Updates from last month's column:

SciTech Display Doctor has finally gone GA (general availability) as of 02/27/2002. This update of the universal display driver fixes some bugs and incorporates version B.094 of the IBM GRADD components. Download is at ftp://ftp.scitechsoft.com/sdd/os2/; the list of changes is at http://www.scitechsoft.com/sdd2_changes.txt, and the main SciTech page is at http://www.scitechsoft.com/sdd_os2.html.

DaniATAPI version 0.3.8 was released as of 02/24/2002. Use search key dania on Hobbes.

DaniS506 version 1.4.1 was released as of 02/20/2002. Use search key danis on Hobbes.

GSView version 4.2 has been released as of 02/07/2002. It is a graphical document viewer that uses Ghostscript as its' display engine. Go to http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/gsview/.

DFSee, which was demoed at the June 2001 SCOUG meeting, has been updated to version 4.16 as of 02/22/2002. It is a FDISK, display, analysis and recovery tool for disks and filesystems. It now includes some JFS and LVM support. Go to http://www.fsys.demon.nl/dfsee.htm. NOTE: DFSee is now shareware. For information on using DFSee, take a look at the tutorial written by Tony Butka.

XSane version 0.84 has been released as of 01/27/2002. This is a front-end for SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) that requires XFree86/OS2. Go to http://home.tiscalinet.de/fbakan/xsane-os2.htm.

Normalize version 0.7.2 has been ported to OS/2 as of 02/22/2002. It is an overly complicated tool for adjusting the volume of .WAV files to a standard volume level. This is useful for things like creating MP3 mixes, where different recording levels on different albums can cause the volume to vary greatly from song to song. Use search key normalize on Hobbes.

MMIOProc codecs for Ogg Vorbis has been updated as of 02/14/2002 to version 0.2. With this codec the OS/2 multimedia system is able to play (and convert to WAV format) Ogg Vorbis files without any additional software. Go to http://www.math.berkeley.edu/~roconnor/MMIOMP3/.

A port of the Linux BTTV driver (for BT8X8 TV cards) has been released as of 02/18/2002 (build 779). A small radio application is included. Go to http://www.nord-com.net/s.milcke/bttv_en.htm. NOTE: This should be considered a beta driver.

Amouse version 2.0 beta has been updated as of 02/16/2002. It is a scroll mouse device driver that works better on some wheel mice than IBM's driver. There is also a widget for XCenter available now. Go to http://www.nbsoftware.de/sw_ms2en.htm.

The RAR archiver has been updated to version 3.00 beta 3 as of 02/23/2002. This is a command-line compression utilitiy, with tight general and multimedia compression, recovery record option management of non-RAR archives, RCVT (aRchive ConVersion Tool), and more. Go to http://www.rarsoft.com.

This month's new listings - Drivers:

The IBM version of SciTech Display Doctor has been updated as of 02/06/2002. It is a subset of the SciTech Display Doctor full version GA (see above). HOWEVER: You must be a current subscriber to Software Choice to download. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/swc/sddse708.exe.

An updated S3 video driver for the Savage3D, Savage4, SavageMX, SavageIX, and SuperSavage chipsets was posted to Hobbes on 02/04/2002. Look for S3SAVAGE70032.ZIP.

An updated S3 video driver for the Trio3D chipset was posted to Hobbes on 02/04/2002. Look for S3TRIO3D41010.ZIP.

An updated NeoMagic 128/256 series video driver was posted to Hobbes on 02/04/2002. Look for NEOMAGIC42811.ZIP.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the Thinkpad T23 as of 02/05/2002. Go to ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/mobiles/spsd1a52.exe.

IBM has updated the audio driver for the Thinkpad T23 as of 12/21/2001. Go to http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/MIGR-4Z6L7B.html. HOWEVER: the web page says that you need Windows 9x, ME, NT, or 2000 to extract the driver.

An updated version of GAMEDD.SYS for joysticks has been released as of 02/10/2002. Use search key gamedd on Hobbes.

An updated version of drivers for Crystal Audio chipsets CS4614, CS4624, and CS4280 was released as of 02/08/2002. Use search key cwos2311 on Hobbes. NOTE: CWOS2311.TXT indicates that these drivers are beta level.

DaniN512.FLT version 0.1.2 has been released as of 02/20/2002. This filter driver allows removable media with large sectors (1024 & 2048 bytes/sector) to work with other drivers which only support 512-byte sectors. Use search key danin512 on Hobbes.

DaniBoot version 1.0 has been released as of 02/20/2002. This is a CD boot filter driver which allows OS/2 to boot from a CD. Use search key daniboot on Hobbes.

The Network Interface Card Pak (NICPak) has been updated as of 02/08/2002. This is a collection of various NIC drivers and a tool for detecting and installing them. Go to http://pws.prserv.net/mckinnis/nicpak/.

