In the beginning of the spring we updated: ACPI subsystem, eComStation 
kernel, USB Tools homepage, Hardware database, General Network Utilities, 
PMDownloader, eSchemes gallery, Panorama video drivers, Piano Launchpad & 
Imagination, Calculator for millionaire, Firewall ports setup, LANGE library.

Why have died OS/2 in 1997? Because companies have withdrawn the money from 
OS/2 market.
Why eComStation is growing fast today? Because companies and users are 
investing the money and efforts into creation of native software and drivers.


1. ACPI drivers (Download from BETAZONE)

* Follow this roadmap if installing multiprocessor support: a) disable 
audio, networking, usb, etc. b) run in PIC or APIC mode, c) activate 
drivers and devices one by one.
* Collaboration with developers of Intel Corporation allows improve ACPI 
support for eComStation

* ACPI.PSD 2.20 -- uses the latest Intel source code. Better support of 
embedded controller, mutexes to allow active usage of ACPI. Brings new 
functions for developers of device drivers.
* This version is recommended for owners of Thinkpad T40 (with latest 
BIOS), owners of computers with bad ACPI tables. Test /EIS switch. If PC 
hangs then try SMP kernel (stack is larger if running SMP kernel)
* New APM.ADD 1.12 (requires ACPI 2.20),
* New ACPI snooper (requires ACPI 2.20), You need it if running Core 2 Duo 
in APIC mode  or to solve IRQ conflicts
* If ACPI 2.20 doesn't boot then wait for update (should be released in May 
2007)

Some ACPI utilities are updated: 
http://ecomstation.ru/projects/acpitools/?action=down



2. Workplace shell extenders

* Personal Cards Manager -- improved NLS support -- http://ecomstation.ru/pcm

* eSchemes -- internal beta-version is released

* eSchemes gallery updated -- http://forum.ecomstation.ru/viewtopic.php?t=1703

* eSchemes Deluxe - our effort to improve navigation by eComStation Desktop.
URL: http://ecomstation.ru/eschemes-deluxe
Whatsnew: PDF preview for files touched by Lucide viewer;
You can feel the advantages from this extension if using Lucide and D 
during 1-2 monthes.

We have spent many efforts to improve the installation procedure of 
eSchemes Deluxe. There are so many versions of OS/2 and eComStation.. so 
many different configurations.
To compensate your patience, we created Piano Launchpad. This Launchpad is 
useful even if you have eCenter on the Desktop. Piano Launchpad brings 
large icons to Desktop, has auto-hide feature.

  Screenshot: Piano Launchpad

http://ecomstation.ru/projects/eschemes-deluxe/screenshots/Piano-20070501.gif

Whatsnew:
* Backup/restore - to update or duplicate the Launchpad.
* Disable frames, reduce intervals
* New icons for OS/2 desktop (simple, non vulgar)



3. Video drivers
eComStation community was near to catastrophe. Any critical situation makes 
us search for alternative ways. We published two video drivers:

* Panorama ATI R200  - for ATI Radeon 7000 - 9250 adapters (2D 
acceleration, color hardware cursor, etC)
* Panorama VESA (BETAZONE) - super fast universal video driver. It is 
useful for owners of  modern videoadapters: ATI X1950, Intel X3000 and 
NVidia. Works fine on Multi core notebooks and desktops.
* Panorama widescreen activators - Robert Lalla is working on widescreen 
activators for adapters with ATOM BIOS, Intel adapters.

Homepage of Panorama drivers -- http://ecomstation.ru/panorama
Join the forum to discuss Panorama VESA -- 
http://forum.ecomstation.ru/viewforum.php?f=2



4. Keyboards, remote controls

Central Remote Control gathers events from TV remote controls, notebook 
buttons, USB-keyboard multimedia buttons and translates them to commands 
for multimedia applications -- http://ecomstation.ru/crc  CRC release is 
delayed again. The only way to push the developers is purchase more 
licenses of CRC.

