    Mesa 2 (tm) Spreadsheet for OS/2 from Sundial Systems
    Release Notes (README.TXT) for Mesa 2 2.2 PreRelease
    October 1997


    IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PRELIMINARY RELEASE; SEE THE LEGAL FINE PRINT BELOW!

    Thank you for trying Version 2.2 or Mesa 2 for OS/2.  This file contains
    information which became available after the printed materials went to
    press.


    The Legal Fine Print

    By installing this preliminary version, you agree that you have read the
    PreRelease License Agreement accompanying the software and that you agree
    to its terms and conditions.  You also acknowledge that the software is
    experimental in nature and that Sundial Systems Corporation may not be
    held responsible for its use in any way.

    Mesa is a trademark of Athena Design, Inc., and is used by Sundial Systems
    Corporation under license.

    Other phrases used herein may be brand names, trademarks, or registered
    trademarks of Athena Design, Inc., CompuServe Incorporated, Corel
    Corporation, Lotus Development Corporation, IBM Corporation, Microsoft
    Corporation, Sundial Systems Corporation, or others.  All such names and
    trademarks remain the property of their respective companies.



    What is Version 2.2?

    Version 2.2 is a major upgrade of Mesa 2 with features significant ease-
    of-use enhancements and new functionality when compared to the 2.0 and 2.1
    series of Mesa 2 products.

    The details can be found in the "What's new in Mesa 2.2" section of the
    on-line documentation.

    This PreRelease of Version 2.2 is fully functional and has been through
    several earlier testing cycles.  As such, it is anticipated that the released
    product will match this PreRelease quite closely.

    However, the PreRelease is preliminary in nature, may contain errors, and
    will automatically cease to function at some future point in time.  Thus,
    we strongly recommend that you do not install it over a working copy of an
    earlier version of Mesa 2.

    Also please note that version 2.2 uses a smaller, more compact file format.
    Mesa 2.2 can read files created by all previous Mesa versions -- but those
    versions cannot read the new file format.  However, as an option, Mesa 2.2
    can create files for use with Mesa 2.1.x (but not 2.0.x).  To do this,
    simply select the "Mesa 2.1 Workbook File" type when you save the file.


    OS/2, Presentation Manager, and Workplace Shell Compatibility:

    Mesa 2 is designed specifically for use with OS/2 Version 3, or 4 and
    the Workplace Shell.  This includes all of the following releases:

        OS/2 Warp 4
            "General Availability" release
        OS/2 Warp Server
            "General Availability" release
        OS/2 Warp Connect
            "Red Box" (for use with Windows) release
            "Blue Box" (with Win-OS2) release
        OS/2 Warp (OS/2 Version 3)
            "Red Box" (for use with Windows) release
            "Full Pack" (with Win-OS2) release

    Most "FixPak" levels of OS/2 Warp, Warp Connect, and Warp Server have also
    been tested.

    Note that releases prior to OS/2 Warp (including OS/2 2.0, 2.1, and 2.11) are
    not supported.  Support for OS/2 2.11 will be included in the released product.


    Limitations

    Listed below are some known limitations which may impact your use of the
    current version of Mesa 2.

    * Under some circumstances, certain operations (including copying data to
      the clipboard and customizing the toolbars) will stop working after
      frequent, repeated use.  This is due to a problem in the graphics
      processing at some FixPak levels of Warp 3 and Warp 4.

      The problem is known to be present in Warp 3 FixPaks 17 through 30 as
      well as in Warp 4 GA (no FixPak) and Warp 4 FixPak 1.

      Under normal circumstances, the problem is unlikely to appear since
      large numbers of repeated operations are required.  However, the problem
      occurs significantly sooner on Warp 4 than Warp 3. Further, some
      inherently repetitive operations, such as updating a graph based on
      real-time feed data, will eventually cause the problem to appear.  (In
      this particular case, turning off the Buffered Graphs option will avoid
      the problem.)

      When and If the problem appears, exiting and restarting Mesa 2 will
      temporarily resolve it.  However, the problem will now reappear sooner
      than it did the last time.  Repeating this process enough times
      eventually requires the system to be rebooted.

      The only way to completely avoid the problem is to move to a later
      FixPak level (at least FixPak 30 for Warp 3 or FixPak 2 for Warp 4) in
      which IBM has corrected the problem.

    * If you have multiple copies of Mesa 2 installed on your system, you may
      see a SYS2070 error when you try to run one copy or the other.  Similar
      problems may also occur if an older version was not completely removed
      from your system.

      While newer versions of Mesa 2 have been designed to avoid this problem,
      the conflict cannot always be automatically avoided when an older
      version (typically, 2.0.4 or earlier) is involved.  Almost always, this
      is caused by a LIBPATH conflict between the different directories
      involved.

      The general solution is to be sure the LIBPATH statement in your
      CONFIG.SYS file contains ".;" before any "\MESA;", "\MESA\DLL;"
      "\MESA2;", "\MESA2\DLL", or similar entries related to previous Mesa 2
      installations.  This resolves most such conflicts.

      If this solution does not work or doesn't apply to your situation,
      please, contact technical support for further assistance.  Be sure to
      include information on the versions involved and be prepared to supply a
      copy of your LIBPATH information.

    * When loading files, the Type of File listbox refers to extended
      attributes as well.  If you have (for example) Lotus 123 files created
      from a DOS or Windows version of Lotus, those files probably do not
      have the 123 DOS Spreadsheet extended attribute set, so you must set
      the Type of file to All Files, and then type the filename mask that
      you desire in the Open Filename box.

    * Not all formatting information is necessarily preserved when
      importing or exporting, and this varies to some degree from one file
      format to another.

    * There is a known problem with OS/2 Warp 3 FixPak 17 and Mesa 2 such that
      when Mesa 2 is open, windows won't come to the front when activated.
      This is corrected in later FixPaks.

    * There have been reports of SYS0147 problems when exiting from Mesa 2
      on OS/2 Warp 3 with FixPak 17 installed.  If this happens, do not
      attempt to restart Mesa 2 without shutting down the system.


    Technical Support

    We at Sundial Systems are committed to supporting you, our customer.

    We track all questions, comments, and "bug reports" concerning our
    products and use this information in planning future releases.  If
    there are features you particularly like or things you think should
    be added to our products, please let us know.

    Please consult your license agreement and the on-line documentation
    for details about the level of technical support to which you are
    entitled.

    If you have questions or suggestions, please call us at (562) 596-5121
    between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday.
    You can also FAX your questions and comments to us at (562) 598-9851.

    On the Internet you can send email to mesa@sundialsystems.com, or to
    mesa@ibm.net; or visit us on the web at www.sundialsystems.com.

    Technical support is also available on CompuServe through the Sundial
    Systems section of the OS/2 Application Vendor forum.  Start
    connecting with Sundial Systems and other CompuServe members by
    calling 800-524-3388 and ask for Representative #456.  (In the United
    Kingdom, call 0800 289 378.  In Germany, call 0130 37 32.  In the rest
    of Europe, call (+44) 272 255111.  Outside the U.S., Canada, and
    Europe, call 614-457-0802.  Be sure to ask for Representative #456).
    If you're already a CompuServe member, enter GO OS2AVEN at the !
    prompt to access the Sundial Systems Section of the OS/2 Vendor Forum
    on CompuServe.

    Thanks in advance,
    Sundial Systems Support Services.