This month's new listings - Applications:

The WarpZilla team has released as of 02/04/2002 WarpZilla version 0.9.8. This is an updated to WarpZilla 0.9.2 that Dave Watson demoed at the July 2001 SCOUG general meeting. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla/releases/mozilla0.9.8/. The file is mozilla-os2-vacpp-0.9.8.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. If you have a problem with WarpZilla 0.9.8 hogging the CPU, a fix to NSPR4.DLL is available at ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/ps/products/warpzilla/bsd_nspr.zip.
2. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com:80/os2news/Warpzilla.html.

There is an EMX version of WarpZilla 0.9.8 as of 02/15/2002. The primary difference is that the EMX version does not work with the Java plugin. Use search key warpzilla on Hobbes.

IBM has updated Java 1.3 as of 02/13/2002. HOWEVER: You must be a current subscriber to Software Choice to download. Go to http://service.boulder.ibm.com/asd-bin/doc/en_us/catalog.htm.

IBM has released FixPak 3 for Warp Server for e-Business as of 02/25/2002. The diskette images are at ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/ps/products/os2/fixes/v4.5warp/; the RSU version is at http://ps.boulder.ibm.com/pbin-usa-ps/getobj2.pl?/pdocs-usa/xr_e003.rsu.

IBM has released as of 02/25/2002 a special FixPak for Convenience Pak 2 targeted at Pentium 4 systems with > 512MB of RAM. HOWEVER: You must have a current Software Choice subscription to download. The file to download depends on whether or not you already have Convenience Pak 2 installed, and if you already have more than 512MB of RAM installed.

• If you have not yet installed Convenience Pak 2 on a Pentium 4 with > 512MB RAM, go to http://www3.software.ibm.com/cgi-bin/asd/priv/rsudl/images/xr_f001/p4fix.zip; unzip into a temporary directory and read the READ.ME file for installation instructions.
• If you have already installed Convenience Pak 2 on a Pentium 4 with <= 512MB RAM (and you plan to add more RAM to go over 512MB RAM), go to http://ps.software.ibm.com/pbin-usa-ps/getobj2.pl?/pdocs-usa/xr_f001.rsu (the RSU method), http://www3.software.ibm.com/cgi-bin/asd/priv/rsudl/images/xr_f001 (the diskette method, which requires LOADDSKF.EXE or DSK4PM to create diskettes), or http://www3.software.ibm.com/cgi-bin/asd/priv/rsudl/images/xr_f001/xr_f001.zip (a single ZIP file). After applying the fix, then you can add the extra RAM.
• If you have already installed Convenience Pak 2 on a Pentium 4 with >= 512MB RAM, then you must remove some RAM to be no more than 512MB of RAM, apply the fix (see point b above), and then add the RAM back.
• If you do not plan to go over 512MB of RAM on a Convenience Pak 2 Pentium 4 system, you can apply the FixPak as well (again see point b above).

SNES9X, the Super Nintendo emulator, has been updated as of 02/04/2002 to release 12. This was demoed by Jerry Rash at the March 2001 SCOUG general meeting. It supports windowed graphics using DIVE, full-screen graphics using MGL, stereo sound using DART, joystick support, NVRAM saving for saved games, capturing screenshots, and fast and accurate emulation. Go to http://emuos2.netlabs.org/.

CW-Multimedia classes version 0.2.0 has been released as of 01/30/2002. These classes are for seamless integration of the MMIO procedures for MP3 and OGG files; after installation, OGG and MP3 files are treated the same way by the WPS as the other audio files, with icons and menus. There is also a new Media Folder, which plays any audio class known to OS/2. Go to http://www.os2world.com/cdwriting/mmclasses/mmclassesmain.htm.

Normal Player has been released as of 02/05/2002. This is an audio / video player that supports any file format supported by MMOS2. Go to http://www.reamined.on.ca/doconnor/nplay/.

Some plug-ins for PM123 have been released:
• Crossfader version 1.4 was released on 02/12/2002. It causes the current song to fade out while the new song fades in. For Crossfader, go to http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~uh45/projects/fade/fade.html.
• Time! version 1.2 was released on 02/11/2002. It allows you to turn off your computer after a certain time or a certain number of songs. For Time!, go to http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~uh45/projects/time/time.html.
• Normalizer plugin version 0.2 for PM123 was released as of 02/26/2002. It recalculates sample data to keep the volume of the sound output at an equal level. For the Normalizer plugin, go to http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~uh45/projects/normalize/normalize.html, or look for NORMAL02.ZIP on Hobbes.

Subtitler, released as of 02/12/2002, shows subtitles while playing AVI files with WarpMedia or WarpVision. Use search key subtitler on Hobbes.

Speaking of WarpVision, version 0.0.13 has been released as of 02/04/2002. This is a player for DivX3/DivX4-format video streams, with MP3/AC3 audio. The latest version no longer uses Odin and Win32 codecs. Go to http://devcenter.os2.ru/video/warpvision.phtml.en.

T&V HappyPlayer version 1.11 was released as of 01/20/2002. This is a PM application that operates TV cards built on the Brooktree BT848 chip. Go to http://www.os2.spb.ru/software/projects/happyplayer/index_e.html.

cdrecord version 1.11a13 has been released as of 02/05/2002. It can burn single-session, multi-session, or audio CD's. Use search key cdrtools on Hobbes.

