Microsoft KB Archive/46076

Channels for Obtaining OS/2 Application Information PSS ID Number: Q46076 Article last modified on 04-19-1991 PSS database name: O_Os2PrTk

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OS/2

Summary:

Several resources are available for obtaining OS/2 product availability information. These resources can also be used by independent software vendors (ISVs) to advertise their products free of charge, indirectly using the marketing budget of IBM and Microsoft. The information included below discusses some of these resources.

IBM/Microsoft OS/2 Application Guide
The “Operating System/2 Application Guide” is a paperback book measuring 5.5 x 8.5 x 1 inches, and lists hundreds of OS/2 applications that are available (or are scheduled to be available). The guide has three sections: a product listing (listed by category), a product index (listed alphabetically), and a company directory.

IBM controls and distributes this document; however, the document is listed as being written by both IBM and Microsoft. The following extract from the beginning of this guide describes how an ISV can add its product to this OS/2 application database listing:

There are other companies whose products are not included in this guide. The procedure to apply for inclusion in the Operating System/2 application database (from which this guide is derived) is to submit a written request to:

IBM Corporation AG-ZIP 4607 P.O. Box 1328 Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328 IBM Operating System/2 Application Guides have also been published by IBM in Europe. Additional non-US protect mode applications are listed in these guides.

The Operating System/2 application database contains the most current listings of products and will be available through the following facilities:

Customer Support System IBM Authorized Dealers

ASKINFO Customer Technical Coordinators

IBMLINK Customer Technical Coordinators

EQUAL IBM Internal Users

Atlanta Electronic Bulletin Board IBM Internal Tie-Line 597-2913 Customer (404) 988-2913

ONLINE Microsoft Customers

The OS/2 application guide can be obtained free of charge from IBM by calling (800) IBM-2468, extension 120.

Software/Data Library
The IBM/Microsoft OS/2 application database is contained in ASCII format in the archived file named OS2APPS in the Software/Data Library. OS2APPS contains OS2APPS.DOC. OS2APPS can be found in the Software/Data Library by searching on the keyword OS2APPS, the Q number of this article, or S12020. OS2APPS was archived using the PKware file-compression utility.

The ASCII copy of the OS/2 application database that is in the Software/Data Library is generated from the actual OS/2 application database (that is, it is read only). To have your product listed in this database, submit a written request to the above IBM address.

IBM National Support Center BBS
The IBM National Support Center BBS, located in Atlanta Georgia, operates a bulletin board system (BBS) whose modem phone number is (404) 988-2913. This BBS is the same BBS that is listed in the “Operating System/2 Application Guide” as the “Atlanta Electronic Bulletin Board.” This IBM BBS contains an on-line copy of the OS/2 application database; it is called the “OS/2 Compatibility Guide,” and it allows you to search for products by category. The categories include the following:

Business Communications Database Desktop publishing Engineering scientific General accounting Graphics Industry specific Miscellaneous Spreadsheet Tools Utilities Word processing

According to this BBS, ISVs that want to request an enrollment form to place a software listing in this “OS/2 Compatibility Guide” online database should write to the following address:

Ms. Mildred N. Sanderson IBM Corporation - 1709 P.O. Box 1328 Boca Raton, FL. 33429 - 1328

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1991.