eComStation(eCS)

By: Aubrey Cristine Jude Neri

eComStation or eCS is a PC operating system based on OS/2, published by Serenity Systems.◦ It includes several additions and accompanying

software not present in the IBM version of the system.

◦ eComStation 2.1 licenses are "multi-lingual": a license can be used for any available language. At the moment English and German versions are available, when more are ready these will be made available in the download area.

eComStation 1.0 was built on the 2000 release of IBM's Convenience Package for OS/2 Warp version 4 (commonly referred to as MCP or MCP1). ◦ Additionally, several commercial applications were

bundled with the operating system package, most notably Lotus SmartSuite for OS/2 and IBM Desktop On-Call.

◦ eComStation is currently developed by IBM, Serenity, Mensys, various third party companies and individuals. Although OS/2 is no longer sold by IBM, eComStation will be developed and sold as long as it remains profitable, according to Serenity.[19] The most recent major release, version 2,[20] was released during Warpstock Europe which was held 14–16 May 2010. An updated version 2.1 followed a year later in May 2011

Once the English edition was released, efforts turned to making other language editions (called National Language Versions, or NLVs) available. ◦ However, the first non-English NLV targeted,

German, was not released until the end of 2001, due in large part to the greater-than-anticipated effort of localizing the redesigned installer and other new materials.

◦ Ultimately, no further non-English NLVs were released for eComStation 1.0; other languages would not become available until eComStation 1.1 or 1.2.

Versions of

eComStation

The largest change to the operating system as installed was a package of wide-ranging functional enhancements to the desktop environment (Workplace Shell), based on the open source XWorkplace project from NetLabs.org.

Features in version 1.1

hese included desktop folder enhancements such as status bars and improved sorting options, a new virtual desktop feature, a customizable desktop toolbar with support for programmable "widgets", and expanded configuration options. Various other enhancements such as built-in support for PPPoE and PPtP Internet connections were also provided.