Archived Notices!

10/14/2007
FileStar/2  v3.00 was released on this date. As stated in numerous notices previously, it was not released 'very soon' as  planned. But now that it is, you should find the program is faster with improved and new features. And FlexEdit is included as an integral viewer/editor. This version is installed as an evaluation (trial) version. You can try before you buy.  What you buy is a license and keys to enable the program for long term use.  Without keys, it will run unrestricted for one month after installation. Thereafter it runs with feature degradation occurring over the next two months. At the end of six months, the program will start but immediately close. It can be fully enabled at any time by adding purchased keys to the installed directory.

10/19/2001
The UniMaint CSD v5.10.23 has a bug in UniWatch where it cannot find the UniMaint OS2.INI entry. As an interim fix, add the line:
SET UNIMAINT=X:\OS2\OS2.INI
to the config.sys file, where X: is your boot drive and reboot to activate UniWatch.

09/23/2001
Another UniMaint CSD is available (v5.10.23)!  It is a general maintenance release. Read the text file for the changes to see if you should update or download it here.

09/23/2001
For all those that have been inquiring about the development status of FileStar/2 v3.0, I want to assure all current and prospective users that it is still in an ongoing private beta status. It will be released in a public beta, hopefully in the very near future. Thanks for your patience! The previously announced upgrade policy has not changed and will not change.

10/29/2000
Please accept an apology for lack of a recent status report on FileStar/2 v3.0. To be brief, it is still in work.  Making no excuses, it is hard to pinpoint any one thing as the reason why it's not released yet. To avoid any further missed predictions, there will not be any. The upgrade policy noted below remains in effect.  Some users have asked questions about compatibility with eComStation, LVM partitions and the JFS. To date, no problems have been reported by v3 beta testers attributable to eComStation, LVM or JFS. Company tests should be completed on these within the next week.

06/14/2000
It is time to announce our policy and prices for the upgrade to FileStar/2 v3.0. But first, a status report is appropriate.

There will be two betas of v3.0. The first will be released as soon as documentation and HLP files are finished. These should be complete in about two weeks. This first beta will be time limited and will only install on systems with a current v2.x installation.

The second and last beta will also be time limited but will install on any system running OS/2 2.1 or better. This beta is expected about 1 August and will be of short duration. The second beta will likely have one additional significant improvement that is in work.

Notwithstanding unforeseen problems, the release of v3.0 should occur by approximately 1 September. The program has had ongoing involvement by a number of individual users throughout its development over the past 2.5 years and is running with good stability on a number of systems. You may review the current v3.0 beta new and modified features here.

Any FileStar/2 v2.x user that has purchased the program after 1 March, 2000 will be able to down load a free upgrade to v3.0. So if you are waiting for v3.0 to be released to buy it, wait no longer. Those that have purchased the program through BMT Micro, GammaTech Online or SHS will not have to document proof of ownership since those are well documented. Others will have to provide proof of purchase, the means to be determined at a later date, to receive a free upgrade.

There will be no hard copy manual for v3.0, at least initially. Instead, printable PDF documentation will be made available for down load. In addition, the standard HLP file and a HTML version will be made available. A future hard copy manual will be considered if and when there appears to be adequate demand to justify the publication costs.

The price of v3.0 is going up, not down as some of you might expect. While the price is not set at this time, it will be in a range comparable with the old SofTouch Systems, Inc. price of $59 vice the current $45. FileStar/2 has a significant following that proclaim it to be the workhorse of their OS/2 environment. At least one user has told SHS that he would pay $200 for FS/2, knowing what it does for him! But for those users running FS/2 v2.x that bought FS/2 prior to 1 March, 2000, the upgrade cost will be $32 for an online down load.

05/21/2000
Another UniMaint CSD is available (v5.10.15)!  It fixes a few miscellaneous problems that have been reported in the past 3-4 months. Probably the most serious were problems repairing WPS objects when Deskman/2 is installed and a situation in the Uninstaller where the user could get trapped with no way to exit the function. Read the text file for the changes to see if you should update or download it here.

05/21/2000
We have been hard at work on the FileStar/2 upgrade to Version 3.0. Progress has been slow but it is finally coming together. Your patience is appreciated. It won't be released until it's ready!

