Keeping the OS/2 Flame Alive

nanday writes "Ever wondered what happened to OS/2? With IBM officially abandoning the operating system last year, users are relying on a third party version of OS/2 -- and, increasingly, using free and open source software to keep it alive." From the article: "According to Haverblad, the main reason that users stay with OS/2 is for 'features that Windows and Linux don't have yet.' He singles out the REstructured eXtended eXecutor (REXX), an interpreted programming language known for its ease of use, a 'rock solid kernel,' 'excellent multitasking,' and low system requirements. Haverblad also claims a lack of viruses and spyware and, referencing a report on OS/2 Warp Server by Secunia, fewer security vulnerabilities." Newsforge is also an OSTG site.

Comments

OS/2

[certel]

I would still be using OS/2 if it was receiving regular updates for new hardware. I feel that if IBM was to relook at the OS, they may gain some market share because users are now more educated as to the workings of a computer.

Security Problems...

[Manip]

Considering the timeframe OS/2 was developed in, and its complexity excuse me if I don't believe it is secure. Most of the software from that timeframe has been shown to have a LOT of security problems, primarily because the training, and tools to discover holes didn't exist at the time.

Plus a complete OS that is secure? ... I don't think so... Linux, and BSD, in their lifetimes have had lots of security problems, particularly as they have grown in popularity.

If OS/2 was released OpenSource tomorrow and got popular you'd have it with the MOST security venerabilities by years end I guarantee it.

The ONLY reason OS/2 /appears/ to be secure is because it isn't worth any one's time trying to crack it.

Re:Security Problems...

[SatanicPuppy]

Barring a few stupid corporations (*cough* Diebold *cough*), most ATMs accept extremely limited input, and have a very narrow range of possible actions they can take with that input, so there really isn't much to gain by hacking an ATM, and no real way to do it, because it's not really set up for that, and isn't running other, exploitable, services.

Now, those Diebold machines that run Windows, on the other hand...I've seen screenshots of those things after a bluescreen, with the browser up, and the media player going. I'd bet there was a way to get them to spit out their complete internal cash supply. That's a good 250k, if it's full. Can you insert a buffer overflow on the back of an ATM card?

REXX

[Shag]

I used to code in REXX in 1989.

It was pretty handy for scripting, useful as "glue" between different things and all that.

By 1989 standards, mind you.

I think modern things (like AppleScript/Automator) can probably do everything REXX could ever do, and more, while being more readable to us humans.

Re:A worthy attempt but...

[kwandar]

I tend to agree. I had/have OS/2 v4 and maybe I'll get around to adding it to Grub, but its really a legacy system at this point. What I would like to see, is for OS/2 to be open sourced. I'm sure IBM wouldn't care, but I suspect there may be some legacy MS component lurking in the background, as it was orignally a joint MS/IBM venture. Who knows - an open sourcing of API's could help. Even MS might benefit if they really thought about it, as its old technology and, as they view open source as a competitor, better that open source spend time on the old, rather than the new.

Claiming lack of virii due to quality of OS

[TheSkepticalOptimist]

Could we stop chauking up the lack of virii to the quality of the OS?

I mean, honestly, no OS/2 virii? Is there any reason to target the 10 people out there still running OS/2 Warp with a virus?

While I will agree that good OS design will prevent the kind of zombie take over of a machine that allow viruses to propogate and activate without user intervention, I don't believe for a second that ANY OS is virus proof.

Virii are weapons of mass desctruction, that is, they want to have the greatest number of targets. An OS/2 virus, even if it had a 100% infection rate, would not make the news rounds, and might get a quick blurb on Slashdot. Virus writers are not going to waste time exploiting OS/2.

We have seen a virus launched against OSX recently, probably due to the higher profile Apple has been getting recently with their new Macintel machines. Before this, people assumed OSX was virus proof, but its just that it wouldn't make an impact to write an OSX virus unless the writer can claim some fame by having it affect the greatest number of people and be talked about in the news.

Also, when it comes to OS/2 having lower system requirements, it WAS written for computers designed about 15 years ago. I doubt OS/2 Warp server would be able to run or peform well with the typical client load that most servers today have to contend with. Email spam filtering alone can bring a modern server to its knees, I doubt OS/2 Warp Server would be able to function properly with 256mb of RAM, 10 gb hard drive space running on a Pentium class CPU even handling the email load a typical small business puts on today's servers.

Anyways, I don't believe that OS/2 has any better ability to fight off virii then any other OS, just that its been forgotten about except by those too cheap to upgrade to a new computer and OS.

What OS/2 and AmigaOS taught me

[Sloppy]

It doesn't matter how awesome it is. If it isn't free, then PHBs control its destiny, and the users are probably doomed to suffer from lack of maintenance. And no matter how much they want it, no matter how much they love it, no matter how loudly they cry or scream, they are impotent.

Been there, done that. Never again. I now use software that I am 100% certain will last forever. Linux may not be as fast as Amiga OS and KDE may not be as "nifty" as WPS (although it's actually getting pretty decent), but at least I don't have to worry about the future. Even the Microsofties aren't this safe.