Updates from last month's column:

The WarpZilla team has released Mozilla 1.7 as of 06/21/2004. This is an update to Mozilla 1.4 that was demoed by Tony Butka at the Sept. 2003 SCOUG general meeting. Older versions of Mozilla were mentioned in the May 2002 Mr. Know-It-All (http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2002/scoug205.mrkia.html). Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/mozilla/releases/mozilla1.7/contrib/. There is now an installer version again (mozilla-os2-1.7-installer.exe), and a zip file (mozilla-os2-1.7.zip). More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. If you install the zip file version, you need to unzip it yourself into a directory and create or update a program object accordingly.
3. Another site that has documentation of plugin support on OS/2 is at http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/OS2.html.
4. The recommended installation method is to install into a fresh directory; however, if you install over an older version, be sure to delete GKCONTNT.DLL (or GKCONTENT.DLL) and COMPREG.DAT (if they exist); otherwise you may have problems running Mozilla after installation. Also, if you do install over an older version, be sure to read the Dec. 2003 Mr. Know-It-All.
5. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- installing executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as MOZILLA.EXE (for reasons listed in the next note).
6. Mike Kaply of IBM posted to the netscape.public.mozilla.os2 newsgroup that he figured out how to share a profile between version 1.4.1 or older (which is compiled with the VACPP compiler), and version 1.5 or greater (which is compiled with the GCC compiler): Make sure MOZRMI36.DLL is NOT in your LIBPATH and only exists where the version 1.4 MOZILLA.EXE is; conversely on the version 1.5 or greater side, make sure the GCC runtime DLLs (LIBC05 & GCC322) are also NOT in your LIBPATH and only exists where the version 1.5/1.6/1.7 MOZILLA.EXE is.
7. An alternate set of icons for Mozilla are available at http://members.cox.net/greenemk/os2/mozstuff/mymozillastuff.html.
8. Tony's notes on installing and running Mozilla are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

The WarpZilla team has also released Thunderbird version 0.7.1 as of 07/01/2004. This is an update to Thunderbird 0.2 that was demoed by Tony Butka at the Sept. 2003 SCOUG general meeting. It is a stand-alone mail and newsgroup client based on Mozilla that does not contain the browser. This will eventually replace Mozilla (on the mail and newsgroup side). Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/thunderbird/releases/0.7/contrib/. The file name is thunderbird-os2-0.7.1.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. You must unzip the file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object.
3. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- installing executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as the Thunderbird executable.
4. Tony's notes on installing and running Thunderbird are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

DFSee, which was presented by Tony Butka at the March 2004 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 6.09 as of 06/18/2004. It is an FDISK, display, analysis and recovery tool for disks and filesystems. It includes the ability to resize FAT and FAT32 partitions, and has some JFS and LVM support. Go to http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee.htm. Tony's tutorial on DFSee is at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2001/scoug012.dfseetutorial.html.

NOTES:
1. You can also use search key dfsee on Hobbes.
2. DFSee is now shareware. Registration is at Mensys (http://shop.mensys.nl/catalogue/mns_DFSee.html).

MR/2 ICE version 2.47 has been released as of 06/21/2004. It is a mail and newsreader program. Go to http://www.mr2ice.com/.

EmperoarTV, which will be demoed by Jerry Rash at the July 2004 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 1.08g as of 06/10/2004. This software brings OS/2 support for the Hauppauge PVR250/350 TV cards, including high-quality MPEG2 hard disk recording and playback. You can listen to FM radio stations in stereo, watch TV programs in excellent image quality, and more. Go to http://www.s-t.de/emperoar/. NOTE: Emperoar can be purchased at Mensys ( http://shop.mensys.nl/cgi-bin/db2www/mns_art2.d2w/report?catname=EmperoarTV ).

DVDDAO version 0.0.7 has been released as of 06/29/2004. It is a tool for writing DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM. Use search key dvddao on Hobbes. NOTE: You need ASPIROUT.SYS version 1.1b5 or above.

eComStation Maintenance Tool version 2.1.6.9 beta has been released as of 06/11/2004. As the name implies, it is used to apply software updates to eComStation. Go to http://www.ecomstation.com/.

NOTES:
1. You must be a registered user of eComStation; after signing-in, then you can download the Maintenance Tool.
2. You need WarpIn to install the Maintenance Tool.

