Updates from last month's column:

WarpVision, which was demoed by Jordan Fox at the June 2004 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 1.0 as of 04/27/2006. This is a player for DivX-3, DivX-4, DivX-5, XViD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI, and ASF, with MP3/AC3 audio, DVD support, video overlay support, a Mozilla plugin (requires registration), and is skinnable. Go to ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/wvgui/.

NOTES:
1. More info is at http://warpvision.netlabs.org/.
2. You can find skins at http://os2.kiev.ua/en/wv.skins.php.
3. There are some Windows codecs you can use via Odin, available at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/wvgui/wincodecs/.
4. The WarpVision team accepts donations at BMT Micro (https://secure.bmtmicro.com/ECommerce-Offsite/11980000.html) or at Mensys (http://shop.mensys.nl/catalogue/mns_Warpvision.html).

DVD Author version 0.6.12 alpha 2992 is now available as of 04/07/2006. This is a tool for generating DVD video structures from given MPEG-2 files. Use search key dvdauthor on Hobbes. NOTE: Version 0.6.11 is available at http://smedley.info/os2ports.html.

Paul Smedley has released Apache version 2.2.1rc1 beta 1 as of 04/03/2006. It is the premier web server of the Internet; newer versions use multi-threading and offer big performance improvements. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html.

NOTES:
1. More info on Apache is at http://silk.apana.org.au/apache/apache_v2.shtml.
2. You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL); go to ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

Paul Smedley has also released Subversion version 1.3.1 as of 04/22/2006. It is a version control package, intended to replace CVS. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html. NOTE: You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL): download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

And, Paul Smedley has released a build of PHP version 5.1.2 beta 5 as of 04/22/2006. It is a server-side scripting language for the Web. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html.

NOTES:
1. This build now includes an Apache (version 2.2) module.
2. More info is at http://www.php.net/.
3. You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL): download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

PHPMyAdmin version 2.8.0.3 has been released as of 04/06/2006. This is a set of PHP scripts to administer MySQL over the Web. Go to http://phpmyadmin.sourceforge.net/.

JAlbum version 6.4 has been released as of 04/03/2006. This is a web photo album generator that runs on Java. Go to http://jalbum.net/.

Jeti/2 version 0.7.3.6 has been updated as of 04/03/2006. This is a Java 1.4x client for instant messenger services, including Jabber, AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and ICQ. Go to http://www.ehlertronic.de/jeti2.htm.

Moneydance 2006 r4 has been released as of 04/02/2006. It is a personal finance manager written completely in Java. It includes transaction auto-completion, graphing, reporting, a reconciliation tool, running cleared vs. uncleared balances, transaction sorting, double-entry, multiple currencies, multiple accounts, and much more. Go to http://moneydance.com/.

ChatZilla version 0.9.73 has been released as of 04/21/2006. This is the IRC client that comes with the Mozilla/Seamonkey suite. It now supports SSL and full Unicode nicknames. Go to http://www.hacksrus.com/~ginda/chatzilla/.

Bluemont Software has released jPixDb version 3.2. This is a Java program for organizing, viewing, and printing picture albums, which requires Java 1.4. Go to http://www.bluemontsw.com/.

USBCFG beta 6c has been released as of 04/03/2006. This application is designed to help configure/re-configure USB drivers & devices. It does not install USB drivers; it helps sort out driver parameters. Use search key usbcfg on Hobbes.

This month's new listings - Drivers:

An IrDA (infrared port) driver that supports Tekram IR-Mate 210B and Toshiba notebooks is at version 0.10 as of 04/18/2006. Use search key gne010 on Hobbes. NOTE: You need the generic UART infrared drivers/tools as well; use search key irdd22 on Hobbes (for this, you will need WarpIN to install).

A driver for the Realtek RTL8169 network chipset is at version 1.10 as of 04/18/2006. Go to http://www.os2warp.be/index2.php?name=gomindis#4.

IBM has recently released a fix for the printer install routine. It fixes a problem when you install a new printer driver; only the first 1024 entries from \OS2\INSTALL\PRDESC.LST was being displayed in the "Printer Driver" list. If you are a registered eComStation user, go to http://www.ecomstation.com/; after signing-in, you can download the fix (under the drivers section, titled "IBM APAR PJ31068 - Correct to printer install").

