[Announce] Philadelphia OS/2 Mtg: Wed, Oct 23rd

[Larry Lavins]

.                PHILADELPHIA OS/2 USER GROUP
.                  http://www.phillyos2.org
  
The Philadelphia OS/2 User Group invites all interested computer
users to attend the October monthly meeting:
  
.          ***  OCTOBER 23rd MEETING AGENDA  ***
.              --  RECENT OS/2 RELEASES  --
.           --  CHARTER EXPANSION TO LINUX  --
.        --  NEW MEETING LOCATION IN NOVEMBER  --
  
In recent weeks, there has been an impressive number of new OS/2
releases and updates from various non-IBM developers as well as
IBM itself. Many of these releases appear to be of good use and
benefit to the non-enterprise OS/2 user community.
  
At the October 23rd meeting, Larry will describe many of these
new releases and do brief live demos of the following, some of
which are brand new releases during the past few days:
  
.  IBM Web Browser v2.0. Based on Mozilla 1.0.1 (Netscape 7.0).
.   plus the newest Mozilla release: Mozilla 1.2b
.   and the new Macromedia Shockwave Flash 5.0 r67 plugin
  
.  JPhotoBrush 2.1: Image editing and enhancement application/
.  tool written in Java 1.3, by Tanveer Rameez.
  
.  NewView 1.41.27: Most recent release of Aaron Lawrence's
.  replacement for VIEW.EXE, the IBM OS/2 INF file reader.
  
.  Config.Tool 1.2.2: A CONFIG.SYS editor and searchable
.  database, by Goran Ivankovics and Klaus Staedtler.
 - -
  
EXPANSION OF USER GROUP TO INCLUDE LINUX
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It has become quite clear that user interest in OS/2 is no longer
at the same sustainable levels it was several years ago. Most of
the OS/2 user groups thoughout the nation have either disappeared
altogether or have greatly reduced memberships. Although here in
Philadelphia, we still have a viable core, we have been steadily
losing members for a variety of reasons.
  
Unless we take steps to keep the group going by expanding our
area of coverage to include an alternate operating system which
will be of sufficient interest to attract and hold new users,
as well as to retain our existing membership, we will be facing
extinction in the foreseeable future.
  
At the September meeting, a group discussion was held in regard
to expanding our coverage to LINUX, which seems to be a most
attractive alternate OS at this time. There seems to be a great
deal of user interest in Linux. A lack of user-oriented Linux
groups in the Philadelphia area provides a good opportunity for
us to fill the need. Although September meeting attendance was
minimal, group reaction was quite favorable.
  
We will have another group discussion of this important matter
at the October 23rd meeting. All members are urged to attend
and participate in the discussions.
 - - -
  
NEW MEETING LOCATION IN NOVEMBER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was also announced at the September meeting that Episcopal
Academy has informed us that we will no longer be able to use
the Episcopal Academy for our user group meetings. We will be
allowed to meet there until the October meeting.
  
Quoting in part from the EA message:
"You have been a wonderful group and there have not been any
complaints. The problem revolves around the needed precautions
that 9-11 has wrought, nighttime use of our facility and the
security involved, and the increase in attempts by burglars to
break into our facilities in the evening and on weekends."
  
The Philadelphia OS/2 User Group has enjoyed the gracious and
generous hospitality and use of the meeting facilities at the
Episcopal Academy for several years. We're most appreciative.
  
Like all good things, this has come to an end, and we must move
on to a new meeting place. Several sites were investigated, and
the best possibility is the Senior Citizens Center of Ardmore
(SCCA) located at 117 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA. Discussions
are ongoing with the SCCA Director, and we hope to have all the
details nailed down in time for the November meeting. Additional
status information will be provided at the October 23rd meeting.
Please plan to attend.
 - - -
  
Other agenda items include U/G business items, OS/2 news, new
releases and raffles. The usual free refreshments will also be
available.
  
This will be our final meeting at The Episcopal Academy.
Mark the date and time: Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00pm.
OS/2 meetings are open and free for OS/2 users, their guests
and others interested in learning about OS/2 and associated
technologies. We have a very full agenda, so also please try
to be on time promptly by 7:00pm.
  
.    WE SUPPORT THE JAVA LOBBY:  http://www.javalobby.org
  
Further information, directions to Episcopal Academy, and other
useful information about the OS/2 U/G activities may be found on
our web site at http://www.phillyos2.org, or contact U/G Leader
Larry Lavins: llavins at worldnet.att.net, or phone (215) 878-9609.
- -