Subject: PC + DOS Emulator Source Code for UNIX From: wrb@teal.csn.org (William R. Bishop) Date: 7 Oct 1992 02:52:31 GMT
Greetings DOS-doers:
I worked on a project for over a year to develop a PC AND DOS emulator
under unix. This was supposed to be our "BIG" break (and it just about broke
John Stevenson-jks@nomadic.com and I). We both had a lot to learn about
marketing. A lot of your potential buyers got the shakes when Microsoft
announced their effort to bring a DOS emulator to every machine (for free?).
Please post all responses to comp.unix.dos-under-unix or Email wrb@wrb.com
It only emulates an XT (or most of one) and a monochrome display adapter,
though it was designed to be extended. The code traps interrupts and executes
UNIX code for the DOS interrupts (thus obviating the need for DOS).
Many of the important DOS calls have been emulated, but quite a few have not.
We figured to use the code as a "wrapper" around PC packages, thereby only
needing to implement the calls that a particular package uses (and what do
you know, just like most compilers use only a small subset of a machines
instructions, most programs use only a small subset of DOS calls).
It was developed on an SGI 3030, 4D/35, and Indigo so the keyboard and
display I/O is tailored to these machines (GL).
It runs Quicken, most of WordPerfect and Microsoft word as it sits. The
mouse stuff still has a few problems.
The code has been sitting on the shelf for a year or so now, waiting for
its "BIG" break. I am posting this notice to see how many people would be
interested in using and improving it. Also any suggestions on how to
support it would be appreciated (like pearl?)
William R. Bishop (Bill) -<wrb@wrb.com>