This month's new listings - Applications:

The WarpZilla team has released 2 versions of Firefox (1.5.0.2 and 1.0.8) as of 04/18/2006. This has been demoed by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings. It is a stand-alone browser based on Mozilla that does not include mail, news, composer, IRC, and the other frills. An announcement last year said that there will not be any more versions of Mozilla (as produced by the Mozilla Foundation) past the 1.7.x series, so Firefox is now the Foundation's official browser. For version 1.5.0.2, go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/1.5.0.2/contrib/; the file name is firefox-1.5.0.2.en-US.os2.zip; for version 1.0.8, go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/1.0.8/contrib/; the file name is firefox-os2-1.0.8.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. These are primarily bug-fix releases and does not have any new functionality added.
3. You must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
4. These versions require the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer 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.
5. These versions require an updated version of IPLUGINW.DLL for Java support; go to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=196271.
6. Tony's notes on installing and running Firefox are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

The WarpZilla team has also released 2 versions of Thunderbird (1.5.0.2 as of 04/24/2006, and 1.0.8 as of 04/25/2006). This has been demoed by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings. It is a stand-alone mail and newsgroup client based on Mozilla that does not include the browser. An announcement last year said that there will not be any more versions of Mozilla (as produced by the Mozilla Foundation) past the 1.7.x series, so Thunderbird is now the Foundation's official mail and newsgroup client. For version 1.5.0.2, go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/thunderbird/releases/1.5.0.2/contrib/; the file name is thunderbird-1.5.0.2.en-US.os2.zip; for version 1.0.8, go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/thunderbird/releases/1.0.8/contrib/; the file name is thunderbird-1.0.8-os2.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. These are primarily bug-fix releases and does not have any new functionality added.
3. You must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
4. These versions require the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer 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.
5. Tony's notes on installing and running Thunderbird are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

The WarpZilla team has also released Mozilla version 1.7.13 as of 04/24/2006. 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/mozilla1.7.13/contrib/. There is an installer version (mozilla-1.7.13-os2-installer.exe), and a zip file (mozilla-1.7.13-os2.zip). More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. The version 1.7.x series is the last version to be officially produced by the Mozilla Foundation. This means two things:
   1. This release is primarily security fixes, with no new functionality added.
   2. The Mozilla Foundation is now concentrating their efforts on Firefox and Thunderbird (see previous items).
2. As a result, the Mozilla community is picking up development of Mozilla (under the name Seamonkey -- see the next item); go to http://wiki.mozilla.org/SeaMonkey:Home_Page, or http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/.
3. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
4. Another site that has documentation of plugin support on OS/2 is at http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/OS2.html. This is also maintained by Steve Wendt.
5. If you install the zip file version, you need to unzip it yourself into a directory and create or update a program object accordingly.
6. 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 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 (http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug312.mrkia.html).
7. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer 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.
8. An alternate set of icons for Mozilla are available at http://members.cox.net/greenemk/os2/mozstuff/mymozillastuff.html.
9. Tony's notes on installing and running Mozilla are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

Seamonkey version 1.0.1 has been released as of 04/18/2006. This is a continuation of the Mozilla Suite, which was discontinued by the Mozilla Foundation. It is based on the Mozilla 1.8.x code base, just as Firefox 1.5.0.2 (see previous item) and Thunderbird 1.5.0.2 are. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/seamonkey/releases/1.0.1/contrib/. There is an installer version (seamonkey-1.0.1.en-US.os2.installer.exe), and a zip file version (seamonkey-1.0.1.en-US.os2.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. One helpful tip he has deals with anti-aliased fonts.
2. This is primarily a bug-fix release and does not have any new functionality added.
3. Another site that has documentation of plugin support on OS/2 is at http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/OS2.html. This is also maintained by Steve Wendt.
4. If you are installing the zip file version, you must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
5. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer 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 Seamonkey executable.
6. This version requires an updated version of IPLUGINW.DLL for Java support; go to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=196271.
7. Tony's notes on installing and running Mozilla (Seamonkey) are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

IBM recently released a fix to UDF.IFS; it was storing an incorrect seconds value in a time stamp. If you are a registered eComStation user, go to http://www.ecomstation.com/; after signing-in, click on "Your Downloads", then search for pj30964.

IBM recently released two fixes to WPCONFIG.DLL. One puts the Comet Cursor page back into the mouse configurator when eCenter or XWorkplace is installed; the other makes the Suspend option from eCenter and XWorkplace work. If you are a registered eComStation user, go to http://www.ecomstation.com/; after signing-in, click on "Your Downloads", and then search for pj31116.

MJpegtools version 1.8.0 has been released as of 04/03/2006. It includes tools that can be used to help create DVDs (and DVD menus) under OS/2 & eComStation. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html. NOTE: You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL); go to ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

PM123 version 1.31 has been released as of 04/06/2006. It is a MP3, WAV, and CD audio player, which is now open-source. Some of the features include sharing of the sound card, playlist with drag/drop support, HTTP streaming, and the use of "skins" (including some cool WinAmp skins) to change the program's look. Go to http://glass.os2.spb.ru/software/english/pm123.html.

NOTES:
1. You can also use search key pm123 on Hobbes.
2. Source is also available under a BSD-style license.
3. You need WarpIN to install.
4. The skins are available at http://sektori.com/pm123/skins.php.