Bonus application "Calculator for millionaire". Why switch to CalcMi?
* CalcMi allows you to enter mathematical formulas and see the result 
on-the-fly.
* Drop Arial 14 font, press F1 to see the list of supported functions



5. Toolkits for developers

* LANGE library for multilanguage support  -- http://ecomstation.ru/lange 
(useful for creation of small native eComStation applications). Contact us 
of you are going use it.
* Internal alpha 2 of SOM Compiler Pascal Emitter
* EmitLnk - support of Watcom Linker in SOM Compiler (it is aimed to 
generate LNK files, like IBM DEF)



6. Disk utilities
Download ALVM  -- http://ecomstation.ru/apecs.php?action=item&id=991
Sometimes it is useful to recreate partitions on flash disks (if LVM shows 
MsgBox with errors)



7. Internet utilities:

* PMDownloader 1.02 -- You need it to put your downloads in order. URL: 
http://eros2.by.ru/pmdownloader.shtml  Whatsnew:
* Fixed semaphore leak, which may cause PM Downloader hang on intensive use.
* Added option to limit number of simultaneous downloads from same host.
* Fixed - download fails when downloading file from root dir on IBM FTPD/2.
* Fixed crash on PM Downloader close while 'view history' window opened.
* Flush file buffers to disk every 10 minutes.

* General network utilities were updated -- http://ecomstation.ru/gnu
The developer is investing time into functionality improvement. Updated 
utilities: IPinfo, ARPscan. Do you need more LAN tools? Send us your 
suggestions.
* Traffic Visor III --  This program is intended to analyze IP-traffic in 
the LAN/WAN using flexible mechanism to count IP-packets by interfaces, 
sender/receiver addresses, TCP/UDP ports, ICMP-services, etc
URL: http://digi.os2.snc.ru/eng/tv3

* Firewall ports setup (BETAZONE) allows you to protect the PC against 
infectious Windows
  PIC: http://ecomstation.ru/projects/gnu/pics/FirewallPortsSetup-20070403.gif



8. eComStation kernel

Please join the testing of new eComStation kernel (BETAZONE). You need it:
* to minimize power consumption on multicore CPU
* if coolers are loud
* Prolong life of your notebook batteries (+ 30 minutes or more)



9. USB applications

We updated the list  of existing drivers and applications which control USB 
hardware -- http://ecomstation.ru/usbtools

USB Dock updated (BETAZONE)
* If device doesn't have picture then it's unknown. The program asks users 
send logs.
* More devices in database

N e w! You can integrate APC UPS (USB) to eComStation power system. Run APC 
UPS deamon and watch energy level via Battery widget. Your desktop with UPS 
is working like notebook!! URL: eComStation betazone

We recommend don't touch USB Audio adapters. All resources should be 
concentrated on HDAudio implementation, USB audio adapters is a fake goal.



10. eCo Software support service

* The hardware database contains more than 1145 reports of supported 
hardware -- http://ecomstation.ru/hardware.php You can post new reports or 
add notes to published. Now gathering reports about supported Color Laser 
Printers -- http://ecomstation.ru/hardware.php?action=category&section=print
* If you have spent much time searching for PPD files (PostScript Printer 
Description files) then share your collection with PPD Stack -- 
http://ecomstation.ru/projects/ppdstack
* eComStation FAQ (russian language) is updated. New answers related to 
Development, Networking.



11. Additional information:

* Full pricelist of eCo Software products -- 
http://ecomstation.ru/ecosoft/?action=pricelist
* BETAZONE -- How to download ACPI, Panorama, eSchemes? -- 
http://ecomstation.ru/mensys.html
* Welcome to eCo Software homepage -- 
http://ecomstation.ru/ecosoft/?action=orders
* Previous eCo Software newsletter -- 
http://ecomstation.ru/commentnews.php?id=1360


Eugene Gorbunoff