Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education

December 1998

The News Page 4

Hello,

We will release PMView v1.04 in the beginning of next week. This version fixes two bugs:

1. There is a memory leak in the routine that interpolates pixels to the screen. This bug only appears if the the "Use interpolation when scaling" options is enabled. (This option is located on the "Display" page in PMView's options notebook). Each time PMView paints its window, it eats up a certain amount of memory (relative to the area of screen that needs to be painted). Consequently, PMView sooner or later exhausts all system memory resources.
   
2. When resizing a 304x544 image to 279x500 the resulting image does not get the requested size (it will be 279x499). (This is just an example, it happens with other sizes too).
   

Matrox has released BIOS update 3.47 for their video cards:
http://www.matrox.com/mga/drivers/bios/

Mystique                        BIOS version 1.8.37     858-8
Mystique RRunner                BIOS version 1.8.14     861-8
Millennium                      BIOS version 3.0.60     838-20
MillenniumII PCI                BIOS version 1.5.24     859-5
MillenniumII AGP                BIOS version 1.4.14     865-4
Millennium II PCI RRunner       BIOS version 1.4.03     876-4
Millennium II AGP RRunner       BIOS version 1.3.03     877-3
MGA G100 AGP                    BIOS version 1.5.21     874-5
MGA G100 PCI                    BIOS version 1.2.09     873-2
MGA G200 PCI                    BIOS version 1.1.02     878-1
MGA G200 AGP                    BIOS version 1.6.15     879-6
MGA G200 FP PCI                 BIOS version 1.2.04     887-2
MGA G200 FP AGP                 BIOS version 1.2.13     886-2
Mystique G200 TVO AGP           BIOS version 1.6.05     879-6TVO
Marvel G200 TVO PCI             BIOS version 1.1.02     878-1TVO

Utilities:

• Progbios ver 1.80
  
• PCISPY ver 1.18s
  
• VBESETUP ver 1.2
  
• MGAMON ver 1.51d
  
• TSRVESA ver 1.0.010
  

Changes:
All Flat Panel Bios:

• All DDC Slave addresses are scanned (not only the standard one) to verify Flat Panel presence.
  
• Fix a bug with Duke Nukem 3D (640x480)
  
• Works with the oldest version of bios fp
  

This is a Java jni wrapper for the OS/2 mpg123.dll:
http://www.zhukovsky.ru/chaos/java/

If someone knows about win32 or *ix analog, we can write a platform independent mp3 player (GUI).

Eugen Kuleshov. http://euxx.uland.com/os2/

Announcement:

I am looking for an editor. I have been doing this "job" for so long that I can almost not remember what it is like to have spare time for other things, and I would like that to change. I am hoping that by January I will have found a suitable replacement editor. If you are interested and have some qualifications (you don't need to have designed half of OS/2, just to be a decent programmer, and have some experience with OS/2. Contacts would be a definite bonus, as would any previous web work,) please mail me and we can talk about it. I do not want to bail out and leave things to take care of themselves, so I hope to have some good candidates soon. I have worked too hard on EDM/2 to just let it float off without someone capable at the helm.

I will stay around at least for a while, just to make sure that everything gets handled well, and also to continue to review books. That is how I originally started, and I still enjoy that, so whoever takes over will have at least one steady columnist. One reason that I am leaving at this point is that I have pretty well met or exceeded all of my goals for EDM/2. The new layout, the style, the little improvements in colouring code, the bookstore and the links to Amazon, the courses, the links to previous articles in the same series, having all of EDM/2 as HTML, the release of the CD, and many other things all came together with help from the OS/2 programmer community, and I have pretty much run out of steam and ideas for now, so I figure that it is time for some new blood.

Get cracking people! Find me a suitable replacement editor, and I will be happy to hand things over, and show the new Ed around. I look forward to hearing from you.

Carsten Whimster
carsten@edm2.com
EDM/2 Editor-in-chief

Christmas Special!

GammaTech, Inc. is offering GammaTech Utilities and GammaTech IRC at 50% off their normal prices from now through January 4th, 1999. This offer is good only for sales from the GammaTech web site: http://www.gt-online.com

GammaTech Utilities 4.0 - $39.95
GammaTech Irc 3.0 = $19.95

On January 5th, 1999, normal pricing of $79.95 and $39,95 will resume.

Take advantage of this offer today!

Happy Holidays,

Billy Updated to v1.30b. Billy is an exciting arcade game which combines the frenzy of quick reactions with the testing of tactics and problem solving skills.

The game starts out easy, but soon turns into a nerve wrestling action puzzle as each level confronts you with new problems - forcing you to rethink your strategy.

You can download a copy from:
http://www.esperanto.dk/billy/uk/os2info.htm

IBM has posted a new question in their on-going Warp Server Poll. The new question is:

What setting most likely describes where your OS/2 LAN Servers and/or OS/2 Warp Servers are deployed?

