From: sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Comdex Report: Not :-(
Date: 8 Apr 92 06:09:05 GMT
Reply-To: sip1@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: Dept. of Econ., Univ. of Chicago

I'm afraid I had a great Comdex report to offer.  But (a) other folks
beat me to the bunch; (b) this Un*x system ate the post -- twice.
Unfortunately through stupid user error I have a bad default setup, so
said post is lost.

Ah, well.  Maybe next year.  :-)

I do have a shrinkwrapped copy of OS/2 2.0, and I just installed it.
Over the next few days I'm going to be delving into the release code
and figuring it all out.  An updated FAQ should appear soon.

I was one of the lucky 3000 or so who received OS/2 2.0 at Comdex.
The spotter who gave me the coupon actually knew who I was (that I
release the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List).  I was so stunned I
forgot to note his name.

I also want to mention the WordPerfect people.  They really do a great
job.  All their WordPerfect for Windows demonstrations seemed to be
done on OS/2 2.0, and they were not shy about pointing it out.  While
I was at the WordPerfect booth I managed to show one of the reps how
to use Alt-Home.  Another lucky OS/2 2.0 winner was asking about
running WordPerfect for DOS under her new operating system.  She
didn't like running WordPerfect in a window on screen, and she was
wondering if she could get it to look like DOS was running it.  The
rep had no idea how to accomplish this feat; I managed to overhear the
conversation and suggested Alt-Home.  She was most impressed; he was a
little worried at first.  He asked how to get back to the Workplace
Shell, I showed him, and he offered profuse thanks.  At which point I
asked him about WordPerfect for OS/2 2.0, and he said they'd have a
full 32-bit 6.0 release available by year end.

I had great conversations with some OS/2 ISVs.  Among the 32-bit
products coming out this year are 1-2-3/G, Freelance Graphics,
WordPerfect, AmiPro, cc:Mail, Notes, CorelDraw, HyperAccess, Kopy (a
Carbon Copy-like product Hilgraeve is working on), Remote, FAX/PM,
Publisher's Paintbrush, PFS:Works, N/Joy, DeScribe, Enfin, and many
others.

I missed almost everyone I expected to see.  There were so many people
at Comdex that that wasn't surprising, I suppose.  I did bump into Jim
Cannavino.  You were very helpful, Jim, thanks.

I did catch the Lee Reiswig, et. al., OS/2 2.0 demonstration
(broadcast nationally over IBM's Field Television Network).  That was
me in the aisle fiddling with the tape recorder.

Release code information to come in the next few days.  First
impression: it's DYNAMITE.

I can talk about the packaging with some authority.  :-) For your $49
(or whatever your price) you get a cardstock box, a sealed box inside
with 21 disks (3.5 inch media version), a roll of OS/2 stickers, a
flyer from Adobe offering additional typefaces, a flyer for the OS/2
Application Solutions catalog (the 1-800-READ-OS2 publication), an
offer to subscribe to Cobb's Inside OS/2 Magazine, a Service and
Support Information Card (includes BBS and toll free support info), a
publications order form (command reference, a printout of the online
help; keyboards and code pages; and an OS/2 2.0 videotape are
offered), a registration card, a change of address card, a license
information booklet, a proof of license card, a program license
agreement (in many languages), a leaflet on device driver distribution
(i.e. the IBM NSC BBS), a booklet on ATM for WIN-OS/2, Migrating to
the OS/2 Workplace Shell booklet, Using the Operating System booklet,
compatibility information booklet, quick reference card, Getting
Started booklet, and an Installation Guide.  All are paper backs -- no
spiral bound or loose leaf manuals this time.

More on OS/2 2.0 release code as I learn more.  Stay tuned.
-- 
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.