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## News Page 5

March 29

More "Tim's Warped Bargains": Printers

OK, that subject line is a bit of a joke, but I keep finding interesting (and inexpensive) eComStation- and OS/2 Warp-compatible products. I wish I did get a commission, but I don't.

1. Techdepot.com (a unit of Office Depot) has the Brother HL-1440 laser printer on sale for $199.00 with free shipping. This is a monochrome laser printer rated at up to 15 pages per minute. Comes with both USB and parallel ports. Here's the direct link:

http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?ProductID=283792

Recent versions of the IBM LaserJet-family driver include a Brother HL-1440 driver, so you're good to go.

The standard 2 MB of RAM might have trouble with complex graphics at higher resolution, but that amount of memory should handle everything you can throw at it in 300 dpi. Memory is expandable. Here are the specifications for the printer:

http://www.brother.com/usa/printer/info/hl1440/hl1440_ove.html

2. Techdepot.com also has the same printer, refurbished, for about $40 less.

3. Computers4Sure.com (same company again) has the Brother HL-1250 refurbished for about $165. This printer is 12 pages per minute, but it comes standard with twice the memory, and it's got a somewhat smarter engine inside. (It emulates dot matrix printers, for example, so you can even print from very old DOS applications.) Here's the link:

http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1521512

4. Need a fast monochrome duplexing laser printer? That's available for not much more money. Try the Panasonic KX-P7105. (NOT the KX-P7100.) The KX-P7105 has a built-in duplexer and is rated at 15 pages per minute. There's a generous 16 MB of RAM, so you should have no trouble with 600 dpi. Bear in mind the printer comes with a "starter toner cartridge," so you'll need to purchase another one right away if you do much printing. Includes both USB and parallel interfaces.

This model isn't explicitly listed in IBM's LaserJet driver, but pick any comparable PCL 6 duplex printer. The LaserJet 4 (duplex) should be a very safe driver choice.

Shop around. Techsavings.com, for example, has the printer for about $273 with shipping.

5. Are you REALLY on a budget? Maybe a used laser printer from eBay makes sense. Here are some laser printer models that are pretty safe choices:
- Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4L
HP's last budget laser printer before the big mistake: vertical paper feed. The pinnacle of 300 dpi quality, 4 pages per minute, possibly indestructible, cheap. Normally comes with 1 MB of RAM which is enough, but can be upgraded to 2 MB. I've got one, and I can't figure out any reason to replace it.
- IBM Network Printer 17 (4317)
One of the few 17 page per minute duplexing laser printers that actually runs at nearly full speed (about 8 sheets per minute duplexed). I use this 600 dpi printer at the office, and it's a terrific workhorse. You can often find eBay examples with extra memory and/or network adapter. Superb eComStation and OS/2 Warp driver.
- Brother HL-1650
Another duplexing laser printer. I'm seeing some new ones on eBay for less than the KX-P7105 mentioned above.
- Minolta Magicolor 2200
A recently discontinued color laser printer. Do not get the "DeskLaser" or "DL" version of this printer. Make sure you get the one that includes Postscript and PCL emulation. IBM's Postscript driver lists this model.

As always, I do not have any affiliation with any of these companies.

6. Duplexing color laser printers are still very expensive, but if you want something a bit novel, you might take a look at the HP's duplexing color inkjet printers, such as the 970C and 990C. (There will be some more letters after the C in the model number. You can safely ignore those extra letters.) IBM's OMNI driver supports the 970C and 990C, and you can find these printers on eBay for not much money.
- - - - -
Timothy F. Sipples

March 28

ePDF v2 beta 7.1

A new and stable beta of ePDF is available.

We have fixed some bugs, added a history function for the docinfos, and screwed the subsampling rates up to 4000 dpi (considering to "ePDF PS").

ePDF is a PM tool for PostScript to PDF conversion, which uses GhostScript as back end.
Download
http://www.subsys.de/ePDF/

March 28

SNAP Graphics for OS/2 2.1.4
SciTech SNAP Graphics for OS/2 2.1.4 has been released:
ftp://ftp.scitechsoft.com/snap/os2/beta/
You can view the readme file here:
ftp://ftp.scitechsoft.com/snap/os2/beta/readme.txt

We would really appreciate it if those who had problems with version 2.1.2 would test this version, to make sure this one works.
For a list of changes, see the changelog: http://www.scitechsoft.com/snap2_changes.txt
If you encounter any problems, please open tickets on the SciTech HelpDesk, with your graphics.log and any pertinent screenshots attached: http://www.scitechsoft.com/support/helpdesk/

March 28

Goldencode has started Java 1.4 Beta test

Hi!

Goldencode has started the first beta test of their JVM 1.4 for OS/2. It is a 'private' (or better named 'closed'?) beta. Only beta testers known by Goldencode receiving the JVM, updates and information.
The J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2 FAQ -
http://www.goldencode.com/company/corp/j2sefaq but it doesn't as yet mention the beta.

