 Introduction    1/1 

October 1995
Volume 3 Number 10
Note:  The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views
held by the MMOUG or it's members. Don't agree with something you've read here?
Write and tell us about it!  If you have any contributions, please upload them
to area 18 of the WoodMeister or send them to me via Internet at
USDSSKZS@IBMMAIL.COM.  If you work for the State of Missouri and have access to
DISOSS, you can send them to POOLMWV at DSSHOST.

 MMOUG September Minutes    2/1 

Mid Missouri OS/2 User's Group
Mid MO OS/2 Users Group
September 20, 1995
Department of Social Services
Attendees:  Ben Hoffman, Gary Pool, Randy Wright, Scott Brodbeck, Penny
Shepherd, Dayton Shepherd, David Keisker, Steve Petzel, Brenda Verhoff
Gary Pool called the meeting to order.
Gary started the meeting with his presentation on NetView Distribution
Manager/2 and showed how he uses it to load software on workstation over a LAN.
Ben Hoffman reported that he had forgotten to bring the information Phillip
Wilson and sent him on the modem offering from US Robotics.  He will bring it
to the next meeting.
Gary Pool ask if anyone had any cool stuff to bring up.  In particular he was
looking for a HTML editor.  He said that he has requested from Michelle Wilson
a copy of Hyperwise so he could create one file which could do both the INF
version of the newsletter and the Woodmeister home page.
The types of memberships discussion brought up at the last club meeting were
discussed.  The motion was made to keep the individual memberships the same but
to change to corporate membership to:
$100 annual for up to 5 representatives (a representative defined as an
employee who has membership rights on the BBS and is eligible for prize
drawings) Additional corporate representative could be added for $20 annual per
representative.
The motion passed.  A mailing to the current Corp. members and potential corp.
members was suggested.
The next club meeing will be in Columbia.  Rick Wolters will be contacted to
see if we could use the Conservation office again.  Gary Pool and Ben Hoffman
said they would contact Michelle Wilson from IBM about doing a program for us.
The meeting was adjourned.

 IO I/O    3/1 

Information Officer Input/Output
We have some exciting things happening in the MMOUG.  We are planning to have
at the next meeting a demonstration of the OS/2 FunPack, which will also be
given away.
In November, we are going to have a representative from the Pinnacle
Corporation present what new things their company is doing with Workplace Shell
Security.
In December, Phillip and Michelle Wilson have tentatively offered to host the
annual Christmas party.
We are hoping that early in 1996, there will be a shootout between OS/2 and
Windows 95.