You can answer the question at http://www.networking.ibm.com/signup/response.nsf/question5

A beta version of DragText 3.0 has been released. DragText's Basic (free) features add drag and drop text to windows. Its Extended (shareware) features transform text into an object you can exchange between windows, files, the clipboard, and other objects - without ever thinking about a file name.

The beta will expire at the end of January, 1999. Its new features bring the WPS into your applications: open objects directly from text using drag and drop; access a file or program object's menu from any window it opens; etc. Also featured are DTProgram, a freeware program object enhancement, and a revised DTClip class that combines a clipboard viewer with its d&d equivalent. http://www.usacomputers.net/personal/rlwalsh/ December 9, 1998

`AntiViral Toolkit for OS/2 v3.0 ( Build 126 ) is now available. In addition there is a new beta (Beta 2) of the AVP Monitor for OS/2. You can download a copy from:
http://www.avp.ru/english/news/eval.html

There is a bug which in some cases prevents Smart Windows V. 0.81 to be re-installed.

When you ran the installer from the temporary directory where you unzipped Smart Windows you wull get a dialog box displaying: "Registration error #5!"

Ignore that and go on with the installation procedure.

If you still cannot install then use the following procedure:

1. Get the latest patch (patch #7.1) from the incoming directory of hobbes
   
   • If you previously downloaded patch #7 you need ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/incoming/smwp007a.zip
     
   • If you never applied a patch or the latest patch you applied is older than patch #7 then you need ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/incoming/smwp007b.zip
     
     
2. Unzip smw081.zip in a temporary directory
   
3. Delete smartwin.dll from that temporary directory
   
4. Drag a "data file" from the template directory into the directory where you have unzipped smw081.zip
   
5. Rename the "data file" (you have just created) as smartwin.dll
   
6. Run the installation program and DO NOT REBOOT NOW!
   
7. Unzip in a temporary directory the zip-file of patch #7.
   
8. Run the enclosed patcher.exe (I suggest you to choose option [1])
   
9. Reboot
   

This will probably be the last patch and the next release will be a full version with updated installer e preferences program.

FTP IFS v0.02e has been released. FTP IFS is both an FTP client and a file system. What does this mean? This means that you may map any ftp host you like to a drive letter and use all the utilities you have with the FTP host. Any archiver, any File Manager, any BackUp program. This automaticaly gives you possibility to make any programs you want to work with FTP easily.
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?key=ftpifs2e.zip

For instructions and tips on installing RealPlayer/RealAudio see my article at:
http://os2.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa120298.htm

Gotcha! is a small utility for OS/2 which allows to easily capture windows, window interiors, parts of the screen or the whole desktop and save them to disk or clipboard as a picture (OS/2 bitmap format).

v1.10 fixes a few small bugs (hangs while capturing windows/window interiors, problems with the format of the bmp-files, etc.) and introduces some new features.

Gotcha! is mailware. You can find out more about the program at:
http://www.informatik.uni-trier.de/CIP/thielen/gotcha

This is probably useful only to people who can read German, but it is certainly of interest to everyone:

The C.E. Fischer Verlag has started the publication of a new OS/2 magazine (printed) called "OS/2 Only". The first issue was due to be released on the 1st of December.

Have a look at the publisher's web site at:
http://www.cefischer.de/

The first publicly available Hardware Monitor that supports Winbond 83781D chip is now UPDATED AGAIN!!!

Now ThermoProtect V1.06 is available at:
ftp://hobbes.mnsu.edu/pub/incoming\tp-106.zip

and later it will be moved to:
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/util/mboard

Freeware now and forever! :)

New features include:
=====================

*More optimized routines, for all of us who want to squeeze every last bit of juice out of CPU.

*Now English and Chinese version are combined, with BOTH Manual and Automatic code page switching,

*Now ThermoProtect can correctly ID LM79. With full description too!

And of course, ThermoProtect still retains the same old ultra-low resource useage habit (even though the .exe is about 2x as large as V1.05, due to the combining of both languages' display text and code page routines.), it wouldn't be ThermoProtect if it can't stay that way... :)

Error/Bug Reports:
==================

If this program is giving you a Vendor ID but saying that it can't identify the chip... please do the following...

*MAKE SURE you do have a enviromental monitoring chip of some kind.

*Check if the output from ThermoProtect is making sense or not (ie +5V entry showing +8V is NOT making sense... :))...

*Check your motherboard manual and record down the model and the make of the monitoring chip.

*Record down the Vendor ID.

*E-Mail me the data... :)

Thanks! And have FUN! :)

My site has just moved to http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~dbareis/index.htm (all my old pages redirect to the new site).

My site contains heaps of FREE OS/2 programs (some DOS, W32, LINUX) and rexx source that I have written over the years as well as a large number of commented links.

