leefi@microsoft.UUCP (Lee Fisher) (10/31/89)
Here is an article I'm "cross-posting" to the Usenet OS/2 newsgroup
(comp.os.os2) and to the Internet OS/2 digest (os-2@blekul11.bitnet).
Please send me corrections to existing information or new information
to this posting. If there is sufficient interest, I'll update/maintain
this information for periodic reposting.
----- snip ----- snip ----- snip ----- snip ----- snip ----- snip -----
General OS/2 Information Sources
Revision 1, October 30, 1989
Introduction:
This article is a list of sources of information for OS/2 users and
developers. It currently has the following sections:
Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup
OS/2 Discussion Forum Internet Digest
OS/2 Application Guide
Microsoft OnLine
Microsoft University
IBM Developer Assistance Program
Publications
Information Systems
Bulletin Boards
Anonymous FTP Archive Sites
Books and Reference Manuals
Microsoft and IBM Toolkits
If you find errors, or have corrections and/or additions, please mail
them to me, leefi@microsoft.uucp.
--------------
Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup:
The unmoderatored Usenet newsgroup comp.os.os2 is a general forum for
all OS/2-related questions on the OS/2 operating system. Messages
in this newsgroup are NOT gatewayed into the "OS/2 Discussion
Forum" OS/2 internet digest.
--------------
OS/2 Discussion Forum Internet Digest:
The "OS/2 Discussion Forum" is an internet OS/2-specific digest which
is unrelated (i.e., not gatewayed) to the OS/2 comp.os.os2 newsgroup.
This moderated digest originates from the K.U.Leuven (Catholic
University of Louvain) in Belgium, and currently has approximately
450 subscribers and 14 local redistribution aliases. There is no
charge to receive the digest or access the files it makes available.
The digest is based on a list server. Here are the domain and bitnet
paths to the digest's list server and moderator:
listserv: listserv@blekul11.bitnet (bitnet)
listserv@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
submissions: os-2@blekul11.bitnet (bitnet)
os-2@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
moderator: tewos-2@blekul14.bitnet (bitnet)
tewos-2@liris.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
If you have BITNET access, you can interactively access the list
server using the standard listserv virtual machine commands (such
as the VM TELL command). If not on BITNET, you can use email to
talk to it, with the listserv command as the message body. To obtain
back issues from the listserv at blekul11 (see addresses above), use
the message:
get os-2 logYYMM
where YYMM is the name of the log (for example, "get os-2 log8905").
Valid values of YYMM are currently 8905, 8906, 8907, 8908, 8909, and
8910. To subscribe to the digest, use the message:
subscribe os-2 YOUR FULL NAME
where YOUR FULL NAME is your full name (for example, "sub os-2 John
Doe"). To get a current list of the files available in the OS/2 file
archives, use the message:
index os-2
Or to get a file list with additional comments, use the message:
get os-2 filelist
To retrieve a file, use the message:
get os-2 NAME EXTENSION
Where NAME is the file name and EXTENSION is the file extension (for
example "get os-2 arc2 exe" to get the file arc2.exe; note there is
no period between file name and file extension). To get a list of
subscribers, use the message:
review os-2
The policy for submitting new OS/2 files is that the author should
approve being placed on the digest's list server. For more
information on this, contact the digest moderator. To get general
listserv help, use the message:
help
--------------
OS/2 Application Guide:
IBM and Microsoft produce the "OS/2 Application Guide", which is
distributed for free from IBM. this 5.5x8.5x1 inch paperback lists
hundreds of OS/2 applications that are available (or are scheduled to
be available). This guide is easy [free] advertising for developers,
and a good collection of information for consumers. To get this OS/2
Application Guide, call +1-800-426-2468 and ask for extension 120.
An ASCII copy of this archive is availble on the Microsoft OnLine
software library as the file OS2APPS.ARC. This file is also on
Compuserve and other information systems. A form of this application
guide is available as an on-line database from the IBM National
Support Center BBS in Atlanta Georgia, data line +1-404-988-2913.
