Mail Archives: djgpp/1999/09/09/21:31:21
Michael Kearns <michael AT toobie DOT demon DOT co DOT uk> wrote in message
news:37d7913a DOT 10901976 AT news-reader DOT bt DOT net...
> Hi.
>
> Before I start, I should qualify a few things. I'm not trolling,
advocating
> any particular OS, or looking for flames. I'm just wandering what others
> think about a few ideas I've had (and I'm sure that others have as well).
I'm still unclear on what "trolling" is. Reply via email to
damian AT pineight DOT 8m DOT com
Send spam to spamrecycle AT ChooseYourMail DOT com
> There's a lot of talk about how DOS is dead, how it's still valuable for
> *old* PCs, etc.
It's valuable for new PCs also. Some of the best games out (including
Quake and the ever-popular DOSArena, available from my home
page) are made with DJGPP, IMHO the best DOS development
system in existence.
> I'm curious to know if anyone like myself thinks it could be enhanced to
> provide a suitable OS for modern PCs. Windows and Linux are both fine if
> that's what you want - I have no qualms with that.
If you can get everyone's drivers.
> The idea is to retain the whole 'feel' of DOS, whilst providing
> enhancements like: 64Bit Filesystem with proper long filenames,
> while providing backwards compatibility through the IO services.
> Multitasking and TCP/IP built into the 'kernel'. Additional API's
> provided for graphics and sound as a standard
> (maybe adopt Allegro or Scitechs MGL).
Allegro rules. http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/
> A better memory model (this could cause compatibility difficulties).
Full protected mode support with memory allocation through an
improved DPMI.
> Why do such a thing ?? For me, because I *like* DOS.
> It's what I grew up with, and what I'm used to.
Same here. I find myself running Start > Run... and typing
command
> It's also lightweight. no Bloat. The enhancements don't
> really entail adding extra bloat. Yes, the standard APIs
> would add extra baggage, but they'd be optional.
Another optional feature would be a graphical shell for
those who prefer not to work with C:\>
> I may be dreaming, or thinking things that have been
> discussed to death. You may not agree, or think it's worth it.
> And of course, if enough people who have sufficient knowledge (I'm a
> programmer, but not wise in OS ways - willing to start though) are
> interested in such a project, then maybe I'll pursue it further.
You could start with the FreeDOS project:
http://www.freedos.org/
Damian Yerrick
http://come.to/yerrick
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