General OS/2 Information Sources Summary: This article contains a list of sources of information for OS/2 users and developers. It includes the following sections: Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup OS/2 Discussion Forum Internet Digest ISO8859 Internet Mailing List 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 More Information: Usenet comp.os.os2 Newsgroup ---------------------------- The unmoderated 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 that 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. The domain and bitnet paths to the digest's list server and moderator are as follows: 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 you are 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 following message: get os-2 logYYMM where YYMM is the name of the log (for example, "get os-2 log8905"). Valid values of YYMM currently are 8905, 8906, 8907, 8908, 8909, and 8910. To subscribe to the digest, use the following 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 following message: index os-2 To get a file list with additional comments, use the following message: get os-2 filelist To retrieve a file, use the following message: get os-2 NAME EXTENSION where NAME is the filename and EXTENSION is the file extension. For example, use "get os-2 arc2 exe" to get the file ARC2.EXE; note that there is no period between the filename and the file extension. To get a list of subscribers, use the following 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 subject, contact the digest moderator. To get general listserv help, use the following message: help ISO8859 Internet Mailing List ----------------------------- "ISO8859" is an internet listserv-based mailing list that specializes in working with character sets; its subtitle is "ASCII/EBCDIC Character Set Related Issues." Although its name implies that this is only for the ISO 8859/[1-8] character sets, there is a large amount of discussion on the ASCII and EBCDIC codepages of MS-DOS, OS/2, and other IBM platforms. Thus, although this mailing list is not OS/2 specific, it is beneficial to OS/2 developers who write applications that support multiple codepages. Once you have used one listserv, the rest basically work in the same manner. The listserv instructions listed above for the OS/2 Discussion Forum also apply to this listserv-based mailing list, except that the list name is ISO8859 rather than OS/2. The list is based on the listserv at JHUVM. Thus, the addresses for the listserver are as follows: listserv: listserv.jhuvm.bitnet (bitnet) submissions: iso8859@.jhuvm.bitnet (bitnet) OS/2 Application Guide ---------------------- IBM and Microsoft produce the "OS/2 Application Guide," which is distributed free of charge from IBM. This 5.5 x 8.5 x 1 inch paperback lists hundreds of OS/2 applications that are available (or are scheduled to be available). This guide provides free advertising for developers, and a good collection of information for consumers. To obtain a copy of the "OS/2 Application Guide," call (800) 426-2468, extension 120. An ASCII copy of this archive is available in the Microsoft OnLine Software/Data Library in a file named OS2APPS. This file is also on CompuServe and other information systems. OS2APPS can be found in the Software/Data Library by searching on the keyword OS2APPS, the Q number of this article, or S12020. OS2APPS was archived using the PKware file-compression utility. A form of this application guide is available as an on-line database from the IBM National Support Center BBS (Bulletin Board Service) in Atlanta, Georgia; the data line is (404) 988-2913. You can scan or search this database, which has products listed by category as well as alphabetically, and cross-referenced by company. The "OS/2 Application Guide" is also available on-line on another IBM BBS, with the data line (404) 988-2790. According to the IBM Personal Systems Developer publication, developers that want to place their product in this guide should call IBM at (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 the "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 "OS/2 Application Guide," to apply for inclusion in the OS/2 application database (from which the "OS/2 Application Guide" is derived), submit a written request to the following address: 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 that provides developer support for OS/2 (in addition to providing support for other environments and products). Microsoft OnLine contains a very large database of information for OS/2 developers. There are also many sample applications and updated versions of some OS/2 system files (new video drivers, etc.). For more information on Microsoft OnLine, call (800) 443-4672. Microsoft University -------------------- Microsoft University (MU) is a training center that 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. Special arrangements can be made to hold seminars 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 (206) 828-1507, extension 1000. Their mailing address is as follows: Microsoft University One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA IBM Developer Assistance Program -------------------------------- The IBM Developer Assistance Program offers on-line technical support with IBM via IBMLink. It includes a free subscription to the quarterly IBM Personal Systems Developer technical publication, includes 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 that 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 (407) 982-6178 or write to IBM at the following address: 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 contain discussions on OS/2, the following publications periodically contain articles 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 There are other magazines that specialize more in OS/2 related topics. These magazines are as follows: 1. Microsoft Systems Journal The "Microsoft Systems Journal" (MSJ) has many OS/2-related articles. For general information on MSJ, call (614) 382-3322. To subscribe, call (800) 669-1002. Their mailing address is as follows: Circulation Department Microsoft Systems Journal P.O. Box 1903 Marion, OH 44305 USA MSJ is also available on microfilm, and can be obtained from the following address: 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 the following bulletin boards: RamNet BBS: (212) 889-6438 Channel 1 BBS: (617) 354-8873 ComOne BBS: (415) 284-9151 If you are a sysop interested in maintaining MSJ files, you can contact the MSJ office. 