Users can scan/search this database, with products listed by catagory
as well as alphabetically, and cross- referenced by company. Another
place where this Application Guide is available on-line is another
IBM BBS with the data line +1-404-988-2790.
According to the IBM Personal Systems Developer publication,
developers that want to place their product in this guide, call IBM
at +1-407-982-9614 and request an OS/2 application form.According to
the IBM National Support Center BBS, developers that want to request
an enrollment form to place a software listing in this "OS/2
Compatibility Guide" on-line database should write to the following
address:
Ms. Mildred N. Sanderson
IBM Corporation - 1709
P.O. Box 1328
Boca Raton, FL.
33429 - 1328
USA
According to the title page of the Application Guide itself, to
apply for inclusion in the OS/2 application database (from which
the Application Guide is derived), submit a written request to:
IBM Corporation
AG-ZIP 4607
P.O. Box 1328
Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328
--------------
Microsoft OnLine:
The Microsoft OnLine support system is a fee support service by
Microsoft, providing developer support for OS/2 (in addition to
providing support for other environments and products). There is
a very large database of information for OS/2 developers there.
There are also many sample applications and I believe updated
versions of some OS/2 system files (perhaps a new video driver,
etc). For more information on OnLine, call +1-800-443-4672.
--------------
Microsoft University:
Microsoft University (MSU) is a training center which offers courses
on OS/2 for users and developers. There are OS/2 support, base
(non-PM) programming, PM programming, device driver programming, SQL
Server, and LAN Manager courses (in addition to Windows and other
non-OS/2 courses). Their main branch is in Bellevue Washington, but
there are other sites in Boston Massachusetts and Washington D.C, and
can be setup at your company. In addition, courses are licensed by
other companies (such as Intel). For a course catalog or more
information, contact the Microsoft University Registrar at
+1-206-828-1507, ask for extension 1000.
Their maiing address is:
Microsoft University
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
USA
--------------
IBM Developer Assistance Program:
The IBM Developer Assistance Program offers on-line techncial support
with IBM via IBMLink, a free subscription to the quarterly IBM Personal
Systems Developer technical publication, gives hardware rebates and
discounts on IBM software, and allows participation in IBM-sponsored
technical seminars.
To qualify for this program, you must be a software developer working
on products for commercial release. The specific qualifications are
that you are developing products which support IBM OS/2, your company
is a US company or the subsidiary of a non-US company, and your company
is currently marketing your products.
To request an application form, call +1-407-982-6178 or write to:
IBM Corporation
Developer Support
Internal zip 4605
P.O. Box 1328
Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328
USA
--------------
Publications:
In addition to general computer magazines which often have
discussions on OS/2:
Computer Language
Dr. Dobb's Journal
PC Magazine
MIPS
PC Tech Journal (now out of print)
Computer Systems News
InfoWorld
PC Week
etcetera...
There are other magainzes which specialize more on OS/2. Below are
some of those magazines. If you know of any others, please let me
know.
Microsoft Systems Journal:
Microsoft Systems Journal (MSJ) has many OS/2-related articles.
For general information on MSJ, call +1-614-382-3322. To subscribe,
call +1-800-669-1002. Their mailing address is:
Circulation Department
Microsoft Systems Journal
P.O. BOX 1903
Marion, OH 44305
USA
MSJ is also available on microfilm from:
University Microfilms, Inc.
300 North Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
USA
The program listings from MSJ articles are available on Compuserve,
Microsoft OnLine, GEnie, and these 3 bulletin boards:
RamNet BBS: +1-212-889-6438
Channel 1 BBS: +1-617-354-8873
ComOne BBS: +1-415-284-9151
If you are a sysop interested in maintaining MSJ files, you might
want to contact the MSJ offices.
