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| Team OS/2 -- A Groundswell of Support for OS/2! | os2team
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(Written by Dave Whittle and reprinted from IBM Personal Systems
Technical Solutions magazine, January/February 1994 issue, pages 17-19)
You may have heard of Team OS/2, but you might not fully understand what
it's all about. Don't feel bad -- I started it, and I still don't think
I fully understand the phenomenon. I'm certain I don't know everything
about every Team OS/2 activity. Literally thousands of enthusiastic
volunteers are now part of this "happening." I do know, however, that
Team OS/2 has been fueled by the creativity and imagination of many
thousands of OS/2 enthusiasts in their pursuit of quality, synergy, and
positive relationships. That's worth trying to understand, and I think
you'll find it's also worth getting involved.
The Beginning
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Team OS/2 has been around, in spirit at least, from the time OS/2 was
first conceived by teams of IBM and Microsoft visionaries and
programmers looking to replace DOS with a far more capable operating
system. It wasn't until 12 February 1992 that it took a recognizable
form, when I created TEAMOS2 FORUM on IBM's internal bulletin board. I
dedicated the forum to "the discussion of those things that empowered
IBMers, working as a team, can do to promote the success of OS/2. The
focus here is, through teamwork, creating synergy and combining talents
to achieve results far greater than the sum of individual efforts."
The only requirement for membership has been that an individual "make a
personal sacrifice, however small, to help others recognize that OS/2
can be the foundation for the next generation of personal computing." At
the time Team OS/2 began, OS/2 2.0 was available as beta code in a
limited release, enabling a lot of people to experience some of the
features that have since made OS/2 such a hit:
o Multitasking that really works
o The powerful but easy Workplace Shell user interface
o The ability to run more PC applications than any operating system or
environment in the industry
OS/2 users knew that OS/2 was the underdog in what many perceived as a
"war" between OS/2 and DOS/Windows, even though anyone who bought OS/2
got DOS and Windows as well. These users wanted to share their love of
OS/2 with others, and that's how Team OS/2 got started.
The Concept
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Since the beginning, Team OS/2 has gone wherever Team members have taken
it, and has become whatever Team members want it to be. Throughout the
world, there are thousands of Team members from a wide variety of OS/2
user communities -- both within and outside of IBM. Many of us have
found that using OS/2 and computer communications networks has helped us
make friends we might otherwise not have made. It has also given us an
opportunity to actually put into practice such ideals and principles as
a respect for others and a willingness to help others. We don't expect
anything in return beyond the intrinsic satisfaction that comes from
sharing what we value.
Team OS/2 volunteers have done some amazing things and have a lot to
show for their enthusiasm:
o Organizing user-group demonstrations
o Adopting software stores (explaining OS/2 to dealers and sales
personnel)
o Setting up booths at fairs
o Demonstrating OS/2 to college professors and classes
o Organizing roving OS/2 help squads to assist vendors in booths at
COMDEX, PC EXPO, and other trade shows
o Working with PRODIGY and IBM to improve the presence of OS/2 on
PRODIGY
o Setting up a Team OS/2 echo on FidoNet
o Writing shareware or other application software for OS/2
o Negotiating the terms under which IBM employees can release their
personally developed OS/2 software for general use
o Helping members of the media understand OS/2
o Getting together with others who use OS/2 to trade tips and
experiences
o Starting, supporting, and joining OS/2 user groups and
special-interest groups
o Participating in and running OS/2 bulletin boards and online
conferences
o Demonstrating OS/2 to new users and encouraging others to try OS/2
o Writing letters to magazines to correct misunderstandings
There have been some exciting times and great moments for Team OS/2. At
the first Team OS/2 party at COMDEX in April 1992, the key developers of
OS/2 got together with independent software vendors (ISVs), OS/2
customers, marketing personnel, and others to share the excitement of
the long-awaited release of the 32-bit OS/2. IBM executive John Soyring,
an inspiration to many Team OS/2 members, said it was the first
reception he had ever attended that gave him goose bumps. The Chicago
jazz band members were so impressed by what they saw happening that they
stood in line with everyone else to get their Team OS/2 and "ibm/2"
T-shirts.
