(6.1) Promoting OS/2 Warp

What can I do to promote OS/2 Warp?

OS/2 Warp is selling well, but there are steps you can take to assure that hardware devices and software will be available for OS/2 Warp in the future. Customer requests do matter.

• Politely, firmly, and repeatedly request driver support from printer, video adapter, and other hardware manufacturers.
• When you receive a mailing for DOS/Windows software with a postpaid envelope, return the order form marked "Please send information on your native OS/2 Warp version."
• Start a user group at your location. Contact Gene Barlow or Richard Woolsey at IBM (phone 214-402-6456) or mail ibmpcug@vnet.ibm.com for assistance. Think about how you can publicize your user group. For instance, most local newspapers and television stations will print/broadcast meeting announcements for free. Your local cable television company will be happy to broadcast a videotape of your meeting on the public access channel.
• Correspond with members of the computer trade press. Ask for reviews of OS/2 Warp software, hardware compatibility testing with OS/2 Warp, OS/2 Warp benchmarking, etc. Respond politely but forcefully to press you think unfair; praise good reporting.
• When you purchase a new system, ask the vendor to install OS/2 Warp, and to offer credit for dropping DOS and Windows. If the vendor refuses, you may wish to take your business elsewhere. Compaq, Everex, AST, Northgate, Toshiba, Vobis, Escom, Osbourne, Patriot, CompuAdd, ALR, Unisys, Dell, Tangent, IBM, Ariel Design, and others all offer systems with OS/2 Warp preloaded.
• Make sure your company (or yourself) specifies OS/2 Warp compatibility when purchasing new products.
• Demonstrate OS/2 Warp to friends, relatives, and associates.
• Ask your computer store to stock OS/2 Warp software titles, have OS/2 Warp demonstration machines, etc.
• Pass along useful OS/2 Warp shareware and freeware to your local BBS. Be sure to register OS/2 Warp shareware.
• Write an outstanding piece of shareware or freeware [see (4.5) Technical Support for details on joining DAP]. IBM has been known to recognize such work with rewards. Also, ask authors of DOS/Windows shareware and freeware if they would port to OS/2 Warp, or volunteer.
• Recommend products that work well under OS/2 Warp; dissuade people from purchasing products that do not.
• Wear OS/2 Warp pins, shirts, buttons, and other souvenirs. Contact the Lees/Keystone OS/2 Warp Merchandise Center (phone 914-273-6755 or FAX 914-273-9187) or the IBM OS/2 Warp Hotline (phone 800-3-IBM-OS2) to order such items.
• Join Team OS/2, an international organization of volunteers who are OS/2 Warp enthusiasts and are actively sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with others. These activities include supporting OS/2 Warp user groups, running OS/2 Warp BBSes and online conferences, demonstrating OS/2 Warp at retail stores and other public places, encouraging and helping others to install OS/2 Warp, answering OS/2 Warp questions, and much more. Membership is not limited to IBM employees. For information on Team OS/2 events you should monitor the TEAMOS2 echomail conference on your local FidoNet BBS. If your local BBS does not carry TEAMOS2, ask your system operator to get it. See (4.11) OS/2 Warp BBSes for the names and numbers of several BBSes which carry TEAMOS2. To join Team OS/2, send your name, address(es), and telephone number to Vicci Conway (netmail 76711.1123@compuserve.com or FAX 407-982-1229). Include information on your activities to date and a one line description of yourself for the public Team OS/2 list.

Related information:

(3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources
(4.5)  Technical Support
(4.11) OS/2 Warp BBSes