Some examples:

1. Rexx "compiler", many options on generated EXE.
   
2. Archive tool. Simplifies and makes safer OS/2 archiving.
   
3. Generic preprocessor, I use it to generate all my HTML, rexx code and INF/HTML documentation. OS/2 e-Zine! and others use this tool.
   
4. Programs to manipulate windows given wildcard window titles.
   
5. Programs to manipulate programs/Window list entries given wildcard window list name.
   
6. Text/Binary file editors (automatic), Functionality can be enhanced via aid of my generic preprocessor.
   
7. PURE REXX CRC 16 & 32 source code
   
8. Drag images (GIFs etc) onto icon to display directories of images under browser.
   
9. Powerful "automatic" INI manipulation, can dump INI edit output and use to modify INI on other machines etc.
   
10. Example of how I AUTOMATICALLY extract parts of Netscape 2.02E menus and dialogs etc, modify them, and put them back.
    
11. Patch tool. Use to send patches, can generate very small patches for large files, you generally will wrap it in a bit of rexx code.
    
12. CRC32 based compare tool and produce lists of differences for automated processing.
    
13. I could keep going but I better stop here. :-)
    

This is from the Aurora Marketing Team at IBM via Mike Persell.

Our objective is to deliver our Warp Server message and specific Aurora product demos to our world wide internet audience.

The first video will lead off with Pat Sueltz. The second will be Jeff Smith and the third will be Andreas Tuerk. Starting with the fourth video, we will start presenting Aurora specific technical demos, of which we have just completed filming 14 individual segments. Our plans include filming several Aurora beta customer testimonials and several hardware/software OEM's. In total, a new video will appear, once a week till we launch Aurora.

The link will be available from our current Aurora web site:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/products/aurora/index.html

The video formats will be provided in both Bamba (JAVA) and Real Video formats as well as high speed and low speed options.

WarpCast Moderator's Note: To view RealAudio video, you must first download the Windows 3.1 version of RealAudio from the RealNetworks web site:
http://www.real.com

To view Bamba video, you must first download the Bamba plugin from IBM's site:
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/formula.nsf/events/bamba

A new version of The Frontend for Bladeenc for OS/2 is now available at Hobbes, version 1.02. There are several bugfixes and also new enhancements in the program like support of long filenames (also filenames with spaces) and new shortcuts.

The frontend will be available at Hobbes, pub/incoming, later in pub/os2/apps/mmedia/sound/convert.

The new Bladeenc MP3-Encoder V 0.75 is available at http://home.swipnet.se/~w-82625/ in the section "Download".

Jikes Goes Open Source!

IBM is announcing the availability of the source code for its Jikes Java technology, developed by IBM Research. Users have asked IBM to consider offering Jikes source code, and we listened!

Jikes is a fast, simple, source code to byte code compiler that emphasizes strict adherence to the Java language definition. It is a high-quality tool that will help developers quickly create Java applications. We look forward to having Java developers collaborate with IBM to enhance Jikes' capabilities, as well as port it to new platforms, which will further the adoption of Java-based solutions in the marketplace.

You can get the Jikes Source Ccode here:
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/formula/JikesOS

-----------------------------------------------------------

Jikes Parser Generator

The Jikes Parser Generator uses grammar-analysis and table-compression algorithms to offer better table compression and automatic error recovery.

Jikes Parser Generator is a parser generator that accepts as input an annotated description for a language grammar and produces text files suitable for inclusion in a parser for that language. It is similar in function and use to the widely-available parser generators Yacc and Bison.

It also provides support for automatic diagnosis and recovery from syntactic errors. It is the parser generator used by the Jikes Compiler. Jikes Parser Generator can generate parsers for LALR(k) grammars and produce output suitable for use with parsers written in Java, C, or C++.

You can get the JikesParser Generator here:
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/formula/JikesPG

By chance I found the following fix for slip.exe for TCPIP 4.2 at:
ftp://ftp.boulder.ibm.com/ps/products/tcpip/fixes/v4.2os2/ic22633/

This is from the read.me:

APAR:IC22633
PMR:21899

Description

Fixing the following apars/pmrs/problems:

(1) SLIP version problem for MPTS 8610 TCP/IP stack 4.2) Giving Error message "Sorry -SLIP is not supported by this stack version" when we run SLIP.

FINALLY, the Epson drivers made it into the IBM DDPak! check for epomni.exe (2.4MB download) supported models are:

Stylus Color 1520
Stylus Color 3000
Stylus Color 600
Stylus Color 600Q
Stylus Color 800
Stylus Color 850
Stylus Color Photo
Stylus Color Photo 700
Stylus Color Photo EX

Martin R. Hadam
Kinderklinik - Medizinische Hochschule
D-30623 Hannover
Germany
Email: Hadam.Martin@MH-Hannover.de

These drivers are different then the existing IBM OMNI or the Epson Germany Beta drivers. They can be obtained from IBM DDPak Online http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/printers/epsoname/index.htm the new drivers are only for the above listed models. They support up to 1440DPI and are faster then the Epson Germany drivers. according to Martin these drivers were developed by Epson Japan and will be the base for all future Epson OS/2 drivers.

