Updates from last month's column:

The WarpZilla team has released Mozilla 1.2 alpha as of 09/14/2002. This is an update to WarpZilla 0.9.2 that Dave Watson demoed at the July 2001 SCOUG general meeting, was mentioned in the May 2002 Mr. Know-It-All, and was demoed by Steven Levine at the Sept. 2002 SCOUG general meeting. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla/releases/mozilla1.2a/. The file is mozilla-os2-1.2a-installer.exe (now a self-extracting executable/ installer). More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com:80/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. Another site that has documentation of plugin support on OS/2 is at http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/OS2.html.

The WarpZilla team has also released Mozilla 1.0.1 as of 10/01/2002. It is billed as the most recent stable release. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla/releases/mozilla1.0.1/. The file is mozilla-os2-vacpp-1.0.1.zip (this is not a self-extracting file; you will need to manually unzip it into a new directory).

WarpVision was updated on 09/27/2002. It is a player for DivX3/DivX4 format video streams, with MP3/AC3 audio. The latest version has a nice GUI interface, and no longer uses Odin and Win32 codecs. Go to http://os2.kiev.ua/en/wv.php.

NOTES:
1. There are downloadable "skins" available at http://os2.kiev.ua/en/wv.skins.php (correction from last month)
2. There is also a command-line (08/27/2002) version of WarpVision available.

DFSee, which was demoed at the June 2001 SCOUG meeting, is now at version 5.03 as of 10/01/2002. 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.dfsee.com/dfsee.htm, or use search key dfsee on Hobbes. Tony Butka's tutorial on DFSee is at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2001/scoug012.dfseetutorial.html. NOTE: DFSee is now shareware. Registration is at Mensys (http://shop.mensys.nl/catalogue/mns_DFSee.html).

BTTV version 0.03 (for BT8X8 TV cards) has been released as of 10/06/2002 (build 1143). It is a port of the Linux BTTV driver, with radio and TV working. Included is a small radio application, a small TV application, and the source is available (along with a LXAPI32 support driver for porting Linux drivers). Go to http://www.nord-com.net/s.milcke/bttv_en.htm. NOTE: This should be considered a beta driver.

DaniS506 version 1.5.1 has been released as of 09/30/2002. This is the replacement for IBM's IBM1S506 EIDE driver, which features support for many chipsets, PCCard controllers, busmastering, Ultra33-DMA, Ultra ATA-66, Ultra ATA-100, faster PIO due to 32-bit I/O, and much more. Use search key danis on Hobbes.

DaniATAPI version 0.3.12 was released as of 09/30/2002. It is a replacement for IBM's ATAPI drivers (IBMIDECD, IBMATAPI, PCM2ATA.ADD, and OS2PCARD.DMD). It includes support for ZIP-250 drives, including full media swapping, and even booting from ZIP drives. It has better 32-bit PIO when combined with DANIS506.ADD (see above), and devices can be used as SCSI, for use with programs like CDRecord or RSJ. Use search key dania on Hobbes.

The Network Interface Card Pak (NICPak) has been updated as of 09/22/2002. This is a collection of various NIC drivers and a tool for detecting and installing them. Go to http://pws.prserv.net/mckinnis/nicpak/.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the Thinkpad T30 as of 09/10/2002. Go to ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/mobiles/spsd1i58.exe. ALSO: The BIOS Embedded Control Program has been updated as of 10/02/2002; it updates the H8 controller firmware in the T30 to fix problems, add new functions, or expand functions. Go to ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/mobiles/embd1i14.exe.

TVShow version 0.42 has been released as of 09/12/2002. This is intended for viewing TV with BT878-based TV cards. Go to http://os2.kiev.ua/en/tvshow.php.

ZOC version 4.07 has been released as of 09/06/2002. It is an award- winning telnet, secure shell (SSH), rlogin, modem and ISDN communications program. Go to http://www.emtec.com/zoc/.

