Firefox 10 / SeaMonkey 2.7 for eComStation

2012-02-05 00:10:52 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [os2world.com]

New version of web-browser is released:

• seamonkey-2.7.en-US.os2.zip
• firefox-10.0.en-US.os2.zip

BilliardGL game (OpenGL) for eComStation

2012-01-31 15:38:59 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

osewick writes: billiardGL demonstrates that simple 3d applications works fine on Core2Duo CPU without hardware acceleration.

If the applications from Linux/Windows uses glut library then it's easy port it to eComStation.

More about BilliardGL

How to upgrade eComStation?

2012-01-31 13:53:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Are you going migrate from eCS 1.0 to eCS 2.1? Seems that the users are lazy to migrate the operating system. There are some factors which influence on this.

We are working on the Migration Instructions. You can help us today. Let's collect information about applications, where the apps keep the settings and user's data?

Poll: What is the height of RPM barrier?

2012-01-28 03:31:41 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

New poll on ecomstation.ru site: What is the height of RPM barrier? The goal of the poll - investigate the attitude of the users to RPM installer for eComStation.

(Don't forget input anti-spam 6-digits CODE: below the list of answers on the page of voting)

Large runtimes were packed to RPM format (Odin, Qt4 runtime).

The development of this runtimes/libraries required huge financial resources.

Some users report that it's not easy to install programs packed to RPM. (the user must download RPM stuff, learn RPM, contact the maintainers of RPM to complete the installation, os2world.com forum). As result less users can install new versions of the runtimes. The resources were spent, but not all users can test the results.

Previous versions of the runtimes were packed to WarpIn and installation was easy and fast.

Seems that RPM is a barrier for the users.

Attention! We are going publish all comments (All emails will be hidden).

What is the height of RPM barrier?

• it's not a barrier
• 1 cm, 5 cm, I can jump over
• 1 meter, 2 meters, I can use a ladder
• 5 meters, I can't overcome the barrier, please pack to WarpIn format

More than 200 Qt4 apps were ported to eComStation

2012-01-26 23:13:36 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Homepage of Qt4 apps

What is Qt4? (visit wikipedia.org). The apps based on Qt4 and created by developer living in Windows / MacOSX, can be compiled for eComStation.

Yes, large amount of work was done but there are some barriers:

• Some problems with libc library
• There is no .wpi ditribution pack of Qt4-runtime
• How to use Qt4-apps site? a) Find the links to groups: QT4 Application, QT4 Development, QT4 Games, QT4 Graphic, .. b) click the link, c) look at "Web site" column - it contains the link to homepage of the application, d) visit the site and read about the features, look at the screenshots

We expect that after fixing this troubles more users to start testing Qt4-apps and write reviews about "new" graphical apps (For example, digests containing reviews of 5 apps).

Multimedia Center - One of the methods to conquest the market

2012-01-25 18:13:58 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The creation of Multimedia-Center (MC) for eComStation may give some results:

• The multimedia applications get new impulse for development
• New control elements, developed for multimedia-center, will be used to create new solutions (POS, ..)

Multimedia Center for eComStation

Some questions to users:

• Do you have interest in such product?
• What players to use in MC? audio, video, TV, photo-slideshow
• What functionality do you need
• Can you participate in the development? update multimedia apps, implement support for USB remote controls, etc

Migration to new version of ACPI

2012-01-04 00:54:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

ACPI - is the locomotive of eComStation: it initializes the computer, executes some functions of system kernel, allows to manage the devices of computer.

New version of the driver surpasses old versions: eCS automatically boots in SMP mode, you get working sound and network without headache (there were troubles with previous versions). Debug code is removed, critical bugs are fixed.

We have collected the 1-st reports about testing of new version here: http://ecomstation.ru/projects/acpitools/?action=hardware (successful reports are marked with green color). Known issues with ACPI 3.19.14: a) don't de-install the driver, this may cause remove of some drivers. If system doesn't boot then try switches. If all attempts failed then remout the driver in CONFIG.SYS. Send the report to bug-tracker, Read more about ACPI 3.19.14

eCo Software recommends migrate to new ACPI version.

Kem Cheung (Serenity Systems) ordered the development of ACPI driver from eCo Software in 2002. We started the research of the topic, the development started in 2005, the latest version 3.14 was released in the end of 2008. New developer David Azarewicz (USA) started work in 2011. The code is improved, the driver follows the standard now.

Investing into eCo Software

2011-12-29 22:23:49 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software is a standalone company working on eComStation market since the end of 90-th. We survived many other commercial companies and groups of free/open-source software development.

