In conclusion, you might wonder why you would like to have OS/2 Warp 4 on your PC? In short, it is faster than WinNT, more stable than Win95, easier to use than both WinNT and Win95, it is safe proven technology, it runs practically all of your DOS and Windows 3.1 programs, including most games, and it is based on the best open (ie.: non-proprietary) standards and some not found out-of-the-box in any other Operating Systems yet (VoiceType, Java Virtual Machine, OpenDOC, OpenGL, MPEG, QuickTime and SOM). OS/2 also pre-emptively multitasks all sessions (including DOS/Win), and is also one of the best multitasker in general. It can take quite a high load without slowing down. For example, I sometimes download from the Internet, play a Music Module on my Gravis UltraSound with Ultimod, print a document from DeScribe, Xcopy files around, Format a diskette and play a game in Descent ][ using my Sound Blaster 32 and it is still as fast!

When I say, easy to use, I am talking Object Orientness. This means that all windows, browsers, navigators, icons, folders (ie.: all the objects) are all customizable and reproducible (you can have multiple copies, each for a specific task for example). They can also all be redirected using shadows (This is where Microsoft thought about ShortcutsTM, but shadows do not lose themselves if the original moves). Also, all this customization is fully consistent for all objects, so you do not have to remember which is what and where, and for which. Finally, most OS/2 softwares accept drag and drop directly from the desktop, folders or other programs. All made possible by SOM.

However, this does not mean that you have to remove your other Operating System from your PC! OS/2 has the ability to install in Dual Boot or to boot from a different partition using Boot Manager, both included in the OS/2 Warp 4 package. Yes, Boot Manager, the same program than in Partition Magic 3.0. You always wondered where it came from? Now you know.

OS/2 Warp 4 comes with a full 600 megs CD containing 80 application and game samplers. You can try them all, right out-of-the-box, and decide later which one you would like to buy.

It also comes with Lotus Notes Mail 4 Client and Server for FREE on another CD. You can use it over Intranet or Internet using Notes server or traditional POP3 and SMTP servers.

OS/2 Warp 4 CD itself comes with a FREE BonusPak containing IBM Works (A complete office in small power), FaxWorks Lite 3.00, three games (Chess, Klondike Solitaire, MahJong solitaire), HyperAccess Lite (same thing as HyperTerminal for Windows), a troubleshooting helper named AskPSP (really good), a remote support client (which allows IBM to log on your computer to see what is wrong), a Video Editor (for cameras) and CompuServer Manager. It also has WarpGuide User Interface Agent (a yellow 'dude' that initially guides you around the desktop), REXX and ObjectREXX (system wide and cross platform scripting), Multimedia, and all networking utilities you will ever need (this includes the Internet). And of course, it comes with a fully implanted VoiceType for FREE allowing to talk to your computer to both navigate and dictate (100 words/minute), and a Java Virtual Machine (allowing Java applications that can (will) run on any platform). OS/2 Warp 4 also installs on your Desktop an eye catching URL Link to get Netscape Navigator for OS/2 for FREE!

Another CD contains 250 Megs of drivers. It is very simple to use, and every known drivers are there. You can also consult the CD before installing Warp 4 since it comes with an indexer in HTML format (like this Desktop Tour). And even more, a Web Site is regularly updated with new drivers.

A few links of interest:

IBM OS/2 Warp 4 Official Page TeamOS/2 Online OS/2 Magazines: OS/2 e-Zine! OS/2 Computing! OS/2 Connect OS/2 Softwares: Indelible Blue, Inc. BMT Micro Inc. The OS/2 Supersite File Archive hobbes.nmsu.edu Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Some OS/2 Related Companies: IBM software Home Lotus Development Corporation Netscape Communications Corporation SouthSoft, Inc. PowerQuest's Homepage SofTouch Systems, Inc. Star Division Sundial Systems Stardock Systems! Maxis SPG-NET TrueSpectra Inc. Compo Software, NeoN EmTec Innovative Software Hilgraeve Keller Group: OS/2 fax software Snow Storm Software Cirrus Technology Inc. InnoVal Systems Solutions, Inc.

Have a nice day, and do not hesitate to contact us for any questions you might have.

Samuel Audet, President of Montréal's English Warp User Group
Michael A. Dietz who did the Network slideshow (blue background).

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