Updates from last month's column:

The WarpZilla team has released Bon Echo Alpha 3 as of 06/06/2006. It is the third developer milestone on the path to Firefox 2.0. Firefox has been demoed by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings. It is a stand-alone browser based on Mozilla that does not include mail, news, composer, IRC, and the other frills. An announcement last year said that there will not be any more versions of Mozilla (as produced by the Mozilla Foundation) past the 1.7.x series, so Firefox is now the Foundation's official browser. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/bonecho/alpha3/contrib/; the file name is bonecho-alpha3-os2.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. Since this is an alpha release, it is recommended for use only by developers and testers (unless you like playing with alphas). Therefore it is recommended you stick with Firefox 1.5.0.4 (see below under "This month's new listings - Applications")
3. You must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
4. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't have it already installed. The GCC runtime installer defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as the Bon Echo executable.
5. This version requires an updated version of IPLUGINW.DLL for Java support; go to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=196271.
6. Tony's notes on installing and running Firefox are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

DFSee, which has been presented by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings, is now at version 8.03 as of 07/06/2006. It is an FDISK, display, and recovery tool for disks and filesystems. It includes the ability to resize FAT and FAT32 partitions, and now has expanded JFS support (allowing filesystem check, recovery, undelete, and smart imaging). One of its newer features is a sector editor, and it also now has enhancements for removable media such as eject, discover and display removable-status in many existing displays. Go to http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/. Tony's tutorial on DFSee is at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2001/scoug012.dfseetutorial.html.

NOTES:
1. You can also use search key dfsee on Hobbes.
2. DFSee is shareware. Registration is at Mensys (http://shop.mensys.nl/catalogue/mns_DFSee.html).
3. There is a zip file version, and now a version that can be installed using WarpIN as well.

NesCafe version 0.702 has been released. This is a Java Nintendo Entertainment System emulator, which includes the source code under the GPL. Go to http://www.davieboy.net/nescafe/.
NOTE: This version is also available as a .WPI file for installation via WarpIn; go to http://www.caetano.eng.br/main/index.php?l=en&menu=software&page=os2.

WDSibyl has been updated as of 06/24/2006. This is an open-source continuation of the commercial product Sibyl, which is a Pascal / Delphi compiler. The web site is in German, but there is English documentation documentation available. Go to http://members.chello.at/webstar/wdsibyl.html.

DOSBox Front End version 3.1 has been released as of 06/15/2006. This is a GUI front-end for launching games using DOSBox. Use search key dosboxfront on Hobbes.

NOTES:
1. The author (Chris Roossien) says that this version is NOT compatible with DOSBox version 0.63 or older; you must use DOSBox version 0.65 (see the June 2006 Download!).
2. The author now has a converter to convert older DOSBox Front End CMD files to DOSBox 0.65; use search key dosboxfrontconverter on Hobbes.

The Java Image Browser Sorter is now at version 1.6.5 as of 06/14/2006. It requires Java 1.4; go to http://img-browse-sort.sourceforge.net/.

MediaPlayerConnectivity version 0.6.3 has been released as of 06/13/2006. This extension for Firefox and Seamonkey replaces video streams with a button that allows you to launch external players, such as WarpVision. Go to http://membres.lycos.fr/sethnakht/.

This month's new listings - Drivers:

IBM/Lenovo has updated the BIOS for the ThinkPad T40/T41/T42 as of 06/12/2006. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/1ruj35ud.exe.

IBM/Lenovo has updated the BIOS for the ThinkPad T43 (machine types 2668, 2669, 2678m 2679, 2686, & 2687) as of 05/24/2006. Go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/license.do?filename=mobiles/1yuj16ud.exe.

IBM has updated the LVM (Logical Volume Manager) components as of 06/13/2006. If you are a registered eComStation user, go to http://www.ecomstation.com/; after signing-in, you can download the LVM update (a self-extracting executable).

IBM has updated the JFS (Journaled File System) components as of 06/15/2006. If you are a registered eComStation user, go to http://www.ecomstation.com/; after signing-in, you can download the JFS update (a self-extracting executable).

