Thanks for the review of WordPro and the Star system.
I have been using word processing software since 1980 under CP/M. I'm most familiar with WordPerfect and currently run 6.0 DOS and 6.1 Windows under OS/2 Warp 3. I also have AmiPro and the demo version of Clearlook. About 4 months ago I purchased DeScribe. It is frame based which took some getting used to, but I have been more than pleased with this program. Yes, it has some deficiencies, but I find it so much easier to use than my WP programs that I find myself using it for all but the most typographic intense projects (business cards, flyers, etc.).
I have concluded after all these years, that perhaps one program is not enough. I am willing to learn at least two in order to have the best features of both. In any case, I hope you will plug DeScribe at every opportunity. Perhaps some optimist will buy it and it can once again be the premier OS/2 word processor.
Your article on OS/2 word processors is interesting. It doesn't, however, address the issue I'm most concerned about - availability in other languages.
The only type of program I really want to use my own language is my word processor. I know that StarWriter is available in Dutch, because I currently use the Dutch Beta II. But I'm unsure about WordPro and Clearlook.
You raise a good question. We are not sure if Word Pro or Clearlook are available in foreign languages yet.
- editor
I enjoyed your review of OS/2 word processors, but was a bit disappointed that you didn't include any remarks about the various programs' abilities to do desktop publishing. I tried beta versions of both WordPro and Star Writer, but they both lacked such features as linking frames, which I find essesntial in my work publishing a newsletter. Development of DeScribe has, indeed, ceased, but in some ways it is a better desktop publishing program than any of the competition. In the future, perhaps an article on desktop publishing could be done.
I have purchased Lotus Smart Suite for OS/2 but haven't been able to install it as Warp 4 requires FixPak1 for installation. And FixPak1 is not yet available. If this is indeed the case, it is most frustrating for Lotus to be selling the suite to potential users!
To our knowledge, that is the case. We expect IBM to fix this problem soon.
- editor
Mr. Brindisi's article (as well as many others in OS/2 e-Zine!) really was a refreshing change from the negative journalism I am used to seeing in so many other (even OS/2 oriented) magazines. I am 100% behind the position that OS/2 is an OS with a strong future ahead of it. Now, if only we could convince everyone else.
Don't count me among the discouraged. I'm actually impressed by the support that IBM has given to us Warp 3.0 users. I mean, with the free Java kit, the free OpenDoc kit and the FixPacks, it'a almost (though not quite) like getting a free upgrade to Warp 4.0. That's good for those of us who don't need all of the networking and voice capabilities of Warp 4.0. Though, I must admit that I still look forward to upgrading to 4.0 someday... just as soon as I get my bigger hard drive. Anyway, I enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work.
Right on Chris!
I read your piece in the February issue of OS/2 e-Zine! and I agree with you completely! I think that you drove home several good points, perhaps you can send a copy of this fine piece to the editors of PC Week, InfoWorld, PC Magazine and Communications Week; just to name a few. I think that it's about time that we, the users of OS/2, start promoting it in a more constructive way, such as you have done, instead of droning on about how IBM's support is pervcieved.
I would also like to congratulate you guys on a well written electronic magazine. I look forward to it each month. Keep up the good work.
David Torres
Thanks for the vote of enthusiasm, David. I've considered writing to
the editors of some of the major print magazines, perhaps I shall one day.
BTW: About InfoWorld, they have a resident OS/2 advocate there by the name of Nicholas Petreley, you can find his columns online at their web site, several of them are also indexed at the OS/2 Supersite's links collection - go to http://www.os2ss.com/links and check the News Articles-InfoWorld folder.
Why are the staff of OS/2 e-Zine! thankful of what IBM is doing to OS2? In my opinion, IBM is raping this operating system. By working with Microsoft, IBM forces OS2 to apply to both of their standards. This means that OS/2 will NEVER will become a home OS Like the MACINTOSH OS or even the AMIGA OS. Which way will you go, be saved by the AMIGA and ACORN, or be trapped in Windoze hell for eternity?
Having windows support for OS2 is wrong. Using OS2 for NCs will not work. There are too many people objecting to NCs. Will anyone want OS2 to be a puppet of IBM and Oracle's plan to destroy the Personal Computer?
In your latest issue (v2n2) there appears an article "Need for speed" which ends with some comments regarding the loading of Warp 4 on top of Aptivas preloaded with Warp. The author notes that IBM software should work with IBM hardware. I am completely disgusted by the fact that I purchased an M70 Aptiva with the Warp 3 preload and now find myself with a piece of hardware that is not really supported in Warp 4. For example, IBM has no intention of writing new MWave device drivers for the Aptiva. I would really like to see someone write an article exposing this utterly insane lack of support. I would also like to learn more about how to properly install Warp 4 on these machines. My understanding is that the worst thing one can do is to install on top of Warp 3 (ie. best to reformat and start from scratch).
Re: media bias towards Microsoft products: it took me a while to figure it out, but I think the reason that OS/2 is rarely treated with respect in the pages of the Wall Street Journal is because, unlike MS, OS/2 doesn't contribute, in percentage terms, a great deal to IBM's bottom line. Wall Street likes earnings growth, and OS/2 doesn't contribute as much (again in percentage terms) as does Win95 to MS' bottom line. I think, if the time ever comes when WinXX contributes the same percentage to MS' bottom line as OS/2 does to IBM's, then a more critical view might be adopted towards the beast.
The problem with OS/2 is that it just works.
95% of my OS/2 customers are happy with it because it just sits there & does its job, managing memory and dishing up apps as requested. The problem is, how to get an OS that you can't complain about to become a topic of conversation. With Windows products, people can always swap curses and crash stories. With Warp, there's not much happening to get angry at, except an occasional Application-in-Waiting. It's like the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Or maybe "An empty truck always make the most noise." OS/2 is the quiet, reliable vehicle, fully loaded, that just keeps on truckin'.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the readers of OS/2 e-Zine! for voting us the "Readers' Choice Award" for our ColorWorks products. We have been quite fortunate to have earned several awards from various magazines. However, there is nothing more personally rewarding than one from the user community itself. All of us at SPG are quite proud to have earned this particular award. We are working hard to continue to earn these types of strong endorsements for our products.
Many thanks and kind regards to all,
Joel Krautheim
President of SPG Inc.
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