02/12/2000
The site will be under reconstruction for a short period. We have moved to a different server in preparation for installation of a shopping cart. After the cart is online, users will be able to purcahse more products, like upgrades, that are not available through the current supporting order sites.

01/28/2000
This page contains a chronological history of notices. Items older than 6 months will drop off the bottom starting next month.

01/28/2000
Another FileStar/2 CSD available! The FileStar/2 v2.10.03 CSD is now available for download. Read the readme text file for the changes to see if you should update. It fixes the startup problem noted below (01/19/2000) and a couple of other minor things that turned up in the interim.

01/19/2000
NEW FileStar/2 CSD PROBLEM! It has just been reported and verified that the new v2.10.02 FileStar/2 will NOT create a new FILESTAR.INI file when started without an existing file. Please make a backup copy of your existing FILESTAR.INI file just in case you need it! The file will remain available for download until a fixed version is available - which will be ASAP! As long as you have a good backup copy, there is no need to get the fixed version when it is available unless you just want the very latest.

More info... It turns out there is a way to create a FILESTAR.INI file when none exists in the FILESTAR.EXE directory. You can add in the program object Optional Parameters field two valid paths, i.e.  C:\ C:\, (space between the paths) and the file will be created on start. Once a valid FILESTAR.INI file exists, you may remove the path parameters from the program object.

Since there has been a large number of downloads already of v2.10.02, a fix for this problem will be delayed a few days to see what else may turn up. We don't want to wear users out downloading CSDs.

01/16/2000
A NEW FileStar/2 CSD is available (v2.10.02)!  Read the text file for the changes to see if you should update or download it here.

01/11/2000
A NEW UniMaint CSD is available (v5.10.04)!  It fixes the problem noted in the notice of 12/06/1999 and others. Read the text file for the changes to see if you should update or download it here. It includes the latest Zip update (Zip 2.3) and is now compatible with all combinations of FAT and HPFS installations with Zip v2.1 through v2.3.

01/03/2000
FileStar/2 and Y2K - FileStar/2 versions v2.01 (January 1998) and sub are Y2K compliant and use 4 digit dates for all date handling with the exception of the Date windows in the Data Panel in the primary window. Those windows are shortened to two digits to accomodate selection of fonts through font size 10 (12 System VIO). Unfortunately, the current Date window is showing only a single '0' digit after Y2k rollover. How this happened after all the testing for v2.01 is baffling since the computer date was advanced several times for those tests. But it did and a CSD will be forthcoming very soon to correct this anomaly. Please note that this window shows the date in the 'Country' format as configured by the Country settings. Also note that the System Clock reports a single zero in the Properties dialog. You may check the 'Leading zeroes' option on the Numerals page of the Country settings  to force a display of '00' for the date in the subject window.

12/26/1999
A UniMaint fix for the problem noted immediately below has been developed. However, given the short time until the real Y2K test, it will be withheld until approximately 8-10 January, 2000. Previous tests have indicated UniMaint and FileStar/2 are Y2K compliant and no problems are anticipated. But if a problem is reported early in 2000, the delayed release will keep everyone from having to download two CSDs. Your patience on this matter is appreciated.

12/06/1999
Important UniMaint Notice!!  If you have UniMaint version 5.1 installed on a FAT partition and OS/2 installed on a HPFS partition, you probably are not getting a good backup of your Desktop directory structure when you do a Desktop Backup. Starting with  version 5.1, Zip v2.2 is being used to perform the backup where previously Zip v2.1 was used. Based on a very preliminary investigation, it appears that a change in Zip v2.2 to accomodate spaces in directory paths (which the Desktop directory generally has a lot of) results in an error  which is displayed but flys by too fast to read or notice. If your SYSBCKXX.ZIP file has a file size of 350-400k and the ZIP.EXE file size is 112,688 bytes, you have the problem.  You can also run the ZIP.EXE file and see if it reports v2.2. The immediate solution is to replace the ZIP.EXE file in the UniMaint directory with ZIP.EXE  v2.1 - or reinstall UniMaint on a HPFS partition. Download the older zip file here. If necessary, a CSD will be forthcoming to eliminate the incompatibility.

Our thanks to Ralph Alvy, long time UniMaint user, for picking this up and reporting it.

