REXX for eComStation / IBM OS/2 Warp

2010-10-16 02:10:57 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

REXX - script language aimed to automate everything in eComStation operating system.

General links:

• Web-Resources -- DevCon
• Collection of REXX scripts -- DevCon
• Forum for discussion of REXX -- forum.ecomstation.ru

You can write some scripts (reserve the task in the comments of this message)

The 8-th edition of OS/2 API Research book

2010-08-28 00:56:27 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

The book should prove to be a valuable reference as well as an informative tutorial for Control Program and Presentation Manager programming.

The book answers to questions: Why we use OS/2? Why competitors always bury OS/2? What is the future of OS/2? etc.

Whatsnew: Modern calls from eToolkit, LANGE, libKVA.

OS/2 API Research book is available from hobbes (Author: Sergey Posokhov; Language: Russian)

eCo Labs - more tasks

2010-08-22 13:12:58 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software published more tasks for standalone developers. This is the only way to find new developers.

For example,

• additional libraries for developers of PM applications
• How to prepare .wpi packages
• Remake Impos/2 utility
• create more modules for Doodle screensaver
• create more eCenter widgets
• write more reviews of software
• etc

Moreover, we remind to the developers that the main goal today - develop programs aimed to make (generate) money. The users need tools to "make money".

Design of applications for eComStation

2010-08-12 02:57:36 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

We offer you join the discussion in the forum forum.ecomstation.ru how to improve user interface of applications:

• Piano Launchpad
• Virtual keyboard
• Toolbar (toolbar for other applications)

eCo Labs - more tasks

2010-08-03 12:22:16 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software published more tasks for standalone developers. This is the only way to find new developers.

For example,

• more libraries
• eCenter widgets
• SysInfo tools
• Device drivers (USB AUDIO, USB Touchscreen, ..)
• PM Disk Tools
• etc

Moreover, we remind to the developers that the main goal today - develop programs aimed to make (generate) money. The users need tools to "make money".

eCo Labs - more tasks for standalone developers

2010-06-25 18:54:51 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software published more tasks for standalone developers, so new people can join eComStation development.

• We offer discuss How to create new solutions: Warehouse, POS based on eCS
• It's necessary re-pack more applications to WarpIn format to simplify the installation.
• some libraries should be updates.

DevCon: REXX scripts; Driver for USB touch screen; Semaphores in PM

2010-05-27 23:38:05 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

1) Library of REXX Scripts: The users need more automation tools and scripts. Let's collect more useful scripts in the Library of REXX Scripts

Other users are searching for:

• script to generate sitemap.xml
• to process .xls files
• to download and cut of .html pages

2) Driver for USB touch screen: Wim Brul is making research of future USB touch screen driver. Some touch screens have a simple but yet unknown vendor specific protocol and others adhere to the standard HID class for touch screen devices. Read discussion of the topic in the forum.ecomstation.ru.

Are there developers out there who own an ELO USB touch screen and who are willing to do the prototyping and to develop the support program? Then he is willing to assist them on how to interface to the Direct USB Control Driver and the Emulate Mouse Driver. For more information see the developers forum above and his web pages below. a) emumouse, b) usbprobe

3) New article for developers: (RUS) Usage of semaphores in Presentation Manager environment (Dmitry A. Steklenev, 2010/05)

More information at DevCon site

eCo Labs - new tasks for developers

2010-05-08 00:30:28 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Labs offers more than 100 tasks for developers living in Ukraine and Russia.

The developers can work on a series of tasks:

• Screenshots: making screenshots, screensavers
• Accounting utilities: invoice generator, etc
• Remakes of system components: Font palette, etc
• Pack of PM disk utilities
• SysInfo utilities
• Translation of utils and apps

You can support eCo Labs or become shareholder of an application, buy DevCon sponsor units (discuss before purchase)

DevCon: new File Open Dialog - update your applications

2010-03-30 15:45:49 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [Dmitry A.Steklenev, DevCon]

New PM controls for developers of applications

• New library includes: WC_DIRTREE and WC_FILEVIEW. This PM-controls may be used in applications to select directory and/or file. All heavy operations are performed in separate threads. Call FOCInitialize() before usage of the controls.
• The control elements notify owner about state changes via WM_CONTROL message.
• The elements support d'n'd operation (as source).
• You can force change of directory, create/remove directories, rename files and directories using special messages. Moreover, the developers of applications can send messages to sort the contents of container, request list of selected files and directories.
• Both control elements can work in conjuction: the changes in directory tree influence on container with files and vice versa.

