From: mathew@mantis.co.uk (mathew) Subject: Re: DOS/MS Windows compatibility for Free Software Date: 9 Jun 1992 13:26:25 GMT
rafetmad@cheshire.oxy.edu (David Giller) writes:
> on right now about MS' MSCDEX CD extensions to DOS. IBM wants to make
> a MSCDEX-compatible interface for its DOS boxes under OS/2, but found that
> they couldn't do so without violating MS' copyrights and patents. DRI
> is now frantically working on a Windows-3.1-compatible DR-DOS, now that
> Windows 3.1 doesn't work with their last-released DOS clone, due to Windows'
> use (abuse?) of undocumented features.
Corrections:
DR-DOS *does* work with Windows 3.1, DR supply a patch program to fix the
problems. The next release of DR-DOS will work perfectly. The reason the
current release doesn't work is that Microsoft allegedly refused to let DR
join the Windows 3.1 beta programme.
For my money, DR's GEM was better than Windows. It certainly had a much
cleaner graphical look, and was much more efficient. If only we were using
GEM 5 instead of Windows 3... but sadly, Microsoft's marketing clout killed
GEM. (Apple's threat of legal action probably didn't help either.)
mathew
-- Still seeking U2 Negativland CD, and willing to pay moderately ridiculous amounts of money for it.