[wplug] FreeDOS

Weber, Larry A laweber at switch.com
Tue May 17 09:50:26 EDT 2005


I can sympathize with your dilemma.  We also have to maintain pc's that were
used to develop very old but still active products.  In some cases it is
because of emulator boards that require ISA slots.  In many cases it is so a
particular version of a compiler will execute. (We have one compiler that
must be run on an old 8088 pc with exactly 512 k of RAM, add more RAM and we
get an "Out of Memory" error).  People just have to understand that these
icons can not be networked.

The economics of rewriting and revalidating the software for these old
products just doesn't make sense so all we can do is "archive" the entire
p.c. and hold onto some spare parts.  Deteriorating components is certainly
a concern.

Tooling (and spare parts) needs to be included in the configuration
management plan of any product.  Annually we try to upgrade our tools and
try not to use old ones for new development.  Careful planning won't break
the bank.

-laweber

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	wplug-bounces+laweber=switch.com at wplug.org
> [SMTP:wplug-bounces+laweber=switch.com at wplug.org] On Behalf Of Burt E
> Reany
> Sent:	Tuesday, May 17, 2005 9:17 AM
> To:	General user list
> Subject:	Re: [wplug] FreeDOS
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> You've never run into a specialised ISA interface card that was never
> migrated to PCI? How many mobo's still have an ISA slot - or MicroChannel?
> Next thing you know, someone will want to make me give up my 24-channel
> chadless paper tape punch - -
> 
>   (There, there, my Precious - I'll never give you up)
> 
> 
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>  
> 
>                       Chris Ott <cott
> 
>                       @acclamation.com>         To:      General user list
> <wplug at wplug.org>                               
>                       Sent by:                  cc:
> 
>                       wplug-bounces+bre         Subject: Re: [wplug]
> FreeDOS                                               
>                       any=csc.com
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>                       05/16/2005 03:50
> 
>                       PM
> 
>                       Please respond to
> 
>                       General user list
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Michael Semcheski wrote:
> >
> > I was wondering if anyone on this list had any experience with FreeDOS.
> >
> > I have a 10-15 year old system...
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > For this simple task, we have to keep this crippled operating system
> > around.  I would be happy to go back to DOS 5.1 or 6 and use a
> > minimalist approach, except for its lack of networking.  There would be
> > a mutiny if I suggested shuttling data around with floppy disks in this
> > day and age.
> 
> Okaay... They can't use floppy disks, yet they won't get you a new
> system... What's wrong with this picture? I say, let them mutiny. If
> they get frustrated enough, they'll cough up the cash.
> 
> > Old, small hard drives in good
> > condition are not cheap or easy to find.
> 
> Again I say: let them mutiny.
> 
> > I wonder if anyone has a reality check for me.  I haven't spent much
> > time looking into FreeDOS, but I would be willing to give it a good week
> > to get things set up and working.  Before I put that time in, anyone
> > want to cast some doubt?  Anyone have any relevant experience?
> 
> You might want to look at DOSbox, too. I've used that before and it has
> pretty good hardware emulation. I can play graphical DOS games on it.
> 
> On the other hand, for something like that, I can't help but wonder how
> complicated the interface is. If you have any programming experience, it
> might actually be worthwhile to write your own.
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
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