Demand That IBM Open-Source OS 2

Released on: December 9, 2007, 7:24 pm

Press Release Author: Kim Haverblad / OS2 World Foundation

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: Demands has been raised by OS2 World Foundation to get IBM to
open source their once flagship of operating system, OS/2, by setting up a petition.


Press Release Body: Malmo, Sweden, December 10, 2007 -- OS2 World Foundation are
petitioning IBM to release the operating system\'s source code as open-source since
the product still plays a vital role within many financial firms where the support
and development needs still exists. Also, an earlier petition made by OS2 World
Foundation during 2005 collected almost 12.000 signatures.

OS2 World Foundation would like to insist on implementing the stipulations contained
in the petition because we believe that OS/2 is an important part of the history of
the Operating System, and furthermore, it still contains values that the computer
science field considers unique. Open-sourcing OS/2 will be the best option for
customers who want to retain their investment in this platform and it will ensure
the platform's continued development into the future, especially in light of the
fact that it's \"End of Support\" passed by in December 2006.

After talks with the OS/2 development community, we have found that the following
three important components will be basic to the continued development of OS/2:

- SOM (System Object Model) Core. This will also be a good contribution to the open
source community in general and to the computer science educational area.
- Workplace Shell (WPS). According to press documentation, the OS/2 graphical user
interface (GUI) was developed 100% by IBM. There are no third party restrictions to
open sourcing it.
- OS/2 Kernel.

\"The primary reason for the petition is to get vital parts of OS2 open sourced to
gain from the technology in current technology. If the gain then can be made in eCS,
Linux or the future Voyager project that Netlabs.org runs; well that doesn\'t really
matter; but it\'s a shame if IBM lets the code go down the drain.\" said Kim
Haverblad, Founder of the OS2 World Foundation. \"Clearly we have showed IBM that
there is still a huge interest for OS/2 as product and they should be happy for that
instead they do their best to ignore almost 12.000 individuals representing both
small and large corporations world-wide.\"

For more information about the ongoing petition, please then visit following link:
http://www.os2world.com/petition

About OS2 World Foundation:

Launched in May 2000 by Kim Haverblad, OS2 World.Com is now the best source for news
about OS/2 & eCS. As an international collaborative community, the Internet site
also gives the OS/2 & eCS community a common platform upon which they can interact
with each other. Having grown from modest origins into a powerful resource for OS/2
& eCS, it is now one of the major OS/2 & eCS sites available.

Contact:
Kim Haverblad, Founder & Director of public relations
OS2 World Foundation
+46 707283786
http://www.os2world.com

For more information:

OS2 World Foundation - http://www.os2world.com
eCS/eComStation - http://www.ecomstation.com
Netlabs/Voyager - http://www.netlabs.org

All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Web Site: http://www.os2world.com

Contact Details: Contact:
Kim Haverblad, Founder & Director of public relations
OS2 World Foundation
+46 707283786
http://www.os2world.com

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