 Humor    4/1 

Humor

 Tips 'N' Techniques    5/1 

Tips 'N' Techniques
This is a set of hints for OS/2 Warp, collected as an addendum to the "Tuning
OS/2 Warp" presentation given by Michael Kilby at the June 1995 meeting(s) of
the CPCUG OS/2 SIG.  Revised 9 Sep 95.
> The list of MUST HAVE files (at the end of this document)
> has been updated. Please refer to this list for some of
> the most useful files relating to OS/2 Warp.
NOTE:  Use the "Find" feature in the Editor to jump to the beginning of each
section of this file.  Just search for the ">" character.
First, since the major focus of the SIG presentation was the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS,
here's a quick list of CONFIG.SYS lines that may need tweaking.
Rather than go into detail about every line, I suggest that you consult the
on-line help, or look at Rick Meigs' OS2CFG11.ZIP (available from the OS/2
Shareware BBS, listed above).  From an OS/2 command prompt, typing "HELP
[word]" (where [word] is the first word on each line of the CONFIG.SYS) will
usually bring up the relevant section of the OS/2 command reference.
Note that OS/2 Warp is on my F: drive - don't use these lines without making
*sure* they are set properly for *your* system!  Also, my system has 16 MB of
RAM, which explains the cache sizes I use.
> The following list contains *only* the lines that you
> should *definitely* consider adjusting:
rem * HPFS cache size increased to 1 MB
rem * comment this line out for non-HPFS systems!!!
IFS=F:\OS2\HPFS.IFS /CACHE:1024 /CRECL:32 /AUTOCHECK:FG
rem * increase CRECL to 16 or 32 for all caches >=512 KB.
REM * add these lines by hand!
SET RESTARTOBJECTS=STARTUPFOLDERSONLY
SET MENUSTYLE=SHORT
rem * ,CONNECTIONS removed from AUTOSTART (no network)
SET AUTOSTART=PROGRAMS,TASKLIST,FOLDERS,LAUNCHPAD
rem * root dir removed from ALL paths, since I don't keep programs there.
rem * this includes LIBPATH, SET PATH=, and SET DPATH=
rem * PROMPT changed from $i[$p] - I don't like the "info" bar.
SET PROMPT=[$T$H$H$H] $P$G
rem * FILES increased for DOS sessions
FILES=60
rem * buffers reduced from 90 - WARPPERF says that 60 should be the lower
rem * limit, but I was using (Rick's) value of 30 before without trouble.
BUFFERS=60
rem * Note that various install progs change this line,
rem * or add another one below (FaxWorks et al.)
IOPL=YES
rem * FAT cache set to specific values (was D,LW),
rem * and added CRECL and autocheck parameters
DISKCACHE=512,LW,16,AC:CDE
rem * MAXWAIT tweaked from 3 to 2
MAXWAIT=2
rem * swapper greatly increased, path changed
SWAPPATH=F:\SWAP 2048 10240
rem * set the initial size (2nd number) to a little bit *larger* than
rem * the typical size of your swapper during normal operation.
rem * threads reduced from 256
THREADS=192
rem * print buffers increased
PRINTMONBUFSIZE=2048,134,2048
rem * LPT3 buffer boosted to help FaxWorks
rem * KEYS=ON retained, despite advice in OS2CFG11.ZIP
rem * (I prefer keeping this feature!)
SET KEYS=ON
REM * added /IRQ to eliminate print polling
BASEDEV=PRINT01.SYS /IRQ
rem * must have a fully pinned cable for this to work.
BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD
rem * BASEDEV=IBM2FLPY.ADD removed (not a microchannel machine)
rem * added parms to IDE driver
BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD /V /A:0 /U:0 /SMS /LBA /U:1 /SMS /LBA /A:1 /I
rem * this is for *one* adapter, with *two* physical drives attached.
rem * see HELP BASEDEV (and dig into it) to get the details.
rem * FCBS reduced (cannot set to "0,0" in Warp)
FCBS=4,2
rem * FCBS are an addressing method used by DOS 1.x vintage code.
rem LOW,NOUMB changed, since most of my DOS apps can use high memory
DOS=HIGH,UMB
rem * I bought a 16550 UART, so I don't need (or want) SIO
DEVICE=F:\OS2\BOOT\COM.SYS
DEVICE=F:\OS2\MDOS\VCOM.SYS
I recommend NOT to use SIO unless you need to use more than one
modem, or you have a comm port with a strange IRQ, or you cannot
get a comm port (or modem) that has the buffered UART.
The standard OS/2 comm drivers work perfectly fine, especially on
systems that have a buffered UART chip (16550) on the comm port,
such with most fast internal modems (9600 and above).
This goes against the common recommendation, but I believe that
your money is better spent on getting a proper UART chip (or a
modem with one), than on registering SIO (but if you do use SIO,
you should register it!).
rem * VIOTBL.DCP replaced with OS2THIN.DCP
rem * This is available (for free) as WARPFONT.ZIP
DEVINFO=SCR,VGA,F:\OS2\BOOT\OS2THIN.DCP
rem * you can add a line any DOS driver (such as sound) to
rem * make it load by default for all DOS sessions.
rem * I prefer to add sound only to sessions that use it,
rem * so I don't put that line in the CONFIG.SYS
> SECTION TWO - assorted other hints for the WorkPlace Shell (WPS).
> These items are *not* in any particular order!
First, open up the System Setup folder, and review the settings in
each of the setup objects there (Keyboard, Mouse, System, Sound,
etc.) Then open up the Desktop settings and review all the info
there, too!
I prefer to *disable* folder animation (System object in the System
