OS/2 to become history
by Nikola Strahija on July 19th, 2005 While the operating system hasn't actually died, IBM has announced it will soon stop giving support for OS/2. Many OS/2 fans want the technology to be given to enthusiast.
The company released an official plan for the software's demise, as well as a long list of components that it will cease marketing this December. There will be limited support for new IBM hardware systems up to 31 December, at which point IBM will stop releasing new device drivers. One year later, in December 2006, IBM will stop providing defect support and will remove fix packs from its website.
OS/2 users will still be able to contract with IBM Global Services for specialised OS/2 support but IBM is urging users to migrate elsewhere, recommending Linux as a good alternative.
IBM and Microsoft designed the system, but in 1990s Microsoft focused on Windows and IBM never managed to find a broad market for the system. However, OS/2 was for many years the operating system standard for ATMs.
A number of OS/2 devotees would love to see the technology given over to enthusiasts. At OSWorld.com, a petition signed by more than 8,000 visitors urges IBM to release OS/2, or as much of it as is legally possible, as open-source software.
An IBM spokesman said that's highly unlikely. -It received some consideration, but it won't be open sourced, said Steve Eisenstadt. -A number of third parties participated in OS/2's development. There would be significant legal and technical obstacles involved.’