XSane version 0.88 has been released as of 09/18/2002. It is a front- end for SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) that requires XFree86/OS2. Go to http://home.tiscalinet.de/fbakan/xsane-os2.htm.

Plogg has been updated as of 09/23/2002. It is an open-source ncurses (text-based) Ogg Vorbis/MP3 player. It features basic playlist functions and navigation between songs. Use search key plogg on Hobbes. NOTE: There are versions for installation with WarpIn available also, as well as the source code.

AiR-BOOT is now at version 0.93b (Release Candidate 3) as of 09/22/2002. It is a multi-boot partition loader with some extra features, including colored "Award-like" SETUP, virus protection, Linux kernel support, and more. Go to http://ecomstation.ru/kiewitzsoft/air-boot.php.

EMT4PM (formerly DSK4PM) is now at version 4.30 as of 09/25/2002. It is a PM utility to build disks from IBM's *.DSK images (replacing LOADDSKF.EXE). Go to http://dvalot.free.fr/emtcopy.htm.

Apache version 2.0.43 has been released as of 10/03/2002. It is the premier web server of the Internet, and offers big performance improvements over the older versions due to multi-threading and elimination of some EMX dependencies. Information is at http://silk.apana.org.au/apache/apache_v2.shtml; download is at http://apache.org/dist/httpd/binaries/os2/. ALSO: The older version 1.3 is now at 1.3.27 as of 10/03/2002.

NewView version 1.41.27 was released as of 10/05/2002. This is a replacement for VIEW.EXE that comes with OS/2 to view .INF document files. Use search key newview on Hobbes, or go to http://homepages.visp.co.nz/~aaronlawrence/NewView.html.

This month's new listings - Drivers:

IBM has updated as of 09/03/2002 the Infrared Stack (IrDA) support for Thinkpads. This supports the Thinkpad 380/385/560/600/770/T2x & T30 series. HOWEVER: You need a current Software Choice subscription to download. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/swc/irda/irda.exe.

IBM has released as of 09/27/2002 the Universal Audio Driver. It provides support for:

• Sound Blaster Live!
• Cirrus Logic CS4281
• Avance Logic ALS4000 series
• C-Media CMI8738 series
• Intel ICHx + SigmaTel STAC9721/23 series.

IBM has updated as of 09/04/2002 the printer drivers for laserjets, inkjets, PostScript printers, and plotters to level 30.771. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/free/printerpak/en/.

IBM has updated as of 09/19/2002 the IDEDASD driver package. There are updates to OS2CDROM.DMD, IBM1S506.ADD (if you do not use DANIS506), and OS2DASD.DMD. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/free/idedasd.exe.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the Thinkpad T23 as of 10/03/2002. Go to ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/mobiles/spsd1a58.exe.

Dawicontrol has updated as of 09/07/2002 their SCSI drivers to version 4.31. Go to http://www.dawicontrol.de/english/html/scsitreiber.htm. NOTE: This web page says version 4.30; however the German version of this web page says version 4.31.

CWUSBMSD.ADD version 1.1 was released as of 09/04/2002. This package contains drivers to use USB mass storage class compliant devices, and supports other, maybe more, devices than the IBM drivers. It has support for both UHCI and OHCI. Use search key cw-usbmsg on Hobbes.

Drivers for the Intel EtherExpress (Pro/100) Ethernet cards have been updated to version 4.35 as of 09/04/2002. This reportedly solves problems with loss of network connectivity after APM suspend/resume. Use search key e100 on Hobbes.

Daniela Engert has done it again! This time she has created a version of IBM2SS14.SYS (Socket Services Driver for notebook PC's) as of 09/23/2002. This version supposedly supports all Texas Instruments Cardbus bridges. HOWEVER: Not all TI PC Card Cardbus Controllers have been tested, only the ones supported by the original IBM2SS14.SYS. The driver is unsupported, use at your own risk. Having said so, use search key ss2ti on Hobbes.

