As many of you are aware IBM recently released TCP/IP v4.1. However this time in order to download it, you need a subscription to Software Choice. IBM is going to release other software in this manner in the future, however it's not known exactly what will be available.Now some people are confused by this, and others are just having a very hard time ordering a copy (myself included). So I'm going to try and clear some of the confusion up and give people the information they need to deal with IBM employees who don't have a clue about this product.
The IBM Software Choice: Subscription Offering provides:
The intended customers of this are people who have OS/2 Warp 4, OS/2 Warp Server, and WorkSpace On-Demand, do not have an active Upgrade Protection Option (UPO) under an IBM Software Advantage for Workstations contract. If you encounter a IBM employee who doesn't think this is the case, you can refer them to Announcement Letter Number: 297-332.
- Upgrade protection for the eligible program
- Access to IBM Software Choice reserved features and updates on the Internet for the eligible program during your subscription period
- All IBM Software Choice CD-ROMs distributed for the eligible program during your subscription period
What you get when you subscribe to Software Choice is the following:
The most important thing probably to most of us will be the Software Choice registration card. This is because, as you can see you don't get your user ID and password to download things off of the Software Choice web site until you fill out that card and sign it, and then send it via mail or fax to IBM. Once IBM has it they will send you the User ID and password, and you will then receive additional CD updates during the subscription period.
- The initial Software Choice CD-ROM of features and updates
- Installation booklet
- Proof of Entitlement (PoE)
- Software Choice registration card
When you purchase a subscription it's good for 2 years, so you will be able to get the latest software/updates for OS/2 for a long time.
The terms and conditions are as follows:
In the following tables, you'll see the various options (the package itself and then additional licenses), the IBM part numbers, and the price in US dollars, which should make ordering from IBM painless as possible.
- Limited Warranty: YES
- Available until: Program Service expiration date of the applicable operating system program -- OS/2 Warp 4, OS/2 Warp Server Version 4, OS/2 Warp Server Advanced Version 4, or WorkSpace On-Demand
- Guarantee: 30-day, money-back guarantee for program packages
- Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: NO
- Support Line: Personal Systems
- Complimentary Introductory Support: Not available for OS/2 platform
- Upgrades: NO
- Volume Orders: NO
- Software Advantage Applies: NO
- Upgrade Protection Applies: NO
- Entitled Upgrade for Current Upgrade Protection Licensees: NO
- Variable Charges Apply: NO
Now I know that I originally referred people to purchase this from Indelible Blue however if you DON'T live in the US, they can't sell it to you. So for people like me (in Canada) and in other parts of the world, you'll probably end up dealing with IBM. If you DO live in the US, here is the link to Software Choice for OS/2 Warp 4 ($198.00 US), in the IB catalog.
OS/2 Warp 4
OS/2 Warp Server
Program Name Part Number Price (US) Program Package 4070489 $249.00 1 Install 4071102 $149.00 5 Installs 4071103 $708.00 10 Installs 4071104 $1386.00 50 Installs 4071105 $6854.00 OS/2 Warp Server Advanced
Program Name Part Number Price (US) Program Package 4070491 $499.00 1 Install 4071106 $399.00 5 Installs 4071107 $1895.00 10 Installs 4071108 $3711.00
Program Name Part Number Price (US) Program Package 4070493 $699.00 1 Install 4071110 $599.00 5 Installs 4071111 $2845.00 10 Installs 4071112 $5571.00