The new client, if released, would roll-up these fixpaks, updates, feature sets, onto one CD (and hopefully into one install procedure as well).

Another major update not yet included in OS/2 Warp 4 but one to which IBM is publicly committed is the implementation of the SciTech Display Doctor video driver. (Video adapters have long been a major source of frustration for OS/2 users, and this license agreement by IBM is in itself a sign that IBM has not abandoned OS/2.

What Next

1. Several things fall out from Schindler's article, if it turns out to be true.

   1. The Journaling File System (JFS) would become part of the OS/2 Warp client.

      1. Even if IBM does not include it in the new client, one may assume it would be very easy to port since it is now open source and the OS/2 Warp client and OS/2 Warp Server for e-Business would have the same code base; it should be only a matter of time before someone does so.

   2. OS/2 has a whole new life.

      1. IBM has said they will continue to develop and maintain OS/2 for (at least) another seven years.

2. Several unanswered questions remain.

   1. When and how will the new client actually be released?

      1. OS2.org reports that it will be available in 2Q2000 through Software choice, but this has not been confirmed.

   2. How much will it cost?

   3. What features will be included in the roll-up?

   All we can do is await cautiously but hopefully for further developments from IBM.

—Walter Metcalf