README.OS2

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-- M o z i l l a   R e a d   M e ----------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

* This Read Me file contains information about installing and using
  the OS/2 builds of Firefox, Seamonkey, and Thunderbird.

* These applications are subject to the terms detailed in the license
  agreement accompanying them.

* OS/2-specific changes to the product are listed in the CHANGES.OS2 file.

* The Mozilla for OS/2 project home page is now located at
  https://github.com/bitwiseworks/mozilla-os2/wiki. There you will find
  most recent news, binary downloads and the issue system to report
  OS/2-specific bugs.

* Community support for the Mozilla applications is available through
  the newsgroups 'mozilla.dev.ports.os2' or 'comp.os.os2.apps'.
  Messages posted to other forums may not be seen by the developers.
  For additional resources, see the "Links" section below.


===============================================================================
-- Contents -------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

*  Installation

*  Compatibility Warning

*  Starting the App

*  OS/2 Add-ons

*  Environment Variables

*  Fonts

*  Printing

*  Video

*  Troubleshooting

*  Known Problems

*  Links

*  System Requirements

*  Acknowledgements

===============================================================================
-- Installation ---------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

1. UNZIP the archive into any directory you wish.  This will create a
      subdirectory with the same name as the program.  For example:
         unzip firefox-5.0.en-US.os2.zip -d x:\mozilla.org
      will install Firefox in x:\mozilla.org\firefox.

   !! If you already have a directory with the same name from an older
      installation, rename it first (e.g. 'firefox-old').  Do not let
      the new version install on top of the old one.

2. CHOOSE a directory where the Mozilla applications can store their
      profile data, then add a line like this to config.sys:
         SET MOZILLA_HOME=x:\mozilla.org
      The first time you run any Mozilla app, it will create a 'mozilla'
      subdirectory where your customized settings are saved.

   !! Without "SET MOZILLA_HOME=", the 'mozilla' subdirectory will be
      created in the same directory as the program itself.  This can
      make it very hard to upgrade to new versions without deleting
      your customized settings.

3. INSTALL 'libc065.dll' into one of the directories on your "LIBPATH"
      (e.g. 'x:\os2\dll').  You can download a zip from:
         ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/gcc/libc-0.6.5-csd5.zip

4. INSTALL 'freetyp2.dll' and 'fntcfg2.dll' into one of the directories
      on your "LIBPATH" or in the program directory of the Mozilla app.
      You can download a zip or wpi from Hobbes or netlabs:
      http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-search.php?button=Search&key=mzfntcfgft_runtime&dir=%2F
      ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/incoming/mozilla

5. INSTALL 'pthr01.dll' and 'mmap.dll' from
      http://rpm.netlabs.org/release/00/zip/pthread-20120924-11_oc00.zip and
      http://rpm.netlabs.org/release/00/zip/mmap-20111102-8_oc00.zip,
      respectively. If you use RPM/YUM, just run:
      'yum install pthread mmap' from the command line.

6. INSTALL 'gcc446.dll' and 'stdcpp.dll' from
      http://rpm.netlabs.org/release/00/zip/gcc-4_4_6-15_oc00.zip.
      If you use RPM/YUM, just run:
      'yum install libgcc446 libstdc++' from the command line.

7. Optional: Use mozinst to create icons on desktop.
      http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-search.php?key=mozinst

8. Optional: you may want to install some of the items listed in the
      "OS/2 Add-ons" section below to improve the app's performance.


===============================================================================
-- Compatibility Warning ------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

After using Firefox v4.0, Seamonkey v2.1, or Thunderbird v3.4 (or any later
version) your History and Cookies databases (places.sqlite & cookies.sqlite)
will NOT be compatible with earlier versions (i.e. FF3.6, SM2.0, or TB3.1).
A REXX script is available to restore compatibility.

* To preserve compatibility BEFORE running the new version:
  - download 'dbrestore.zip' from
      ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/incoming/mozilla/dbrestore.zip
    or
      http://e-vertise.com/warpzilla/dbrestore.zip
  - unzip it into your profile directory
  - make backups of places.sqlite and cookies.sqlite

* To restore compatibilty BEFORE running an earlier version:
  - run the script from your profile directory.

