Comments on: An Interview With Mensys About eComStation http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/ A blog about technology, operating systems, and general computing! Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:24:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Don Kopecky http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-1197 Don Kopecky Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:35:55 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-1197 I am far from being an OS/2 expert, but I've been using it for 15 years or so and would still rather use it than anything else. As far as I'm concerned, the inability to modify the kernel is totally irrelevant, since there is nothing wrong with it and no good reason to mess with it anyway. I would rather have an operating system using a 20 year old kernel, that still works, runs both new software AND old software, does everything I need it to, does it reliably, and doesn't require me to buy new hardware every 20 minutes whenever some idiot in Redmond WA decides to add some stupid new gizmo that nobody wanted. Considering that 74 people are keeping this up to date with little or no cooperation from hardware manufacturers, I would say it's a pretty great system and those guys are doing a dang good job! I am far from being an OS/2 expert, but I’ve been using it for 15 years or so and would still rather use it than anything else. As far as I’m concerned, the inability to modify the kernel is totally irrelevant, since there is nothing wrong with it and no good reason to mess with it anyway. I would rather have an operating system using a 20 year old kernel, that still works, runs both new software AND old software, does everything I need it to, does it reliably, and doesn’t require me to buy new hardware every 20 minutes whenever some idiot in Redmond WA decides to add some stupid new gizmo that nobody wanted.
Considering that 74 people are keeping this up to date with little or no cooperation from hardware manufacturers, I would say it’s a pretty great system and those guys are doing a dang good job!

]]> By: Thomas Klein http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-1043 Thomas Klein Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:41:41 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-1043 Hi, in reply to "OS2 user": True, there is no access to the OS/2 source code. But that affects the kernel "only", as everything else can be replaced: Basically, one can replace the entire multimedia subsystem, the WPS, perhaps even the graphics, printing and networking subsystem if you want. Unfortunately, there is not enough resources to do all this (even if someone would donate zillions of bucks to the developers community). -cough- On a side-note: There are actually ways to modify the kernel to a certain extent... without it, there would have been no ACPI/SMP/multicore things ever, but ehhh... there is no "official" kernel source code... -cough- While I can share some of your concerns regarding eCS' future, I however strongly disagree that it's NOT a platform one should switch to. In my mind, it's a platform worth CHECKING if it is suiteale for switching to. And that's why we desparately need a stable 2.0 GA, because it will be the base for the next-generation up to date DEMO CD! This is the only way to attract more people (and keeping the whole thing alive). The bootable eCS 2.0 GA demo CD will enable everyone to test-drive eCS without the risk of killing his existing system/setup/data. Mensys, netlabs and eCoSoft are doing an astonishingly ;) good job and keep making progress, also due to the relentless support of a lot of individual, independent developers in addition. I was personally surprised of how they handled a bug report regarding ACPI trouble on a new system of mine... and that I was able to get a 100% successful fix and resolution approx. 1 week later! I wonder how alternate platforms compete in that regard... ;) Cheers, Thomas Hi,

in reply to “OS2 user”:

True, there is no access to the OS/2 source code. But that affects the kernel “only”, as everything else can be replaced: Basically, one can replace the entire multimedia subsystem, the WPS, perhaps even the graphics, printing and networking subsystem if you want. Unfortunately, there is not enough resources to do all this (even if someone would donate zillions of bucks to the developers community).

-cough- On a side-note: There are actually ways to modify the kernel to a certain extent… without it, there would have been no ACPI/SMP/multicore things ever, but ehhh… there is no “official” kernel source code… -cough-

While I can share some of your concerns regarding eCS’ future, I however strongly disagree that it’s NOT a platform one should switch to. In my mind, it’s a platform worth CHECKING if it is suiteale for switching to. And that’s why we desparately need a stable 2.0 GA, because it will be the base for the next-generation up to date DEMO CD! This is the only way to attract more people (and keeping the whole thing alive). The bootable eCS 2.0 GA demo CD will enable everyone to test-drive eCS without the risk of killing his existing system/setup/data.