The driver for the National Semiconductor DP83820 network card has been updated to version 1.05.05 as of 09/26/2002. Use search key dp82x on Hobbes.

Amouse version 2.2 beta has been released as of 10/06/2002. USB support has now been added. Go to http://www.nbsoftware.de/sw_ms21en.htm.

USBSCAN.SYS version 0.3 was released as of 10/02/2002. It is a driver for a number of USB scanners. Use search key usbscan on Hobbes.

This month's new listings - Applications:

Our own Harry Chris Motin has created BA2KCMD version 3 as of 10/07/2002. It is a REXX interface to Back Again/2000's CLBACK.EXE. Use search key ba2kcmd on Hobbes.

IBM has updated Java 2 version 1.3.1 as of 09/26/2002. New is the Java Features, which consists of Java Web Start for OS/2 and the XML Parser for Java. Java Web Start allows full-featured Java 2 client applications to be launched through a Web browser. The XML Parser for Java provides Java applications with XML parsing and generation. HOWEVER: You need a current Software Choice subscription to download. Go to http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/asd-bin/doc/en_us/java13/f-feat.htm.

The IBM Web Browser for OS/2 has been updated to version 2.0 as of 09/26/2002. This is comparable to Mozilla 1.0.1 (see above). HOWEVER: You need a current Software Choice subscription to download. Go to http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/asd-bin/doc/en_us/ns50/f-feat.htm.

Opera 5.12 was released as of 09/04/2002. This is a Web browser that was mentioned in the May 2002 Mr. Know-It-All. Go to http://www.opera.com/os2/.

NOTES:
1. They have an incorrect date on their NEWS section; the date is listed as 09/04/2001 for the release date.
2. Opera can be registered to block certain ads that pop up.

Virtual PC for OS/2 version 5 has been released. It allows you to execute additional operating systems on top of your OS/2 desktop. A massive speed improvement and fullscreen support are among the several enhancements. It is commercial software that must be purchased thru Mensys (http://shop.mensys.nl/catalogue/mns_VirtualPC.html), but you can order the digital delivery or a boxed version for 239 Euros (approximately $233.71). You can also order from Finnegan Software of Toronto for $241 at http://www.finnsoft.com. Go to http://www.innotek.de/products/virtualpc/. NOTE: If you are an existing Virtual PC for OS/2 user, the update is free of charge, and can be downloaded at ftp://vpctest:testvpc@ftp.innotek.de/VPC50OS2.zip.

Guiffy, which was presented at the Feb. 2002 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 4.6 as of 09/03/2002. It is a file compare / merge (diff-like) tool with a GUI implemented in Java. Go to http://www.guiffy.com/.

eComStation Maintenance Tool version 1.10.3.2 was released as of 09/06/2002. This is the first release of the PM version of eCS Maintenance Tool. Go to http://www.ecomstation.com.

If you still use the DeScribe word-processing program, there is a "Tips and Techniques" document available as of 09/08/2002. Use search key describe_tips on Hobbes.

4OS2 and Take Command/OS2 are now available as free downloads (HOWEVER: they are no longer supported by the vendor, JP Software). Go to http://www.jpsoft.com/download.htm.

eBayWatch/2 version 1.09f was released as of 09/14/2002. It is an auction management tool for OS/2 users that use eBay. Go to http://www.eclipse.net/~knkrchnr/.

Ghostscript version 7.30 developer release is now available as of 09/12/2002. It is a freeware PostScript interpreter/converter for generating Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents. It is also the display engine for GSView (the graphical document viewer). Go to ftp://mirror.cs.wisc.edu/pub/mirrors/ghost/AFPL/test/.

