General
OS/2 was jointly developed between IBM and Microsoft, see www.os2bbs.com, as a replacement for DOS/Windows in the mid 1980's, whilst IBM bought out a range of computers (IBM PS..) to be sold with OS/2 and or PCDOS, Microsoft decided to change direction and the end result was Windows NT. The latest version is eComStation marketed by Serenity Software International, though it is based on IBM OS/2 Warp4 and its derivatives, and aimed at the Business User.
IBM Warp 3 (Operating System/2 version 3) is probably easier to purchase second-hand, especially in the USA. OS/2 will install on a 386 or later computer, but would recommend a Pentium1 with 16MB Memory as a bare minimum, a CDROM is optional. I have undertaken installations on PC's and Laptop's, from CDROM and Floppy Disk versions, and the following Hardware/Software should be compatible with the Warp3 version.
Warp3 Bonus Pack's Internet Access Kit may only provided for SLIP connections in the Dialer software, therefore if PPP dial-up support is required, download the updated Slip/PPP dialer software which needs to be copied into the "TCPIP\BIN" folder overwritting earlier files, also download Netscape Navigator version 2.02 web browser which is more mature than IBM WebExplorer.
Though it is possible to download the majority of software updates from IBM, it may be easier to order a Warp Update CD from Mensys, the CD also includes updates for all the Warp4 family, as well as the updated Install Disks.
Hardware
Computers - various
386 PC/Laptop or later with 8MB Memory, though a newer product would be benificial.
Flash Media - various
Read/writers and ISA to PCMCIA cards are available from Synchrotech.
Software
IBM Works - office suite
IBM version of Lotus office suite including word processor, spreadsheet, database, charting program, report writer and other applications, available in the Bonus Pack.
Multimedia Viewer - image/movie viewer
OS/2 equivelant to Microsoft Media Player, and is required for web browsing, available in the Bonus Pack.
IBM Internet Access Kit - web browser
WebExplorer browser for basic internet browsing and email functions via a dial-up (modem) internet connection, available in the Bonus Pack.
Apache for OS/2 - web server
Similar to IBM's HTTP Server for OS/2. Apache
BackMaster V3.0 - data backup
Backup program to support floppy, parallel, and SCSI interfaced tape drives and supports many of the new tape drives from the leading suppliers including Aiwa, Exabyte, Hewlett-Packard, Iomega, MicroSolutions, Pertec Memories, Seagate, Sony, Tandberg Data, and Tecmar Technologies. BackMaster
Device Driver Pak Online - device drivers
As a convenience to our customers who are installing OS/2 Warp, IBM has created an easy to use distribution method for the wide range of supported devices, IBM has not tested these device drivers and does not provide support for these device drivers unless explicitly stated otherwise in the device driver packages. IBM
FtpServer - FTP server
FtpServer is an ftp daemon for OS/2. Of course you could always use the ftpd that comes packaged with Warp Connect and later versions, but this one has better security controls, together with extra features such as symbolic links. NewcastleEDU
HTTP Server for OS/2 - web server
Web server based on the Apache Web server, minimum requirement is a 166mhz processor and 64MB memory. IBM
Info-Zip - file compression and extraction
Free Zip and UnZip compressor-archiver utilities that are compatible with "PKZIP for OS/2" Info-Zip
Internet Adventurer - internet suite
Integrated WWW, email, news, irc, telnet and ftp - easy to use, and all in one. Adventuresoftware
NetOp - remote access software
Allows users to view the screen and control the keyboard and mouse of any remote computer. Windows and DOS compatible. Richmond Systems
Netscape Navigator - web browser
Version 2.02 for OS/2 is an upate for the IBM Web Explorer (Netscape Communicator), and includes both Dial-up and LAN support
Netscape Communicator / Mozilla / Opera - Warp4 web browsers
Netscape Communicator 4.61, Opera and Mozilla require Warp 4 with latest Fixpaks to install.
PKZip - file compression and extraction
PKZIP for OS/2 runs as an Intel x86 32-bit native application under OS/2 Version 2 or later. Features include spanning, 32-bit CRC, keyword encryption, OS/2 self-extracting files, a new format of more intuitive commands and options, and much more. PKWare
PMGlobe2 - world globe
Displays the Earth as a globe using OS/2 Presentation Manager. You can choose to view the globe from any direction, or select one of a number of 'standard' views. IBM
PPP.ZIP - updated IBM modem dialer
This dialer includes both Slip & PPP support and replaces the Slip only dialer which came with early versions of the Bonus Pak IBM Internet Connection Kit. Hobbes
Safefire - internet Connectivity
Implements the full range of SOHO Internet communications under OS/2. Link Guard Solutions
Sundial Systems - office suite
Word processor, relational database, email protection, spreadsheet, time management, desktop navigation and junk spy each application available seperately. SundialSystems
SEDS - Astronomical and Space-Related OS/2 Software
SEDS
Miscellaneous -
Freeware/Shareware software is available through Hobbes, Tucows and The OS/2 Shareware BBS, whilst commercial software CD's are still available from Mensys
Networking
IBM's Warp Connect is a complete networking software package.
Microsoft's LanManger Client for OS/2 can be downloaded from MicroSoft.
The os/2 port of the Samba Server offers integration into most TCP/IP networks which include Unix/Linux, Windows, Apple etcetc.