What are the OS/2 redbooks, and how do I get them?

(see end note for FTP information)

IBM publishes so-called "redbooks" on many products, including OS/2 2.x. They seem to be a combination of power-user's guides and design information that may be of use to both users and programmers [I haven't received my copies yet, so I cannot say for sure.] These are usually intended only for special IBM customers and contain documentation that is generally unavailable anywhere else. You can order these books directly from IBM (see below). All of the following names are implicitly preceeded by "OS/2 Version 2.0."

Volume 1: Control Program: GG24-3730, $4.15

Technical information on Memory Management, Task Mangement, Support, Installation Considerations, Hardware Considerations, Boot Manager, National Language Considerations, Intel 386 architecture, Channel Architecture and SCSI. Documents config.sys.

MVDM,8086 Emulation,MVDM DOS emulation, Device Drivers, Memory Extender Support, Installing and Migrating Applications, Windows Applications, DPMI, Running DOS apps,DOS settings, VMB.

Available now, but I don't know precisely what's in it.

Technical programming info (includes list in C) Overview, Object-Oriented Apps, PM application model, flat memory model, building PM app, Workplace AOAShell and System Object Model, Direct Manipulation (Drag/drop), PM resources, Multitasking Considerations, SAA CUA considerations, App Migration, Mixing 16 and 32 bit application modules, compiling and link editing (SOM), Adding Online Help, Problem Determination, Managing Development, Naming conventions.

Information on programming the print subsystem.

The special part number GBOF-2254 is for all currently available volumes (presently 1-5).

ORDERING INFORMATION:

The OS/2 2.x Redbooks are available from IBM's TeleServices customer support number. The number is 1-800-7654-IBM (1-800-765-4426). You can pay by credit card or mail in a check after calling. The order will take about 2 weeks but can be sped up by paying for faster shipping.

You can also order the redbooks from your local IBM Branch Office library. Some possibly useful phone numbers are included here. IBM Central Library, Los Angeles CA: (213) 621-6710 P . O .Box60737
Los Angeles, CA 90060
Canada: (800) 465-1234, ext 4205 ($33.52)
UK: (0256) 478166, (#36.51, credit cards accepted)
Australia (Victoria): 698-1234 ($46.80 A)
IBM Australia
The Library
211 Sturt Street
South Melbourne, 3205
Att: Kate Seeley
Denmark: 33 32 40 55 (dkk 310)

The redbooks are also FTP'able from cdrom.com as the os2/ibm/misc/redbk*.zip. The source code that accompanies the first three redbooks can FTP'able from cdrom.com as os2/2_x/program/rb37*.zip.

Various OS/2 technical programming books can be found on the Developers Connection CDROM. The entire OS/2 Library can be found on the "OS/2 Online Book Collection CDROM", Order Number S53G-2166-00.