Feedback from June 4

Torn between NT and Warp.

I am torn between switching to NT, or staying with Warp, which I have been using since 1992. I use Warp for scientific and some home use, but NT is starting to look attractive because of its better multitasking, better stability, and multiple input queue implementation. On the Warp side, the Workplace Shell is so good it would hard to switch to another operating system. Do you think the next OS/2 version will address some of these shortcomings?

Tom Feeney


- I think that the some of the concerns you have about OS/2 will be addressed in the coming months. I think that IBM is reasonably diligent about upgrading and improving their products and OS/2 is no exception. The input queue is probably the least likely to be "fixed" in a relatively sort term time frame but even that I have hope for.

My recommendation? Hang in there; use BOTH OSs if it is possible for you -- just because I personally promote Warp does not take away from the suitability of NT for many situations and this is an open world we are moving toward. But don't give up on OS/2. With the amazing progress made in the past 1.5 yrs when everyone considered OS/2 dead, I think we'll see even more amazing things now that the world is waking up to OS/2's existence.


Rresponse to June 96 Wet Paper Bag article.

I think you are way off here. I went from OS/2 1.3 extended services to version 2.0. It knocked the socks off of windows 3.1 just as Warp does WIN 95 now. As for device drivers, that is a cop-out rationalization making yourself feel better about using OS/2. Very few machines that I ran accross had problems running OS/2. In fact in many instances it ran much better that Windows 3.1 did on the same hardware.

Somehow after seeing the ad "OS/2 will make all of your other software obsolete" and the other one with that now famous "obliterate" word would lean me towards IBM marketing incompetence.

Steven Atchue


Kevin Linfield's Line -- Merlin Predictions.

Wonderful article. Since I run a 386 with 4 MB of RAM, there is no way that I will be able to use Merlin. Thank you for not only saving me anxiety, but money. Keep of the good work!

Marie


- Marie, don't forget that Kevin's predictions were only that -- predictons! The price for Merlin, as well as it's requirements are not set in stone yet. Although I'm sure I'm not the only one that wonders how you are managing to run Warp on a 4 meg 386!

This is simply incredible. From a non-OS2 user I can expect this but not from you... WHAT HAPPENED?

'Merlin' isn't even out yet and you have all but buried it. And then you will be one of the first to turn around and say not enough mainstream mags give good reviews for OS2! No wonder!

Anyhow, I know you are not right on this one. I agree 'Merlin' will not take over Windows or other OSes anytime soon, however, it IS creeping up on them and will continue to do so.

I'm not quite sure what you expect out of IBM and OS2, but they suit many people more than just fine.

pnr@netcom.ca


It was wise for Mr. Linfield to prepare for flames as I'm sure there will be plenty. While I generally agree that Merlin will not "take over" the marketplace, I think it is absurd to claim that it will not outsell Warp. At the very least, it has a very good chance of unseating Windows NT as the client of choice for power users. I believe that the latter is the critical issue that defines the success or failure of OS/2. Those who use Win95 will need to change eventually. If OS/2 can even keep up with NT, it will be a major victory. Let me dipose of the points one at a time:

1.) Cost. Mr Linfield feels that Merlin will be priced out of reach. Apparently he thinks that the current price of Warp Connect w/Win-OS/2 (~$150 US or ~$250 Canadian) is too much to pay. While I agree this is not *cheap*, it is inexpensive compared to many applications (office suites, etc.) that people buy routinely. You can buy two DOS games that add up to this much! I think it is absurd to consider this "too much" to pay for an OS. It is the only purchase that shapes everything you ever do with your computer.

2.) Hardware. Apparently Kevin feels that a 486 with 16MB of RAM is too much as a hardware requirement and quotes the backlash at Win95's release. Things have changed a lot since the release of Win95. Has Mr. Linfield priced RAM or CPU recently? Anyone who needs the power of Merlin or NT will certainly have the money (~$100) to spend for 8 MB of RAM. Does Mr. Linfield know that one can buy a Pentium Pro 200 for a little over $3000 complete with 16MB RAM, 2GB disk, a decent 2MB VRAM video card (ATI) and a MAG 17" monitor *today*? He ignores the crucial fact that Merlin will not be out until near the end of the year. By then, cheap Pentium Pro's will be everywhere, and the masses will be considering NT.

3.) Marketing. The real advertising takes place in the press and via word of mouth. The Internet has only made this more true. The people that base OS choices on TV ads aren't the serious users that spend the real money. Do you think we'll see a lot of NT ads on TV too? As far as his praise for Microsoft's marketing...they pay a lot for it, but I'm not sure anyone is listening anymore.

4.) Software. Finally OS/2 has a decent base of software, but Kevin mentions nothing of it. Instead, he bases his entire argument that OS/2 software is doomed on some vaguely qualified impression of the WordPro for OS/2 *beta*.

Mr Linfield concludes by lamenting that the home market may be lost. However, he ignores that those home users that spend the most on computing and have the greatest needs, are those that are home users *and* work users. This includes both SOHO and part time telecommuters, such as myself. I bought Warp Connect w/ Win-OS/2. I look forward to Merlin.

Tim Nelson


Dear Kevin:

You could be right you could be wrong. Nonetheless, a 386 machine is now obsolete. You can run Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups, but I for one wouldn't DREAM of running Warp or Windows 95 on a 386. If you are running Warp on a 386 you can't even run Stardock's Object Desktop.

The thing about predictions is that if they were always correct we would be able to tell the future and cheat the fates. This of course is not the case.

I hope you are wrong about Merlin in the price category, but other than the price it is time to rise to the 486 and above. Good article, but predictions cut both ways.

Bill Rothwell


Trevor's Rant on APARs.

Just for your information about APARs, IBM has APARs, and Problem Management Records, and Problem Numbers. APAR, PMR, and PN.

They all have distinct meanings; they aren't the same. Gotta love those acronyms.

Ethan Hall-Beyer


Maple V Review.

Dr. Dirk Terrell:

I wanted to personally commend you for a thorough and knowledgeable review of Maple V for OS/2. I say this not because I work for the company, but I believe that your article is one of more comprehensive reviews that I've seen. You hit on a lot of issues and benefits that are somewhat less romantic than the ones that most reviewers seem to focus on, but nonetheless are very important for technical users. I cite your discussion on the Maple architecture, command-line version, and comparison of Maple vs. FORTRAN programming as examples.

Sincerely,
Tom Lee Ph.D.
Manager, Commercial Business Development
Waterloo Maple Inc.


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