| The Truth About the SIC Awards | - by Joe Dougherty

  ne of the major obstacles facing OS/2 users is the lack of high-quality application software. While Windows users appear to have an infinite number of software choices from which to select, Warp users are often forced to search far and wide for that "killer" app to perform a specific task.

  The major software developers don't seem to want to put the time and effort into cross-development for Warp. They often blame the "limited market" for OS/2 programs, claiming that they can't recoup the cost of developing sophisticated software for such small numbers. An intimidation factor exists as well; many Windows developers receive substantial free assistance from Microsoft. But these developers also know that assistance would vanish the moment they begin porting their Windows programs to other platforms.

  IBM makes an effort to support application authors through its Developer Connection and other programs, but most of the tools introduced to develop cross-platform applications simply haven't caught on with programmers.

  IBM also appears to be focusing Warp's future on network connectivity and Java. While the idea of open systems and portable applications across networks has appeal, full implementation of the concepts are still some time off.

  Until then, the typical Warp user has few choices to satisfy their software needs. They can continue to use old, outdated, or orphaned programs. They can use Windows 3.X or DOS programs. Or they can muddle through the finite number of commercial programs on the market. Though the quality of those commercial apps is often high, their scant numbers seem to demonstrate a lack of commitment to the Warp platform.

  However, one area does exist where OS/2 is generously represented: the world of shareware.

  ### Shareware: It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

  Since its first appearance in the 1980's, shareware has been a primary source of inexpensive, quality software for the PC user. OS/2 users are no strangers to shareware applications, as the file directories of such popular sites as Hobbes, Walnut Creek and Leo will attest. The idea of "try-before-you-buy" has tremendous appeal to the Warp user, considering the cost and lack of availability of commercial software.

  ### The SIC

  A number of organizations devoted to promoting shareware have sprung up in recent years. One is the Shareware Industry Council, a group of volunteer developers, distributors, and users who attempt to promote quality shareware to the computing public. Over the past few years, the SIC has sponsored the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation, a group which evaluates, nominates and presents awards of recognition to quality shareware applications in a variety of categories.

  ### Warp Wows the Crowds

  To the delight of Warp denizens, the 1997 SIAF nominations included numerous OS/2 applications this year, the first time the Warp platform was included.

  The OS/2 presence was more than a token. Twenty-four OS/2-native applications, utilities, and games were nominated among the thirteen categories. The OS/2 shareware authors recognized this year were:

  Best Utility: FontFolder - PVsoft
  FM/2 - Bare Bones Software

  Best Application: ZOC - EmTec
  PMView - Peter Nielsen

  Best Graphics/Multimedia Program/Utility PMView - Peter Nielsen
  Main Actor - MainConcept

  Best Vertical Market Program/Utility Family Tree - Nils Meier
  Conversion Pro - NEGC Software

  Best Business/Finance Program E-Teller - Paul Caron
  TaxDollars - BT&T Consumer Technology

  Best Word Processing Application/Utility SpellGuard - 2Rud Software
  HTML Studio - Panacea Software

  Best Educational Program Tablica/2 - Peter Rachwal
  Vocabulary Modern - Bob VonMoss

  Best Home/Hobby Program Family Tree - Nils Meier
  Night Vision - Brian Simpson

  Best Internet Program/Utility In-Joy - F/X Communications
  MR/2 Ice - Knightware Software Solutions
  PMMail - SouthSoft, Inc.

  Best Entertainment Program Entertainment Pack for OS/2 - Peter Wansch
  FM Cards - Felix Maschek

  Best Action/Arcade Game Masterroids - Roman Komary
  Roids - Hungry Main Software

  Most Innovative New Product XIT - CodeSmith

  The Warp nominations even produced one winner, in a very unlikely category. Peter Nielsen's PMView 1.0 took home the prize in the Best Graphics/Multimedia Program/Utility, facing such Windows stalwarts as Paint Shop Pro 95 and Animagic GIF for Windows.

  Despite PMView's high reputation among its users, author Nielsen was surprised at the victory.

  > "I was very delighted to hear that PMView won the SIAF award," Nielsen said. "I really didn't expect this, because of the strong competition. I never even thought it would be possible for PMView to win over the highly regarded Paint Shop Pro 95."

  Michael Callahan of C|NET directed the nominations and voting for the 1997 SIAF Awards. In fact, he offered the suggestion to include OS/2 to the SIAF board.

  "It had always been my hope to include other platforms in the SIA," he commented. Callahan said that the Mac platform was included during the awards' second year, but was later dropped for lack of participation.

  Things were different this year, however, as Callahan enlisted a number of OS/2 users to participate in the testing, nominating and voting for the various programs. All nominees were given equal weight in the voting. Even the Macintosh platform was once again represented, though by only one application.

  When asked which OS/2 professionals he approached to act as nominators and voters, Callahan replied that the names of the nominators/voters are not made public by the SIC.

  "This has been their request because they are very busy people," Callahan said. "They don't want to be flooded by e-mail and large file attachments from shareware authors who want them to look at their programs." He said that the nominators are people from various parts of the computer industry, including file sysops from on-line services, vendors, press people, and, in the case of OS/2, even people from IBM.

  "The process worked out well thus far," Callahan commented. "Next year, I want to have a public area where users can place the names of programs they'd like nominators to look at."

  The most important target of the SIC and the SIAF awards is public recognition of the nominees. "The goal," stated Callahan, "has always been to put a spotlight on some of the best shareware and that goal has not changed."

  ### Warp Users: The Real Winners

  In spite of the constant barrage of "Warp is dead" pronouncements and the perceived lack of direction from IBM, it's apparent that OS/2 remains a legitimate, vital development platform. The authors of the popular Warp shareware titles honored in this year's awards obviously believe so, evidenced by their time commitment and attention to detail. And their dedication to Warp finally appears to be attaining wider recognition, as the SIAF awards demonstrate.

  There's a very real likelihood that if you use Warp regularly, you also regularly use a shareware application to perform some necessary function, such as composing e-mail, dialing your Internet provider, or developing that slick-looking Web site. Check to see if you've sent the registration fee for that program. The author deserves your support.

  And keep checking those FTP sites.

  Joe Dougherty is the systems and network administrator at a Defense Department forensic laboratory. He has been using OS/2 personally and professionally since 1992. Joe and his family live outside Jacksonville, Florida, home of the soon-to-be-NFL-champion Jaguars.

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