What its for
This is used to update the IAK software semi-automatically over the internet. You select which programs to update and the appropriate files are downloaded to your computer and installed. Corrective service updates, CSDs, and updates to the rest of the IBM software do not use this method, only the internet software.
I think that this is a tremendous service. Except for access, the problems with it have been rare, and its hard to argue with the convenience. Use it. If you prefer, however, the updates can be done manually by downloading the files from a variety of F TP sites.
What you will see
When you start this program it will present you with a list of the currently available updates. The first item is a dated text file describing what is available. Select this item and it will be downloaded and presented in an editor window for your exam
ination. If after reading the file you decide to update, start the program again (it automatically closes after each download) and mark the programs you want, then click on OK.
The updating is usually a two step process since some of the files that are
updated will probably be locked. This is why the program will suggest that you reboot. It makes a few changes in your config.sys file so that the installation is completed on your next boot of OS/2.
Settings
If you look in the settings page of this program, you should see LINKUP.EXE in the Path and file name field. This is the program that launches UPDATE.EXE, the actual updates program, which appears in the Parameters field. Th e source location for the updates is also in the parameters field. The entire field should look like:
UPDATE.EXE /h updates.gopher.ibm.com
Cautions
Beta releases, plainly marked as such, are sometimes distributed by this route. These are usually quite sound; but if you do have problems with a beta, it can sometimes be quite difficult to deinstall and go back to a previous, working version.
Prudence dictates that you should try not to run the program you are updating during the update. Generally this will not hurt the process and sometimes it is unavoidable; but some users have reported problems possibly resulting from violating this prin ciple.
Even more important, after updating a program do not try to run the new version before rebooting. Occasionally this might result in two portions of a program at different release levels running together and causing the new program to be improperly init ialized.
Problems
At times updates.gopher.ibm.com has failed to resolve when attempting to update. As of this writing (July '95) updates.gopher.ibm.com can be replaced with either ftp01.ny.us.ibm.net or 165.87.194.246 If you find that you cannot connect, try these addre sses or check the news groups for a current alternative. I recommend, however, that you restore the original settings as soon as you perform the update. IBM might change the physical site but will probably keep using updates.gopher.ibm.com as the address.
This document generated by SpHyDir, another fine product of PC Lube and Tune.