Simplicity for Java, version 1.1 beta 3, is available for download from:
http://www.datarepresentations.com

Simplicity for Java is a Java IDE written completely in Java. Simplicity runs on any Java-enabled platform including Windows 95/98/NT, Linux, OS/2, Solaris,AIX, HP-UX, and More.

On December 7, 1998, midnight EST, the regular price of Simplicity for Java will be increased from $89 to $149. This is your last chance to purchase Simplicity at this special price. (All current 1.0 customers are entitled to a free upgrade to 1.1.)

The latest beta, beta 3a, adds several new features. There are new tutorials covering Swing, working with JavaBeans, and using databases with JDBC. The Java source editor has been further enhanced with the addition of printing support in full color. There are several fixes to improve support on the Macintosh using the new MRJ 2.1 beta 3.

Here is a short list of the major new highlights in Simplicity for Java 1.1.

** Swing Support - Each of the Swing components has been added to the Object Palette. Custom property pages have been designed to accompany each of these parts. In addition, custom data model editors have been provided for several of the components.

** JavaBeans Support - The composer now generates custom property pages for any beans which are imported into the IDE. The JavaBean import dialog has also been improved to let users select beans from a tree diagram of their classpath.

** Java Source Editor - The editor has been enhanced in many ways.

1. Unlimited Undo/Redo
   
2. Search and Replace
   
3. Sourcerer's Apprentice - Type Ctrl-A after the name of any variable to see a list of all methods and fields.
   
4. Printing in full color
   

** Compiler error message handling - When compiling .java source files in the IDE, any error messages sent to the Java console can be double clicked to jump to that line in the source file.

** Right-click any component to see a menu containing the reverse-order component hierarchy, from that component to the underlying Window.

** Ctrl-click the Sourcerer button to insert generated code at the cursor, rather than append to the bottom of the code area.

** Multiple Image Directories - The image choice fields are being replaced with a button which launches a dialog from which images can be chosen. Any IDE groups containing image extensions (*.gif, *.jpg, etc...) will be added to this dialog. Images can also be cropped and scaled here.

** Absolute Layout - A new layout has been added to the palette which allows absolute positioning and sizing of parts. Parts can also overlap each other. Coordinates can optionally be scaled in response to resizing.

** New GridBagLayout editor - The property page for the GridBag Layout has been completely revised to show you the constraints for all parts simultaneously. Constraint editing is much easier and faster.

** New Tutorials covering Swing, JavaBeans, and database support using JDBC.

Please download and evaluate the 1.1 beta version of Simplicity for Java. If you are interested in purchasing Simplicity, you can save $60 by purchasing on or before December 7, 1998. The current price of $89 includes a free upgrade to version 1.1. After December 7, 1998, the price will be $149.

We are very interested in getting your feedback about Simplicity for Java. Please use the 1.1 beta version and send us your comments.

Sincerely,

The Simplicity for Java Development Team.
http://www.datarepresentations.com/
info@datarepresentations.com

I looked around, and it seemed as if no one had provided a REXX extension that returned free system memory, so I wrote up a quick one.

It's currently at:
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/incoming/rxfmem.zip

After it's archived, it will be at:
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/dev/rexx/rxfmem.zip

The function, RxFreeMem(), takes as arguments either 'physical' or 'virtual' (or the first letter of each). As is probably obvious, the first returns free physical memory, and the second free virtual memory.

Finally!

If you own a Matrox video adapter have had problems with DIVE applications like QuickMotion VR at 24-bit screen color depth, try out the brand new DIVE.DLL from our site. IBM has provided this fix on an unsupported basis until it can be included in a future fixpak.

Tom Harding
QuickMotion for OS/2
http://www.quickmotion.com

As of today the 5th of December, InetPowerServer v0.80Beta1 is released.

This new release includes a lot of bug fixes and some new features. (See ips\doc\history.html in the distribution archive).

IPS is a server application for Internet based protocols like ftp, pop and smtp. It let you setup a ftp and/or mail server.

The new version is uploaded to hobbes with the name ips080b1.zip as well as on the home IPS site: ftp://ftp.iq.to.

I just noticed that the PMView 2.0 beta program is now open to registered users. Visit http://www.pmview.com/us/future.html
for details.

I am looking for a new home for the OS/2 Desktop tour. It contains a lot of screen shots (which also need updating) so ~5 megs are needed on a server. The ZIP can be found on hobbes:
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/info/os2tour2.zip

Thanks for your support!