Productivity

Virtual PC

I have been using Virutal PC for OS/2 for a while now and it works pretty good. I've installed several Operating Systems with it and compared their performance. Check out the results by clicking here.

Lotus Smart Suite

Works ok, but even the latest version is no match to good old Star Office 5.1.

I have created an Approach application to store the hardware entries I receive. I discovered though that Lotus Script SQL will only list records in the order they were entered, not matter what "where" or "order by" clause used. Oh well.

Star Office 5.1

Still the best functionality and in a smart all-in-one appliation.  I've tried its replacement Open Office, but I prefer the all-in-one approach.

IBM Works

I could get this installed in 1.2.  An oldie but goodie.

Programming & Web

NVU

The next generation Mozilla html editor.

You can find out about NVU and get the version for eComStation and OS/2 at http://weilbacher.org/Mozilla/builds.html

In order to be able to use the editor with Mozilla or Firefox, you will need to create a REXX Script like this:

@ECHO OFF
set LIBPATHSTRICT=T
set BEGINLIBPATH=E:\PROGRAMS\nvu\
E:\PROGRAMS\nvu\nvu.exe
SET LIBPATHSTRICT=F
@EXIT

You will need to set your paths.

Simplicity for Java

Simplicity for Java is a Java application that writes Java Code. I read about this from OS/2 eZine, and decided to try it out. I did end up buying it. The have versions for all Operating Systems, including eComstation/OS2.

While I haven't had time yet to write an application with Simplicity, I would like to write a programming editor that has code template libraries using simplicity.

You can find out about Simplicity at http://www.datarepresentations.com

VX Rexx

I do like it. I don't think it has been updated since 1995, but I did buy a copy.

Web Writer/2

A very nice editor. I do use it a great deal of the time. Don't do a paste with CTRL-C though. (Link to follow)

Star Office HTML

This is the easiest way to create the look and feel of a web page. No other tool I have used (such as Cold Fusion Studio and MS InterDev) leaves the html where I put it. Now, if one only needed basic html and never needed to add "logic" to it, then who cares what it looks like.

But, If you need to add logic to stuff like Cold Fusion or ASP, then it's nice to have everything all indented.

Enhanced Editor

The Enhanced Editor that comes with ECS has actually some of the most undocumented and advanced features of just about any other editor.

I plan to do some digging to uncover some of the useful things hidden within. So far I have found some stuff from one of the OS/2 Download sites called CustEMP. This is something that uses EPM REXX macros and adds stuff to the menubar. There are a few Macro files which include HTML tags and some other stuff I've never heard of. Other sorts of tags could be created and perhaps when I get some time I can create some macros for Cold Fusion tags, ASP scripting, Java Script, and maybe a few others (I'll get the definitions from TextPad Clip Libraries.

I am also going to create a sort of "Code Clip Library" by creating a directory tree with various code templates that I drag 'n drop into the Enhanced Editor. Once completed, I'll zip it up for downloading.

I found on Hobbes the EPM Spell checker plug-in. The instructions say to place the dictionary somewhere, but you must place the OS2\APPS directory.

Text Pad

Textpad is the ultimate programmers editor. Version 3 runs in WinECS, but I am trying to get Version 4 to run with Odin. Since I am a programmer, and I have to use Windows at work, I did spend $25 registration fee and downloaded every clip library they had, well over 50.

Got version 4.7 to work with ODIN emulator, or at least 90% of it.

Check out Text Pad at: http://www.textpad.com

Enhanced EE Editor

Its ok, but it compares itself to the Enhanced Editor in Warp 3. The newest version has some nice features, but I think enhancement efforts should allow the user to be more productive. An animated toolbar to me is a waste of effort.

MultiMedia

CD Magic

Manage Music Cds. See softeare archives at http://www.ecomstation.com

WarpAmp

WarpAMP is a PM based MPEG layer 2 & 3 audio decoder and player for OS/2.    

WinAmp

The latest WinAmp works well using ODIN, but the Radio and TV portions do not work because they seem to use part of Windows Media Player.

Desktop Add-ons

Styler/2

A must have. Available at Alessandro Cantatore's Website.

SysTray

Create a Windows like bar thingy with a sort of start button. This I only use for my wife to check her Yahoo Mail if the computer is Booted into eCS.

Software Downloads

Hobbes Archive

World's largest collection of OS/2 shareware and freeware.

Link Everything Online (LEO)

OS/2 portion of this massive database in Germany. Hard-to-find programs can often be found here first.

eCStacy

One of the BEST sites for OS/2 I have ever been to. Formerly the Not Very Nice page. Lots of select downlloads.

The OS2 Files

Smallish archive that contains a number of important, and often not easily found, drivers.

OS2 BBS

Norloff Computers OS2 BBS.