Replacement of System File Open Dialog

(under construction)

• The main goal of the project - replace system file open dialog with new one based on new PM controls.
• New dialog may be resized, users can change sorting, size of sub-windows. All parameters are saved and restored automatically.
• New dialog is fully compatible with old system dialog: if you are going call new FOC then use FOCFILEDLG structure (instead of FILEDLG), instead of functions WinFileDlg, WinDefFileDlgProc, WinFreeFileDlgList use: FOCFileDlg, FOCDefFileDlgProc and FOCFreeFileDlgList

Dialog for directory selection

• New dialog is based on WC_DIRTEE control. The interface is similar to the interface of FOC, API: FOCSelectDir, FOCDefSelectDirProc and FOCSELDIR structure.

Current plan of work:

• create WC_PREVIEW control, include it to file open dialog.
• full support of d'n'd.
• we should update external view one more time.

Join testing:

Download FOC library and test samples: DevCon site

Let's test:

• compatibility with different file systems
• browse directories with huge quantity of files

Please send the results of testing via web-form

New projects for standalone developers

2010-03-24 18:04:40 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software is generating small tasks for standalone developers so everybody can influence on eComStation development.

New tasks:

• make clips about eComStation and applications
• create utility aimed to collect information about monitors (EDID)
• create some disk utilities

(We published more than 100 tasks)

DevCon: how to reanimate old project?

2010-03-09 20:51:54 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCoSoftware toolkit is updated, DevCon site

How to reanimate old project?

• step 1: switch to LANGE library => this will make you read the source code of your program, simplify and refine it, remember its structure. Multilanguage support will attract more users.
• step 2: use modern MsgBox and Progress bar
• step 3: update artwork: use transparent PNG instead of ugly BMP and ICO (send us a request, we are going draw icons for some applications and utilities free of charge)

Now you can move to the next stage - update the engine of you program (update algorithm, use modern formats of files, use modern libraries)

eCoLabs - more and more tasks

2010-03-04 16:56:23 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software published more tasks for standalone developers and users: simple utilities, reviews of software and technologies, small libraries, local fixing of device drivers.

eCoLabs - More tasks for russian developers

2010-01-18 13:52:20 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Software published more tasks for standalone developers. It's necessary develop some libraries, found shareware programs, write reviews/manuals for software.

European developers/students may take some projects too:

• list of tasks

eCo Labs - new tasks for developers

2009-10-11 10:46:10 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

eCo Labs offers more than 100 tasks for developers living in Ukraine and Russia.

New tasks:

• PNG icon editor
• Scout: make dosenz of eCS dekstop screenshots every month

The developers can work on a series of tasks:

• tasks related to MerlinXML (settings notebook)
• Screenshots: making screenshots, screensavers
• Accounting utilities: invoice generator, etc
• Remakes of system components: Font palette, etc
• Pack of PM disk utilities
• SysInfo utilities
• Translation of utils and apps

You can support eCo Labs or become shareholder of an application, buy DevCon sponsor units (discuss before purchase)

DevCon site for developers is updated

2009-10-11 02:33:12 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

DevCon site + Forum for developers + irc-channel of eCS developers: #ecolabs (server: irc.ecomstation.ru:6667)

Reminder:

• It's time-expensive to create new programs if using basic API only. Please use additional pm-controls [Guidelines: Additional control elements], internet libraries and artwork. (inform us if you are testing our libraries)
• If a linux developer is interested in eComStation and is asking you where is the documentation then point to DevCon (section: [OS architecture], section: [Kernel behavior])

Whatsnew:

• eCo Software recommends use modern PM control elements
• eCo Software toolkit is updated (includes libraries, PM controls, examples)
• LANGE homepage is updated (additional recommendations for developers and translators)
• REXX library contains more than 10 scripts
• XObject review is published (english text) - use it in applications of any size, it manages complex configuration notebooks: section [Workplace shell (WPS)] -> Useful classes -> review of XObject class (russian and english)
• How to reanimate old/frozen/slow project? (How to achieve success -> How to reanimate frozen/slow project?)
• Let's collect more templates of warpin packages (WarpIn software installer)
• More tools (Tools)
• Published standard USBCALLS.LIB + *.h for eComStation 2.0 ([Device drivers development] -> [USB drivers]) ! Please upgrade all your utilities to this version of the library.

Other developers are interested to know:

• How to work with PDF? (how to generate, how to preview)
• Let's collect self-made Win* and Dos* functions here

Are you going develop new software for eComStation? Check the requirements of users:

• Perfect eComStation
• I need new application

Support DevCon project, buy subscription / sponsor units

What do you plan to develop/write?

2009-10-11 01:08:21 -- Eugene Gorbunoff [ecomstation.ru]

What are your plans for 2009? 2010? The developers and active users can publish their plans at ESWay site

• Interested users will read your plans and contact you today
• Check that other developers don't duplicate your project
• The users and developers see the activity, and invest into the development/promotion of the system more efforts and resources.