Welcome back to the Beta File.

A lot of development activity this month shows how popular Warp is getting around the world. Some very exciting new programs are in beta, and not just from the big guys. So many tips came in that the list below represents only a fraction of new OS/2 applications currently in development. If we missed you let us know.

Anyway, let's jump right in.

Does anyone find IBM's "Dial Other Providers" insufficient? Craig Pommer obviously does. He currently has a replacement dialer, iLink/2, under development. Slated for wide beta release by the time you read this, iLink/2 allows SLIP/PPP connection to the Internet. From the ground up, Craig has built in redialing, a cps meter, program autostarts, enhanced configurability and multiple number support. No definite ship date has been set but negotiations are ongoing for iLink/2 to possibly be included in a yet unnamed commercial product.

Initially, beta testing was limited to Pommer and a few friends who have been helping test key features. Final release of the product will be shareware with a registration fee of $25 (planned). I suspect that a lot of people will be very interested in this especially since the registration fee is so modest. The final release date depends how much work is needed after initial beta tester reports. The last thing Pommer wants to do, "is pull a Microsoft," and announce its release before it is ready.

I know I will be looking for it!

Development Technologies, Inc. (DevTech) is currently (since September) running a beta on its DeskMan/2 product. DeskMan/2 is a Desktop Manager for the OS/2 Workplace Shell and holds the title as the world's first commercial SOM application. It provides a myriad of features to manage the WPS, including selective backup and restore, all with a Drag & Drop interface. Early beta's of version 2.0 have looked even easier to use; you can remove items from pop-up menus, (ie: delete, shutdown) make icons non-deletable, backup the desktop, etc. IS people will love the new features.

Devtech has come to recognize the valuable suggestions that have been received in each beta test cycle. All of DeskMan/2's users, as well as those who are considering using DeskMan/2, are invited to volunteer for participation in the program. If you are interested in participating, you must have a CompuServe account and be able to provide feedback in a timely manner--check the OS/2 vendor A forum under the Devtech section. Beta Testers who actively participate will receive a free copy of the release version of DeskMan/2. They will also be eligible for testing future versions of DeskMan/2.

DevTech is going to try to accept as many participants as possible, but they may have to limit the number of participants. E-mail Evan Bergman or call them at (803) 790-9230.

IBM has a couple offerings in the beta pipeline that are worth mentioning. The first: Netcomber. Netcomber is a suite of Internet applications including web, news, mail, FTP, gopher and telnet clients. The beta is public so it is undergoing vigorous testing. First unveiled at the Internet and E-mail world in Boston, MA and later at Comdex, it has gone through a couple of changes and is now at version 0.9.7.6. Netcomber is designed with ease of use in mind, and also has a high degree of integration among its client applications.

Netcomber runs on OS/2 Warp and has been designed specifically for home and small business users. Anyone who wants to use the Internet without becoming a technical expert will probably like this product. Requirements for Netcomber are a 486/33 with a hefty 16 meg--it will run on 8 meg but you better be patient! If you would like an in depth explanation of what Netcomber is you may find a hint somewhere here.

You can get Netcomber from the Netcomber Homepage or get info or help for Netcomber by

The Warp Server beta from IBM has just entered it's second cycle. The first release shipped around 12 or 13 thousand copies but was not public. The second release is.

Warp Server is a serious product that directly competes with Windows NT Advanced Server. From what I have seen in beta one, there is no competition. The requirements for Warp Server are hefty--about the same as NT A/S--but Warp Server is much snappier and more feature robust than Microsoft's current offering. If you are in the market, it is definitely worth a look.

The beta program is available to commercial customers, developers, and resellers. A cost of $15.95 is charged to cover shipping and handling. You can order by calling 1-800-393-8922 in the U.S. or 1-800-IBM-CALL (426-2255) Extension 1292 in Canada.

Post Road Mailer v1.05 by InnoVal entered beta this month, rousing quite a stir. InnoVal fixed many problems with v1.03a, most notably the way it hangs the WPS when going in to retrieve mail if the network is slow. Also the 48K size limit in the compose and reply window has been eliminated. Post Road v1.05 also adds many new features to an already robust e-mail package. Most exciting, is the addition of a full blown newsreader. Initially it will be released as part of the mailer but as it matures it will be moulded into a standalone product.

Numerous other features have been added: MIME support has been enhanced along with support for encoding and decoding UUencoded files; a "news as mail" feature has been added to monitor low traffic newsgroups (the articles get treated as if they were e-mail); swipe-marking FTP or HTTP references in mail and retrieving it without opening another program is definitely cool. Really there are just too many features to list. I recommend that if you do a lot of e-mailing, you participate in this beta.

Customers that purchased PRM in 1995 will receive a free copy of the Gold version, which includes the newsreader, when it is released. Currently, to participate in the beta program you must be a registered user of Post Road Mailer. Availability is planned for late January 1996 and pricing for the Green (non-newsreader) and Gold editions of Post Road is expected to be $59.00 and $79.00 respectively.

Entrepreneur, developed by Stardock Systems, has also entered beta testing. Entrepreneur is a modern wargame, the object: conquer the world via your corporation. When the game begins, you have just graduated from college (or dropped out) and decide to start your own company. From there it is up to you to dominate the market you choose. The game will come bundled with a couple markets such as automobiles and computers, with additional ones available later.

Stardock Systems, a developer concentrating exclusively on OS/2 software, is planning to add Entrepreneur to its pool of products in the first half of '96. They recommend a minimum hardware configuration of a 486DX, 8 meg of ram, SVGA graphics, and a 2x CD ROM. However, they go on to suggest that a better system would be a Pentium, 16 meg and a quad speed CD ROM. List price will be $59.95

Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock, has plenty to say about the features and success of Entrepreneur. In an interview last month with OS/2 e-Zine!, he stated that of all the new games SDS has planned for the coming months, Entrepreneur is, "the one I'm really excited for."

Sounds good!

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