There are a couple of thousand eCS users... the installer works fine. btw, you seem to have some sort of anal fixation.
Now.. to help you with the math, if IBM charges $180 for Warp 4 and $215 for SWC.. it costs $395 to get there with IBM.. and $329 SRP with eCS...
Now.. if someone is clever enough to buy Warp 4 on eBay and they get eCS Entry 1.1 for $79.. they would be saving a great deal over the IBM SWC price of $215.
Of course, the user can buy Warp 4 on eBay for $50 and go with a free fixpack. The product is unsupported and there is no legal accsess to fixes or drivers. From your tone, I doubt that license or legal access are issues for you.
And.. after all that, the user winds up with an unsupported OS.. while the eCS user has a supported OS, access to drivers and fixes, and a passle of software applications, a responsive vendor.. counts for something, and a product with a future.
But the $50 is well spent because it qualifies the person for the lower priced eCS upgrade from Warp 4 products.
So, we will keep packaging eCS in ways that meet the requirements of users. And they continue to buy.
No doubt someone is clueless. Isn't me. Isn't the person who gave eCS 7.8... isn't the happy group of eCS users.
It would seem to be.... you. You seem bitter and disappointed. I think you should try to relax. Something like eCS shouldn't upset you, so. You should try to get over it. Perhaps volunteer with Meals on Wheels or something like that.
Gee... why would you make so many incorrect statements? eCS includes support from IBM, including the ability to submit defect reports.
You don't apply IBM Fixpacks directly because eCS builds the desktop differently. Therefore, Serenity Systems supplies its own fixpack which includes the IBM fixpack.. fixes for OS/2 and eCS specific fixes. At no charge.. no need for a subscription, as with IBM.
eCS installer has been well received. Problem reports generally occur with the network install and selective install.. which are parts of the IBM installer. And the IBM installer is still available. Users can install from CD2 and that will engage the IBM installer and create the "OS/2 classic" desktop. Using the CD1 install creates the updated desktop, or use CD2 and the convert.exe program.
Finally, it costs less than IBM. eCS uses OS/2 4.51... which means a user would have to get Warp 4 and SWC. Warp 4 (upgrade) on IBM's site is around $180.. new user is around $250... then add $200 or so for Software Choice. You are going to be up around $400.. and all you get is OS/2 4.51.
Next year.. things get dramatically better for eCS pricing as the eCS Entry will provide OS/2 4.52 for SRP $79.. and even eCS Upgrade Protection, adding $89, only brings the cost to $168... well below the SWC price of $200... and new users would pay $199 and $89 for eCS compared to $250 and $200.
And... eCS users get more software, including HOBLink X/11 Server which sells for about $200.. IBM's Desktop on Call...
Feel free to criticize eCS.. but get it right. Valid criticism helps us improve the product.
First.. I appreciate the support.. but I want to make sure folks understand that Serenity Systems has an IBM OEM agreement, which means the product is supported by IBM (at least, the OS/2 components are). So, the IBM OS/2 defect support is completely engaged.
The point is not being "diskless".. and it isn't a configuration for every user. But the key is the ability to manage and deploy software, and to create a reliable and available workstation. See http://www.os2ezine.com/v4n7/thinisin.htm
The point is not the cost of a disk. And this is not really "diskless".. this is more like a PC which doesn't realize that its hard disk is not local. And that's the point. It works like and feels like a PC. Just a lot more reliable and less expensive to manage.
Well, for one thing.. as a Warp 4 user you would qualify for the promotional price of $139. The other thing is... there is a lot more than OS/2 packed into eComStation.
>gotta hurry to pay $400 for an OS which only >a bunch of old browsers and office suites (har har).
And Har dee har harrrrr since several new browsers are being released for OS/2-eCS this year and the product comes with Smart Suite 1.6 for OS/2, which was also released this year.
But... by calling it an OS... I think you are demonstrating the challenge associated with eComStation (eCS), it is much more than an OS. More like an environment which comes with its own OS platform embedded into it.
With that in mind, you should hurry and get the $400 down (I'm assuming you are getting the SMP feature to get the price up to $400). It has a great deal of value associated with it.
How about a good print subsystem. An awesome object oriented user interface. Incredible networking support, and humor aside, excellent device support and business applications.
The thing about it is... it could be a year or two before people figure it out.. but this is not being packaged and sold as an "OS". It is more. But it will take folks time to figure out, throw it around, hold it up to the light, jiggle it, find the value and teach (us) vendors what it should really be used to do.
Until then it is simply a world class operating systems, coming with a couple of world class office suites, some incredible remote control software, and a new way to execute software deployment.
It could be fun for anyone.. but it will knock the socks of anyone who has to support normal business desktop users.
If you believe this is a simple repackaging... either we failed or you haven't done any research of what eComStation is.. the concept of mobile managed clients, the WiseMachine component. For more info see http://www.serenity-systems.com/ecs/ecs-main.html
Nobody needed to go through this effort to repackage. There are good, new things to be had,
http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/opinions/32 52/1/
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
It will be marketed beyond the current OS/2 user base. But the initial market, the "early adopters" are certainly expected to be OS/2 users.
eComStation itself is part of a larger set of managed clients, to include support for Windows and Linux, which are likely to be available in first quarter 2001.
However, even the managed client with the OS/2 engine will be generally marketed, though it's probably more likely to gain acceptance outside the US before it gains significant popularity inside the US.
JFS is also available in an OS/2 based workstation client from Serenity Systems called eComStation. See http://www.ecomstation.com or http://ecomstation.mensys.nl
This workstation software not only includes JFS, IBM Desktop on Call (remote control software), Star Office and Lotus Smart Suite.. but the same SMP which is in Warp Server for e-business is also available as an option.