2. IBM Personal Systems Journal The "IBM Personal Systems Journal" is a monthly publication that provides 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; you should specify form number GBOF-1229. Correspondence to this journal should be sent to the following address: Editor, IBM Personal Systems Journal IBM Corporation Internal zip 40-C2-02 One East Kirkwood Blvd. Roanoke, TX 76299-0015 USA 3. IBM Personal Systems Developer The "IBM Personal Systems Developer" is a quarterly publication distributed by IBM and 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. 4. IBM PC and PS/2 Seminar Proceedings The seminar proceedings periodicals from IBM, "IBM Personal Computer Seminar Proceedings" (before the PC/AT was introduced) and "IBM Personal System/2 Seminar Proceedings" (after the PS/2 was introduced) contain useful information on IBM hardware and operating system level software such as OS/2 and MS-DOS. The articles often consist of updates to IBM technical reference manuals. Their mailing address is as follows: IBM Corporation Editor, IBM PS/2 Seminar Proceedings Internal Zip 4629 P.O. 1328 Boca Raton, FL 33432 USA 5. The SAA Spectrum "The SAA Spectrum" is a newsletter devoted exclusively to SAA, which is related to OS/2. For more information, in the USA, call the SAA Spectrum at (800) 333-5979, extension 100 or (415) 283-5400. Or, write to them at the following address: The SAA Spectrum, Inc. P.O. Box 908 Lafayette, CA 94549 USA In the UK, you can call them at 44-0-256-850376, or write to them at the following address: The SAA Spectrum, Ltd. P.O. Box 70, Basingstoke Hampshire, RG24 9HW ENGLAND In West Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, you can call them at 49-0-89-7911073/75 or write to them at the following address: SOFTCON GmbH Irmgardstr 15 D-8000 Munchen 71 WEST GERMANY In the Netherlands, you can call them at 31-0-1720-43726, or write to them at the following address: Adviesburo voor Telematica B.V. P.O. Box 184 2400 AD Alphen aan den Rijn THE NETHERLANDS 6. OS Report OS Report is a newsletter devoted exclusively to OS/2. For more information, you can reach them at (603) 924-3636, or write to them at the following address: OS Report P.O. Box 3160 Peterborough, NH 03458 USA 7. First Edition for OS/2 "First Edition for OS/2" is a newsletter devoted exclusively to OS/2. For more information, you can call them at (800) 624-3282, or write to them at the following address: 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 that have conferences on OS/2. CompuServe has the PCMAGNET (PC Magazine) forum and the Microsoft Systems Forum MSSYS (GO MSSYS). In the MSSYS forum, Section 8 is for OS/2 issues and Section 9 is for Presentation Manager issues. Another Microsoft forum on CompuServe is the Microsoft Knowledge Base (GO MSKB), which contains about 15,000 articles on Microsoft products and the Software Library (GO MSL) containing official Microsoft files (drivers, MSJ source code, etc.) available for downloading. There are other systems as well. BIX has the ibm.os2 conference, and other information systems, such as GEnie, Prodigy, etc., all have similar forums. Bulletin Boards --------------- The following is a list of bulletin board systems (BBSs) that have OS/2 conferences/forum, and/or have OS/2 files on them. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the information obtained from these bulletin boards. This information is provided only for your convenience. Name: IBM National Support Center BBS Number: (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 are 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: (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 approximately 300 OS/2-related files on this BBS and an OS/2 message forum. If you own a 9600-baud US Robotics modem, you can call Gilmore Systems at (805) 581-1275. Name: University of Saskatchewan OPUS BBS (Fidonet node 1:140/43) Number: (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: (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: (617) 354-8873 Sysop: Comments: This BBS is listed in the "Microsoft Systems Journal" as containing program listings from this journal. Name: ComOne BBS Number: (415) 284-9151 Sysop: 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: (404) 988-2796 Sysop: IBM Corp. Comments: This BBS is listed in "IBM Personal Systems Journal" as containing program listings from this journal. Name: PKWARE BBS Number: (414) 352-7176 Sysop: PKWARE Comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains the latest versions of the PKZIP/PKUNZIP utilities for OS/2. Name: System Enhancement Associates (SEA) BBS Number: (201) 473-1991 Sysop: SEA Comments: This is not an OS/2-specific BBS, but it contains the latest version of the ARC utility for OS/2. Name: DeScribe (formerly LeAP) BBS Number: (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: (818) 989-0310 Sysop: Allen Duboff Comments: This BBS has a large echomail OS/2 conference. Name: Computer Consulting Service Number: (301) 476-5098 Sysop: Comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files. Name: OhioNet Express Number: (216) 241-6727 Sysop: Comments: This BBS specializes in OS/2 topics/files. Name: KBBS Number: (818) 994-0442 Sysop: Comments: This BBS contains OS/2 programs for downloading. Name: Number: (306) 966-4857 Sysop: Comments: This BBS reportedly contains many OS/2 PM programs, many of which include source code. This BBS has not been contacted by Microsoft. Anonymous FTP Archive Sites --------------------------- One anonymous FTP site that 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 archive contains some OS/2 files. The only OS/2-specific subdirectory of the site simtel20.army.mil is the "PD:".