* To restore compatibilty AFTER running an earlier version
  (i.e. you forgot to run the script before):
  - look for 'places.sqlite.corrupt' and 'cookies.sqlite.corrupt' in your
    profile directory,   If they appear to be the right size, remove the
    '.corrupt' extension after deleting the newly-created versions.
  - run the script
  - if your history and cookies aren't restored, use your backup copies.


===============================================================================
-- Starting Firefox / Seamonkey / Thunderbird ---------------------------------
===============================================================================

If this is the only Mozilla application you use, then all you need is a
simple program object.

However, if you run two or more of these apps at the same time, you may
encounter dll conflicts.  If you can open any one of these apps by itself,
but can't open a second one while the first is still running, this is the
likely cause.  An entry in popuplog.os2 reporting a 'SYS2070' error for
the program that failed to start will confirm the problem.

The solution for dll conflicts is "SET LIBPATHSTRICT=T".  There are several
ways to set this:

* modify your program object:
    Path and file name: *
    Parameters:         /c set LIBPATHSTRICT=T & seamonkey.exe "%*"
    Working directory:  x:\mozilla.org\seamonkey

* create a .cmd file:
    x:
    cd mozilla.org\thunderbird
    SET LIBPATHSTRICT=T
    start thunderbird

* use Run! <http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-search.php?key=run!>:
    Copy 'run!.exe' into the program's directory, then rename it as:
      'firefox!L.exe', or 'seamonkey!L.exe', or 'thunderbird!L.exe'
    Now, change your program object start it rather than the original exe.
    (Use 'LK' instead of 'L' if you want the icon to show it's "in-use".)

Note:  For best performance of most browser plugins, you may want
       to omit LIBPATHSTRICT for your primary browser and only set
       it for your other Mozilla apps.


===============================================================================
-- OS/2 Add-ons ---------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

* Workplace Sans - TrueType Font
    Mozilla no longer supports bitmap fonts like WarpSans, so its menus
    and dialogs may not look very "OS/2-like'.  To fix this, you may want
    to install Alex Taylor's 'Workplace Sans', a TrueType font inspired
    by WarpSans.  The app will use it by default if it's available.
    Many users prefer the bitmapped version as it looks cleaner at small
    point sizes.
       http://users.socis.ca/~ataylo00/creative/fonts/workplace/#wpsu

* RWS - WPS Integration
    With RWS, you can open downloads using their default WPS association
    and have the app display the correct icon in file listings & dialogs.
    For example, when you download a WPI file, the download dialog will
    display WarpIn's icon, and offer to open it using WarpIn so you can
    install it directly from the browser.
        http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-search.php?key=rws08dll

* Exceptq - Crash Reporting
    If the app crashes, Exceptq will beep and then create an exception
    report containing details of the crash.  You can send these reports
    to the developers at <crash@e-vertise.com>.
        http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-search.php?&key=exceptq

* ConfigApps & Internet Application Integration - Set Default Browser
    These two utilities make it easier to set your default browser,
    email program, newsreader, etc.
    - ConfigApps
        http://hobbes.nmsu.edu//h-search.php?key=configapps
    - Internet Application Integration
        http://7cities.net/~mckinnis/os2/

* Doodle ScreenSaver - Intelligent Timing for Internal Cleanups
    When Doodle's Screen Saver (DSSaver) v1.8 or later is installed,
    the app can determine how long the user has been inactive.  This
    allows it to suspend reloads of "Live Bookmarks" and perform cleanup
    operations during idle periods rather than while you're browsing.
        ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/pub/dssaver/


===============================================================================
-- Environment Variables ------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

These can go in config.sys or the .cmd file you use to start the program.

* MOZILLA_HOME=[path]  (recommended)
    As noted above, this controls where the 'mozilla' subdirectory
    containing your profile (personal settings and data) is located.
    For example:  if you specify "SET MOZILLA_HOME=x:\mozilla.org",
    then your profiles will be stored in 'x:\mozilla.org\mozilla'.

* MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH=[path]
    This lets you specify a global directory for plugins like Flash
    and Acrobat Reader so that all Mozilla apps can access them.
    For example:  "SET MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH=x:\mozilla.org\plugins"
    Note that _you_ will have to create the 'plugins' subdirectory
    and install your plugins into it.
    Without this environment variable %MOZILLA_HOME%\Mozilla\Plugins
    can be used.

