From: Jeff Weeks <pweeks AT execulink DOT com>
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: What's all the hype about OpenDOS
Date: 29 Jan 1997 02:20:48 GMT
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XPident:  jeff
To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
DJ-Gateway: from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp

> If you are experienced with an operating system then you can solve the
> problems that arises when you install anything on it. If you are a
> newbie ...

Yes indeed!

> First: I have never had any problem installing Linux, if it included the
> correct drivers for my hardware. The same is true for other OSes. I have
> installed DOS, Win2,-3, -95 many times without problem. BUT many people
> asked me to help them install or manage DOS or Windoses, because they
> could not do it. Why, some people around me does not even know how to
> copy files from the hd to a floppy using Windows! (They mostly use
> Winword or Excel.)

I agree.

> Second: If you have installed your OS, you can manage it even with
> control panels, at leas in Windows and in Linux. (In Linux you can use
> the RedHat distribution which has a Win95 like X window manager with
> taskbar, start menu, control panel and the like, etc.) And the design of
> Linux is much more clean that e.g. Win95. (Try to modify your internet
> settings! You must look into the internet AND the network applet on the
> control panel. Or modify the command strings for your modem if you want
> to feel what I am talking about.)

Plus, the AfterStep window manager comes with a control panel for
playing around with window settings (and, I should add, it MEGA
customizable... must more than Win95).  Everything is configurable in
Linux, and fairly easy, IF you take the time to figure out how.  I
installed Linux easily the first time, and copied my entire filesystem
(with links intact) from one HD to another with no problems.

I think Linux can be an end user environment if more people take it
seriously.  I'd love to see if destroy M$ but I have large doubts.  It's
MUCH better than any M$ OS... but M$ is too big and has that monopoly
thing going  :)

> The reason, IMHO, that we do not want to switch to Linux from DOS is
> that we want our computer to be compatible with the majority of the
> software (e.g. games )out there.

Exactly!  They don't realise though, that many programs are available
for Linux.  Most people don't want to leave M$ Office... however Linux
has StarDivion's StarOffice (which, I should add won editors choice a
while back).  Quake and Doom have been ported to Linux as well.

> But I am a little bit sceptical about OpenDOS's future. It is too late
> now for DOS. Like it or not the dominance of DOS was a result of
> Microsoft's and IBM's software strategy. Now everyone (except us...)
> wants to use some version of Windows.

I agree again but I'd like to see OpenDOS succeed.  It's needs Win95
support.  That would be most excellent :)  I wouldn't mind running the
odd Win95 program... just not FROM Win95 :)

Jeff

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