing 
|> because I have seen unix on 8bit CPUs.
|> 
|> I would like put forth the comment that dos/windows is the same as 
|> os/2&pm.
|> 
|> If os/2 is truly multi-tasking, why can't I start two text mode apps and 
|> hot key between them?
|> 
|> mark@student.business.uwo.ca (Mark Bramwell, Computer Staff)
|> Western Business School  --  London, Ontario

Although the sender of this mail needs to get a bit more familiar with OS/2
and its concepts, he raises an interesting (a bit acedemical) question.
How do you switch between applications if you do not choose to install PMSHELL
as your protected shell? I've been using OS/2 since ver 1.1 (just missed the 
good old 1.0 days) and never used anyting else than the PM. I know there was
another way in the 1.0 version. Can this unknown and magical method still
available in the modern times of OS/2 2.0?

Who know it might be useful.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| GULCU Ceki                            |  "It is not only fine feathers     |
| e-mail: gulcu@lbdsun6.epfl.ch         |   that make fine birds."           |
| Swiss Federal Institute of Technology |   AESOP,  6th century BC.          |
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Hi! I am a .signature virus. Copy me into your .signature to join in!


Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain)
Subject: Re: COMx incantations?  (x!=1 && x!=2)
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 03:26:36 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

It works, it works, it works!
-- 
Bob Cain    rcain@netcom.com   408-358-2007

"There are some strings.  They're just not attached."
                                                    Victoria Roberts
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: nheu@wimsey.bc.ca (Norman Heu)
Subject: OS/2 2.0 on Minimal HW
Organization: Just a little..
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 08:18:31 GMT

Windows 3.1 or OS/2 2.0???  This question has given me lots of
grief lately.  We all know which is the [technically] superior
OS.

I WANT to run OS/2.  But my current hardware setup consists of:

	386DX-25MHz, no cache, 4 megs of ram
	40 meg IDE HD

From all the information I've been able to gather, Windows [with
all its faults] will run better on my hardware than OS/2.

[Yes.. I know ram and hard drives are cheap, but I'm just a
student and can just barely afford to purchase the software.]

The Question:

  Will I get acceptable performance on my current hardware with
  OS/2 2.0?

I need to run 2-3 programs simulataneously... 1 being a slightly
large Windows program and the others being small dos programs.

If it runs much (considerably) worse than Windows 3.0 [on the
same hardware], it's probably unacceptable [and I'll end up
buying Windows 3.1 :(]

I really would like to run OS/2 but I can't afford to upgrade my
current hardware (and probably won't be able to afford to
upgrade for a LONG time).  Am I better off running Windows? 

Replies from others running 2.0 on 4 megs of RAM would be much
appreciated.  The more people I hear from, the better insight
I'll have on how well it'll run.
	-Norm

--
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: jasonc@leland.Stanford.EDU (Jason Campbell)
Subject: Re: OS2 My experience/minor problems
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 02:45:24 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.152625.28104@cs.rose-hulman.edu> swartzjh@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (Jeff H. Swartz) writes:
>	Has anyone successfully installed Word for Windows 2.0 under OS2.   
>I repartitioned my hard drive so nothing was left.  I then installed OS2.   
>When I try to install WFW 2.0 I get a Cant read so and so...  

I watched a neighbor install it on his all-HPFS system last night.  No 
problems at all.  Perhaps you could provide more details? (i.e.  when the
error happened, what paths you specified, that you are running GA, etc.)

Jason.
-- 
Jason Campbell | not talking for SU | "OS/2...saving the world thru software!"
1->  jasonc@leland.Stanford.EDU |2->  Prodigy: KSJB81e |3->  (415)497-3937
"Let us not go gently into the endless winter night..." -- Rush
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: bgm@cray.com (Bert Moshier)
Subject: Re: Those bets!
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 7 Apr 92 21:34:22 CDT

In article <1992Apr3.094609.25498@trl.oz.au> smetaniuk@c20.trl.oz writes:
>From article <1992Mar20.023533.3809@bqnes23.bnr.ca>, by schow@bqneh3.bnr.ca (Stanley T.H. Chow):
>> In article <1992Mar19.221807.25943@watson.ibm.com> larrys@watson.ibm.com writes:
>>>In <se3Hwmk36@cs.psu.edu>, melling@cs.psu.edu (Michael D Mellinger) writes:
>>>>
>>>>IBM will *not* sell 10,000,000 copies of OS/2 in the next two years,
>>>>so it looks like they will have to write something off.  Since IBM
>>>>broke into smaller divisions, the OS/2 part will have to carry its own
>>>>weight now.
>>>
>>>My Michael, have you suddenly become a fortune teller?  :)  Well, I say
>>>they will sell 10M copies in the next two years.  Would you care to put
>>>your money where your mouth is?
>> 
>> Can I get in on this bet? As long as we count OEM copies of OS/2 the
>> same way that Microsoft count Windows copies, I will bet IBM sells
>> more than 10 million copies in two years.
>> --
>> Stanley Chow            InterNet: schow@BNR.CA
>> Bell Northern Research  UUCP:     ..!uunet!bnrgate!bqneh3!schow
>> (613) 763-2831
>> Me? Represent other people? Don't make them laugh so hard.
>
>There has been a spate of offers of bets on the future of OS/2 in recent
>weeks. I am myself confident that OS/2 will eventually dominate the computing
>scene and don't mind telling people so (much to their amazement!). However
>when it comes to betting one has to be pragmatic - the object is to win, not
>to win by plenty.
>
>There is simply no need to offer a bet of 10,000,000 copies in two years
>to someone who rubbishes OS/2. Such people will probably quite easily settle
>for 2 million (or maybe even one). Let me put it this way - how would you feel
>if you made a 10 million copy bet with an OS/2 basher and OS/2 ended up being
>an outstanding success but only selling 9 million?
>
>In short if you're going to make a bet with an OS/2 basher make sure you
>don't give the turkey an unecessary advantage! 
>
>
>Bohdan Smetaniuk
>Telecom Australia Research Laboratories