11/10/1999
Links to purchase and download single user licensed copies of UniMaint and FileStar/2 through GT-Mall (GammaTech) have been added to the Orders page. You cannot order the Combo package yet at GT-Mall but this will be added shortly, along with links to purchase upgrades from UniMaint v4 and FileStar/2 v1 to the latest versions of each.

11/04/1999
The availability of a UniMaint - FileStar/2package deal is now real. See Orders for pricing and a secure link to purchase and download it.

11/02/1999
A new FileStar/2 CSD is available for download. This CSD contains minor bug fixes (v2.10.01) and will be of interest primarily to those that start the program minimized. The previous CSD had a bug that caused gross mis-sizing of the internal windows when started in the minimized mode. The FileStar/2 demo program also had the same bug and has been replaced with a fixed version. There are 3 other minor fixes in the CSD/demo updates.

10/20/1999
For those users who have been waiting to purchase either UniMaint or FileStar/2 until the download programs have been updated  to the latest versions, wait no more! Order now!

10/17/1999
If any users have suggestions about where to post news of new downloads available, etc, please either leave email or post them to the forum. It has been observed that when announcements are posted to WarpCast where it's normally there for only one day, there are a lot of site vists/downloads which taper off quickly after 3-4 days. It is obvious that not all user get the word with just the WarpCast announcements.

10/13/1999 - UniMaint v4 and FileStar v1 Users
The poll of UniMaint v4 users indicates that it is not viable to make a download upgrade version from v4 to v5. The same is probably the case for FileStar v1 users. Any user that desires to upgrade either program from the previous major version (UM v4 or FS v1)  to the current version  should e-mail SHS with their request to do so and the transaction will be handled offline.

10/11/1999
A new FileStar/2 CSD is available for download. This CSD is a minor version change (v2.10.00) and contains a significant change in the way directories are copied/moved. It has a new install program (derived from GTINST). It also represents the first FileStar/2 CSD published by SHS.

10/02/1999 - All Users!
The forum page will be fine for user questions not related to a real problem or bug so feel free to use it for that purpose (or any kind words that you have for UniMaint or FileStar :-)). For real problems it is preferred that you use the Support form so there is better tracking of those problems and responses. Of course you may do both if you like.

Check the Main page. Located near the bottom of the page is  input to the FAST internet search engine!

10/02/1999 - FileStar/2 Users!
Given the negative (read the 09/20/1999 item) and positive (Warp Expo West and upcoming WarpStock) events of the past few days, it's time to depart from past policy of shrouding in secrecy what's in the next upgrade (new features) version of FileStar/2 and give those users hope for the future. FileStar/2 version 2.x is close to wide beta status. There has been delays recently pushing it behind the desired schedule. These are just a few of the new or expanded features:

• Integrated text/hex viewer/editor named FlexEdit. This a a very fast loading (it's a pre-loaded DLL) full featured application with some features not found in other editors.

 
• The Find function has been expanded to include a text search capability (it still does file searches also) that is extremely easy to set up by file, directory, drive or system and includes grep expression support or simple text strings up to 128 characters in length in any type file.

 
• The Query function has been expanded and includes querying files or directories. It shows numerous details about the selected directory or file and has buttons to open the Properties dialog, view/edit EAs, file read/write status, set attributes, etc.

 
• The program is network aware and has a Connect dialog to view and make the connection to all available shares as well as a Disconnect dialog.

 
• Expanded manipulation of EAs includes one step deletion of longname, subject and icon EAs for all selected files. A new easy to use EA  dialog makes creating, editing and deleting EAs for a file or directory a snap.

 
• New file selection features such as 'Remove selected' and filters such as filter by selected extension.

 
• New multiple file renaming capabilities.

 
• Improved selected file list save and print capabilities.

 
• An easy to use file split and append/rejoin capability.

 
• New multi-directory view capability to sort the file window contents by directory. Click here to see the latest FileStar/2 CSD sorted and listed by directories.

 
• Expanded Frequent/Last directory lists.

 
• A lot of code improvements and other minor changes.

 
• More info later...

09/30/1999 - UniMaint V4 Users
There have been some queries from UniMaint Version 4 users about a reduced price upgrade to Version 5. If you are a Version 4 user and are interested in a possible upgrade, please take the poll HERE. The object of the poll is to determine if the effort to support such a  version can be justified. A similar poll will follow for FileStar/2 Version 1 users.