Setup folder).
Using SET MENUSTYLE=SHORT drops a lot of minor items off the
standard popup menus. Here's how you do them with the mouse:
Use Ctrl+Drag to copy objects - [C]trl == [C]opy
Use Ctrl+Shift+Drag to create a shadow of an object
  NOTE: [C]trl+[S]hift == [C]reate [S]hadow
Dragging an object *moves* it, except when working between the
hard drive and a floppy. The default is copy for floppy stuff.
Use Shift+Drag to "shift" (move) a file to or from a floppy.
Click Left mouse button to point (highlight) any object.
Double Click Left mouse button to open an object.
Double Click (left button) on any empty area to bring up the LaunchPad.
Click Right mouse button to open the menu for an object.
Click Right mouse button on an *empty* area of a folder (or the
  desktop) to open the menu for the folder (or the desktop).
Use Alt+Click (left button) to rename (alter) an object's name
Use Alt+Click (right button) to activate the pickup & drop feature.
Drag system objects that clutter your desktop into the OS/2 System
folder. I do this with printers, the Templates, and Information folders.
You can even move the LaunchPad object into the System folder.
If you use FaxWorks, and it slows down the system when printing,
go to the Spooler object in the System Setup folder, and *lower* the
priority setting (to about 60). Processing the fax may take a little
longer, but it won't jam the system quite so badly.
Click the right mouse button on an empty portion of the desktop, open
the settings notebook for the desktop, and adjust three options there:
a) For the VIEW, I prefer "non-Grid", but some folks like it "Flowed".
b) The Background tab allows you to set a color or bitmap background.
c) On the Lockup tab(s), set the Automatic Lockup, "Full-screen", and
"Auto-dim", then click the arrow to go to page two. Set "Normal
Image" (the default is "Tiled") - you can also change the bitmap,
but I like the OS/2 logo for the lockup bitmap - then go to page
three, and change the lockup password to a single space. Type a space
in the first box, press [TAB], type a single space in the second box
(to confirm the change), then click on [OK] (that's important!). You
can now unlock the desktop by pressing [SPACE][ENTER].
Setting the StartUp folder to FLOWED lets you control the order
in which programs are launched.
REMOVE the association from Windows NotePad to *.INI and
*.TXT files, and assign the *.INI association to the OS/2 system
editor. When I want to edit and INI file, I don't want to bring
up a Win-OS/2 session to do it. Also remove the association
for *.BMP files to PaintBrush - I prefer to use the Icon Editor.
For DOS program that have their own print drivers, consider creating a
second printer object, with the NULL driver (just as a pass through).
Set the port to LPT2, redirected to LPT1. Tell your DOS program to
print to the LPT2.OS2 *file*. Since the DOS program has it's own
driver, the printer codes do not need to be rehandled.
Use the volume control object in the MMOS2 folder to control the
speaker volume. This works in *addition* to the volume control
(for system sounds) in the SOUND object from the System Setup folder.
Create a second folder with often used templates. I made a folder
on the desktop called FORMS, and I copied (Ctrl+Drag) only a few
templates (Folder, Program, Color Palettes) to the new folder. This
is a lot easier to use than the multitude of templates in the Templates
folder. (Do NOT delete them, just make a copy elsewhere to use).
Create a second LaunchPad (you can have *two* - or more -
on your desktop!) Here's how to do it:
1) You only want to copy the launchpad itself, not the buttons with it.
So, drag off all of the buttons from the launchpad (and the drawers),
EXCEPT for one!!! If you empty it completely, OS/2 will refill it!
Leave *one* button (perhaps the Shredder) on the launchpad.
2) Click on the launchpad with the right mouse button to get the popup
menu for the LaunchPad (not for the button!), and CLOSE the launchpad.
3) Hold the Ctrl key down, and use the right mouse button to *drag*
off a copy of the launchpad to another spot on the desktop.
4) The title clash dialog will appear, since the copy has the same name.
Change the name of the copy from "LaunchPad" to something else.
You can call it "Pad", or "FolderPad", or "Whatever".
5) Since it is useful to have a spare launchpad, drag a *second* copy
of the launchpad off, and drop it into your Templates folder. You can't
make it a Template, but you can keep a copy of the mini-LaunchPad
there, and use Ctrl+Drag to make a new one whenever you need it.
6) Double-click on both the LaunchPad and the copy to open them.
7) Recustomize *both* Pads (the original and the new copy) to look the
way you like them. I put the original horizontal at the bottom of the
screen, with the second one vertical on the left hand side.
8) After you have added new objects, you must then delete and replace
the *ONE* button that was left on the pad(s) before the copy. Drag one
of them to the *original* Shredder, and delete it. You should find that
the *other* one also disappears. When you copy a launchPad, the button