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There are a couple of thousand eCS users... the installer works fine. btw, you seem to have some sort of anal fixation.
.. to help you with the math, if IBM charges $180 for Warp 4 and $215 for SWC .. it costs $395 to get there with IBM .. and $329 SRP with eCS ...
.. if someone is clever enough to buy Warp 4 on eBay and they get eCS Entry 1.1 for $79 .. they would be saving a great deal over the IBM SWC price of $215.
.. after all that, the user winds up with an unsupported OS .. while the eCS user has a supported OS, access to drivers and fixes, and a passle of software applications, a responsive vendor .. counts for something, and a product with a future.
... isn't the happy group of eCS users.
.... you. You seem bitter and disappointed. I think you should try to relax. Something like eCS shouldn't upset you, so. You should try to get over it. Perhaps volunteer with Meals on Wheels or something like that.
Now
Now
Of course, the user can buy Warp 4 on eBay for $50 and go with a free fixpack. The product is unsupported and there is no legal accsess to fixes or drivers. From your tone, I doubt that license or legal access are issues for you.
And
But the $50 is well spent because it qualifies the person for the lower priced eCS upgrade from Warp 4 products.
So, we will keep packaging eCS in ways that meet the requirements of users. And they continue to buy.
No doubt someone is clueless. Isn't me. Isn't the person who gave eCS 7.8
It would seem to be
Might make you feel better about yourself.
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
Gee ... why would you make so many incorrect statements? eCS includes support from IBM, including the ability to submit defect reports.
.. fixes for OS/2 and eCS specific fixes. At no charge .. no need for a subscription, as with IBM.
.. which are parts of the IBM installer. And the IBM installer is still available. Users can install from CD2 and that will engage the IBM installer and create the "OS/2 classic" desktop. Using the CD1 install creates the updated desktop, or use CD2 and the convert.exe program.
... which means a user would have to get Warp 4 and SWC. Warp 4 (upgrade) on IBM's site is around $180 .. new user is around $250 ... then add $200 or so for Software Choice. You are going to be up around $400 .. and all you get is OS/2 4.51.
.. things get dramatically better for eCS pricing as the eCS Entry will provide OS/2 4.52 for SRP $79 .. and even eCS Upgrade Protection, adding $89, only brings the cost to $168 ... well below the SWC price of $200 ... and new users would pay $199 and $89 for eCS compared to $250 and $200.
... eCS users get more software, including HOBLink X/11 Server which sells for about $200 .. IBM's Desktop on Call ...
.. but get it right. Valid criticism helps us improve the product.
You don't apply IBM Fixpacks directly because eCS builds the desktop differently. Therefore, Serenity Systems supplies its own fixpack which includes the IBM fixpack
eCS installer has been well received. Problem reports generally occur with the network install and selective install
Finally, it costs less than IBM. eCS uses OS/2 4.51
Next year
And
Feel free to criticize eCS
Shoddy remarks like this are just FUD.
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
First .. I appreciate the support .. but I want to make sure folks understand that Serenity Systems has an IBM OEM agreement, which means the product is supported by IBM (at least, the OS/2 components are). So, the IBM OS/2 defect support is completely engaged.
The point is not being "diskless" .. and it isn't a configuration for every user. But the key is the ability to manage and deploy software, and to create a reliable and available workstation. See http://www.os2ezine.com/v4n7/thinisin.htm
.. this is more like a PC which doesn't realize that its hard disk is not local. And that's the point. It works like and feels like a PC. Just a lot more reliable and less expensive to manage.
The point is not the cost of a disk. And this is not really "diskless"
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
Regards.
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
>a bunch of old browsers and office suites (har har).
And Har dee har harrrrr since several new browsers are being released for OS/2-eCS this year and the product comes with Smart Suite 1.6 for OS/2, which was also released this year.
But ... by calling it an OS ... I think you are demonstrating the challenge associated with eComStation (eCS), it is much more than an OS. More like an environment which comes with its own OS platform embedded into it.
With that in mind, you should hurry and get the $400 down (I'm assuming you are getting the SMP feature to get the price up to $400). It has a great deal of value associated with it.
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
The thing about it is ... it could be a year or two before people figure it out .. but this is not being packaged and sold as an "OS". It is more. But it will take folks time to figure out, throw it around, hold it up to the light, jiggle it, find the value and teach (us) vendors what it should really be used to do.
Until then it is simply a world class operating systems, coming with a couple of world class office suites, some incredible remote control software, and a new way to execute software deployment.
It could be fun for anyone .. but it will knock the socks of anyone who has to support normal business desktop users.
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
If you believe this is a simple repackaging ... either we failed or you haven't done any research of what eComStation is .. the concept of mobile managed clients, the WiseMachine component. For more info see http://www.serenity-systems.com/ecs/ecs-main.html
Nobody needed to go through this effort to repackage. There are good, new things to be had,
http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/opinions/32 52/1/
Regards,
Bob St.John
Serenity Systems
eComStation itself is part of a larger set of managed clients, to include support for Windows and Linux, which are likely to be available in first quarter 2001.
However, even the managed client with the OS/2 engine will be generally marketed, though it's probably more likely to gain acceptance outside the US before it gains significant popularity inside the US.
Regards,
Bob St.John
This workstation software not only includes JFS, IBM Desktop on Call (remote control software), Star Office and Lotus Smart Suite .. but the same SMP which is in Warp Server for e-business is also available as an option.
Not too shabby.
Regards,
Bob St.John