The OS Doesn't Matter?

2010-11-21 01:12:51 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecoshop.biz]

Jean-Louis Gassée published an interesting article some weeks ago: The OS Doesn't Matter?

We should follor some of his recommendations when working on new version of eComStation.

// We prepared russian translation of this article

eComStation and virtual machines

2010-11-20 01:11:28 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Software -> Virtual machines section is updated: we collected the links to reviews and articles talking which virtual machines are available in eComStation, how to run eComStation inside virtual machines?

You can investigate the history of virtual machines on OS/2 / eComStation market, we are interested publish it on the site of eComStation History.

Why do you use eComStation - OS/2?

2010-11-12 17:27:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

There was a survey in the end of 2006 года (announcement) about: "Why do you use eComStation - OS/2?"

Voting page.

Now we publish the comments of users: Why do you use eComStation - OS/2? -- comments (russian page but many english/german comments)

DevCon - news for developers

2010-11-11 18:09:14 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some news for developers of eComStation applications:

• We invite users join testing of eCo Software applications and drivers.
• New article at www.halfos.ru site: (RUS) system runtimes
• Internal standard of eCo Software how to design libraries - DevCon
• Odin repository public again announcement
• We updated frequently asked questions and answers about new Message Box and Progress bar

eComStation PC: Week of barebones and mini-ATX

2010-11-10 14:22:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

This week is dedicated to collection of info about compatible/non-compatible barebones. The database contains 348 records only... Major part of the models are not manufactured anymore. Post new reports using the web-form.

ACPI.PSD switches? Model of motherboard inside?

If you are going install home media-center based on eComStation, pay attention to silent barebones from Shuttle, ASUS, Dell, AOpen.

What is eComStation PC?

Separate user's data from applications

2010-11-10 13:08:58 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We invite the developers of applications join the discussion of topic: how to separate user's data from application.

(RUS) Separate user's data from applications

Review: eComStation 2 - installation

2010-11-08 13:38:55 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

vezhlys installed the operating system inside Oracle VirtualBox virtual machine: eComStation 2 - installation (source: http://tortoiseit.blogspot.com)

One more user goes publish the review of eComStation in the next few weeks. It's important to demonstrate the usage of the system and must-have applications.

Other reviews of eComStation 2.0:

• 2010/08 -- Howto: Install eCS 2 on modern Laptop keeping Preinstalled Windows 7
• 2010/09 -- (RUS) eComStation 2.0: Extending user interface
• 2010/10 -- (RUS) Installation and setup of eComStation 2.0

New solutions based on eComStation?

2010-11-04 16:45:18 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eComStation is growing if new solutions are created. It's possible to do this if you are using Open Source software.

• Web-servers: We already have Traffic Visor to count traffic, package: Apache, MySQL and PHP for eComStation
• There are components for Multimedia Center
• REXX script language to create accounting solutions (RUS)
• There are programs for students and schoolchildren, REXX is a good choice for education too
• ..

We collect all ideas here: Solutions

eComStation community can help to the developers of solutions" a) develop additional libraries, b) publish reviews of the solutions

More information:

• We collected information for new site: ATMs based on IBM OS/2 Warp / eComStation. You can send links to libraries, control programs, search for contact with other companies working on ATMs/2.
• List of companies using eComStation today / IBM OS/2 Warp in the past - Solutions site. You can send information about your company.

eComStation: Opinion exchange

2010-11-01 20:40:52 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The users are interested to know:

• Problem [A]: How to launch VLC player in eComStation? (step by step instructions?)
• Problem [B]: How to help to eCo Software? For example, you can join testing of our software. Current tasks: a) test Sunny icons, b) OpenOffice, export of russian text to PDF, c) test File Open Container, d) test WPS copy/move operations, e) test BackEmUp utility
• Problem [C]: It's difficult edit/write group of HTML files for non-computer users. How to organize the work? How to edit HTML? Non-computer people don't understand File Commander, they need other more simple approach. Do you have an advice?
• Problem [D]: (check the strategy of eCS community: Evolutionary Sprint) - more computer users start using 3G and 4G. eComStation supports this hardware, but you should setup it.
  • Sigurd demonstrates 3G modem work: clip: 76lNJfG2g5U, report
  • Can you test other models of modems?
• Problem [E]: Sigurd is working on new clips about eComStation: os2world.com forum (btw, where is the movie about eComStation / IBM OS/2 history with interviews and chronicles?!)

eCo Software is searching for partners / investors / sponsors

2010-10-31 14:56:50 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [eCo Software]

eCo Software developed many unique applications and tools for eComStation operating system. It's difficult to develop the software without the investors.

We are going collect offerings during november/december 2010 and select partners / investors / sponsors for some projects.

Invest into eCo Software

OpenOffice.org 3.2.0 GA for eComStation and IBM OS/2 released

2010-10-29 12:44:05 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [VOICENWS, Joachim Benjamins (Mensys BV)]

Effective immediately, Mensys B.V. will be distributing a GA version of OpenOffice.org 3.2.0 to all users who own an active Support Agreement for OpenOffice.org or an active Software Subscription Services for eComStation product.