March 28

JJSCDROM.DMD build JJ20030328
JJSCDROM.DMD build JJ20030328 comes out.
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA001398/#soft_jjscdrom
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?key=jjscdrom_20030328
Changes of this build:
Fixed lack of multisession/CD-Extra capability introduced from build JJ20030312. Thanks to Rotondi Marco and Roy Baerwald.

March 27

Happy Birthday OS2World.com

Well, today (Thursday 27) is the third birthday of OS2World.com

We apreciate the support by all the people involved and all the OS/2 users that visits us day after day.

I will like to remind you all the mission of OS2World.com

"Launched in March 2000 by Kim Haverblad, the site is now the best source for news about OS/2 & eCS. As an international collaborative community the site also gives the OS/2 & eCS community a common platform to interact with each other.

The OS2World.com original mission was to provide free web hosting for OS/2 related pages. Now it has growed and adecuated daily updated News, Webmail, Users Forums and a Link system. All this without charging the users for this services.

As of March 2003, OS2 World has achieved over 2 million page impressions and attracts an audience of more than 20.000 unique visitors per month. Having grown from humble origins into a powerful resource for OS/2 & eCS, it is now one of the major OS/2 & eCS sites available."
We had set up a topic on the forum about the OS2World.com birthday, you can add your comments there.
http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/forum/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Read&BID=66&TID=8&SID=11960
Visit
http://www.os2world.com

Thanks !!!
--
Martin Iturbide
OS2World.com News Master

March 27

Simplicity For Java 2.0 upgrade available

Dear Mark,Br>

Since you are a license holder for a Simplicity for Java or Simplicity Professional Java Development tool, you will be very happy to learn that on 26-March-03, we have released Version 2.0 for both tools. This new release adds full support for JDK 1.4, a new API for SPRO for precise control of database driven applications and hundreds of new user-friendly features that further expand the productivity of Data Representations' cross-platform development tool suites for J2SE.

We are pleased to offer a very special introductory program so you can upgrade from version 1.x to 2.0. To use Simplicity Version 2.0 you will need a different license.

If you are a current Simplicity for Java Version 1.x owner you can upgrade to Simplicity for Java 2.0 for the special price of $49. The list price of SFJ is $149 and the normal upgrade price is $69.

If you are a current Simplicity for Java owner of 1.x you can upgrade to all the features of Simplicity Professional Version 2.0 for only $395. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain the many advanced features including the database editor at a very low investment. The regular price for Simplicity Professional is $895 and the normal upgrade price is $745,
You can see the differences and benefits of upgrading by pointing your browser to:
http://www.datarepresentations.com/products/enhancements.shtml.
Full Feature comparison matrix is at
http://www.datarepresentations.com/products/enhancementsMatrix.shtml

March 26

Back Again/2000 V4.0 Now Shipping!

I wanted to let you know that Back Again/2000 Version 4.0 is now shipping! If you are interested, you can download an evaluation version at http://www.cds-inc.com/swreg/eval.html

As I mentioned previously, Version 4.0 is the best backup and recovery software that CDS has ever produced for OS/2, with many new features that will make this release a "must have" for anyone who is serious about protecting their data.
For a list of features and options please visit us on the web at
http://www.cds-inc.com/prod/ba2kfeatures.html

March 26

JJSCDROM.DMD build JJ20030326
JJSCDROM.DMD build JJ20030326 is available.
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?key=jjscdrom_20030326

Changes from previous build are follows.
1. Incresed number of 64kB internal CD-RW incremental write buffers 4 times, to 16.
2. Modified internal CD-RW incremental write buffers to being freed physically when flushed.
3. Added long-forgotton /FCT CD-DA seek modification (but not tested).
4. Modified writable device status to being reflected in the medium types (-R/RW/RAM) rather than the specific device product IDs

JJSCDROM.DMD is a modified version of OS/2 CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVDs device manager driver (OS2CDROM.DMD), based on the latest OS/2 DDK on-line source code (DDK_020517).
To see more details, visit to author's page.
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA001398/

March 25

ThirdEye update
==========================================
ThirdEye REXX, NetDrive, VIO 2.2
Open eye of your digital camera
Native os/2 software. not "killing" but not killed
ThirdEye is a control program for Serial port digital cameras.
What's new:
* Andy Porro fixed digicams: Olympus family, Kodak 210, Hewlett-Packard 200
* a dozen of small features added

URL: http://ecomstation.ru/thirdeye
==========================================

March 25

CoolFM 2.0 beta 5
==========================================
coolfm 2.0 beta 5

coolfm allows you encode fm-radio transmissions to Ogg Vorbis format in real-time without file size restrictions. Users with unix mentality should try VIO version of coolfm. Residents of some cities can easily import corresponding "stations & events bonus pack" and relax.
URL: http://ecomstation.ru/coolfm
==========================================