shadows are linked, which is why you needed to remove (almost)
everything before making the copy.
9) If you still want that button removed in step 8 on the LaunchPad (or
the copy), re-create it by re-dragging the object to the appropriate pad.
10) Last, use Ctrl+Shift+Drag to put a shadow of the *new* Pad into
the StartUp folder, so that it will open when the machine boots. OS/2
only starts up the default launchpad automatically.
Use desktop objects with InfoZIP for archive info.
1) Create a program object for the InfoZip UNZIP program.
Add an association to files named *.ZIP
2) Use Ctrl+Drag to make a copy of the UNZIP object, and
name the copy ZIPINFO. Add the switch -v to the Parameters
field, and (on the session page) *remove* the check mark
from the "close window on exit" box. You can use the ZIPInfo
object to get the contents of a ZIP file.
3) Use Ctrl+Drag to make *another* copy of the UNZIP object,
and name this copy "SELECT". Add the switches
  -C %* [Files to UNZIP]
(exactly as it appears on that line) to the Parameters field.
You can use the Select program to pull out a single file
(using a name or any wildcard combo) out of a ZIP file.
The "-C" is to make it case *insensitive*. The "%*" switch
passes the name of the ZIP file, and the "[Files to UNZIP]"
makes OS/2 bring up a dialog when the program starts, where
you can type the name of the file(s) you want unzipped.
> CREDITS:
Many of the hints in this document originally came from other
sources. In particular, I recommend that *every* OS/2 user should
download and read Rick Meigs OS/2 CONFIG file. Rick also has a
program that assists in reviewing and editing the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS.
The current edition of his program (as of 9 Sep 95) is available
as CFGINFO4.ZIP; Rick's text file of hints is contained within
that ZIP, but is also available separately as OS2CFG11.ZIP
A second "must have" document is a white paper (WARPPERF.ZIP)
written by Ron Cadima of IBM ISV Development Assistance.
> DIFFERENCES FROM CFGINFO4.ZIP -
Other than SIO, the only place where I disagree with Rick's
advice is on cache settings. I prefer to set cache sizes
slightly *smaller* (to leave more memory for OS/2):
16 MB RAM: 1.5 MB *total* cache (HPFS + FAT)
  I Suggest 1 MB for HPFS & 512 KB for FAT.
12 MB RAM: 1 MB total cache, split as needed between FAT/HPFS
8 MB RAM: 256 KB FAT cache, 384 KB HPFS cache
  (For FAT-only, use 384 or 512 KB)
4 MB RAM: 128 KB FAT cache (never use HPFS with less than 6 MB!)
For the cache timing parameters, Rick's are longer than I prefer:
RUN=C:\OS2\CACHE.EXE /MAXAGE:7500 /DISKIDLE:60000 /BUFFERIDLE:60000
I don't like having data sitting in the cache for up to a whole
minute, so I reduce those numbers to 7500, 15000, and 10000,
respectively.  Also, I set this via a CMD object in the startup
folder, not from the CONFIG.SYS
> FILES TO DOWNLOAD - These are files that *every* OS/2 user should
> have (names are as of 9 Sep 95, and may change in the future):
* Documentation:
CFGINFO4.ZIP, OS2CFG11.ZIP - Rick Meigs' tuning files.
EWSCAT.ZIP - Best OS/2 freeware available (from IBM!) -
  Every program in EWSCAT is of the highest quality.
  Download them all!  Updated every month.
FAQ3.ZIP - Tim Sipples Frequently Asked Questions about OS/2
PCMTAB.ZIP - list of all OS/2 compatible hardware (updated monthly)
WARPPERF.ZIP - White Paper on Warp tuning from IBM Boca.
* Useful OS/2 programs:
CLIPCHAR.ZIP - Easy way to hunt for high ASCII codes.
HPCLC095.ZIP - best RPN calculator around.
LW22.ZIP   - LiveWire (communications program for OS/2)
KEYDOS.ZIP  - Sets NumLock on for DOS sessions
NLOCK_ON.ZIP - Set NUMLOCK on during OS/2 boot
WPSFW150.ZIP - WorkPlace Shell interface for Windows
  (this file is also called WPSFWIN.ZIP on some systems).
UNZ512X2.EXE, ZIP201X2.ZIP - free InfoZIP archiver programs, works
  with PKZIP files. You will need the UNZIP program to unpack all
  of the files listed here.
* Files to improve the appearance of OS/2:
ANIMICON.ZIP - Animated icon pairs for OS/2 Warp folders.
COMPASS.ZIP  - Point the mouse in *any* direction (replaces DIAGPTR.ZIP)
WARPFONT.ZIP - Better fonts for full screen sessions (OS/2 and DOS)
* Games (these are shareware, so if you keep them, register them!)
ENTRTN14.ZIP - A large collection of good games
  (updated frequently, so the file name may change).
FMCRDS27.ZIP - 8 versions of Solitaire.
FOURPM.ZIP - Connect four.
ROIDS23.ZIP - Leonard Guy's Asteroids variant. $10, and well worth it.
SEAHAV23.ZIP - A variant of FreeCell (can also set for FreeCell rules)
* A few more random files
FIPS11.ZIP - partition splitter - like Partition Magic, but very raw.
  Documented, and it does work, but there's no guarantee.
GAMES21G.ZIP - Settings for DOS & Win games under OS/2
HPFSA02B.ZIP - HPFS driver for DOS systems
HUMOROS2.ZIP - A collection of funny items related to OS/2, Windows, etc.
JOESTIPS.ZIP - Another collection of hints
If you have suggestions or comments, send them to
Michael Kilby (use the PRIVATE area on Pete Norloff's
OS/2 Shareware BBS, 703-385-4325), or send E-Mail
to Michael.Kilby@f347.n109.z1.fidonet.org
>END of MICHAEL.TXT