Mensys, netlabs and eCoSoft are doing an astonishingly ;) good job and keep making progress, also due to the relentless support of a lot of individual, independent developers in addition. I was personally surprised of how they handled a bug report regarding ACPI trouble on a new system of mine… and that I was able to get a 100% successful fix and resolution approx. 1 week later! I wonder how alternate platforms compete in that regard… ;)

Cheers,
Thomas

]]> By: OS2 User http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-1034 OS2 User Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:48:38 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-1034 The essential Detail that this Interview is not indicating is, that Serenity System and Mensys have no access to the OS/2 Source-Code. They can only modify the surface and the drivers. That´s why eComStation will go nowhere in the future. Currently it is the only option for old school OS/2 users and zelots who can not or will not switch to an alternativ operating system. It is definitly not a Platform somebody should switch to. The essential Detail that this Interview is not indicating is, that Serenity System and Mensys have no access to the OS/2 Source-Code. They can only modify the surface and the drivers. That´s why eComStation will go nowhere in the future.
Currently it is the only option for old school OS/2 users and zelots who can not or will not switch to an alternativ operating system. It is definitly not a Platform somebody should switch to.

]]> By: rito santos http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-1026 rito santos Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:56:10 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-1026 Very good article, as one mentioned earlier. There should be more articles similar to this one in order give more exposure to eCS and OS/2. eCS should also be looking at putting the operating system in the rapidly expanding mobile space on one or two "smartphones" as an experiment. It may not garnish a whole lot of attention, but it will open the eyes of others about the operating system's capability, and possibly even expand. The requisite for the experiment is to get eCS feature rich in the multimedia category. I think it can be done. My last comment is that I only wish someone could donate millions to the OS/2 community to give it a boost. Very good article, as one mentioned earlier. There should be more articles similar to this one in order give more exposure to eCS and OS/2.

eCS should also be looking at putting the operating system in the rapidly expanding mobile space on one or two “smartphones” as an experiment. It may not garnish a whole lot of attention, but it will open the eyes of others about the operating system’s capability, and possibly even expand. The requisite for the experiment is to get eCS feature rich in the multimedia category. I think it can be done.
My last comment is that I only wish someone could donate millions to the OS/2 community to give it a boost.

]]> By: Gregory L. Marx http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-1014 Gregory L. Marx Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:31:53 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-1014 I also am not too impressed with Lucide as a replacement for Adobe Reader. What it does, it does very well, and also very *fast* which is something that can't be said for the official Acrobat Reader package. They just seem to get slower and slower and slower. Very frustrating indeed to this enduser! Since Mensys has had success getting Macromedia to allow for an official Flash port they should keep pushing the envelope and try to get other needed software programs ported/whatever. One IMHO that would solve the Acrobat/Lucide problem is a little known program called "Foxit - The PDF reader" from a company named "Foxit Software". The PDF reader is up to version 3 and has a very nice and elegant interface. It loads incredibly fast, reads every PDF file I've tossed at it, including all later versions of PDF which is crucial. Goto http://www.foxitsoftware.com and check it out - For $39 it is a real bargain. Lastly, and most importantly, they are trying to grow and push the industry away from simply relying on the official Adobe Reader releases. With that in mind I have to wonder if they'd be receptive to allowing a native port or an Odin-ized port for eCS. chekmarx I also am not too impressed with Lucide as a replacement for Adobe Reader. What it does, it does very well, and also very *fast* which is something that can’t be said for the official Acrobat Reader package. They just seem to get slower and slower and slower.

Very frustrating indeed to this enduser!

Since Mensys has had success getting Macromedia to allow for an official Flash port they should keep pushing the envelope and try to get other needed software programs ported/whatever.

One IMHO that would solve the Acrobat/Lucide problem is a little known program called “Foxit – The PDF reader” from a company named “Foxit Software”. The PDF reader is up to version 3 and has a very nice and elegant interface. It loads incredibly fast, reads every PDF file I’ve tossed at it, including all later versions of PDF which is crucial.

Goto http://www.foxitsoftware.com and check it out – For $39 it is a real bargain.