March 25

DFSee version 5.16 released

More '-?' help, some MAC support and several fixes and enhancements

DFSee is the SWISS-ARMY-KNIFE for disk and filesystem problems. With FDISK-like displays, analysis and recovery, FIX commands, UNDELETE for HPFS/NTFS, imaging and cloning. More details at:

http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee.htm

Direct download links:
http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee516.zip
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/util/disk/dfsee516.zip
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/incoming/dfsee516.zip

Most important functional changes:
- HELP Added '-?' help to several commands in FDISK mode
- CR Keep Macintosh driver-descriptions (DDM) in MBR intact
- FDISK Display MAC DDM info & partition-maps when recognized
- CREATE No cylinder-alignment fixup for exact specified nn,s sizes!
- PTE Fixed 'smart' and field updates on ENTER at changed field
- PTE Fixed dialog & field positioning on larger screens
- FAT32 Avoid giant CHECK (DFSQUICK) output for damaged partitions
- Screen Avoid popup-window corruption by status text line
- DFS*.TXT Documentation update for consistent CURRENT store naming

Check DFS*.TXT files for details, all changes listed in DFSHIST.TXT

Registering DFSee will give you the right to use all 5.xx versions and get support plus a reasonable amount of assistance by email. Existing 4.xx registrations can be upgraded to 5.xx as well.

But even more important, it enables further development of DFSee!

Regards, Jan van Wijk

March 25

os2.org closing down

From: http://en.os2.org/news/?area=1&newsid=4919

Many of you might have expected this for some time - OS2.ORG is closing down. OS2.ORG will cease to exist. Kerni, the man behind the scene, can no longer spare enough time to keep the site up and running, Jörg Sievers (Jogi) is switching to Macintosh, and Skotti doesn't have enough spare time left. Currently we are open for ideas on how to save the site (hardware and domain). But the team will definitely stop maintainig the site.

We wish to thank you for a wonderful time.

March 24

Great Color Laser Printer Price!

Would you like an eComStation and OS/2 Warp compatible color laser printer?

Staples has a great price on the Hewlett-Packard Color LaserJet 2500L. That printer is well supported by IBM's LaserJet-family driver. It is not a "WinPrinter" -- it has support for real printer datastreams.

The 2500L prints at up to 4 pages per minute in color and 16 ppm in black and white. Resolution is 600 dpi. The printer comes with 64 MB of RAM, expandable to 256 MB. The printer has both USB and parallel ports.

Staples.com has this printer for only $769.88 (and really even less). Here's how you get that price:

1. Visit this site:

http://www.staples.com/Products/Spotlights/Marketing/AICPA/

to get $30 off any $200 or more purchase.

2. Shop for item number 495584. When you add that item to your cart, you'll see $100 in instant savings. Follow the instructions provided to get an additional $160 Staples gift card.

So, your final price is $769.88, and you also get a free $160 Staples gift card for future purchases.

This offer ends March 31, 2003, and possibly earlier (if Staples runs out of stock on this printer).

I have no affiliation with either company.
- - - - -
Timothy F. Sipples

March 23

NetDrive for OS/2 2.2.0 Beta 2

The second beta version of NetDrive for OS/2 2.2 is available. This version has a number of enhancements and includes support for a new level of external plugins. Old plugins are supported as well. User interface was improved. The FTP plugin included in the package was updated to the new level. FTP passwords are now stored in encrypted form in configuration files.

http://www.blueprintsoftware.com/netdrive/news.html

March 23

NewView 2.2.28

http://homepages.visp.co.nz/~aaronlawrence/NewView.html

This release should fix the problem with PMView and other applications built with the VisualAge Open Class Library. Thanks to Peter Nielsen for helping debug.

If you have problems with the online help mode, please supply the hlpmgr2.log from your boot drive (e.g. c:\hlpmgr2.log). There are known problems with the OS/2 master help index and tutorial (see readme.txt), and other bugs with online help.

NewView is a free replacement for the original OS/2 or eComStation online help system.

If you find NewView helpful, please email me and/or make a donation to support further development. It's nice to hear from you! See my web page for donation suggestions.

Major enhancements are:
- New user interface (split window)
- Select and copy direct from window
- Easy to use global (all files) search
- Remembers size & position
- Most recently used files list
- Smooth scrolling display
- Current topic always highlighted in contents
- Can go forward as well as back in history
- Options for fonts, colors and more
- Annotate help files
- Bookmarks
- Fully resizeable
V2.2.28
- Minor updates to HelpMgr.dll, reduce logging on some systems
- Fixed bug loading help files (referenced files table)
- Fixed memory leaks in searching
- Fixed shutdown of PMView and other VisualAge
Open Class Library programs (Thanks PeterN).
- Check for corrupt desktop at install.
- Options for no or images-only toolbar

March 23

ASPIROUT V1.1 Beta 7 release

There have been several minor bugfixes to the Aspirout driver. A new OS2ASPI.DMD driver to fix 2 small bugs is included. The ASPIDBUG utility is now much more comprehensive and usable, and includes a limited command decode feature.

http://home.clara.net/orac/os2.htm

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