This month's new listings - Drivers:

SciTech SNAP Graphics version 2.9.2 (also known as 3.0 beta 3) has been released as of 06/17/2004. This is a "universal" video driver, with support for over 200 graphic chipsets, with extra features such as zooming and multi-head support. New to this version are: support for more recent Matrox & ATI chipsets, some fixes, faster loading, etc. Go to http://www.scitechsoft.com/ftp/snap/os2/beta/. The change log is at http://www.scitechsoft.com/snap2_changes.txt, and the list of supported chipsets is at http://www.scitechsoft.com/ftp/snap/os2/beta/readme.txt. More info is at http://www.scitechsoft.com/products/ent/snap_os2_content.html.

IBM has updated the audio driver for the ThinkPad T30, T40, T41, and T42 series as of 06/03/2004. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/aftp1ios.exe.

IBM has updated the video driver for the ThinkPad T30, T40, T41, and T42 series as of 06/03/2004. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/vftp1io2.exe.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the ThinkPad T20 as of 06/02/2004. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/spsdiy61.exe.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the ThinkPad T21 as of 06/03/2004. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/spsdkz34.exe.

IBM has updated the BIOS for the ThinkPad T22 as of 06/03/2004. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/spsd1632.exe.

IBM has updated as of 06/30/2004 the USB basic device support package. This supports the USB 1.0 OHCI, 1.1 UHCI, and 2.0 EHCI specifications. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/swchoice/os2dd/usbbasic.exe.

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).
3. The updated Loader Package is a pre-requisite (see next item).
4. This must be installed first before installing any other USB device drivers.

IBM has updated as of 06/30/2004 the OS2LDR (the boot loader for OS/2). Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/free/os2ldr.exe.

IBM has released as of 06/30/2004 drivers that support USB-to-serial adapters manufactured by Quatech. The following USB to RS-232 serial adapters are supported:

• SSU-100 (1-port USB to RS-232)
• DSU-100 (2-port USB to RS-232)
• QSU-100 (4-port USB to RS-232)
• ESU-100 (8-port USB to RS-232)
• HSU-100 (16-port USB to RS-232)

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).
3. The USB Basic device support package is a pre-requisite (see above).
4. A more generic USB-to-serial converter driver is available at http://service.software.ibm.com/swchoice/os2dd/usbser.exe (if you have a current Software Choice subscription). If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).

IBM has updated as of 06/30/2004 the DVD/UDF support driver to version 2.1.4. This allows for reading/writing CD-RW's (including DDCD-RW and DVD's). Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/swchoice/os2dd/udf201.exe.

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).
3. If you are not using Convenience Pak 2, eComStation 1.1, or if Device Driver FixPak 3 has not been installed, you need to install the latest IDEDASD drivers first; go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/free/idedasd.exe.

The IBM version of SciTech SNAP Graphics has been updated as of 06/30/2004. Enhanced acceleration and zooming support for the Matrox MGA-P650 has been added. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/swchoice/os2dd/snapse218.exe.

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).

IBM has updated as of 06/30/2004 the power management drivers for Intel SpeedStep processors. According to Steve Wendt, the installer won't run on older OS/2 releases, but he says you can copy the files manually. Go to http://service.software.ibm.com/os2dd/free/os2spdst.exe. NOTE: This latest version of the driver caused my ThinkPad T20 (a P3-700) to trap on shutdown/power-off, so I had to revert back to an older version; your mileage may vary.

IBM has updated as of 06/30/2004 the printer drivers for a number of new printers (see http://www7.software.ibm.com/2bcprod.nsf/ddpakbydate?OpenView). HOWEVER: the big catch is that you must call IBM at 1-800-426-7378. You must have an active contract for Passport Advantage with Software maintenance (I'm not sure if Software Choice qualifies). You will have to give IBM the make/model of the printer, what type it is (laserjet, PostScript, or Omni), and language (English, Brazilian, Simplified Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese). FORTUNATELY: If you are a registered eComStation user, you can download the updated printer drivers at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).

The Analog Devices (Soundmax) audio driver is now at version 3.1.8 as of 06/04/2004. It supports the following chipsets: AD1819, AD1881, AD1885, AD1887, AD1980, & AD1981. Use search key soundmax on Hobbes.

Amouse version 2.6 has been released as of 06/05/2004. It has USB support and improved Logitech support. This is a scroll mouse 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_ms_en.htm.