This version has been compiled to run on eComStation and IBM OS/2 as a native application. This release replaces OpenOffice.org version 3.1.1.

Features

== NLS:

OpenOffice.org 3.2 for eComStation and OS/2 is released in the following language versions:

• English
• German
• Italian
• French
• Spanish
• Dutch
• Russian

== Internet integration:

• e-mail related settings are now supported, you can email your current document, but only Thunderbird is supported.
• the default OS/2 browser will be used for opening web pages from URL links in documents.

== Desktop integration:

• support for WPS integration via seperate package.
• support for the FreeType2 (FT2) font engine for improved text rendering.
• support for XWP/eWPS sliding menu hilite (requires XWorkPlace 1.0.8 or eCS 2.0 RC4 or newer)
• support for clipboard bitmap formats and unicode text.
• support for mouse wheel.

== WPS integration package for OpenOffice.org 3.2 for eComStation and OS/2:

• Extends the WPS data file class to recognize OpenOffice.org document files
• Integrated support for WPS-Wizard hint and folder info area
• REXX hooks for reading document properties

== Quickstart:

• the quickstart feature has been implemented for eComStation and OS/2.

Availability

OpenOffice.org 3.2 is available to anyone with an active OpenOffice.org

Support Agreement for eComStation and OS/2, or an active Software Subscription Services for eComStation, via their download-area at the Mensys Online Shop: http://www.mensys.net/login/

What is new

Below is a list of some of the improvements that are present in OpenOffice.org 3.2:

• OpenOffice.org 3.2 provides improved support for other common office document types:
  • Password protected Microsoft Office XML files (supported document types: MS Word 2007 documents (*.docx, *.docm); MS Word 2007 templates (*.dotx, *.dotm); MS Excel 2007 documents (*.xlsx, *.xlsm); MS Excel 2007 binary documents (*.xlsb); MS Excel 2007 templates (*.xltx, *.xltm); MS Powerpoint 2007 documents (*.pptx, *.pptm); MS Powerpoint 2007 templates (*.potx, *.potm)). OLE objects, form controls and pivot tables can now be read from MS Excel 2007 documents (*.xlsx, *.xlsb).
  • Encryption support within the Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP filter allows password protected
  • Microsoft Word documents to be saved (using the Microsoft Office standard RC4 algorithm).
  • OpenOffice.org 3.2 has made further strides in compliance with ODF 1.2, including closer conformance to OASIS ODFF/OpenFormula specifications.
• Faster start up times: OpenOffice.org 3.2 Calc and Writer have both reduced 'cold start' time by 46% since version 3.0 (results will vary on different operating systems and hardware).
• Start Center - When launching OpenOffice.org 3.x, users are presented with the Start Center that allows the selection of an application within the office productivity suite without having to click the File -> New menu.
• Enhanced PDF export - The PDF export feature in OpenOffice.org provides a huge set of formatting and security options; so that PDF files can be customized for many different scenarios.
• View Multiple Pages in Writer - OpenOffice.org 3.x allows Writer users to view pages with single-page, two-page side-by-side and book layout options.
• Improved Notes - The new version of Notes in OpenOffice.org 3.x provides additional formatting, spell checking and accessibility features while displaying notes within the margins.

A full list of enhancements can be found at: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.2/

More information on the OpenOffice.org development roadmap can be found at: http://development.openoffice.org/releases/index.html

Information on the eComStation and OS/2 version can be found at: http://www.ecomstation.com/openoffice/

User Support

For help with the OpenOffice.org 3.2 office suite, take a look at the archives to find questions already answered on the 'users@openoffice.org' mailing list at http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html

Alternatively, you can send in your questions to users@openoffice.org. Remember to subscribe to the list to get an email response.

Full documentation is available at http://documentation.openoffice.org/

Support specific to the eComStation and OS/2 version can be obtained through the ticketing system at: http://www.ecomstation.com/support/ooo/

More information

More information on OpenOffice.org can be found at: http://www.openoffice.org/

Information on the eComStation and OS/2 version can be found at: http://www.ecomstation.com/openoffice/

Links: * http://www.ecomstation.com/openoffice

Conference Open Source software - 2010

2010-10-28 13:14:43 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [http://eCoShop.biz]

We have visited the 1-st conference of such kind in Russia "Open Source software - 2010", aka SPO-2010 (October 26-27, St.Petersburg)

Russian text: Report: Open Source software - 2010

Here is the request to users of eComStation operating system - let's collect list of open source / propietary components of eComStation on this site eComStation Open-source. Let's use this resource to attract more developers and users to our platform!

Native Printing Support in Firefox and Seamonkey

2010-10-25 15:54:23 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2voice, Rich Walsh]

Native printing support is now available in new betas of Firefox and Seamonkey. These betas are part of a project sponsored by Mensys to provide full printing support in the Mozilla apps.