This month's new listings - Applications:

The WarpZilla team has released Firefox version 1.5.0.4 as of 06/06/2006. This has been demoed by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings. It is a stand-alone browser based on Mozilla that does not include mail, news, composer, IRC, and the other frills. An announcement last year said that there will not be any more versions of Mozilla (as produced by the Mozilla Foundation) past the 1.7.x series, so Firefox is now the Foundation's official browser. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/1.5.0.4/contrib/; the file name is firefox-1.5.0.4.en-US.os2.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. This is primarily a bug-fix release and does not have any new functionality added.
3. You must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
4. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as the Firefox executable.
5. This version requires an updated version of IPLUGINW.DLL for Java support; go to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=196271.
6. Tony's notes on installing and running Firefox are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

The WarpZilla team has also released Thunderbird version 1.5.0.4 as of 06/06/2006. This has been demoed by Tony Butka at previous SCOUG general meetings. It is a stand-alone mail and newsgroup client based on Mozilla that does not include the browser. An announcement last year said that there will not be any more versions of Mozilla (as produced by the Mozilla Foundation) past the 1.7.x series, so Thunderbird is now the Foundation's official mail and newsgroup client. Go to ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/thunderbird/releases/1.5.0.4/contrib/; the file name is thunderbird-1.5.0.4.en-US.os2.zip. More info is at http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/.

NOTES:
1. Steve Wendt has a WarpZilla tips page at http://www.os2bbs.com/os2news/Warpzilla.html.
2. This is primarily a bug-fix release and does not have any new functionality added.
3. You must unzip the zip file yourself into a directory and then create or update a program object accordingly.
4. This version requires the GCC runtime; download that at http://download.innotek.de/gccos2/runtime/libc-0.5.1.exe (a self- extracting executable). The EMX runtime is no longer required if you don't already have it installed. The GCC runtime installer defaults to x:\OS2\DLL (where x is your OS/2 or eComStation boot drive); it may be preferable to put the runtime in the same directory as the Thunderbird executable.
5. This version requires an updated version of IPLUGINW.DLL for Java support; go to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=196271.
6. Tony's notes on installing and running Thunderbird are at http://www.scoug.com/os24u/2003/scoug310.mozilla.html.

Our treasurer, Steven Levine, has uploaded Thetaband Software's multimedia tools and drivers package to Hobbes as of 06/09/2006. It includes an MMPM2.INI checker, MPU401 driver, and NPDMSI plugin. Use search key mmpack.

From this month's "Paul Smedley has been busy" file:

• Tame/2 version 1.03f has been released as of 06/12/2006. This is a GUI front-end for SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy), which now comes as a complete scanning solution, together with SANE 1.0.17 for SCSI and USB scanners. It has a preview window, supports MMOS2 image formats and light tables, and more. Many scanners from Microtek, Epson, HP, Mustek, Umax, and more are known to be working with this package. Go to http://smedley.info/sane.html.
  NOTES:
  1. You need WarpIn to install.
  2. More info is at http://www.os2world.com/goran/tame.htm.

• ncFTP version 3.1.9 has been released as of 06/03/2006. This FTP client supports resuming uploads and downloads, tab completion, and some command-line utilities. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/ncftp.html.
  NOTE: You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.

• Curl version 7.15.4 has been released as of 06/12/2006. It is a tool for getting files using URL syntax, with SSL support. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/curl.html.
  NOTES:
  1. You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.
  2. More info is at http://curl.haxx.se/.

• Stella version 2.2 has been released as of 06/17/2006. This is a multi-platform Atari 2600 VCS emulator which allows you to play all of your favorite Atari 2600 games. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/stella.html.
  NOTES:
  1. You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.
  2. More info is at http://stella.sourceforge.net/.

• DVDAuthor version 0.6.11 has been released as of 06/24/2006. This is a tool for generating DVD video structures from given MPEG2 files. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/dvdauthor.html.
  NOTES:
  1. You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.
  2. More info is at http://dvdauthor.sourceforge.net/.

• Eggdrop version 1.6 has been released as of 06/24/2006. This is an IRC bot. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/eggdrop.html.
  NOTES:
  1. You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.
  2. More info is at http://www.eggheads.org/.