IBM Personal Systems Journal:
IBM Personal Systems Journal is a monthly publication which gives
information on IBM software and hardware, mostly the PS/2 line and
OS/2. To subscribe, contact your local IBM Representative and use an
IBM System LIbrary Subscription Service (SLSS) form and specify form
number GBOF-1229. Correspondence to this journal should be addressed to:
Editor, IBM Personal Systems Journal
IBM Corporation
Internal zip 40-C2-02
One East Kirkwood Blvd.
Roanoke, TX 76299-0015
USA
IBM Personal Systems Developer:
IBM Personal Systems Developer is a quarterly publication distributed
by IBM targeted to developers of IBM platforms; currently this
publication is mostly for OS/2 developers. The publication is a part
of the IBM Developer Assistance Program
IBM PC and PS/2 Seminar Proceedings:
The seminar proceedings periodicals from IBM: IBM Personal
Computer Seminar Proceedings (before the PC/AT came out) and
IBM Personal System/2 Seminar Proceedings (after the PS/2 came
out) contain useful information on IBM hardware and operating
system level software such as OS/2 and DOS. The articles often
consist of updates to IBM technical reference manuals. I am
not completely sure how to subscribe to this publication, but
here is the mailing address from a recent issue:
IBM Corporation
Editor, IBM PS/2 Seminar Proceedings
Internal Zip 4629
P.O. 1328
Boca Raton, FL 33432
USA
The SAA Spectrum:
The SAA Spectrum is a newsletter devoted exclusively to SAA, which
is related to OS/2. For more information, in the US, call them at
+1-800-333-5979 extension 100 or +1-415-283-5400, or write to them
at:
The SAA Spectrum, Inc.
P.O. Box 908
Lafayette, CA 94549
USA
in the UK, call them at +44-0-256-850376, or write to them at:
The SAA Spectrum, Ltd.
P.O. Box 70, Basingstoke
Hampshire, RG24 9HW
ENGLAND
in West Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, call them at
+49-0-89-7911073/75 or write to them at:
SOFTCON GmbH
Irmgardstr 15
D-8000 Munchen 71
WEST GERMANY
and in the Netherlands, call them at +31-0-1720-43726, or write
to them at:
Adviesburo voor Telematica B.V.
P.O. Box 184
2400 AD Alphen aan den Rijn
THE NETHERLANDS
OS Report:
OS Report is a newsletter devoted exclusively to OS/2. For more
information, call them at +1-603-924-3636, or write to them at:
OS Report
P.O. Box 3160
Peterborough, NH 03458
USA
First Edition for OS/2:
First Editon for OS/2 is a newsletter devoted exclusively to OS/2.
For more information, call them at +1-800-624-3282, or write to
them at:
First Edition for OS/2
Attn: mailstop 375-1170
Department 1703
P.O. Box 7050
San Francisco, CA 94120-9626
USA
--------------
Information Systems:
There are many information fee-based systems which have conferences on
OS/2. BIX has the ibm.os2 conference. Compuserve has the MSSYS (Microsoft
Systems) forum and the PCMAGNET (PC Magazine) forum. There are other
conferences and forums on other information systems like GEnie, Prodigy,
etc.
--------------
Bulletin Boards:
Here is a list of bulletin board systems (BBS's) which have OS/2
conferences/forum, and/or have OS/2 files on them.
name: IBM National Support Center BBS
number: +1-404-988-2913
sysop: IBM Corp.
comments: This BBS, located in Atlanta Georgia, contains various IBM
related information, including an active forum on OS/2 and
many OS/2 files, including public domain OS/2 utilities and
ASCII copies of IBM OS/2 press releases. Three files of
current interest would probably be OS2SE.ANN (IBM OS/2 Standard
Edition 1.20 press release), OS2EE1_2.ANN (IBM OS/2 Extended
Edition 1.20 press release), and OS2RBTE.ANN (IBM OS/2 1.20
rebate policy press release).
name: Gilmore Systems BBS
number: +1-805-582-9306
sysop: Chuck Gilmore
comments: This BBS is running under an OS/2-based BBS software package
called Magnum made by Gilmore Systems. There are aproximately
300 OS/2-related files on this BBS and an OS/2 message forum.
For 9600 baud US Robotics modem owners, call +1-805-581-1275.