RSJ CD Writer, the powerful CD mastering program, has been updated to version 4.00 as of 02/15/2002. It has support for freedb, DAO (Disk at Once mode), IDE drives, creating bootable CD's, and more. Go to http://www.rsj.de/stage/en/. NOTE: It must be purchased, but is available as a digital delivery (i.e. purchase online, download the program, and then receive a license key via e-mail).

GhostScript version 7.04 has been released as of 01/31/2002. It is a freeware PostScript interpreter/converter for generating Acrobat (PDF) documents, and is the display engine for GSView. Go to http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/.

There is also a variation of GhostScript version 7.04 (as of 02/16/2002) with built-in support for HP DeskJet printers 670, 690, 855, 870, 880, 890, 1100, and 1600. Go to http://www.vonhagen.info/hp-e.htm.

For those of you who still use the OS/2 version of ColorWorks: Michal Necasek has created as of 01/30/2002 patches for ColorWorks that allow it to work properly with GRADD video drivers (including SciTech Display Doctor). It fixes the black effects previews, as well as lockups in effects dialogs. Go to http://pages.prodigy.net/michaln/cw2gradd.html.

WarpIn version 0.9.16 has been released as of 02/04/2002. This is an open-source PM installer / uninstaller, that can also install quietly through environment variables. This should fix some problems with version 0.9.14. Go to http://www.xworkplace.org/proj_warpin.html.

XWorkplace version 0.9.17 has been released as of 02/05/2002. This was part of Gary Granat's series on Seeking Ways to Get Rid of System Bloat. This version fixes some problems with previous versions, and has a new "turbo folders" feature. It requires WarpIn (see above). Go to http://www.xworkplace.org/proj_xwp.html.

Some replacement DLLs for Object Desktop version 2.0 Archive Viewers with prettier icons has been released as of 02/03/2002. Use search key archview on Hobbes.

SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) version 1.07 has been released as of 02/07/2002. NOTE: You need the EMX run-time in order to use SANE. Go to http://home.tiscalinet.de/fbakan/sane107.htm.

eBayWatch/2 version 1.09d is now available. As the name implies, it is an eBay auction management tool. Go to http://www.eclipse.net/~knkrchnr/.

Psion OS/2 Utilities version 1.5 has been released as of 02/25/2002. They are text-mode FTP-like utilities for the Psion handhelds. There is also a NetDrive plugin available. Go to ftp://cbs-edu.chel.su/pbu/Porro/Psion. Or you can use search keys psiftp (for the utilities) or ndppsion (for the NetDrive plugin) on Hobbes.

UpdCD version 2.0 has been released as of 02/24/2002. It can be used to update the base Warp 4 or Warp Server for e-Business installation files with FixPaks, and supports the creation of updated installation diskettes. You can use the updated OS/2 image in combination with these diskettes to create new installtions of OS/2 which already incorporate the FixPaks and other software. Version 2.0 now includes support for eComStation, a PM interface, and support for additional OS/2 addons. Go to http://xenia.sote.hu/~kadzsol/rexx/sajat/updcd.htm.

Sendmail version 8.12.0 has been ported to OS/2 as of 02/24/2002. This is the open-source SMTP mail server that is common in the UNIX world. Use search key sendmail on Hobbes.

InfoZip's UnZip version 5.5 has been released as of 02/22/2002. Go to ftp://ftp.info -zip.org/pub/infozip/OS2/unz550x2.exe (a self-extracting executable).

NewView version 1.35.8 has been released as of 02/22/2002. It is a rewrite of VIEW.EXE that comes with OS/2 or eComStation. It reads .INF and .HLP files. Improvements include a new user interface, remembers size & position, select and copy from the window, and more. Use search key newview on Hobbes.

AudioStation alpha 18 has been released as of 02/22/2002. It is an audio player and editor. Use search key audiostat on Hobbes.

A utility to disable TV Out at bootup for SciTech Display Doctor has been released as of 02/22/2002. Use search key sddscrt1 on Hobbes.

WebCam/2 version 1.0 has been released as of 02/19/2002. This is an image capture utility for Fast Movie Machine II and Win-TV cards. It creates timed snapshots from the VideoIn device, and can be used to set up a webcam. Go to http://www.dttmr.de/.

ManplatoSync for Java (formerly jSyncManager) has been updated as of 02/11/2002 to beta 3 on IBM's alphaWorks site. It provides PalmOS data synchronization on any Java-enabled platform, including support for Lotus Notes. It is also a powerful developer's tookit, allowing programmers to write jConduits, or to employ data synchronization into their own projects. Go to http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/manplatosync4java.

Vice/2 version 1.8 has been ported to OS/2 as of 01/26/2002. It is the Commodore 64 game emulator which uses DIVE and DART. Go to http://viceteam.bei.t-online.de/.

Editorial Note: Special thanks to SCOUG's Dallas Legan for writing a handy REXX script to convert URLs in a text file into HTML tags. It's much appreciated!

Copyright 2002 the Southern California OS/2 User Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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.