 Threads    6/1+

Threads....

 Star Emperor    7/2 

Star Emperor
Announcing Star Emperor for OS/2 Warp!
Stardock's Fall OS/2 Campaign gets into high gear
For Immediate Release
September 1, 1995
Contact: Brad Wardell
(313)/453-0328 phone, (313)/453-1480 fax
  Canton, MichiganStardock Systems, the makers of Galactic Civilizations,
announced their second full fledged OS/2 game -- Star Emperor:Advanced Edition
today.  Star,Emperor is a game that uses the same gaming engine that is
underneath Galactic Civilizations to bring users a new and powerful space based
strategy game. While definitely not a sequel to Galactic Civilizations, it
offers a similar interface that allows you to manage your military in an
effective manner.  The "standard" edition of Star Emperor is available in IBM's
Family FunPak.
  In Star Emperor, you must unite the galaxy under a single source of wisdom --
yours.  The entire game takes place in just a couple years of play with each
turn being  a day.  Unlike in Galactic Civilizations where you developed your
own technologies and created social improvements, Star Emperor allows you to
obtain technologies only through trade, diplomacy with neutrals, or conquest.
  The back drop to Star Emperor is a distant galaxy that is on the verge of
intergalactic warfare.  The galaxy is breaking up into different Clans, each
with imperial ambitions.  The galaxy is filled with hundreds of independent
star systems in which you must send out emissaries to bring them into your
empire before they are swept into a competing empire.  As the number of
non-aligned worlds decreases, tensions mount and warfare becomes inevitable.
  In Star Emperor, each star system has its own unique technology that is often
only available on that planet.  In other words, some planets will be able to
build certain types of ships not available anywhere else.  This makes choosing
which worlds to approach a strategic matter.  You must balance between what
technologies you want versus what weapons you require to maintain your grip on
the galaxy.
  "As one user put it, Star Emperor takes some of the military elements of
Galactic Civilizations and adds a whole new dimension to intergalactic
conquest. This game is really about conquest and destruction!" said Brad
Wardell, project manager of Star Emperor.
  Stardock believes that Star Emperor will appeal to current customers of
Galactic Civilizations and that new players of Star Emperor will find a new
reason to purchase Galactic Civilizations.
  "Galactic Civilizations was about creating intergalactic civilizations. Star
Emperor is about destroying them." said Wardell.
  The shrink wrapped verison of Star Emperor will begin shipping on September
30 on CD ROM only for $49.95.  It should be available at most retail outlets on
or around October 1.  Ask your reseller for it by name.
  Stardock can be reached at (313)/453-0328 or faxed at (313)/453-1480. The
email address of the project manager is wardell@ibm.net.
  There is more information available on the Stardock WWW site:
http://oeonline.com/~stardock/
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
|Brad Wardell            |  Stardock Systems (SDS), Inc.      | |Project
Coordinator        |  Native OS/2 Software          |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
|* Object Desktop * Avarice    * Galactic Civilizations * OS/2 Essentials | |*
Star Emperor  * Entrepreneur * Master of the Empire  * Process Comm.  |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 IBMLink via Internet    8/2 