The following are intended to fix problems, not enhance performance.
Very few users have any need for any of these:

* NSPR_OS2_NO_HIRES_TIMER=1
    This tells the app not to use OS/2's high resolution timer.  Don't
    set this unless other applications using the high resolution timer
    (e.g. multimedia apps) act strangely.

* SET MOZ_ACCELERATED=0
    Disable DIVE (accelerated video) support.  Try this if the app fails
    to start or the display is corrupted.

* MOZ_NO_REMOTE=1
    This permits you to run multiple copies of the same app at the same
    time (provided you have separate profiles for each copy).
    Also works as a parameter, eg Firefox -no-remote

* MOZ_NO_RWS=1
    This disables the WPS-integration features provided by RWS.
    Signs that this is needed include hangs or crashes when viewing or
    saving attachments or using a default WPS application as a helper
    application.

* SET NSPR_NO_EXCEPTQ=1
    This disables Exceptq for the Mozilla apps without disabling it for
    other programs that use it.


===============================================================================
-- Fonts ----------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

* Mozilla apps use an internal font engine that offers antialiasing
  and the ability to search multiple fonts for the correct glyph.
  However, it only supports TrueType & Type1 fonts.  OS/2 bitmap fonts
  like WarpSans, System Proportional, etc, are NOT supported.  Users
  are encouraged to install Alex Taylor's "Workplace Sans" TrueType
  font to restore an "OS/2 look-and-feel" to menus and dialogs.
  Note: Currently OS/2 versions do not support @font-face

* The apps' built-in antialiasing can be controlled via two preference
  settings.  Type "about:config" into the Address Bar, then press Enter
  (for Thunderbird, use the 'Config Editor' on the 'Advanced' page of its
  Options dialog).  If the following preferences aren't listed, you can
  add them by right-clicking any item and selecting "New" from the menu.

  - gfx.os2.font.antialiasing (Boolean)
    This preference controls whether antialiasing is enabled; the default
    value is "true".

  - gfx.os2.font.hinting (Integer)
    This controls the hinting level.  It can range from 0 (no hinting)
    to 3 (full hinting);  the default value is 2.  Font hinting improves
    the contrast of displayed text, but may produce poor results for
    certain characters of some fonts, most notably the OS/2 version of
    "Times New Roman".

  Note:  you may need to restart the application to see your changes.

* Fonts that contain special characters in their names (like Asian
  Unicode font names) may not display correctly in the list of fonts
  in the Options panel.


===============================================================================
-- Printing -------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

This version offers printing support using both native drivers and the
app's built-in PDF and Postscript generators.

* Native Driver Support
    All native printer drivers should work and all features offered by
    the driver should be supported.

* Built-in PDF Support
    PDF files can be created by selecting any printer, then checking
    'Print to file',  When the file dialog appears, give the file's
    name a ".pdf" extension.

* Built-in Postscript Support
    Mozilla's built-in Postscript support provides an alternative to
    using the native PSCRIPT drivers.  If you use CUPS or plan to
    direct Postscript output to file for further processing, you may
    want to use this feature.  There are two ways to enable it.

    = Always =
    This method may produce better quality output than the native PS
    driver if you use CUPS.  After performing the one-time setup below,
    select a printer associated with a native PS driver, then press 'OK'.

    Setup:
    - enter "about:config" in the browser's address bar, press Enter
      (for Thunderbird, use the 'Config Editor' in the Options dialog)
    - look for the entry "print.os2.postscript.use_builtin"
    - if it exists, doubleclick on it to change it to "true"
    - if the entry doesn't exist, add it:
      o  click MB2 on any item in the preferences listing
      o  select 'New->Boolean' from the popup menu
      o  enter "print.os2.postscript.use_builtin" (no quotes), press OK
      o  select "true", press OK

    = As Needed =
    Use this method to create Postscript files for further processing
    without having to add or change the "use_builtin" setting:
    - select a non-Postscript printer (see below)
    - check 'Print to file', then press 'OK'
    - when the file dialog appears, give the filename a ".ps" extension

    !! With either method, the native driver isn't used to create the
       print job, so most of its optional settings (e.g. duplexing)
       are ignored.  Only its Orientation (portrait/landscape) and
       Resolution (dpi) settings are used.  For print-to-file usage,
       choose a non-Postscript printer that has suitable DPI settings.
       (e.g. the HP Laserjet 2100 driver offers 300, 600, & 1200 dpi).