09/27/1999
A forum page has been added to the home page selection tree. The forum is hosted by BraveNet Services and is in test mode only. Don't use the forum for support at this time but do give me feedback in the forum as to whether you like the idea and features or not.

09/22/1999
A new UniMaint CSD is available for download. This CSD is a minor version change (v5.10.02) and contains only three minor bug fixes. However, it does have a new install program (derived from GTINST) which should eliminate most of the installation problems experienced in previous CSDs. It also represents the first UniMaint CSD published by SHS.

A UniMaint tipwas also added on how to force UniMaint to use a private INI file.

09/20/1999
An occurance not related to FileStar/2 and UniMaint has detracted from efforts to release updates these past two weeks. However, things should get back on track quickly.

For those who are wondering about the future of these programs after the bad news, rest assured they are not going away and further development is progressing, albeit slowly.

08/29/1999
The UniMaint CSD download noted in the paragraph below has been removed and is no longer available.

08/27/1999
A new UniMaint CSD is available for download for a very limited period. This is a pre-release CSD and will be pulled as soon as there is  adequate feedback from those that download it. There are no significant fixes in it. It is being issued primarily to reflect change in ownership. It does contain a re-written installation program and is about 2.4M. The reason it is that large is it contains a complete refresh of all UniMaint files. You must have a valid installation from the distribution media to apply this CSD.

08/20/1999
The Links page is now active but is still under construction to some extent.

08/19/1999
The Orders page is now available. Not all the details are complete but at least those users who are waiting may order and online download from BMT Micro. The same will be available through the GT-Mall server in the next day or so. Please note that the programs may be purchased without the manual, saving those users who do so the cost of the manual and shipping charges. I'm sure you will let us know if there are any problems in this process.

The old GTINST installation program has been getting a face lift the last few days. At the very least, it should be a little more user friendly.
 

You should be able to online order and download the current versions of FileStar/2 and UniMaint here by sometime next week. Also a demo version of FS/2 that is identical to the purchased product, except for a drop dead date (based on the install date),  should be ready soon.

08/02/1999
For all users of SofTouch Systems OS/2 products!

I am excited to have the opportunity to continue development and to have responsibility for sales and support of two outstanding OS/2 applications! As many of you may or may not know by now, I entered into an agreement with SofTouch Systems, Inc that, effective 1 August, 1999, transferred all rights to the OS/2 programs, FileStar/2 and UniMaint to myself.  Also included in the agreement was REXX SuperSet, File Secure and GT PowerPak. I intend to actively market FileStar/2 and UniMaint doing business as Sierra HyperStar Software (SHS). This is a company founded by myself when I first introduced FileStar/2 as shareware in 1994.

With this new ownership comes the responsibility for support of the thousands of users of the programs. This initially will be the primary objective and most support will be accomplished through this web site. Support of the products on the OS2AVEN forum of CIS will be terminated.

As soon as conditions permit, equal emphasis will be placed on the upgrading of FileStar/2 and UniMaint. Both programs are fairly solid and problem free at this time. You can expect an upgrade to FileStar/2 first since that effort has been underway for some time by myself. It will be impossible to ever get to know UniMaint like Larry Martin does but I am now obligated to try. I will be negotiating with Larry to provide interim support for UniMaint. I will be actively seeking one or more additional programmers to assist in further development of the products. Interested programmers should contact me via email.

I intend to keep the programs FileStar/2 and UniMaint available for sale as commercial products, available through this site as soon as the necessary arrangements are made. Other ways to purchase the programs are under consideration. The continued availability of the other programs - REXX SuperSet, File Secure and GT PowerPak - will be addressed after a review of sales history and other factors.

I ask that all of you give SHS the opportunity to show that we can support and improve the products. Our goal will be to continue to make users happy with both programs and keep them viable in the OS/2 marketplace. Your continued support is vital in many regards. I will keep you updated on our progress. Stay tuned to this web site.

I want publicly thank Larry Martin, author of UniMaint and Executive Vice President of SofTouch Systems for his part in making this possible.

You are invited to browse the rest of this site. It is far from being ready for business and several of the links have been intentionally broken where that area is under construction.

Jim Read

p.s. Constructive >

Transfer interrupted!