I must agree!  I know IBM will deliever an OS/2 2.x (notice "x") which:

  - Uses multiple processors
  - Is portable
  - Provides DOD C2
  - etc.

But to say IBM will do this by 3/__/93 is not a sure thing.  Personally,
I'll bet on Boca for they are a sure thing.  I won't bet on specific dates
but general dates.

Of course, I am betting personal money on the success of OS/2 but not with
a specific individual.  I am betting by spending:

  A)  My personal time (including sleep) on OS/2
    -  Learning OS/2
    -  Writing articles
    -  CIS, Usenet, (2) IBM BBS', Fidonet, newsgroups, etc.
    -  Passing marketing and advertising ideas to IBM
    -  Organizing a programming effort
    -  etc.
  B)  My pay after expenses on OS/2 (machines, software development, going
      to COMDEX, etc.)

IMHO, there is a difference.

Bert Moshier
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: fell@sol.UVic.CA (Stuart Fell)
Subject: Re: ati drivers
Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. CANADA
Distribution: comp
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 16:36:58 GMT

In article <1992Apr14.024429.12533@midway.uchicago.edu> sip1@midway.uchicago.edu writes:
>In article <199213.1480.12218@dosgate> "stephen dawson" <stephen.dawson@canrem.com> writes:
>>ATI has posted OS/2 drivers to their BBS 416-756-4591.
>>That is the good news.
>>The bad news is that they are only 800x600x16 and 1024x768x16.
>>No 256 colout.
>
>Well done ATI.  Now get the 256 color drivers done.  :-)
>-- 
I just talked with ATI today.  Yes the drivers are there but are for OS/2 1.3!!
Will these work with OS/2 2.0???

Given I only have a Multisync II monitor and older VGAWonder board I'd only
be interested in the 800x600 resolution modes anyways.  I hope they will work
since I've gotten used to 800x600 desktop under Windows, mind you it's in
256 colours but I can live with 16 for now when I get my code....

Does anyone know if these will work on the V3-1.07 bios versions of the
VGAWonder card?  The person I talked to today didn't know much about 
anything with regards to drivers and OS/2 other than 1.3 drivers are
available on their BBS in a file called ATIOS213.ZIP......

Stuart
From: pebly@VNET.IBM.COM (Bob Pebly)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 DOS emulation?
Date: 13 Apr 92 12:00:33 GMT
Reply-To: pebly@vnet.ibm.com
Organization: IBM Industrial Sector Division, Boca Raton, FL

In <1992Apr13.001618.28562@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> Nishith A. Patel writes:
>Does this mean that programs that use expanded memory (like a say,
>MS BASIC 7.1) could cause problems. I ask becuase as a programming language
>(and one that I plan to get) could do many things, depending on what the
>programmer does. So Does remapped memory screw some things up?
>
>Nish Patel   nap42487@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu

No, OS/2 provides support for expanded memory.  The referenced posting
was a very specific case where a DOS driver was calculating a physical
address and passing it directly to its adapter's own DMA channels.

Bob Pebly

Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's view, not those of IBM.
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
From: smbrush@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (Andy Brush @Sverdrup)
Subject: Re: Comparative programming OS/2 / Win (was Re: sexy guis?)
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Distribution: comp
Date:  8 Apr 1992 08:57 EST  

In article <=mqjdl=.rcain@netcom.com>, rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain) writes...
>I don't think we are talking the same thing here.  It is pretty easy
>to write a *little* Windows or PM application that is icon size but
>I don't think real icons move.  I'd love to be wrong.

The PM programs "EYECON" and "CLOCK", which I got from novell.com a long 
time ago, for 1.3, both had animated Icons.  You could restore the clock to 
a window, so it was obviously an icon.  EYECON's icon just had two eyes 
which followed the cursor around, and sure *seemed* like an icon.

I forgot if I've seen Windows icons move.

Andrew S. Brush             | SMBRUSH@LIMS01.lerc.nasa.gov
Sverdrup Technology         | 2001 Aerospace Parkway
NASA LeRC Group             | Brook Park, OH 44142
"Opinions are Mine, Only"   | (216) 826-6770