===============================================================================
-- Video ----------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

Users of the SNAP and GenGradd video drivers running in full-color mode
will automatically experience improved video performance thanks to the
applications' use of DIVE.  Currently, the Panorama video driver is not
supported if its "shadow buffer" option is enabled.

* DIVE Support
    DIVE lets an app bypass PM's graphics subsystem and write directly to
    your video card's memory.  This improves display speed but can cause
    problems on some systems.

    Use any one of the following to disable DIVE:
    - uncheck "Use hardware acceleration when available" on the Options
      dialog's 'Advanced->General' tab.
    - start the app in "safe mode" (use "/safe-mode" on the command line)
    - add "SET MOZ_ACCELERATED=0" to config.sys.

* Mouse Pointer Issues
    If the mouse pointer disappears when starting the app, you can use
    "SET MOZ_ACCELERATED=1" to override automatic detection of how your
    video driver displays the pointer.  If it flickers when scrolling a
    page, you may want to try "SET MOZ_ACCELERATED=2".


===============================================================================
-- Troubleshooting ------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

The following may help resolve problems that were known at the time this
ReadMe was written.  Additional community support is available through
the newsgroups 'mozilla.dev.ports.os2' or 'comp.os.os2.apps'.  Messages
posted to other forums may not be seen by the developers.

* Program won't start
    If other Mozilla apps are open, close them, then retry.  If it can
    now start, see the "Starting Firefox/Seamonkey/Thunderbird" section.

* Program crashes when the first window appears
    If you see the outline of the window, then it crashes, see the
    "Video" section for info on disabling DIVE.

* Program crashes or hangs when downloading files, viewing file listings,
    loading message attachments or dragging with the mouse.
    Try adding "SET MOZ_NO_RWS=1" to the environment.

* Program crashes randomly
    Restart the app in "safe mode" (use "/safe-mode" on the command line).
    If it appears to be stable in safe-mode, a plugin may be the cause.
    Disable all plugins, then restart normally.  If it remains stable,
    reenable one plugin at a time until the problem returns.

* Program beeps several times then crashes
    The beeps simply indicate that Exceptq is installed and is creating
    a trap report to help identify the cause of the crash.  Since Exceptq
    isn't activated until a crash occurs, it isn't the cause of the crash.

* Continuous 100% CPU usage
    If you use OS/2's "Comet Cursor" feature, try turning it off.
    Try adding "SET NSPR_OS2_NO_HIRES_TIMER=1" to the environment.

* User-interface (buttons, address bar, etc.) is missing or corrupted
    Shutdown the program, then open the directory containing its profile.
    Delete 'XUL.mfl' and the directory named 'startupCache, then restart.

    Note:  To find your profile, select Help->Troubleshooting Information
    from the main menu.  On the page that appears, find the line labelled
    "Profile Directory" then press the button next to it.  After the folder
    opens, be sure to close the app before changing or deleting anything.

* Other problems
    First, try the solution for "User-interface is missing or corrupted"
    above.  If that doesn't work, try creating a new profile.  The easiest
    way is change the path in your "MOZILLA_HOME" environment variable when
    the app isn't running, then restart it.  If this fixes the problem, try
    copying files from your original profile to the new one until the issue
    reappears.  The first file to try is "prefs.js".

    If you can identify which file is the cause, restore your original
    "MOZILLA_HOME" path.  Rename the problem file so Mozilla can't find
    it, then restart the app.  Mozilla should create a new version of the
    file you've hidden, and with any luck, the problem should be solved.


===============================================================================
-- Known Problems -------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

  Due to bugs in MMPM, the current version of Firefox runs the Flash plugin in
  "in-process" (traditional) mode instead of the new OOP (out-of-process) mode
  used on other platforms. This will be fixed in future releases.

  The OpenJDK (Java) plugin works but there are some problems with window
  updates. This is to be addressed in future releases.

  The @font-face HTML attribute is not yet supported. As a result, tiny boxes
  with hex numbers are displayed instead of characters on pages that use it.

  Fonts with names containing special characters (like Asian Unicode names)
  will not display correctly in the list of fonts in the Options panel.

