VisualAge C++ V4 Prof. OS/2 and WinNT US - Acadamic; Euro 4.54 / US $ 4.21. All packages come with CDROM and Documentation.

1. Fee for extended service, after Sept 28, 2001, with the understanding this will be defect only support. There will be no new operating system versions supported, no updates to current ANSI levels, no locale updates and no new features.
2. The AIX versions of VisualAge C/C++ will continue to be developed and supported.
3. Legacy the Intel C/C++ code.
4. A thin client model with JAVA on the Intel workstation and C/C++ on the AIX server.
5. New development using VisualAge Java for Intel.

I recently posted a proposed change to our Upgrade Protection plan. Not final yet .. but .. the short story is I'm changing it from 24 months to 12 months (might still put up a 24 package if folks insist). I'm pulling Software Choice (SWC) out of it and putting the next MCP (MCP2) into it. And I'm dropping the SRP from USD$225 to USD$69.
The reasoning is .. eCS users have the MCP. Most of what is on SWC is in MCP .. so eCS users wind up paying twice for the same features. Instead, I'll provide the second MCP when it becomes available. It will contain any new items put into SWC.
What I'm going to put inside the paranthesis is for your information .. to be posted .. (I have a nondisclosure with IBM regarding OS/2 product plans. Therefore, I cannot comment on IBM plans. But based on what I know, this is the best value package I can provide to eCS customers).
Other items, which I think demonstrate our continued efforts to enhance the user experience with eCS and the support for the product by OS/2 ISVs. First, an eCS Clock by Mark Eckstein. I'm attaching a preview. It needs to be removed before installing any future previews or the GA product. But it gives a taste of what I consider to be the need for "fit and finish". eCS will be time zone aware .. daylight savings aware .. and allow users to create 'reminders' and 'alarms'. And it will be enhanced.
Norman Defense has provided us with a three month version of their Virus Control and CatsClaw. And we are also working with an ISV for a config tool to assist with firewalls.
Feel free to contact me with questions or comments.
I'm working with the distributors on how we might repackage this for the benefit of eCS users. In my original packaging, I included a two year subscription to IBM's Software Choice (SWC). I've come to believe that is overkill. We will continue to offer SWC through our distributors. But I think we have crafted an exciting option for the eCS users. This is my proposal to the distributors. The new eCS Upgrade Protection program will be for 12 months. It will not include SWC. However, it will include the next MCP, due out the end of the year. This means eCS users get the SWC features as a package, not as a subscription. Rembember, it will still be possible to purchase SWC from eCS distributors and from other sources. But I'm repackaging the program because I think we can do better this way. The new eCS UP will be 12 months, not 24. The distributors will determine the actual pricing, but the SRP will be USD $69. And it will include the MCP2, due out around the end of this year.
So the new packaging provides a shorter time frame, 12 months .. a bit more "tactical" and focused. At the same time, it significantly reduces the cost to the user.
First question, what happens at the end of the 12 months? For one thing, all of us will have a better view of things in 12 months. But even if the eCS UP price doubled (and that is a very, very big "if" .. see next para), it would still cost slightly less money than the current package and pricing ... eCS users are still better off. But by now, I think eCS users should have come to understand that Serenity Systems works hard to protect the investment made by our users. Any increase in pricing would be more than matched by an increase in the value proposition.
The next question is, what features would an eCS user miss out on if they don't have SWC. Well, registered eCS users will already have access to fixes and drivers. OS/2 users need SWC to access these features. The immediate feature which may come to mind is the new browser. This browser will be available on SWC with the IBM brand. It will also be available for download from other sources. So, I'm not inclined to suggest that a user purchase a subscription just to get the browser. The point is, once you have the MCP, how much more do you get in SWC and what is it worth? IMO, asking an eCS user to buy SWC is asking them to pay twice for the same set of features. So, Serenity Systems can and will make SWC available at competitive pricing through the resellers. But .. eCS users will also have the option of getting a refreshed eCS at the end of the year, which will include the next Convenience Pack from IBM.
eCS users who do not purchase the Upgrade Protection package will be able to upgrade to the refresh product when it becomes available. I'm not going to put a price on that option today. The only thing I will say is that it can be expected to cost more than the eCS UPP. This a plan ... a proposal to the distributors. But I will come your input and feedback as well.
Regards,

Bob St.John

Dir, New Business Development
Serenity Systems International
a Managed Systems company

214 222-3414, ext 101 (outside USA)
888 299-6483, ext 101 (USA only)

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No, we may have a 3.03 but we will not have a 4.0. If you look on the beta forum you will see a message explaining why -- basically, the sales are so low that they would not even cover the cost of writing the documentation. We will continue supporting 4OS2 and TCOS2 -- we just aren't adding features to them. Thanks, and please let us know if you have any further questions.

1. Cross-platform code that we are able to check in to our source control system, but has not been approved to go into Mozilla yet. Examples of this are:
   http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=59855
   http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=58668
2. Code that I have not had a chance to check in to CVS yet. Members of my team are free to check code into our source control system, but only I can check in to Mozilla at this time. I am a little behind with some checkins, including some things from outside contributors. It is important to note that we are legally obligated to make ALL Mozilla code changes available by either publishing them in some way or contributing them to Mozilla.

Today I have received the new version of Moneyplex with card reader. The first impression: Nothing special was changed in the software only the registration has been changed: While installing the application you have to enter a systemcode with customer- and serial-number. After you have given that to Matrica (vendor) via phone/e-mail you will get the real code. The code will be also accepted if you install it on a new machine or have to re-install OS/2. Also a card reader from Kobil is included (Kaan Std.) [only if you bought a version with reader!] which will be connected via serial interface and a 5V voltage over a keyboard adapter or an external power supply. The reader supports OS/2 and is not much bigger than a credit card (1cm thick).