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--------------------------- WarpCast -------------------------
Source: Perry Newhook (pnewhook@spar.ca)
Moderator: Trevor Smith (editor@os2ezine.com)
----------------------------------------------

I know it's been a while since I put out the request to the 
OS/2 community for their input as to what they liked and 
disliked about OS/2. I've had several people ask for an 
update, and while I would have preferred to have something 
more significant to report, I will tell you what I has 
happened so far.

The response was overwhelming to my request. I had hundreds 
of letters from OS/2 users all around the world, from the 
single user all the way up to system administrator of a 
major worldwide bank. I even got several messages from 
current and ex IBM employees who are also not happy about 
the way IBM is handling things. A big thank you also goes to  
Tim Bryce of OS/2 Connect magazine who donated his list of 
things that users wanted to see in OS/2. All together, when 
printed out the letters came to a whopping 3 inches in 
height (8 centimetres) and represented well over 1000 users. 
Not bad for the two week deadline I imposed.

There was a common theme throughout all of the letters; 
everyone believes in OS/2, and believes that it is far 
better than the 'standard'. Reading these letters made me 
believe that even without IBM's help, OS/2 has a long future 
ahead of it. Most companies would kill to have the kind of 
brand loyalty that OS/2 users have for their operating 
system. 

One thing that became apparent (and I hope that IBM will act 
on this), is that ignoring the SOHO user is hurting the big 
business. The traditional OS/2 stronghold, banks, are 
starting to slip away from OS/2 mainly because of a lack of 
familiarity. IBM tries to push OS/2 but banks are unwilling 
because all they hear and know is 'NT'. Since they are 
switching from IBM and buying NT from someone else, IBM is 
also losing the more lucrative hardware and service 
contracts as well. If IBM doesn't stop it's current course 
of action, it will lose a lot more than just the OS/2 
desktop market share.

The letters are now at IBM, and I hope that some action will 
come of them. I have been assured by IBM that they will not 
be ignored (and I believe them), but as of yet I have not 
seen much change (although OpenGL hardware was released and 
Lexmark is now supporting OS/2...).

I thank you all for you extremely useful input and will keep 
you all informed through Warpcast when or if I hear anything 
else.

Perry Newhook
Spar Aerospace Limited
pnewhook@spar.ca

Aquila Texhnologies
aquilat@idirect.ca




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