Hi,

I'm really curious on eComStation.
What is its advantages over Windows XP?
And will it run flawless on my thinkpad T60?
Is eComStation opensource, or do you have to purchase it?



Thanks.
propellen

eComStation is an updated version of OS/2 Warp by IBM. eCS is uses the kernel from OS/2. http://www.ecomstation.com eCS is to OS/2 what Win95 is to Win3.1. There is a 2.0 coming that is more comparable to WinXP.

eCS is also more secure than Win. Most vyrus writers and hackers like to go after Win since there are more users of it.

I have not tried running it on a T60 but there are places one can check. I use eCS 1.2r on my Thinkpad T23 and A22m without any problems. You can check the forum at http://www.os2world.com .

eCS is not open source. One has to pay for it. I think it is a very competitive price. There is an effort to clone OS/2. http://www.osfree.org http://voyager.netlabs.org http://www.os2ecs.org/k42

I hope this helps. I also use eCS on my desktop since it is (usually) more secure than Win.

[quote="propellen"]Hi,

I'm really curious on eComStation.
What is its advantages over Windows XP?
And will it run flawless on my thinkpad T60?
Is eComStation opensource, or do you have to purchase it?

I have just purchased a refurb T60 and expect it within a day or two. I plan to image and then nuke the XP and instal W2000 and eCS 1.2R.

Currently I'm running on a T23 and have two or three apps that (so far) require windows. Everything else, I do from eCS.

When I get my T60 up and running, I'll report back.

Ted

There is a part of the forum at http://www.os2world.com (was but it might not be there anymore since they upgraded) about using AirBoot to dual boot eCS and Windows.

"
Hi

I think the answer is varying degrees of Yes, it can be done.

There is a thread about this: news.ecomstation.nl/ecomstation.support.install/T60

Hope the above is of help.

Pete
"
Copied from the forum at http://www.os2world.com (much improved site).

Here is some quick answers on your 3 questions regarding the T60 and ecomstation:

1. Well, you have less software overhead since WinXP uses way more memory; depending on the configuration Windows XP will eat around 90-130mb where OS2/eCS eats around 15-25mb. Then it also is about what do you plan to use the ThinkPad for; are we talking office use and using webtools and Open Office or SmartSuite you'll be able to to do what you do today with XP.

2. No it won't run flawless out of the box when speaking of version 2.0 RC1 that I've tested to install on a T60 (2007-FRG). Graphics will run really great when using the Panorama vesa drivers instead of what currently is included in the 2.0 RC1. As far as I understand when talking to the people involved in the development the Panorama will be included in the final release. Wireless should work flawless in the next RC of eCS. The curreny version didn't include the latest wrapper drivers for the Intel cards (they are available so it's for the moment just a matter of updating yourself). Audio will not work flawless for the moment since there is no MMOS2 drivers available for the Intel SoundMax; having said that there is a driver available but it will only support one single application and that is WarpVision (that plays mp3, divx and dvd, etc).

3. No eComstation is not opensource and for the moment I think that the price tag is a bit high to attract new users since the price is around 200 euro + VAT. If you have an old version of Warp 3/4 you're able to upgrade for 120 euro. I would say that the price needs to drop down to around 100 USD to really get some interest for people to look for an alternativ OS.

Let me mention a few more things:
eCS (and OS/2 ) is a multi-threaded system. i.e. You can run more than one program at a time. I mean run no merely have open. I have, on occasion, had seven programs open, five of which were actually executing. While that is unusual, it can be handy at times. Any time I've tried running more than one at a time in Windows (W2000 pro or XP), it has crashed.

In the 10 years I have been using OS/2 and, subsequently, eCS I have only once had a crash so severe that it was necessary to "reload" the operating system. (The crash was caused by me doing something stupid after a bad piece of software hung.) However the "reload" consisted of formatting my boot drive and un-zipping my most recent backup to it. I was back up in about 15 minutes with no loss of data or software.

I currently have APL2, ZTree and SeaMonkey started and mem shows 1.3GB free of my 1.5GB total. I tried the Windows XP mem on a fresh boot and it claims there is only 610MB free. I have no idea what it is doing with the rest.

There is much else I could say but suffice it to say that after 10 years I am running the test version of eCS 2.0 and have only three applications for which I am (so far) forced to use windows.

Ted

I am hoping it won't be too long before eCS 2.0 comes out. If waiting means a better os, I can wait.

Release Candidate 2 is out and is pretty impressive. I am running almost all of my apps on it now.

Ted

I do not have a software subscription. eCS 2.0 has not - IIRC - been officially released yet. I am waiting for the 2.0 that I can buy without having to have a software subscription.
http://www.ecomstation.com