This month's new listings - Applications:

The WarpZilla team has released Firefox (formerly known as Firebird) version 0.9.1 as of 06/29/2004. This is an update to Firebird 0.6.1 that was demoed by Tony Butka at the Sept. 2003 SCOUG general meeting. It is a stand-alone browser based on Mozilla that does not include mail, news, composer, IRC, and the other frills. This will eventually replace Mozilla (on the browser side). Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/0.9/contrib/. The file name is firefox-os2-0.9.1.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. ) Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. You must unzip the file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object.
3. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- installing executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as the Firefox executable.
4. Tony's notes on installing and running Firefox are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.
5. There are some icons for Firefox available as of 02/13/2004. Use search keys firefoxicon or os2firefox on Hobbes.
6. Search Plugins for Mozilla Firefox is now at version 0.2 as of 05/31/2004. It contains plugins for use with Google and Hobbes. Go to http://www.subsys.de/misc/FireFoxSearchPlg02.zip.

Python, which was demonstrated by Sheridan George at the Dec. 2001 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 2.3.4 as of 06/05/2004. It is a scripting language that comes from the Unix world. Go to http://www.pcug.org.au/~andymac/python.html. Sheridan's comparison of Python vs. REXX is at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2001/scoug012.rexx_python.html.

NOTES:
1. You can also use search key python on Hobbes.
2. Source is also available.
3. The EMX runtime is required; use search key emxrt on Hobbes. For help with installation, see the June 2002 Mr. Know-It-All (http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2002/scoug206.mrkia.html).
4. Armin Rigo's Python Specializing Compiler module is also available as of 06/05/2004. Go to http://www.andymac.org/python-2.3/, or use search key psyco on Hobbes.

Open Watcom, which was featured at two SCOUG general meetings in 2002, is now at version 1.3 beta as of 06/25/2004. This is an open-source release of the Watcom C, C++, and FORTRAN compilers, and includes an OS/2 installer. Harry Chris Motin carefully took us through download and installation issues in March 2002; read it at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2002/scoug204.watcom.html. Michal Necasek, our June 2002 co-presenter, has an article describing how to set up Open Watcom at http://pages.prodigy.net/michaln/os2/Watcom11c.html. Go to ftp://ftp.scitechsoft.com/watcom/devel/beta/. More info is at http://www.openwatcom.org/; however the home page won't be updated until version 1.3 is officially released.

IBM has released as of 06/14/2004 IBM Web Browser version 2.0.3. It is based on Mozilla 1.6. Go to http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/cgi-bin/swchoice/priv/rdoc/en_us/ns50/f-feat.htm.

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).
3. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- installing executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as OS2WEB.EXE.

IBM has updated Java 1.3.1 as of 06/04/2004. It includes Java Web Start, an XML parser for Java, and a plugin for Mozilla or IBM Web Browser (see previous item). 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. Go to http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/cgi-bin/swchoice/priv/rdoc/en_us/java13/f-feat.htm.

NOTES:
1. You need a current Software Choice subscription to download.
2. If you are a registered eComStation user, download it at http://www.ecomstation.com (after signing-in).

PrefBar version 2.3 RC2 has been released as of 07/04/2004. It allows you to configure several Mozilla settings on the fly, and now incorporates the features of UABar. Go to http://prefbar.mozdev.org/.

RSJ CD-Writer version 5.50 has been released as of 06/04/2004. It has support for DVD writing, freedb, DAO (Disk At Once), IDE drives, creating bootable CD's, and more. New to this version is Ogg Vorbis support, new desktop icons, some fixes, etc. Go to http://www.rsj.de/stage/en/cdwriter/cd_os2.asp. NOTE: It must be purchased at this site or at Mensys (http://www.mensys.nl).

cdrtools version 2.01a32 has been released as of 06/26/2004. This contains cdrecord (discussed in the Sept. 2003 Mr. Know-It-All at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug309.mrkia.html), readcd, cdda2wav, and mkisofs. Use search key cdrtools on Hobbes.

Audio/Data-CD-Creator version 0.55 has been released as of 06/27/2004. It is a folder class for the WPS which works as a front-end for cdrecord/2 for creating audio and data CDs. Just put wavefiles or data into this folder and press "write". Arbitrary ordering of files is possible via drag-and-drop. Use search key audiocd on Hobbes.

JRescuer version 2.4 has been released as of 05/30/2004. It is a tool to rescue files from a JFS volume which can't be mounted. Use search key jrescuer on Hobbes.

CoolFM version 2.12 has been released as of 06/06/2004. This is a powerful FM radio tuner control program, compatible with most popular FM tuners. Go to http://ecomstation.ru/coolfm, or use search key coolfm on Hobbes. NOTE: You need WarpIn to install.