IBMLink via Internet
 Date: 09/15/1995
 Effective today, we are announcing general access to many of the IBMLink 
functions on the Internet web for OS/2 and AIX client based registered  users. 
Now, any registered IBMLink user that accesses the Internet  World Wide Web
using either an OS/2 or AIX browser, can log on to  IBMLink by opening document
URL:
       http://www.ibmlink.ibm.com
 and using their same Advantis account ID, user ID, and password that  is
already registered for IBMLink access in the host environment.  (Note:  You may
also use the IP address: http://198.17.57.71)
 In an effort to achieve maximum capacity and performance of our web  servers,
the number of concurrent users allowed to logon will be  controlled and
monitored for an initial time period.  Capacity will  be increased at regular
intervals as performance allows.  If you should  encounter a "server busy"
message, please wait a little while and try  again.
 To protect password confidentiality, the first release of OS/2 and  AIX
versions of Bolt On Security System (BOSS), used for encryption,  is now
implemented and available as well.  First time users will  automatically
encounter the BOSS Main Menu and will be required to  download and install the
BOSS code prior to logging on.  (See Details  of Using BOSS section below.) 
Complete instructions and helpful hints  are included on the screen and in the
important README file.  Please  review this information for certain usage
restrictions that may apply  to your particular situation.
 Once logged on, IBMLink registered users will have access to their  entitled
applications and will be subject to the same profiling and  and application
access as they currently have via the SNA 3270  connection.
 There is also an IBMLink Public path for other Internet WWW users.  IBM
products and services information may be viewed via the IBMLink  Public path,
which may be accessed from the same URL or IP address  shown above.  IBMLink
registration with an ID and password is not  required for the Public path.
 Highlights of today's announcement:
 ----------------------------------
 Applications for Public user access:
 o Access to a subset of the InfoLink suite of applications
 o Access to OrderInfo and Schedules OrderLink applications
 Applications for Registered user access:
 o Registered user access via Bolt-On Security System (BOSS) for
  encryption of logon userid and password for AIX, and OS/2 users.
 o Password reset capability
 o Access to applications for which the end user is authorized
 Note:  Access to IBMLink registered applications is available only for
    users who have been specifically registered for them.  Not all
    applications have been migrated to the web and some of the
    applications have only been partially implemented at this time
    and are flagged as 'under construction'.  For those
    applications not yet implemented on the web, they can be accessed
    via Telnet and utilized in 3270 emulation mode.  The telnet
    option is easily invoked from the Utilities area found in the
    IBMLink tool bar.  If you are not accessing IBMLink on the
    World Wide Web you may use your TCP/IP program to invoke
    telnet3270 with the address ibmlink.advantis.com.  When
    accessing the IBMLink host environment in this manner, please
    be aware that print and download options, as well as basic
    key mapping will differ from normal host access.
 Statement of intent:
 -------------------
 IBMLink intends to provide registered access for other platforms on the
 Internet WWW in the future.  It is our intent to have the majority of
 the IBMLink applications available via Internet WWW in 1995.
 Details of Using BOSS
 ---------------------
 o Bolt-On Security System (BOSS)
  - For AIX and OS/2 registered IBMLink users at this time
  - Socks servers/Proxy gateways (firewalls) are not supported
  - Less than 1Mb space required to install
  - BOSS encrypts password at each instance of logon
  - User does not need special URL to invoke BOSS
  - User only needs to install BOSS once
  - When user selects REGISTERED path from our home page, BOSS will
   detect whether it is installed and/or running
  - If BOSS is not installed or not running, user will automatically
   be routed to BOSS main menu
  - When BOSS has been installed and is running, a window is opened on
   the user's workstation.  As long as this remains open, user will no
   longer pass through BOSS to logon.  Example:  user selects
   registered, is presented with BOSS menu, runs BOSS, logs on to
   IBMLink.  User logs off IBMLink and then may log back on directly
   as BOSS is already active.
  - If user closes BOSS window prior to logon screen, user will be
   presented with BOSS main menu to run it prior to logon.
 For IBMLink customer support, call 800-543-3912 or 303-924-3700.

