Subject: OS/2 Warp Beta - Codename: Merlin Available for Testing in June *------------------------------------------------------------------------ OS/2 Warp Beta - Codename: Merlin Available for Testing in June Today IBM* is making available the OS/2 Warp Beta - Codename: Merlin, the next version of OS/2 Warp. Due to a limited number of copies of the beta, partcipation in the beta will be determined by a pre-qualification process. This will allow us to assure the right mix of hardware and function testing. This beta contains the following new features and functions: Voice Navigation and Dictation Internet-Aware Desktop 256-color Exploitation More System Fonts File and Print Services Client PCOM Lite Support for JAVA(tm) Applications TrueType Engine OpenDoc(tm) Developer API Extensions OpenGL DPMI 1.0 Subset Plug-and-Play (PnP) Support Warm Plug/Warm Docking Infra-red (IR) Support Graphics Device Driver Model (GRADD) Device Driver Pak (DDPak) Display Data Channel (DDC) Support Realtime Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) Security Enabling Services (SES) System Dump Formatter System Anchor Block First Failure Support Technology (FFST) Probes DMI Interface TME NetFinity Software Registration (ART) XPG4/ULS Support BonusPak Changes Remote Support for OS/2 Retrieve Software Updates IBM Works HyperACCESS Lite CompuServe Information Manager FaxWorks AskPSP The following features and functions have been updated: Integrated Install Controls and Visuals User Interface Redesign System Tutorials Update Help System Updates Migration Database Async Read-Ahead High Performance File System Network Transports Netware Client 2.11+ for OS/2 TCP/IP WebExplorer Remote Access Client Mobile Office Services Win32s 1.25a Support SOM/DSOM Device Driver Updates PCMCIA Enhancements Advanced Power Management 1.1 Enhanced IDE Support Printer Support Multimedia Support Dive Enhancements EXPECTATIONS Our goal is to provide a more responsive OS/2 that is simpler and more intuitive to use, and provides easy connectivity. We are interested in all your feedback and particularly in these areas: - Ease of use - changes to the Workplace Shell interface - Voice Navigation and Dictation - Ease of connecting to whatever environment you wish *********************************************************************** Hardware Requirements For the Merlin Beta A 350MB partition will allow you to install the beta as simply as possible. With Voice Navigation and Dictation: -Intel Pentium 100MHz or higher processor -32MB of RAM (48MB recommended) -hard disk with at least 225MB disk space (user selectable) -640x480 resolution display with 256 colors -IBM compatible mouse is required -diskette drive A and CDROM driver -14.4K or higher modem or network connection for Internet access -Sound card for multimedia or speech -High quality microphone for speech (requires Active Noise Cancellation feature, ANC, for optimal performance.) Without Voice Navigation and Dictation: -Intel 486 DX 33MHz or higher processor -16MB of RAM -hard disk with at least 185MB disk space (user selectable) -640x480 resolution display with 256 colors -IBM compatible mouse is required -diskette drive A and CDROM driver -14.4K or higher modem or network connection for Internet access -Sound card for multimedia ************************************************************************ SUBMITTING A PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUEST FOR THE OS/2 WARP BETA - CODENAME: MERLIN You may submit a pre-qualification request for this beta by completing the form on our Beta Pre-Qualification Page (http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/betahome.html) and submitting it to us. DOWNLOADING THE OS/2 WARP BETA - CODENAME: MERLIN Due to the large size of the this package, electronic delivery of the the beta will NOT be provided. BETA FEEDBACK Reporting of defects for this beta will be done by submitting the details of the problem to the e-mail address, bgreport@vnet.ibm.com. The BGReport tool is provided on the Web Page (http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/betaprob.htm) to make this process easier. Optionally, the required information can be sent to the following fax number, 1-512-838-4003, or sent to us via the anonymous FTP site below: Host: btig.bocaraton.ibm.com (IP Address: 198.97.66.130) Userid : anonymous Password: Your e-mail address Subdirectory to place the BGReport file: btig.incoming (issue the FTP Command "cd btig/incoming"). Peer to peer discussion of the beta is provided through the PSPBETA FORUM on CompuServe***, and through the IBM electronic bulletin board system OS2BBS in a forum called OS2BETA. These fora are for discussion only and no committment is made by IBM to acknowledge or respond to every item posted: defect reports will not be accepted through the fora. Outside the US, see the IBM contact through which you obtained the beta. NON-US: ORDERING THE OS/2 WARP BETA - CODENAME: MERLIN IN EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA (E/ME/A) If you are located in EMEA and are interested in Beta software you have the option of subscribing to the EMEA Beta program. Just call one of below numbers and ask for a beta subscription - it will cost you 100 USD in local currency (paid by credit card or bank note) and you will get 5 beta releases. You may choose to buy the beta CD's one at the time and the cost will in that case be 25 USD in local currency. English ( +45-48101500 ) Italian ( +45-48101600 ) Dutch ( +45-48101400 ) Spanish ( +45-48101100 ) French ( +45-48101200 ) Danish ( +45-48101300 ) German ( +45-48101000 ) Fascimile ( +45-48142207 ) The EMEA beta program has supplied titles like, OS/2 Warp 3.0, OS/2 Warp Server, Communication Server for OS/2, VisualAge C++ NT and we plan to supply Lotus application programs like Ami Pro and Freelance Grapichs as well as future releases of IBM software. * IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation ** Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation *** CompuServe is a trademark of CompuServe Incorporated ***** Intel 386 and Pentium are trademarks of the Intel Corporation