Lastly, and most importantly, they are trying to grow and push the industry away from simply relying on the official Adobe Reader releases. With that in mind I have to wonder if they’d be receptive to allowing a native port or an Odin-ized port for eCS.

chekmarx

]]> By: Nigel MacLeod http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-969 Nigel MacLeod Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:28:08 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-969 I second those comments about required software, but would suggest that Java 1.6 is absolutely essential. I have used OS/2 since version 2.0 went beta, then eComstation, but have been a reluctant user of Windows XP since hardware compatibility forced me off eCS. Since then, I have started developing in Java, as have many other people & companies. I second those comments about required software, but would suggest that Java 1.6 is absolutely essential. I have used OS/2 since version 2.0 went beta, then eComstation, but have been a reluctant user of Windows XP since hardware compatibility forced me off eCS. Since then, I have started developing in Java, as have many other people & companies.

]]> By: cytan http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-962 cytan Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:48:44 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-962 Great interview! A few things missing in Ecomstation which I hope will eventually be available are (1) latest version of JAVA (2) latest version of XFree86. If we can't have (1) and (2), we really need an updated version of VBOX/2 which is stuck at 1.6 while the latest version is already at 2.0. cytan Great interview! A few things missing in Ecomstation which I hope will eventually be available are
(1) latest version of JAVA
(2) latest version of XFree86.

If we can’t have (1) and (2), we really need an updated version of VBOX/2 which is stuck at 1.6 while the latest version is already at 2.0.

cytan

]]> By: Carl Gehr http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-959 Carl Gehr Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:28:30 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-959 In addition to the lack of a current FLASH, I would add a similar requirement for a current Acrobat Reader. Yes, I know about Lucide. I just happen to believe that Lucide is still far behind in its user interface. The most glaring feature lacking [at least for the way I use PDFs] is that Lucide can only accommodate a single document in the active window. I almost always have at least three or four PDFs open simultaneously; switching among the various documents. I do not want to deal with multiple open objects on the desktop; and I'm not even sure this is possible. That said, I do appreciate the work done by Mensys and all of their associates. I've been an OS/2-eCS user since the very early days. The prospect of having to move to a different platform is not very pleasant. I am eagerly waiting for the 2.0 GA. Thanks, again, to all! Carl In addition to the lack of a current FLASH, I would add a similar requirement for a current Acrobat Reader. Yes, I know about Lucide. I just happen to believe that Lucide is still far behind in its user interface. The most glaring feature lacking [at least for the way I use PDFs] is that Lucide can only accommodate a single document in the active window. I almost always have at least three or four PDFs open simultaneously; switching among the various documents. I do not want to deal with multiple open objects on the desktop; and I’m not even sure this is possible.

That said, I do appreciate the work done by Mensys and all of their associates. I’ve been an OS/2-eCS user since the very early days. The prospect of having to move to a different platform is not very pleasant. I am eagerly waiting for the 2.0 GA.

Thanks, again, to all!
Carl

]]> By: Malcolm E. McClain http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-949 Malcolm E. McClain Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:48:47 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-949 Enjoyed the article. Have no experience w/ ecomstation, but like OS/2. Many thanks to those, both paid and volunteer who keep the banner of excellence flying. regards, malcolm Enjoyed the article. Have no experience w/ ecomstation, but like OS/2.

Many thanks to those, both paid and volunteer who keep the banner of excellence flying.

regards, malcolm

]]> By: Cris http://www.themadfatter.com/2008/12/17/an-interview-with-mensys-about-ecomstation/comment-page-1/#comment-944 Cris Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:13:11 +0000 http://www.themadfatter.com/?p=153#comment-944 Mike, Joachim is talking about "multiuser capability for the desktop". Those CONFIG.SYS statements enable multi-user capabilities, but not multiple per-user desktops AFAIK. Bye Cris Mike, Joachim is talking about “multiuser capability for the desktop”. Those CONFIG.SYS statements enable multi-user capabilities, but not multiple per-user desktops AFAIK.

Bye
Cris

]]>