Polarbar Mailer version 1.23 has been released as of 09/27/2002. This Java e-mail program came from decompiling the last released version of JStreet Mailer, and permission was granted by Innoval to continue the development. Go to http://www.polarbar.org/.

cdrdao2 version 1.1.6 has been released as of 09/17/2002. This is a CD writing program in DAO (Disk At Once) mode. It requires the Aspirout 1.1b5 driver, but does not require the EMX runtime. Use search key cdrdao2 on Hobbes.

The Digital Camera Image Transfer Utility (DCITU) is now at version 1.8j as of 09/23/2002. This utility supports cameras from Kodak, Agfa, Epson, Olympus, Sanyo, Sierra, Nikon, Minolta, and Toshiba. More info is at http://charette.dyn.tj/dcitu/ (however, the web page may be slightly out of date). Use search key dcitu on Hobbes. Also, the source code is available (this version is open source).

An OS/2-based S.M.A.R.T. monitor which resembles the famous HDDSPEED package has been uploaded to Hobbes as of 10/06/2002. It includes temperature monitoring and hard drive failure prediction features. Use search key smartmon.

VCDGear version 1.5 has been released as of 09/20/2002. It converts to/from various VCD (Video CD) MPEG formats, including .RAW and .BIN CD track formats, .MPG, .DAT, etc. It is helpful in mastering VCD's (or extracting MPEG data from VCD's for computer playback). Use search key vcdgear on Hobbes.

Tonigy version 1.7 has been released as of 09/19/2002. It is an audio/video/data CD IFS (installable file system) that maps tracks of audio CD's into .WAV or .RAW files, tracks of video CD's into .MPG files, and tracks of data CD's into ISO files. Use it for accessing audio, video, and data tracks like ordinary files. Also, Tonigy allows you to access files of CD-I disks and the boot image of ISO tracks. Go to http://www.tonigy.com/index.html.

JPhotoBrush version 2.0 has been released. It is an image-editing and enhancement application/tool written in Java 1.3, making extensive use of Swing and Java2D. HOWEVER: you need Java 1.3 or greater, which in turn means you need a current Software Choice subscription or eComStation. Go to http://www.tanveer.freeservers.com/programming/JPhotoBrush.htm.

bootAble version 2.10 has been released as of 09/29/2002. It is a script which can be used to create a maintenance partition or bootable CD with enough facilities to fully manage and recover your system. It contains support for LVM, HPFS, JFS, FAT32, UDF (turned off by default), and the CD file system. Go to http://www.xs4all.nl/~hrbaan/.

HyperText2 version 1.05 has been released as of 09/29/2002. It allows you to easily create OS/2 INF files with only a handful of commands. Use search key htext on Hobbes.

StHWMon version 0.18b has been released as of 09/29/2002. It is a temperature/fan/voltage monitor for motherboards with the VIA_82C686 chip. It can shut down OS/2 and do an APM power-off if a failure occurs. Go to http://www.nord-com.net/s.milcke/hwmon_en.htm.

z! has been updated as of 09/26/2002 to a version that has OGG support, beta 2. This is a text-mode MP3 player that can handle streaming audio (Shoutcast), and now has Normalize support. Go to http://dink.org/z/, or use search key z-ogg on Hobbes.

PCI+AGP Bus Sniffer version 0.47 has been released as of 09/26/2002. This tool shows PCI, AGP, and CardBus device information, has a huge database of known vendors and devices, and can tell what IRQ's are supported by which slot. Use search key pci on Hobbes.

WarpOverlay version 1.05 has been released as of 09/25/2002. This successor to HW EnDIVE provides hardware-based video overlay support on top of the SciTech GRADD drivers. This no longer uses DIVE, so it only works on applications that use its' API, such as WarpVision. Currently suuported are some chipsets from Matrox, ATI, Nvidia, and S3. Go to http://os2.kiev.ua/en/overlay.php.

JAlbum version 2.3 has been released. This is a web photo album generator that runs on Java 1.3, which means you need a current Software Choice subscription or eComStation. Go to http://www.datadosen.se/jalbum/.

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.