As of this writing, over 1,100 people have signed the petition including yours truly (who was #168 on the list). As noble as our intentions are, I'm afraid we are flogging a dead horse. We actually argued this case a few years ago in an editorial of mine. It was quickly pointed out to me that even if IBM wanted to go "open source" (which I do not believe they even want to do) they probably cannot due to their contractual agreement with Microsoft when they were first developing the product. And I think it is rather unlikely Microsoft would give their okay to release a product that could potentially run Windows off the street. Regardless, the petition represents a strong endorsement of the product and, who knows, IBM might even surprise us someday. If you get a chance, go and sign the petition.

What I find more interesting is "Virtual PC" recently announced by InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH, developers of the Macromedia Flash Player for OS/2 which we are more familiar with. Virtual PC is being developed in conjunction with Connectix Corporation and is intended to provide users with the ability to execute additional operating systems under OS/2, including Linux and Windows 95/98/NT/2000. On the surface, it appears to be the type of product OS/2 users have been badgering IBM for ever since OS/2 Warp 4 was released; namely Win32 support. No, you will not be able to execute a specific Windows application from the OS/2 desktop, but its the next best thing.

InnoTek is planning to release a preview edition of the product at Warpstock Europe in Belgium on November 2nd-4th, and a general release is planned for early in the first quarter of 2002. Although there is not a lot of documentation available as of yet, Virtual PC, shows great promise. If you would like to review InnoTek's flyer on the product, click HERE to download a PDF file which, of course, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (click HERE to obtain a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 for OS/2 Warp; available in different languages). Click HERE for the Connectix press release.

From what I understand, Virtual PC is not simply a derivation of Project Odin, the independent project to provide Win32 support to OS/2, but rather a major development by Connectix and InnoTek allowing either standalone or networked OS/2 users to access different operating systems. The product is actually not new; Connectix has offered Windows and MacOS versions of Virtual PC for some time now. However, developing an OS/2 version is a bit of a coup for InnoTek and breathes some life back into OS/2.

Virtual PC raises some interesting technical questions for executing multiple operating systems at the same time, such as the use of a common clipboard. According to InnoTek's Achim Hasenmueller, "A common clipboard will be supported. The clipboards remain separate but using special commands you can transfer them in both directions. I do not know if we will be able to have this in the first version. If not, we will supply an electronic update ASAP."

It also appears that there will not be any Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) integration between operating systems (not that DDE is popular anymore, but it would have been nice). Maybe they will include it in a later release.

Pricing for the product has not been formally announced yet, but expect it to be around $200 (US) which would be similar to the Windows and MacOS versions. The preview edition might be a little less expensive.

I wish I could attend Warpstock Europe to see the rollout of Virtual PC for OS/2. It should be most enlightening.

Keep the Faith!