• Firefox v4.0b8pre is available from: ftp.netlabs.org or e-vertise.com
• Seamonkey v2.1b2pre is available from: ftp.netlabs.org or e-vertise.com

Printing Features

Native Support - all native printer drivers should work if their output resolution is set to 360 DPI or less. If the resolution is set higher, the app will attempt to reduce it to 300 or 360 DPI. Should that fail, it will popup a 'Print to file' dialog and will create a PDF. See the 'Notes' section below additional info.

Postscript Support - Mozilla's built-in Postscript support can still be used if needed. CUPS users may need to enable it if they are unable to change their native driver's DPI setting. See 'Notes' below for details.

PDF Support - PDFs can be created by selecting 'Print to file', When the file dialog appears, give the file's name a ".pdf" extension.

Other Features

Image Handling - an experimental feature in this beta eliminates native handling of images (i.e. pictures, graphics, etc.). This _may_ reduce the instability many users report after the browser has been open for several days.

Notes

• Resolution has been limited to avoid excessive memory consumption. At 300 DPI, a print job on A4- or Letter-sized paper uses about 32mb; at 600 DPI, it requires 128mb. The 'Print to file' dialog appears whenever a job needs more than 64mb.
• Memory use is controlled by the paper size and DPI settings, not the number of pages. If you use a small enough page size (e.g. a CD-cover or photograph sheet), you may be able to print at a higher resolution.
• To enable Mozilla's built-in Postscript support:
  • enter "about:config" in the browser's address bar, press Enter
  • click MB2 on any item in the preferences listing
  • select 'New->Boolean' from the popup menu
  • enter "print.os2.postscript.use_builtin" (no quotes), press OK
  • select "true", press OK
  To use the built-in support, you must select a printer associated with a native PS driver. The driver won't actually be used - it simply acts as a flag to tell Mozilla to produce PS output.
• CUPS users may find that the only resolution available is 1440 DPI. To confirm this, open the printer's 'Job Properties' notebook to the 'Output' tab and look at 'Resolution'. If '1440' is the only value listed, the PPD for this printer has no "*Resolution" entries. You have two options:
  • enable Mozilla's built-in Postscript support
  • edit the PPD to add the entries, then import the PPD into the driver (if you need instructions, please post a request in the newsgroups)
• In the current beta, initial memory use will appear to increase due to the change in image-handling. Memory freed as images are discarded will be reused by the browser but won't be released for system-wide use. This will be fixed in the next version.
• A copy of this announcement is included in the zips as PRINTING.txt.

sNOa Game pack - Free of charge!

2010-10-24 14:28:28 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Thank you for support of the project! (Many users have purchased sponsor units in the past)

Homepage of sNOa Game pack: http://ecomstation.ru/ecobaby

Free reg.key for sNOa game pack: Download page

sNOa Game pack consists of:

• Sunny Pills -- A puzzle game. Swap adjacent pills to make sets of 3, 4 or 5.
• Operation Warp II - Revenge -- On your 'pepelatz' type aircraft you must execute the tasks of 'resistance': deliver agents and citizens, earn bukazoids, make sabotage.
• Operation Warp -- Game about driver development and system administrating. Let's drive.
• MARS! -- This is the only way to join salvation of your planet from Mars invaders. Game may be used by small children or real alien-hunters.
• Tie Revenge -- A game for children and alien-hunters. This is a 'shoot them all' game. Author of idea: Dane Torson, graphics and music are borrowed from StarWars.

The development of games is very important for any operating system. First of all, the games are aimed for entertainment of users. Moreover, the games cause the development of developer tools and libraries. Games - is a good base for new Commercial Solutions. The games attract the attention to eComStation on conferences and exhibitions.

Mistakes of eCo Software:

• It was necessary create unique original games, not remakes of existing
• It was necessary release libraries for developers
• It was necessary create video clips to promote this kind of software
• It was a mistake to start work on "large" games like OpWarp without business-plan.

eCo Labs International - interesting projects

2010-10-22 02:00:16 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Labs starts working with european/american users and developers now. eCo Labs International homepage

What is eCo Labs? Laboratory of software development and research.

Current role of eCo Labs: accumulate ideas and help to stadalone developers.

New tasks:

• Translate popular applications to your language
• Write REXX scripts
• Continue the development of small 3MCal calendar
• Compile and improve SCREEN01.SYS
• Continue the development of Solver - application aimed to draw 2D Graphics
• Help us to opensource the game Sunny pills

This tasks are occupied by developers already:

• update USB widget
• update STFV PM-control

See also:

• Perfect eComStation
• I need new application

eCS news: ice-crusted ground, be careful!

2010-10-18 18:05:30 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some news about eComStation

Every 2 weeks a meeting of OS/2 users in organized in the Netherlands. The latest one was at Saturday (october 16), Gerrit Schoenmaker demonstrated Flash 10 player, the users were discussing OpenOffice.org, rpm, printing, new File Open Dialog, etc

What about eCS meeting in your city?

eComStation.RU published two short articles about eComStation 2.0 user interface:

• (RUS) eComStation 2.0: Extending user interface
• (RUS) Changing fonts of eComStation 2.0

New forum is available - discussion of REXX

Sigurd continues battle with Sony Ericcson F3507G 3G Modem: os2world.com 1, os2world.com 2, os2world.com 3