WAV2CDR version 2.2.3 has been released as of 04/07/2006. It converts WAV sound files to a format which can be recorded on a CD. Use search key wav2cdr on Hobbes. NOTE: You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL); download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

XWLAN (Wireless LAN Monitor) version 2.13 has been released as of 04/09/2006. It is available as a XCenter widget as well as a stand-alone program, and features connection monitoring, multiple connection profiles, generation of WEP keys, and more. English and German National Language support. Use search key xwlan on Hobbes, or go to http://wlan.netlabs.org/. NOTE: XWorkPlace or eWorkPlace (which comes with eComStation) is a prerequisite.

Varsha has been released as of 04/08/2006. It is a GUI-based DVD authoring tool that requires Java 1.4. It can create DVD menus incorporating a backdrop of still pictures as well as moving video backgrounds. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html.

PrefBar version 3.3 has been released as of 04/11/2006. It allows you to configure several Mozilla settings on the fly, and incorporates the features of UABar. Go to http://prefbar.mozdev.org/.

PMRaw version 1.40 has been released as of 04/02/2006. This is a graphical front-end to dcraw, which lets you display images from digital cameras in RAW format, and convert them to BMP or JPG. Go to http://os2.zworks.de/PMRaw/eng/.

Ogg Vorbis version 1.1.0 has been released as of 04/02/2006. It is an audio compression format similar to MP3, but free of patented algorithms and is fully open-source. Included are an encoder/decoder, player, PM123 plugin, and more. Also available is OggEncPM version 0.9.1, a basic front-end for the encoder. Go to http://silk.apana.org.au/vorbis/.

NDPISO version 2.2 has been released as of 04/11/2006. This is a plugin for NetDrive, allowing you to mount ISO (CD-ROM) images. Use search key ndpiso on Hobbes.

Open Watcom, which was featured at two SCOUG general meetings in 2002, is now at version 1.5 as of 04/28/2006. This is an open-source release of the Watcom C, C++, and FORTRAN 77 compilers, and includes an OS/2 installer. Harry 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 http://www.openwatcom.org/. The list of changes is at http://www.openwatcom.org/index.php/C_Compilers_Release_Changes.

Python, which was demoed by Sheridan George at the Dec. 2001 SCOUG general meeting, is now at version 2.4.3 as of 04/17/2006. It is a scripting language that comes from the Unix world. Go to http://www.andymac.org/python-2.4/. 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; if you are not running eComStation 1.1 or greater (where it is installed by default), 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).

Odin GUI version 1.6 has been released as of 04/23/2006. This is a front-end for running programs with Odin. Use search key odingui on Hobbes.

DOSBox Front End version 2.6 has been released as of 04/23/2006. This is a GUI front-end for launching games using DOSBox. Use search key dosboxfront on Hobbes.

Java GUI version 1.6 has been released as of 04/23/2006. This is a front-end for Java, in the same style and functions like Odin GUI and DOSBox Front End (see previous two items). In fact, all three are written by the same author. Use search key javagui on Hobbes.

Paul Smedley has released a beta 1 version of MySQL version 5.0.19 as of 04/18/2006. The MySQL database server is the world's most widely-used open-source database. The OS/2 port features named pipes, data replication, databases greater than 2GB, and more. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports.html. NOTE: You will need the GCC runtime (LIBC061.DLL); go to ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

NesCafe version 0.615 has been released. This is a Java Nintendo Entertainment System emulator, which includes the source code under the GPL. Go to http://www.davieboy.net/nescafe/.

A REXX to OS/2 executable wrapper has been released as of 04/10/2006. Use search key rexx_exe on Hobbes.

MediaPlayerConnectivity version 0.6.0 has been released as of 04/09/2006. This extension for Firefox and Seamonkey replaces video streams with a button that allows you to launch external players (such as WarpVision). Go to http://membres.lycos.fr/sethnakht/.

WarpIN version 1.0.10 has been released as of 04/26/2006. This is an open-source PM installer / uninstaller that can also install quietly through environmental variables. It also offers self-installing executables. Use search key warpin- on Hobbes (a zip file), or go to ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/warpin/warpin-1.0.10.exe. NOTE: More info on WarpIN is at http://warpin.netlabs.org/.

Maul Publisher version 3.06 has been released as of 04/30/2006. It is billed as "the world's first professional desktop publisher for OS/2". It will automatically take care of page numbering in folding booklets, reversal of margins for facing pages, page numbering offsets where you don't want to start from Page 1, reversal of margins for top-bound booklets and top-folding booklets, centering margins on printers with odd margins, and multi-way folding sheets and maps. In addition, you have full control of column, row, gutter, and center gutter guides, including the automatic adjustment of page offsets when a number of sheets are bound into a folding booklet. Go to http://www.manglais.com/.

NOTES:
1. You can also use search key maule on Hobbes.
2. There is a language translation toolkit, so that anyone interested can provide translations for their native languages; for that, use search key maulettk on Hobbes.

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.