Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!crdgw1!uunet!bywater!arnor!ibmman!larrys
From: larrys@watson.ibm.com (Larry Salomon, Jr.)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: Request for information from OS/2 neophyte
Message-ID: <1991Apr24.125818.26340@watson.ibm.com>
Date: 24 Apr 91 12:54:33 GMT
References: <1991Apr22.211632.4960@colorado.edu>
Sender: larrys@ibmman.watson.ibm.com
Reply-To: larrys@yktvmv
Organization: IBM Research
Lines: 50
News-Software: NewsKit 1.2 - LaMail
Nntp-Posting-Host: ibmman

>1.  I'm fairly convinced from what I've read that OS/2 is
>        a Good Thing.  Where can I buy this software?

Yes, it is a good thing.  Unfortunately, other than an official IBM
dealer, no one else carries OS/2.

>2.  Is the rest of the world (software vendors, in particular)
>        as ignorant as my local software stores about OS/2?

Not really, although there are a lot of misconceptions about OS/2:
        (Seen in a trade mag) OS/2 is not a preemptive multitasking
        operating system.  Windows is.

        There are no applications for OS/2.

        It is more difficult to program for than DOS+Windows.

        etc...

>3.  Is it supported for non-IBM hardware?  If not (I've heard
>        it isn't), does it run on non-IBM hardware?  In particular,
>        I've got a fairly generic Klever 386 motherboard and
>        Phoenix BIOS.

I don't think it is supported on non-IBM hardware, but my housemate has
1.3 running on a clone, so it will work, even though you might have to do
some black magic to get it to work.

>4.  Is it true that IBM has lowered the price to $150 for
>        the standard 1.3 release?  The Wall Street Journal says
>        yes, the software store says no.

The software store is wrong.  Tell them your fairy godmother told you so.

>5.  Is it really likely that if I bought it now that it will
>        still be supported a year from now?

Most definately.  If past actions are any indication, you will probably
be able to upgrade to 2.0 for free, should you buy 1.3 now.

Cheers,
Larry Salomon, Jr. (aka 'Q')            LARRYS@YKTVMV.BITNET
OS/2 Applications and Tools             larrys@ibmman.watson.ibm.com
IBM T.J. Watson Research Center         larrys@eng.clemson.edu
Yorktown Heights, NY

Disclaimer:  The statements and/or opinions stated above are strictly my
own and do not reflect the views of my employer.  Additionally, I have a
reputation for being obnoxious, so don't take any personal attacks too
seriously.