Category: Geeks r Us
I know that I've posted about DOS, many times, on this site. And many of you, rightfully, have told me to do some research. So I'm in the process of compiling a list of DOS-related links to help me on my journey. These are the ones I've found so far. Since several of these contain links to programs etc. I've just included those, rather than linking to them. Some are also of direct interest to us blind users. Maybe not to most here, but I did want to prove that I am researching and not simply asking questions. Plus, since these boards are findable on search engines, perhaps they'll be of use to others not on this site.
Essentials
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/DOS/DOS-Fal.html
This is a must-read for those who are skeptical about using DOS in the 21st century. The author gives 37 common fallacies about DOS and then explains why they're untrue. It's long but totally worth the read if you're tech savvy.
http://drdosprojects.de/
This is the homepage for Enhanced DR-DOS. On this page, you'll find the download links to the software itself, as well as a few utilities and several other links.
http://www.drdos.com/dosdoc/
Here you'll find the full user's guide for DR-DOS 7.04, released by Kaldera as open source software. This is the base of Enhanced DR-DOS, so it's still quite relevant. This page also has information on power management savings and configuring the actual system.
http://www.drdos.net/install/
These are instructions for installing DR-DOS 7.03 off of a floppy. The site also has several useful programs including a cd rom driver.
http://www.unet.univie.ac.at/~a0503736/php/drdoswiki/index.php?n=Main.Download1
these instructions are very different from the ones in the previous link. The page appears to be gone now, but could possibly be accessed through the internet archive.
http://celamantia.arcadecontrols.com/docs/dossound.html
This is a partial list of DOS-compatible sound cards. For wireless cards, WaveLAN and ORiNOCO work, according to the Fallacies link. If anyone knows of other brands please share them.
Helpful Links
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1046069/yes-usb-drivers-dos
Here's an article from 2003 about using USB devices in DOS. I believe this is for MS-DOS and that EDRD is still working on that feature. I'm not sure if FreeDOS can do it or not. However, there might be third-party drivers which resolve this issue. Still, from what I've heard, it can still only be used strictly for storage devices.
http://www.computing.net/forum/dos/1.html
this is one of the best computing sites I've ever seen. The people are really helpful and know their stuff. The above is the direct link to the DOS forum, but they have areas for many different operating systems.
Blind-Specific Information and Downloads
http://www.abledata.com
This is a huge site full of information on old and new adaptive technology for all sorts of disabilities.
http://www.nfbnet.org/download/blind.htm
This is a great listing of old programs for the blind. Most of the links still work.
http://www.empowermentzone.com/bl_tech.txt
yet another list of tech specifically for the blind. Most cannot be found today, but on the off chance that something does appear, I'm keeping this as a reference.
http://kitchensinc.jgriffith.com/dosgames/dosgames.htm
DOS games and other wonderful programs by Jim Kitchen and others, all screen reader
accessible, of course.
http://www.nettamer.net/
Here's the homepage for the all-in-one browser NetTamer, which is screenreader accessible. They haven't updated it since the late 90's but still charge for it. If anyone knows of a modern accessible browser, please let me know.
http://allinaccess.com/happ/
This is a site with a wonderful goal, to try and preserve old programs and data about blind technology. Right now, they're quite small, but I look forward to the day when they will have many titles available!
Mainstream Downloads
These may or may not work with screenreaders, but I'm including them to show the vast array of software that works with DOS and the options available in general for this os today.
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/DOS/Websites.html
This is from the same site where I foun the fallacies. Here, you'll find just about everything imaginable related to Dos, from alternate versions (some of which are still being developed), to how-tos on multitasking, to software for internet usage, playing music and videos, to keeping databases an more, to tutorials for things like programming and even basic and complex Dos commands, to utilities for usb drive support.
http://www.4dos.info/dprogs.htm
Another wonderful listing of links. These are the programs, including Microsoft Word 5.5 and WordPerfect 5.0, but there are other good links on the site as well.
http://www.glennmcc.org/download/masrtin/index.htm
More links.
http://www.petesqbsite.com/sections/tutorials/beginners.shtml
Here's a page full of tutorials for learning how to program in QuickBASIC and QBASIC.
when you find moon mist which is played in that operating system let me know.
am interested if you ever got a working system for yourself?
I am honestly wanting to know, not just asking to be rude.
I certainly don't find it rude. Check out my "DOS Machine!" link. I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I'm so close to getting one that it's driving me crazy!