Desktop Manager released for OS/2 Workplace Shell

Development Technologies, Inc. is proud to announce DeskMan/2, the first and
only tool designed to manage the OS/2 Workplace Shell; the potent new object
oriented user interface that helps put OS/2 years ahead of its competition!
For the first time, the Workplace Shell desktop can be backed up, restored,
migrated and otherwise managed, all by using a simple Drag and Drop interface.
This can be done with one or more individual Workplace Shell objects, or on the
whole desktop, with a single command.

DeskMan/2 is fully functional on all versions of OS/2 from OS/2 2.0 plus SOMFIX
through OS/2 2.0 plus ServicePak and up to OS/2 2.1 GA.  It will not only
provide forward compatibility, but also backward compatibility, as necessary.
It is CUA-compliant, providing the OS/2 user with a familiar user interface.

DeskMan/2 is fully functional on both FAT and HPFS systems, although HPFS
systems do naturally operate at faster speeds.

Typical uses for DeskMan/2 include:

1) For an OS/2 user with a single Workplace Shell desktop.

  * Backup and Restore the Workplace Shell desktop.
  * Share Workplace Shell objects with other users.
  * Create a library of icon files for every object on the desktop.
  * Delete objects which the built-in Shredder will not delete.
  * Query objects for their settings to learn more about them.
  * Create REXX scripts to completely recreate almost any object.
  * Query and replace OBJECTIDs for almost any object.
  * Replace any object's icon with any other object's icon.
  * Change an object's styles, temporarily or permanently.
  * Use Drive mapping when changing application file locations on the system.
  * Will neither save nor restore Minimized Window Viewer or its contents,
    allowing DeskMan/2 to be used regardless of other objects in use.

2) For an OS/2 user with multiple copies of OS/2 on a single machine.

  * Permits any or all objects to be saved, restored, or migrated between
    desktops easily.
  * If DeskMan/2 files are stored in a data partition and not an OS/2 boot
    volume, then Formatting and Reinstallation of new versions of OS/2 becomes
    a minor inconvenience instead of a major project as the desktop
    configuration can be easily restored.  This is especially useful for those
    using beta versions of OS/2 who wish to upgrade to OS/2 2.1 GA, as IBM
    technical support personnel have said that such users will need to reformat
    their OS/2 boot volumes.
  * Will not replace the Desktop object, DeskMan/2 itself, nor Printer objects,
    allowing for system specific versions of these objects.

3) For an OS/2 user with multiple machines, such as at home and at work.

  * Permits any or all objects to be saved, restored, or migrated between
    desktops easily.
  * Will not replace the Desktop object, DeskMan/2 itself, nor Printer objects,
    allowing for system specific versions of these objects.
  * On most systems, will allow for the DeskMan/2 object description files and
    the full icon library to fit on one 3.5" 1.44MB diskette, or two 770K
    diskettes.

4) For an OS/2 administrator with multiple machines on a network.

  * Remotely installable and configurable, including CID enablement
  * Allows easy backup and restoration of OS/2 desktops, cutting the
    installation time for OS/2 2.1 GA upgrades by a significant factor.
  * Allows easy setup of both personalized and standardized desktops that can
    be accessed from any workstation.
  * Special corporate version also available.

For more information, please contact Evan Bergman [73220,1030] at Development
Technologies, Inc. via email or by phone at (803) 790-9230.

Here are a few of the things that other people have said about DeskMan/2.

"I like to think of myself as an OS/2 power user and as such spend most of
my time teaching Workplace Shell tips & techniques.  DeskMan/2 is now part
of my teaching.  Today I installed OS/2 2.1 golden code and DeskMan/2
saved me at least 4 hours of tedious labor.  I can't imagine being without
it."  David Barnes - Senior Staff Member - IBM's OS/2 Executive Briefing
Center

"It is a beautifully designed, invaluable program.  I love DeskMan/2."
Edward Mendelson, Contributing Editor, PC Magazine

"Every system administrator of OS/2 networks would kill to get something
like this!"  Juergen Kuri, OS/2 Support Technician and freelance
journalist for a German OS/2 magazine

"Love the program, and I think you have a real winner!"  Michael Holmes,
Office Technology Manager, Norwich Life Insurance Australia Ltd.

"It is an excellent example of a SOM aware piece of software which is the
best example that I have seen of what can be done within the Desktop/SOM
paradigm."  Lawrence Hunsicker, Chairman, Department of Medicine Computer
Applications Committee, University of Iowa College of Medicine

"How could we all live without DeskMan/2 in the ancient times?" Olaf Koch,
Author of "OS/2 2.0-Kompendium"

"We have been testing lots of beta 2.1 CDs and this is just what we
needed."  Mark Ahlstrom, Keller Group, Inc., developers of FaxWorks for
OS/2

"DeskMan/2 is truly incredible! You've got a disciple!" Orest Skrypuch,
President, Amdox Corp.
