MSGID: 1:18/200.0 5e5ecbaa   
   -=> Rick Smith wrote to Tommi Koivula <=-   
      
    RS> that new OS/2 isnt cheap is it?   
      
   Depends.  You get what you pay for with Arca Noae.  They're about to put   
   UEFI and USB 3.0 capability into ArcaOS.  Something you don't have with   
   eComStation or OS/2 Warp.   
      
   Remember that you're paying not only for support with ArcaOS but you're   
   funding further development.  There's a lot of good stuff in store.   
      
   Take a look at https://www.arcanoae.com/roadmaps/general/ for more info.   
      
   Here's what's in store for the short term (from the above webpage):   
      
   ===    
   UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) support    
   Our new UEFI support is in testing as of January, 2020.  Set to debut with   
   ArcaOS 5.1, this will enable ArcaOS to install and boot on more modern   
   systems than ever before.  Our UEFI support completely removes dependence on   
   traditional BIOS services.   
      
   USB 3 host controller support   
   xHCI support (USB 3) is nearing release as of January, 2020.  This will   
   allow ArcaOS to install and run on an even wider range of modern systems.   
      
   New RPM packages for the OS/2 & eCS Drivers & Software Subscription   
   We are adding more ported and packaged software to our subscription RPM   
   repository, thereby adding value to these services.  Subscribers will be   
   able to add the Subscription repo to Arca Noae Package Manager to be able to   
   download and install these updates on demand.   
      
   New RPM packages for the Arca Noae Stable Repository   
   We are adding new packages to the free stable repository.  Software here may   
   be created by any third party, and packaged for inclusion in our free   
   repository, available to all OS/2 users, whether subscribers or not.  These   
   packages may then be downloaded and installed via Arca Noae Package Manager.   
      
   Enhanced printer support for OS/2 (with and without CUPS)   
   New printer driver packages are in testing to support a wider range of   
   modern printers, both with and without CUPS.  These drivers augment the   
   already rich support for venerable models as provided by OS/2 itself.  In   
   addition, ArcaOS ships with an improved PostScript printer driver pack, and   
   CUPS drivers for Brother lasers are downloadable via Arca Noae Package   
   Manager.  A new Epson inkjet printer pack will soon also be available.   
      
   Support for modern Wi-Fi adapters   
   We plan to expand MultiMac to include support for a limited set of wireless   
   network adapters, commonly found in hardware suitable for ArcaOS.    
   Eventually, these drivers may completely replace available GenMac drivers   
   for chipsets which remain in use.   
   ===   
      
   So yes, ArcaOS isn't "cheap" if you mean by coughing up the cash in the   
   short-term but with all that's going on, the ROI can be pretty high if   
   you're still wanting to use OS/2 on modern equipment.   
      
   The yearly support is only $65 a year which isn't bad, working out to be   
   USD$5.42 a month.   
      
   It all depends on how you look at it. :)   
      
   Later,   
   Sean   
      
   ... If a wife always laughs at her husband's jokes, is he funny or she smart?   
   ___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52   
      
   --- Maximus/2 3.01   
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