  Mozilla apps will beep when copying more than 64 kB of text to the clipboard.
  This is to alert users that many applications (most notably the system
  editor, EPM, and applications running in VIO windows) cannot paste more
  than this.

  Cross-platform problems are usually listed in the release notes of each
  milestone release.

  Other known problems can be found by following the link "Current Open
  Warpzilla Bugs" on the OS/2 Mozilla page <http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/>.


===============================================================================
-- Links ----------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

Main resources:

* Mozilla for OS/2 Home Page
    https://github.com/bitwiseworks/mozilla-os2/wiki

* Mozilla for OS/2 Binary Releases
    https://github.com/bitwiseworks/mozilla-os2/releases

* Mozilla for OS/2 Issue Tracker & Bug Reports
    https://github.com/bitwiseworks/mozilla-os2/issues

Additional information:

* Official Releases (Firefox 10 and earlier versions)
    http://www.mozilla.org/ports/os2/

* Beta Versions (Firefox 10 and earlier versions)
    ftp://ftp.netlabs.org/incoming/mozilla/

* General Information About the Mozilla Apps
    http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
    http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
    http://www.seamonkey-project.org/

* Steve Wendt's Tips for Warpzilla
    http://os2news.warpstock.org/Warpzilla.html

* Mozilla for OS/2 Newsgroup
    mozilla.dev.ports.os2 on server news.mozilla.org

* Mailing list gateway to mozilla.dev.ports.os2
    https://lists.mozilla.org/listinfo/dev-ports-os2

* Mozilla for OS/2 IRC Channel
    #warpzilla on server irc.mozilla.org

* Submit Bug Reports (all platforms)
    https://bugzilla.mozilla.org

* Building Mozilla Apps on OS/2
    https://developer.mozilla.org/en/OS/2_Build_Prerequisites


===============================================================================
-- System Requirements --------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

* Minimum hardware requirements for acceptable performance
    - 1.0 GHz processor
    - 256 MiB RAM plus 128 MiB free swap space
    - 40 MiB free harddisk space for installation
      plus storage space for disk cache
    - Graphics card and driver capable of displaying 64k or 16m colors

  Note:  Installing more RAM than the minimum required may produce
         significant improvements in performance and stability.

* Software requirements
  - Installation on a file system supporting long file names
    (i.e. HPFS or JFS but not FAT)
  - OS/2 Warp 4 with Fixpack 15 or later (Warp 3 may work but is unsupported)
  - Kernel with build level 14.104a is recommended.
    (http://www.os2site.com/sw/upgrades/kernel/w420050811.zip)
  - MPTS version 5.3
  - TCP/IP version 4.1
  - INETVER: SOCKETS.SYS=5.3007, AFOS2.SYS=5.3001, AFINET.SYS=5.3006

  Note:  Do not attempt to use MPTS & TCP/IP versions below these INETVER
         levels.  Although the app may seem to start and run normally,
         some features it needs are not implemented correctly in older
         MPTS versions and may cause crashes and data loss.

  Convenience Pack 2 or eComStation 1.0 or later meet these requirements
  out of the box.

* Java
    Java versions earlier than 1.5 are *not* supported.  Neither the IBM
    nor Innotek versions of Java will work with this release.

* Innotek Font Engine
    This is no longer needed or used by any of the Mozilla apps and it is
    recommended to remove browser related entries from the registry.
    The mozinst.zip package includes a utility to do this and is
    automatically invoked when using mozinst.cmd.

* Plugins
    Do not use the "OS/2 Multimedia Plugin for Netscape".  It does not
    support any MM formats currently in use and is known to cause crashes.


===============================================================================
-- Acknowledgements -----------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================

The Mozilla for eCS (OS/2) project is currently supported and maintained by the
staff of bww bitwiseworks GmbH:

- Dmitriy Kuminov (developer)
- Silvan Scherrer (project manager)

bww bitwiseworks GmbH would like to thank the following people for their
prior work on Mozilla for eCS (OS/2). We might not share all your opinions,
however we still appreciate your work, contributions and input (and will do
so in the future):

- Mensys BV
- Mike Kaply
- Peter Weilbacher
- Rich Walsh
- Walter Meinl
- Dave Yeo
- Steve Wendt
- all we missed here!

===============================================================================