 Object Desktop    9/2 

Object Desktop
STARDOCK SYSTEMS, INC.
7977B Ronda Drive
Canton MI, 48187
Stardock announces Object Desktop!
Advanced environment targets both corporate and retail markets
For Immediate Release
Monday, September 25, 1995
Contact: Brad Wardell
(313)/453-0328, (313)/453-1480 FAX, Email: Wardell@ibm.net
Canton Michigan--Stardock's long awaited desktop environment, Object Desktop
was announced  today.  Targeting both the corporate and retail markets, Object
Desktop is an advanced desktop environment that "turbo-charges" OS/2, improving
the system's performance, flexibility, and ease of use.
"Object Desktop is an IS Manager's dream!" said Oliver Franklin of Frankson
Information  Management of Artarmon, Australia. "It makes OS/2 much easier to
use and a much more productive environment.  My customers have found that
Object Desktop reduces their training costs while significantly improving their
productivity."
Object Desktop enhances the existing OS/2 environment with updated icons, frame
controls, and command buttons, and adds new tools designed to boost
productivity and system performance.  The new features include the Object
Navigator, Control Center, Keyboard LaunchPad, Object Archives, and HyperDrive
and HyperCache features.
"For all intent and purposes, Object Desktop is like a third party upgrade for
OS/2." said Matt Hite of I/O Magazine. "It's more than a suite of applications
and operating system enhancements--it is what OS/2 advocates have been waiting
for all these years."
Object Desktop provides many ways for users to organize their work.  The Tab
LaunchPad allows users to organize programs, data objects, and running tasks
using named tabs.  The Control Center offers virtual desktops for organizing
running applications and minimizing window clutter.  In addition, the Control
center provides an object launcher, and real-time resource monitors.
"Object Desktop really delivers the goods." said Alex Bradley of OS/2 Review. 
"Unlike some products that are all hype, Object Desktop backs up its claims
with solid performance, excellent usability and more.  Any OS/2 user or IS
manager would have to be crazy to use OS/2 without this product."
Object Desktop boosts performance with HyperDrive, a feature which reduces the
time required to display data object icons by making a "best guess" at file
types.  By storing folder contents in RAM, the HyperCache feature speeds up the
display of folder views.  One of the most impressive folder performance
improvements is Browse Mode, which displays the contents of a subfolder in the
parent window.  Less memory is utilized and desktop clutter is minimized
because new windows are not opened each time a nested folder is opened.
"I haven't been this excited about a product since OS/2 Warp itself." said
David Barnes, Senior Marketing Manager at IBM Personal Software Products.  "My
competitors recently released a product that has some nice features.  But
Object Desktop gave me everything they have and a lot more (and on a more solid
foundation--OS/2 Warp!).  Object Desktop will be the first thing I install on
any of my systems from now on!"
Object Archives enable users to work with compressed files as Workplace Shell
folders, without the extra steps of entering commands to archiving and
unarchiving files before performing tasks such as opening, copying or saving
the files.  When objects are stored in an archive, the compression and
decompression tasks are performed automatically.  Object Desktop provides disk
compression that uses safe, standard compression standards--ZIP, LZH, ARC, and
ZOO.  Users can view and manipulate data from within archives, and in many
cases, run programs directly from archives.  Best of all, because Object
Desktop uses standard compressed file formats, users can copy compressed
archives to other machines that don't have Object Desktop and work with them
there using the standard archive executables (such as Unzip).
"Object Desktop brings the OS/2 desktop up to its potential and, in doing so,
brings it up to date.  And it does it so well, I predict it will be an instant
hit and best-seller for OS/2 for a long time." said Nicholas Petreley
(InfoWorld, June 19, 1995).  "No one who sees it will want to do without it. 
Keep your eye on this company--Stardock knows what OS/2 should be and it looks
as though it is single-handedly transforming the operating system into that
ideal."
The Keyboard LaunchPad provides a fast way to configure keys for opening any
object.  While graphical user interfaces have increasingly alienated keyboard
users, Object Desktop brings together the best of both worlds. For example,
users can launch a command line by associating an OS/2 window with
Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar or other keyboard sequence.
These features only scratch the surface.  Many analysts, consultants, end
users, and journalists have long requested the powerful features that Object
Desktop brings to OS/2.
Object Desktop delivers both power and ease of use in a single package. Two
years in the making, combined with input from thousands of everyday PC users,
helped ensure that Object Desktop provides an advanced user interface design
coupled with a rich set of must-have features.
"The developers at Stardock have answered the wishes of every OS/2 user by
providing system-level tools and objects that are tightly integrated with the
OS/2 Workplace Shell to combine the very best interface elements of major PC
operating systems today--OS/2, Apple Macintosh, and Windows 95--for the OS/2
desktop."  said Theo Mandel, Ph.D. and author of  "The GUI-OOUI War: Windows
vs. OS/2 The Designer's Guide to Human-Computer Interfaces."  "Object Desktop
contains the best set of tools and utilities I've ever seen for the OS/2
desktop.  As a user interface consultant and author, I use Object Desktop as an
excellent example of user-centered design and object-oriented technology."
To ensure reliability, Stardock developed an extensive beta program for Object
Desktop which included thousands of users with a wide range of configurations. 
A great deal of emphasis was placed on ensuring that Object Desktop would work
on every OS/2 configuration imaginable. Moreover, a CID-enabled installation
and national language support for English and German will also be available
from Stardock shortly after release.
"Make no mistake, our marketing goal with Object Desktop is simple: every PC
with OS/2, whether running in the enterprise or in the home, should have Object
Desktop.  Stardock will do whatever it takes to make this a reality," said Brad
Wardell, President of Stardock Systems, Inc.
Object Desktop will begin shipping on October 2, 1995 with a suggested retail
price of $99.95.  Stardock expects the typical street price to be significantly
less than that.  Site licensing and wholesale pricing sheets can be obtained
from Stardock at 313/453-0328 (fax 313/453-1480) which are priced to sell in
large volume.
Press kits are also available.
More detailed information on Object Desktop can be found on
Stardock's World Wide Web site: http://oeonline.com/~stardock/.
Email: stardock95@aol.com