It's not easy to work on eComStation market, part of our projects are frozen, other are moving on slow speed. Our budget deficit is around 20 000 EURO per year (it means, we manufacture the products&services and spend resources but don't compensate this expenses).

OK, let's play the game one more year, you can invest into our current projects: http://ecomstation.ru/investor
Don't lazy to ask about details. Post any suggestions.

PDF printer for eComStation

2011-12-24 20:11:04 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Market changed eComStation significantly:

• it's easy to find popular apps now
• more applications are re-packed to WarpIn format
• it's easy to equip newly installed system with must-have apps

New useful packages:

• PDF Printer -- get PDF documents from any application with print support
• cd2mp3 -- Grab tracks from Audio CD to MP3 files
• [your suggestion?]

eComStation, december results

2011-12-24 13:54:16 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

Mensys company published the results of december, eComStation Newsletter.

In short:

• Release of Firefox 8.0.1, Seamonkey 2.5 and Thunderbird 8.0.
• eComStation twitter
• global changes in Odin
• Flash plugin
• Samba update
• Work on OpenOffice.org 3.4.0
• ACPI driver release is coming
• Recommendations to use PM Backup Suite
• Merry Christmas and a happy 2012!!

DFSee 11 - formatted drive

2011-12-24 12:36:21 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [eCo Shop]

DFSee 11 is able to recover data from formatted JFS drive (after FAST format). Check Whatsnew document.

Backup utilities + Orange hard drive

2011-12-21 13:33:01 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software offers profitable offering for local users: PM Backup Suite + Orange external USB hard drive.

The utilities for everyweek backup: PM Backup Suite:

What is the value of eComStation Subscription in 2011

2011-12-10 19:49:47 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

answering to comments in Subscription to active users

[**] - not available for user, internal testing

A) One of significant updates in 2011 - release of new eComStation 2.1

What updates were released in 2011?

• B) ACPI driver was improved. New stage of development was started in the beginning of the summer. The previous stable version was released in the end of 2008. New version of ACPI driver was improved in 3 monthes! It follows the standard now. Changes are significant: all main problems are eradicated: it boots on all computers, doesn't require command line switches. The support of embedded-controller is fixed [**]
• C) USB drivers - are updated during 2011. USB 1.1, USB 2.0. Download.
• D) SNAP unviersal video driver is re-compiled: IDs of supported adapters are added. [**]

This open-source projects get support from eComStation (Software Subscription budget)

• E) Firefox web-browser - 4.0 .. 8.0 versions were released
• F) XWorkPlace - Split-view view is debugged in new version [**]
• G) Ethernet-drivers were released: Realtek, Intel, ..
• H) Java VM virtual machine to run industrial software
• I) The debugging of Flash 10, Odin continues

What is the conclusion? When the users are investing more into eCS subscription - more drivers are released.

Christmas discounts..

2011-12-09 16:44:01 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The season of discounts for eComStation is going to the end.

• discounts if you buy DVD/CD Toys + PM Backup Suite
• NDCrypt plugin + NetDrive

read more

What do we recommend for users

• DFSee (you can buy version 11 today)
• Moneydance (Java) -- This is a Java personal finance application, announcement homepage 1 homepage 2
• WDDBaseViewer = EUR 5,00 homepage -- Wolfgang Draxlers DBase Viewer is a program to show the content of DBase III and DBase IV database files.
• What is CSSDIR?!

Drawing new icons for eComStation

2011-12-03 22:06:19 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

To update external view of eComStation it's necessary draw many new icons. Table: System icons

The draw one icon the designers should spend (construction, discussion and drawing) 50 .. 100 hours (during 3 monthes). Table: Icons for eCo Market. It's clear that several designers should work on eComStation artwork..

Past:

Current:

For example, it's necessary update Lotus SmartSuite icons: old IBM icons.

Francisco Garcia (Venezuela) offers own design: Lotus SmartSuite: Francisco Garcia

eCo Market - more than 200 apps

2011-12-02 14:52:07 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Market is a catalogue of popular apps for eComStation / IBM OS/2 Warp. Moreover it contains different fixes (and unofficial fixpak), system kernels packed to .wpi.

Screenshots of eCo Market here

New applications:

• Genmac wrapper network driver - for Thinkpad users with Atheros WiFi adapters (eCS doesn't include this driver).
• NEW Firefox, Seamonkey, Thunderbird packed to .wpi
• Communications: PMFax ready for use

Help us load the catalogue with apps:

• Multimedia converters
• Productivity tools
• What small native Games do you recommend?
• we are seaching for Qt runtime packed to .wpi

For developers: we recommend develop cheap applications for eCS, eCo Market is ready to distribute this products.

How to support eCo Market? Order shareware apps via eCo Market.