SCOUG-General Mailing List Archives

>> Next Message >>

Date:	Mon, 12 Feb 2001 00:13:41 PST
From:	"Steven Levine" <steve53@earthlink.net >
Reply-To:	scoug-general@scoug.com
To:	scoug-general@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-General: eCom Station

In <20010212062129.OBBU2550.mtiwmhc28.worldnet.att.net@MYPC>, on 02/11/01
at 10:21 PM, jack.huffman@worldnet.att.net said:

>First, since eComStation is an upgrade for Warp4, I assume it is just
>installed over the existing software. Since I am already running FP14,

Like all major upgrades (i.e Warp3 to Warp4), YMMV with an upgrade
install. My understanding is while an upgrade install of eCS is possible,
Serenity is not really supporting this and recommends a fresh install.
Also, there are really two installer's available. The original IBM
installer and an eCS developed installer. Each offers different options
and capabilities.

>it looks like I will get a the new verxion of TCP, Daniella's software,
>Lotus, and many other things like USB and scanning drivers. Am I
>correct?

Yes, this is true. You get everything you would get with the Software
Choice MCP, plus the eCS extras. The packaging is different and the
handling of future Software Choice features is different as is Program
Support. You have to understand the benefits of each offering before
choosing between SWC and eCS.

>Second, why did Serenity stop at FP 14 when 15 makes it possible for Odin
>to run Word? Or is kernel 4.5 which comes with eComStation the part of
>15 that makes that possible? Or will the equivalent of FP15 be one of
>Serrenity's upgrades? I saw an Irv Spalten post somewhere that said the
>Merlin Convenience Pack is at the FP15 level?

MCP is basically FP15 plus or minus some fixes. The eCS preview is close
the MCP. The eCS GA will be MCP plus fixes. Serenity did not stop in the
sense that you are using the word. They choose to release a preview
edition, which is effectively a beta, before either FP15 or the MCP GA was
available. Note that future FP's for MCP and eCS will begin a new FP
series that will be available to SWC subscribers and to eCS users, if they
purchase Upgrade Protection. FP16 and so on will apply only to Warp4 and
will not be freeely available. I doubt they will be available via SWC.

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you refer to FP15 making it possible
for Odin to run Word. Odin has been able to run Word, to some extent, for
a while. As missing parts are added to Odin, more of Word will run as
time goes on. TTBOMK, there's nothing specific in FP15 to support Odin.
However, IBM has been assisting the Odin team and making some library code
available which allows Odin to run better in general. This code is
distributed as part of Odin.

>Finally, how did Serenity Systems get into the position where it is
>competing with IBM so far as new OS/2 installations and upgrades are
>concerned? How large a company is it? What are the chances it will be
>around in two years?

Serenity has been an IBM OEM for years. They use OS/2 in various turnkey
systems they build. It appears that IBM believes enough in their
stability and ability to deliever a product to enter into this
relationship. As to whether or not they will survive, it's hard to
predict the future. However, IMO, worst case, if they don't make it, SWC
may still be available.

I suggest you review the information on their web site and also the
information on Indelible Blues web site. eCS will only be available
through resellers, so you need to understand how the reseller is packaging
the product.

HTH,

Steven

--
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Steven Levine" MR2/ICE 2.21 #10183 Warp4/FP11
www.scoug.com irc.webbnet.org #scoug (Wed 7pm PST)
----------------------------------------------------------------

=====================================================

To unsubscribe to this list, send an email message
to "steward@scoug.com". In the body of the message,
put the command "unsubscribe scoug-general".

For problems, contact the list owner at
"rollin@scoug.com".

=====================================================

Return to [ 12 | February | 2001 ]

SCOUG, Warp Expo West, and Warpfest are trademarks of the Southern California OS/2 User Group. OS/2, Workplace Shell, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.