 Next MMOUG Meeting    10/1 

Next MMOUG Meeting
Next month's MMOUG meeting will be held in on Wednesday, October 18, 1995, 4 pm
at:
Department of Conservation
Columbia, MO
Gary Pool or Ben Hoffman will present a demonstration of the FunPack for OS/2.

 MMOUG Registration Form    11/1 

Name:_____________________________________  Nickname:_____________________
     Last Name,         First             Initial
Company Name:_____________________________
Address:___________________________________  Work Phone:___________________
     ___________________________________  Home Phone:__________________
City:_________________________  State:_______  Zip Code:_____________________

Questionnaire
Your Operating System:
  ___ DOS  ___ OS/2 ___ WINDOWS ___ UNIX ___ OTHER __________________
Your Interest in Computers Include (Check all that apply):
  ___ Education  ___ Business  ___ Entertainment ___ OTHER  ________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Annual membership fee for the Mid Missouri OS/2 Users Group is $30.00 US.
Purchase Orders are accepted.  Please make your check payable to MMOUG and mail
to:
MMOUG, P.O. Box 30654, Columbia, MO.  65205-0645
Thank you for your support.
_______________________________________________________________________________
The Mid-Missouri OS/2 Users Group is a non-profit corporation who's dedicated
purpose is to aid and
facilitate the education and communication between individual computer users,
different computer
groups, and the general public.
The Woodmeister BBS is the official Bulletin Board of the MMOUG.  A copy of the
Bylaws is
available for downloading from the Woodmeister BBS (314-446-0016).
For assistance with OS/2, call our Voice Mail at 314-636-0805.