The T-shirt was inspired by TEAMOS2 FORUM participants who asked for a
T-shirt they could wear to identify themselves as empowered members of
Team OS/2. The "ibm/2" logo suggests a "new IBM" that respects "the
little guy" as well as individual empowerment and initiative. The "/2"
emphasizes the ties between OS/2 and this new IBM.
The Commitment
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Today, Team OS/2 is open to anyone who wants to be a part of all of
this, whether you work for IBM or not. IBM Personal Software Products
executives (who also claim membership in Team OS/2) have agreed to
support Team OS/2 activities, including occasional Team OS/2 recognition
receptions (usually at Fall COMDEX). IBM has a department to respond to
requests for assistance from Team OS/2 members, and to support these
grassroots marketing efforts, which have been such a key part of OS/2's
success.
Team members are familiar with the delightful presence of Vicci Conway
and Janet Gobeille, two members of IBM's grassroots department, on the
electronic forums and at Team OS/2 hospitality suites at trade shows and
conferences. Many of the customers featured in this issue's "Point of
View" article (in IBM Personal Systems Technical Solutions magazine) are
enthusiastic members of Team OS/2.
IBM recognizes that all association with Team OS/2 is purely voluntary,
and that there are no mutual expectations or future dependencies. IBM
and other companies or individuals with an economic interest in OS/2 are
part of Team OS/2 under the same terms as all members -- with no strings
attached, and with complete respect for the freedom of others and their
right to choose their level of commitment and participation.
At the foundation of Team OS/2 are the concepts of quality, imagination,
respect, relationships, and teamwork. We don't bash DOS or Windows or
other companies or individuals. We understand and appreciate the
uniqueness of each individual. We don't take ourselves or OS/2 so
seriously that we become fanatics. And, finally, we try to maintain a
sense of humor and balance about what we do.
If you choose to become a Team OS/2 member, your participation can take
whatever form you choose, consistent with the above concepts. You are
free to use the words "Team OS/2" to let others know you are part of
this worldwide team. When you say you are a part of Team OS/2, you
signal to others that you are willing to help them understand and use
OS/2 better. As a Team OS/2 member, you agree not to detract from or
dilute the name Team OS/2 by using it in conjunction with activities
that disparage or embarrass others.
Thanks for your interest and participation. Here's to a bright future
with OS/2, you, and Team OS/2!
Dave Whittle, located in Austin, Texas, not only represents IBM
Personal Software Products (PSP) on the networks and bulletin
boards, but also represents the interests of those on the networks
and bulletin boards to PSP. He is the author of PS/2 Reference
Tables and co-author of Dvorak's Guide to OS/2 Version 2.1. He has
a BS in accounting and an MBA, both from Brigham Young University.
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Becoming a Team OS/2 Member
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To let others know you are part of Team OS/2, and to have your name
included in the list we maintain, contact one of the following:
o CompuServe: Vicci Conway at 76711,1123
o Internet: teamos2@vnet.ibm.com
o FidoNet: Janet Gobeille at 1:109/347.3479
o IBMMAIL: USIB45RN at IBMMAIL
o Fax: Team OS/2 Support at 1-512-823-3252
Please include your name, mailing address, phone number, E-mail address,
and a one-line description of your ties to and interest in OS/2. (Your
mailing address and phone number will not be published in any
distribution list.) Please include your experiences with OS/2 and your
successes in sharing OS/2 with others, plus anything else you want to
share relating to your OS/2 "qualifications."
We will put your name, city, state, E-mail address (of whatever system
you include in your application), and description in the public Team
OS/2 list, available on the electronic bulletin boards. Your address and
phone number will be added to our Team OS/2 database and used only for
any necessary future contact, such as Team OS/2 mailings.