CDDBMMCD version 0.45 has been released as of 03/01/2004. This is a utility to update the MMPM CD player title database via a CDDB database. Go to http://www.maazl.de/project/cddbmmcd/.

bootAble version 3.3 has been released as of 06/05/2004. This 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/.

ConfigApps version 1.0.2 has been released as of 06/04/2004. This is a tool to configure default Internet apps, including web browser, mail program, FTP program, etc. Newer versions of Mozilla honor these settings. Use search key ConfigApps on Hobbes.

Mr. Message for OS/2 was updated as of 06/27/2004. It is an instant messenger client, which is capable of communicating over AOL's Instant Messenger network using the OSCAR protocol (used in the Win32 AIM clients, jBuddy, gAIM, Kopete, ICQ, and a variety of other clients). A number of new features/fixes are included. Go to http://mamodeo.dyndns.org/MrMessage_srcbin_06272004.zip.

InJoy Firewall version 3.0 has been released as of 06/08/2004. This runs on a computer with an Internet connection and acts as an Internet gateway for other computers on your private LAN. The product is designed for LAN-to-LAN configurations, including the many new cable modem and DSL installations. It features: PPP over Ethernet support, support of the interoperable IPSec VPN standard, NDIS protocol engine, NAT support (RFC 1631-style Network Address Translation), direct Internet access for your LAN PC's, no reconfiguration on other machines, PM version, link monitoring with statistics and alerting, support for filter and firewall plugins, identd support, priority setting, and a number of bug fixes. Go to http://www.fx.dk/firewall/.

AE version 1.8.3 has been released as of 06/12/2004. This is a replacement for E.EXE (which comes with OS/2 or eComStation) that fixes most of the annoying things about it. Use search key ae1_ on Hobbes.

Rich Walsh, the author of DragText, has released some fixes for Object Desktop versions 1.5 & 2.0. These fixes enable Zip Folders to use recent versions of InfoZip's UnZip, turns on the CPU meter when running the Convenience Package versions of Warp (or eComStation), and prevents WPS lockups when dragging over the Control Center. Go to http://e-vertise.com/misc/odfix.zip, or use search key odfix on Hobbes.

If you still use the OS/2 Launchpad that was introduced in Warp 3 (in Warp 4 it is called the "Toolbar"), there is a replacement class available, called Bubblepad. It is now at version 1.0.7 as of 06/19/2004. It provides fly-over help for all the buttons, and adds some other features. Use search key bubblepad on Hobbes, or go to http://www.os2world.com/cdwriting/bubblepad/bubblepadmain.htm.

PCI+AGP Bus Sniffer version 0.48e has been released as of 07/03/2004. This tool shows PCI, AGP, and CardBus device information, has a huge database of known vendors and devices, and can tell what IRQs are supported by which slot. Use search key pci on Hobbes.

A utility to change IRQs on PCI cards has been released as of 07/03/2004. Use search key spciirq on Hobbes.

The RAR archiver has been updated to version 3.40 beta 1. This is a command-line compression utility, with tight general and multimedia compression, recovery record option management of non-RAR archives, RCVT (aRchive ConVersion Tool), and more. Go to http://www.rarlab.com/.

The OS/2 port of xine has been updated as of 06/25/2004. This is a GPL video player with source provided. MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video files are known to work; according to the author, MPEG-4 and MP3 also might work. Eventually all formats supported by xine on Linux should be working on OS/2. xine for OS/2 is provided as a MCD (Media Control Device), which means it integrates with MMOS2, and any WPS-aware multimedia player can use it. Go to http://doconnor.reamined.on.ca/xine/.

If you use the older version 1.x series of Apache, it is now at version 1.3.31 as of 06/25/2004. It is the premier web server of the Internet. Go to http://apache.org/dist/httpd/binaries/os2/. More info is at http://silk.apana.org/au/apache/. NOTE: For version 1.3.xx, the EMX runtime is required; use search key emxrt on Hobbes. For help with installation, see the June 2002 Mr. Know-It-All (http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2002/scoug206.mrkia.html).

JAlbum version 4.5 has been released as of 07/04/2004. This is a web photo album generator that runs on Java. Go to http://jalbum.net/.

JPhotoBrush Pro version 1.3 has been released. This is an image-editing and enhancement application/tool, written in Java 1.3 making extensive use of Swing and Java2D. Go to http://www.jphotobrushpro.com/.

PMSheet version 2.0 has been released as of 07/01/2004. This is an image viewer with thumbnails, image rotation, and a few other features. Also available is the source code for the directory control used. Go to http://home-5.worldonline.nl/~jdekeij/pmsheet.html.

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 2004 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.