DevCon: OpenWatcom for developers

2013-10-22 18:12:48 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

If you found an error in the compiler or libraries of OpenWatcom, then post bug-report to the maintainers of the compiler.

• Bug-tracker
• Actual bug-reports
• New bug-report: Incorrect initialization of DLL built from C++ sources

Open questions:

• Who is maintaining OS/2 version?
• When to expect new update of OpenWatcom?

Order custom DataBase

2013-08-13 12:21:48 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

For users: What databases do you need? You can post an order to the comments. Do you have description of the tables? What queries do you need?

For developers:

Ar eyou going add sqlite support to your application? Please give us an advice, what system information to keep in sqlite database?

See also: Available databases

7 Reasons that Rexx Still Matters

2013-06-10 04:15:20 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

You have read this article in the past: 7 Reasons that Rexx Still Matters

We have translated it to russian language (RUS) 7 Reasons that Rexx Still Matters

Spring mix of eCS news

2013-03-18 18:50:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Mix of eComStation news

1) Do you have suggestions regarding OpenOffice.org/2? Add bug-report to the forum: forum.ecomstation.ru, What is the scan code of Shift-Del in russian layer?

2) Do we have WhatsApp plugin for eComStation messangers?

3) Firefox 10 Issues: forum.ecomstation.ru

4) Andy Willis reports that Intel 5100 WiFi work somehow: Genmac user forum

5) Panorama VESA: New tickets

6) New USB drivers: Do you have troubles with Alt-LShift/Alt-RShift combination?

7) AHCI requires an update

• format to HPFS -- http://bugs.ecomstation.nl/view.php?id=3320
• work of VAC enironment, ..
• Boot disk may fail in turn off the power

8) os2world.com starts to publish news with pictures Example: www.os2world.com

Warpstock Europe 2013 - developers

2013-02-20 02:02:27 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Videos from the previous conference

Official announcement
Official site of Warpstock Europe 2013

Full list of OS/2 conferences

You have some time to develop new application before Warpstock Europe 2013. (or complete your existing application / reconstruct old one).

Use ported libraries to integrate a technology to your program. Use eToolkit libraries to make your program more powerful.

What software do users need? There is no answer. Maybe,

• graphics utilities, office tools
• connection/interaction with mobile devices
• disk / system utilities
• tools aimed to earn money (eCS PC is used as black box, it should generate coins every minute)
• device drivers

If we collect sponsor units, eComStation.RU can prepare a report from the conference, record 5-7 new interviews (Sponsor the mission)

DevCon: 2013/02 newsletter

2013-02-11 13:26:24 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Some news and links for developers

1) Features of ancient IBM OS/2: hybernation of the system

• The latest discussion of the topic -- http://www.os2world.com/forum
• Discussion from 2003 -- os2ddprog
• Andrew Belov -- http://ecomstation.ru

2) Glassman informs the developers of WPS applications, If you have troubles with creation of WPS classes (with OpenWatcom compiler), The problem may occur because of co-processor initialization. Use this code to get stable creation of WPS class. http://forum.ecomstation.ru

3) Wim Brul answered to the questions about Wacom digitizer http://forum.ecomstation.ru

4) Useful library for developers of drivers: kee16_v6.zip (hobbes) - a static thunking library to be able to use the 32-bit KEE API from a 16-bit device driver

5) Reminder for developers of applications: Major part of users work in true color video mode. Don't ignore other video modes (256 colors, 65535), this video modes are used on some expensive modern laptops / in recovery mode (when the users can't switch to true color)

DevCon site

Invest into eCo Software

2013-01-22 02:31:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software is working on eComStation / IBM OS/2 Warp market during 10 years. We are specialized in development of native software (or hybrids).

