Introduction

This is a brief glossary of some of the terms to be found on these web pages. It is not intended to be a dictionary of computing; quite a lot of the terms are rather historically-based IBM ones, or acronyms in common use in the OS/2 community. If you think of a term that might usefully be added, please email it to Bob Eager.

Terms

ACP

An Aurora Convenience Pack, one of the Convenience Packs for Warp Server for e-Business, which had the internal code name Aurora.

ACP1

The first release of ACP, which was issued around the end of 2000.

ACP2

The second release of ACP, which was issued around the end of 2001.

Aurora

The IBM internal code name for Warp Server for e-Business.

Borg

The IBM internal code name for OS/2 2.1.

Convenience Pack

A consolidated collection of a base system and all current FixPaks, delivered as an immediately installable system. Convenience Packs are available via IBM Software Choice, or as part of eComStation. There are two kinds of Convenience Packs; ACP and MCP.

Corrective Service Diskette(s)

The distribution medium (historically anyway) for FixPaks. Now used as an alternative term for a FixPak.

Corrective Service Facility

An IBM tool (set of programs and other files) that is used to apply corrective service (FixPaks) to an OS/2 system component.

CP

An abbreviation for Convenience Pack.

Cruiser

The IBM internal code name for OS/2 2.0.

CSD

An abbreviation for Corrective Service Diskette(s).

CSF

An abbreviation for Corrective Service Facility.

DASD

Direct Access Storage Device. A long established IBM term, which currently means a disk device; historically there were other kinds of direct access storage (e.g. magnetic cards) which may explain the rather generic terminology.

eComStation

A third party OEM version of OS/2. It is based on the Merlin Convenience Packs, but with the option of SMP support.

eCS

An abbreviation for eComStation.

Ferengi

The IBM internal code name for OS/2 2.1 for Windows (the version that used an existing copy of Windows rather than integrated code).

FixPak

A controlled release of fixes and updates to an OS/2 component. FixPaks are usually cumulative; that is, only the latest version need be applied. FixPaks are applied using the Corrective Service Facility.

FixTool

An informal name for the Corrective Service Facility.

GA

An abbreviation for General Availability.

General Availability

An IBM term signifying the first general release of a product or product version. This differentiates it from earlier alpha or beta versions, and also from versions which have had FixPaks applied.

IPL

Initial Program Load. A long established IBM term, first used on their mainframes. It refers to the process of loading the first program into the system when starting it up, and hence is actually what is more commonly referred to as the bootstrap process.

Master Boot Record

The contents of the first physical sector on a hard drive. This consists of the partition table, and the initial boot code which selects the active partition and boots it.

MBR

An abbreviation for Master Boot Record.

MCP

A Merlin Convenience Pack, one of the Convenience Packs for OS/2 Warp 4, which had the internal code name Merlin.

MCP1

The first release of MCP, which was issued around the end of 2000.

MCP2

The second release of MCP, which was issued around the end of 2001.

Merlin

The IBM internal code name for OS/2 Warp 4.

NLV

An abbreviation for National Language Version. OS/2 is translated into many languages, and these are known as National Language Versions. In fact, IBM tend to treat this term as if it said 'non US version'; products are viewed as a US English version, and also National Language Versions.

SMP

An abbreviation for Symmetric MultiProcessing. A system that uses two or more processors is said to be a multiprocessing system. A multiprocessing system where both processors have more or less equal status (in particular, both can execute most kernel mode code) is a symmetric multiprocessing system. Some versions of OS/2 support SMP; notably a special version of OS/2 2.1, Warp Server 3, Warp Server 4, Warp Server for e-Business, and (as an option) eComStation.

UNI

An abbreviation for uniprocessor; in other words, a single processor system.

Warp

The IBM internal code name for OS/2 3.0. This was then adopted as the marketing name for OS/2 in that and subsequent versions.

WSeB

An abbreviation for Warp Server for e-Business.

WSOD

An abbreviation for WorkSpace On Demand; an OS/2 product for use on diskless workstations.

Humorous terms

IBM employees have been known to invent new acronyms in the corporate tradition. A few may be found here.

LSI

Land Sea Interface. The beach.

LSI

Large Storage Unit. A cupboard.

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