name: University of Saskatchewan OPUS BBS (Fidonet node 1:140/43)
number: +1 (306)966-4857
sysop: Kevin Lowey (lowey@sask.usask.ca)
comments: Contains OS/2 versions of MicroEMACS 3.9p, Kermit, SEDT, a LISP
interpreter, etc. 300/1200/2400 baud. The OS/2 files are in the
OS/2 and GENERAL file areas.
name: RamNet BBS
number: +1-212-889-6438
sysop: Ross M. Greenberg (greenber@utoday.uucp)
comments: This BBS is listed in the Microsoft Systems Journal as containing
program listings from this journal.
name: Channel 1 BBS
number: +1-617-354-8873
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS is listed in the Microsoft Systems Journal as containing
program listings from this journal.
name: ComOne BBS
number: +1-415-284-9151
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS is listed in the Microsoft Systems Journal as containing
program listings from this journal.
name: IBM PC User Group Support BBS
number: +1-404-988-2796
sysop: IBM Corp.
comments: This BBS was listed in IBM Personal Systems Journal, containing
program listings from this journal.
name: PKWARE BBS
number: +1-414-352-7176
sysop: PKWARE
comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it has the latest versions
of the PKZIP/PKUNZIP utilities for OS/2.
name: System Enhancement Associates (SEA) BBS
number: +1-201-473-1991
sysop: SEA
comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it has the latest version
of the ARC utility for OS/2.
name: DeScribe (formerly LeAP) BBS
number: +1-916-929-3237
sysop: DeScribe
comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains a version of
the DeScribe editor for OS/2.
name: You Bet Your ASCII BBS
number: +1-818-989-0310
sysop: Allen Duboff
comments: This BBS has a large echomail OS/2 conference. I have not called
this BBS.
name: Computer Consulting Service
number: +1-301-476-5098
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files. I have not called
this BBS.
name: OhioNet Express
number: +1-216-241-6727
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files. I have not called
this BBS.
name: KBBS
number: +1-818-994-0442
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS contains OS/2 programs for downloading. I have not
called this BBS.
name: <unknown>
number: +1-306-966-4857
sysop: <unknown>
comments: This BBS is supposed to have many OS/2 PM programs, many of
which including source code. I have not called this BBS.
--------------
Anonymous FTP Archive Sites:
I don't have the ability to use anonymous FTP, so I cannot explore
anonymous FTP sites for OS/2 caches. The information I have on the
two sites listed here are courtesy Mike Primm <ander@pawl.rpi.edu>.
If you have information on other sites making OS/2 files available via
anonymous FTP, please let me know.
One anonymous FTP site which contains OS/2 files is the site mtsg.ubc.ca
(128.189.103.1); move into the OS/2 subdirectory after logging in:
"cd os2".
The SIMTEL20 archives has some OS/2 files. The only OS/2-specific
subdirectory of the site simtel20.army.mil is the "PD:<MSDOS.OS2>".
--------------
Microsoft and IBM Toolkits:
This section intentionally blank... Perhaps in the next cut of this
document, I'll include information on the various application and
device driver kits which are available.
--------------
Books and Reference Manuals:
This section intentionally blank... In addition to the Microsoft user
and technial references, there are a lot of OS/2 books on the market,
many of them good. Rather than review these, perhaps in the next cut of
this document I'll include a list of all the books on the market.
--------------
Conclusion:
Please send me corrections to existing information or new information
to this posting. If there is sufficient demand, I'll update/maintain
this information for periodic reposting.
--
Lee Fisher, leefi@microsoft.uucp, leefi@microsoft.uu.net
{uw-beaver,decvax,decwrl,fluke,sco,sun,uunet}!microsoft!leefi
My opinions are not necessarily those of my employer.
This article is freely distributable only in the usenet/internet domain.