We have so many ideas how to improve eComStation. You can influence on the development and invest into short-term projects:

• (PM) Replace old Message boxes with Modern Message boxes. To modernize eComStation it's necessary update User Interface. This improvement may refresh the desktop significantly. Experience: We have experience with replacement of File Open Dialog.
• (WPS) Create new Task list (with large icons), so new users feel comfortable and understand what apps are running. Experience: We have updated Launchpad in the past (Piano Launchpad)
• (SYSINFO) Migrate assistant - collector of information from old system. We see that users don't have time to migrate to new versions, as result they can't use the latest features. Experience: we have functions aimed to collect system information.
• (LIP) Language Interface packs (LIP) are aimed to switch system to other language. Important to attract more people from different countries. Experience: We have created several LIP packs.
• (NET) Improve VNC server/client, make it work faster, improve UI. so the admins can manage remote systems with comfort. Experience: We have experience with video drivers filters, VNC compilation.

Post your offerings via web-form

eCo Labs - multimedia apps

2012-11-02 12:24:39 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Several offerings for standalone developers:

• Create graphics editor for Thinkpad Tablet laptops (or maybe update DrawIt / SketchIt)
• Update Solver utility (aimed to draw 2D graphics).
• Create utility: grab screen to avi
• Slideshow plugin for Doodle screensaver: with special effect: growing / moving picture
• Create utility to visualize money income/expenses. Maybe use OpenGL
• PM-control to rotate GIF-animations.

Contact eCo Labs: via web-form

Do people code for OS/2?

2012-11-02 11:50:41 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

People ask us often: Do people program for OS/2 today?

Share information, do you code for OS/2? We are interested publish the stream of messages to other IT people. Send short (or long) story via web-form

It's important demonstrate that eComStation / IBM OS/2 Warp is growing.

Developers: Upgrade your applications

2012-10-17 03:24:33 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

For developers: are you ready for 2013? Care about the users, deliver high quality applications:

1. Use PNG icons in the application, use modern PNG toolbar

2. Test compatibility with FileOpenContainer, clean your code. FOC homepage

3. For VIO and PM utilities: Use banners to notify the user.

Banners sub-system, version 1.0.0

2012-09-01 03:35:29 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Banners (push notifications) system makes the desktop more interactive, gives new possibilities to existing VIO and PM applications, should cause creation of new small apps. Homepage of banners sub-system: http://ecomstation.ru/banners

Installation is easy and flawless.

Whatsnew?

• Engine:
  • added: play system sound when showing notification (depends on applications)
• Toolkit:
  • API is extened one more time
  • added sample: how to play sound
  • banners.h contains more comments
• Demo Reminder:
  • 1. demo of sounds
  • 2. Auto-repeat events flag ("daily", "weekly", "monthly" and "yearly")

For developers: Please inform us what applications are you going update / create and use Banners sub-system.

Window library Glass PM C++

2012-08-31 22:15:11 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

New version of Glass PM C++ library aimed to develop PM applications on C++ was released.

Features:

• It's easy to start new project (no need to take old programs as base for new)
• You can mix this library with OS/2 API, window handles are not incapsulated to classes.
• You should know OS/2 API in any case.

Whatsnew?

• current (summer) is published

Glass PM C++ homepage

Banner system for eComStation

2012-08-14 02:11:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Banner system (notifications, push-notifications): homepage of the project. Our goal was to make the desktop more interactive. Simplify and unify the development of new apps.

The need in such system have appeared in 2005 - 2006, it was important to make the mechanism of banners very reliable and global for the OS.

Testing: Download -> Reminder applications is aimed to test the mechanism.

Three questions to users:

• What applications could use the banners? (other people suggested)
• What animations to implement?
• Is it necessary include the banners to eComStation today or delay to 2015?

For developers: inform us what applications do you plan to equip with the notifications

eCo Labs - interesting tasks for august

2012-08-05 02:13:18 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Do you feel non-comfortable? You need small victorius war. (More ideas from eCo Labs)

Inside OS/2 kernel

2012-07-25 02:37:36 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Sergey Posokhov is describing the details of OS/2 during the last 10 years. He is collecting info about API calls, sub-systems. Moreover, he is interpreting the features of OS/2 and commenting what is good and bad.

Download OS/2 Book (russian language, you can read the book from russian eCS only)

Status of USB drivers development

2012-07-21 21:35:24 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Lars Erdmann tells what is the status of USB drivers development. Status of USB drivers development (2012/summer)

You can join the project and debug auxiliary drivers. Or collect examples how to program USB for developers of control applications.

Moreover, it's time to discuss future of USB in eComStation.