• Subversion version 1.3.2 beta 1 has been released as of 06/16/2006. It is a version control package, intended to replace CVS. Go to http://smedley.info/os2ports/.
  NOTES:
  1. You need the GCC runtime; download that at ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.1-csd1.zip.
  2. More info is at http://subversion.tigris.org/.

NewView version 2.18.1 has been released as of 06/03/2006. It is a rewrite of VIEW.EXE that comes with OS/2. It reads .INF and .HLP files. Improvements include a new user interface, remember size/position, select and copy from the window, and more. Use search key newview on Hobbes.

DVDBurn version 0.9.5.1 has been released as of 06/03/2006. This is a GUI front-end for ffmpeg, DVDAuthor, mkisofs2, and DVDDAO to transcode video files, create a DVD structure, and build and burn a DVD image. Use search key dvdburn on Hobbes.

VCDBurn version 0.9.5.1 has been released as of 06/03/2006. This is a GUI front-end for ffmpeg, VCDImager, and CDRDAO to transcode video files, and build and burn a VCD image. Use search key vcdburn on Hobbes.

Internet Application Integration version 1.0.3.0 has been released as of 06/02/2006. This allows you to specify the default Internet applications for Web, mail, news, FTP, and IRC. It can also install the Run! package and add registry entries for FT2Lib support. Go to http://7cities.net/~mckinnis/os2/.

PrefBar version 3.3.1 has been released as of 05/30/2006. It allows you to configure several Mozilla settings on-the-fly, and incorporates the features of UABar. Go to http://prefbar.mozdev.org/.

PDFMerge version 0.8.0.1 has been released as of 06/12/2006. It is a utility to manipulate PDF & PostScript files (concatenate, split, re- arrange, and print). Use search key pdfmerge on Hobbes.

Java GUI version 1.8 has been released as of 06/15/2006. This is a GUI front-end for running programs with Java. Use search key javagui on Hobbes.

Odin GUI version 1.7 has been released as of 06/15/2006. This is a front-end for running programs with Odin. Use search key odingui on Hobbes.

Chris Roossien, the author of Java GUI & Odin GUI (see previous items) has also released a version of eComCenter with the shutdown button removed and disabled, as of 06/09/2006. Use search key ecomcenter on Hobbes.

LSDVD version 0.16 has been released as of 06/11/2006. This will print some info about the content of a DVD. Use search key lsdvd on Hobbes.

Video/2 version 0.9.7 beta has been released as of 06/04/2006. This program allows you to keep track of your video cassettes and DVDs. Use search key video0 on Hobbes.

OS2INFO version 0.41 has been released as of 06/01/2006. This will print details of the current system including CPU count, CPU information, uptime, network traffic, OS information, number of drives, partition information, and so on. The Virtual Pascal source code is included under the GPL license. Go to http://www.juergen-ulbts.de/content/projects/os2info/os2info.en.html.

DVDDAO version 1.3.4 has been released as of 06/14/2006. It is a tool for writing DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM discs. Use search key dvddao on Hobbes.

PolarBarWeb/2 version 0.14 has been released as of 06/15/2006. It is a CGI Web front-end for PolarBar Mailer, that allows you to read e-mail in a Web browser. Use search pbmweb on Hobbes, or go to http://www.warp-ecs-owl.de/Peter_PBMWEB.html#EN.

LCSS version 0.06 has been released as of 06/17/2006. It is an alternative to CFGSORT used with eComStation 1.2 to sort the entries in CONFIG.SYS. It sorts the entries into more logical sections, which according to the author (Doug Bisset) is much easier to find things in. Use search key lcss on Hobbes.
NOTE: This is a beta version, so read the README file and make a backup copy of your CONFIG.SYS before trying it out.

Musepack's MPEGplus version 1.2.2 has been released as of 06/13/2006. It is a lossy audio format like MP3, and is available as a plugin for PM123. Use search key mpc on Hobbes.

There are some USB tools available, including a program to control multimedia keys on USB keyboards, and a USB-based monitor for APC Back-UPS CS/ES. Go to http://en.ecomstation.ru/projects/usbtools/?action=apps.

SCOUG, Warp Expo West, and Warpfest are trademarks of the Southern California OS/2 User Group. OS/2, Workplace Shell, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.