[Am-info] Running DOS apps.

[Marcus de Geus]

In reply to a message from "Geoffrey" <esoteric@3times25.net> dated 2002-05=
-15 08:58:56 -0400 (Wed):

> > Actually, OS/2 or eCS provides an excellent DOS platform.
> 
> I was actually thinking about that in the back of my head.  I've got an 
> older version of Warp, I might give it a spin.  If it flies, I would 
> recommend eCS for this environment.  Thanks for the suggestion.
> 
> Just to make sure I understand this though....  The way it currently 
> works is, she boots a windows box, starts a program from a desktop icon 
> and it shutdowns windows, then fires up the dos program.  Do you think 
> it will still be a viable solution?

Geoffrey,

YES.

One of the reasons I switched to OS/2 at the time (1993) was that it ran DO=
S programs (and Win16 stuff) much better than any flavour of MS-/PC-/DR-/Wi=
nDOS ever did or will do. Most of my business was DOS-based at the time, yo=
u see. In fact, I still have a couple of DOS (and Win16) apps, including Wo=
rdPerfect 5.1, on my current desktop system.

The real BIG difference with the current WinDOS solution is that there will=
 be no need to shut down the OS, so it can do all the things it was designe=
d to do -- networking, printing, whatever -- while your customer uses her D=
OS app (either full-screen or in a window on the OS/2 desktop). Note also t=
hat the DOS app will have the full 640 KB of DOS memory as well as any amou=
nt of extended/expanded/etc. memory you care to throw at it. No need for me=
mory management drivers, no CONFIG.SYS/AUTOEXEC.BAT hassles. This is the be=
st reason by far to switch DOS apps to OS/2, but people often forget to men=
tion it. Also, you won't need massive hardware; any reasonably compatible P=
C box with a P133 or better and 64 MB RAM in it will do.

Having said all that, there is of course the possibility (horrible thought)=
 that your customer's DOS app is one of the few that will not run in the MD=
OS environment because it wants to take over the hardware side of the busin=
ess, in which case you're sunk. Sorry. <g>

If you need any help/advice/meddling, just let me know.

Regards,

Marcus de Geus
--
marcus@degeus.com
http://www.degeus.com