First, the dos version of lynx includes https functionality, so one can
still deal with https in dos. I do not know exactly how the latest lynx
deals with java.
Concerning those who want to use win9x for web browsing, since arachne
is java and javascript unfriendly and lots of websites are jave crazy:
I read of one fellow who created a minimal win9x distribution, including
a browser and stores a clean copy on a spare small hard drive. He duplicates
this win9x distribution on an equally small partition of his main drive.
If believe, he boots to win from the spare drive. If anything goes wrong,
not just a virus that can infect his MBR, but any of that list of window
risky troubles -corruptions of the registry, etc. - he simply copies his
win installation from the partition to the spare drive, and, if needed,
reinstalls a new MBR. He claims this is MUCH faster than any win9x
reinstallation. And he is up again.
The above can be made more efficient if the old dos program, disksecure,
by Padgett Paterson will also function on a win9x installation, or
if there is an equivalent. The latter replaces the MBR with its own
code, puts the real MBR someplace else on the disk, automatically
prevents booting from a floppy unless you press a special key, and
provides a restore file and program to restore the MBR to its original
condition. I just to not know a) if win9x writes some code to the MBR or
just its partition b) disksecure works for any MBR and/or win9x.
If it does, I suspect most viruses do not know about or have workarounds
for the old dos disksecure, and you can safely put a small win9x distribution
on your main boot disk without risking your MBR.
Now that I think about it, there are various freeware programs that will
store and restore an MBR.
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Howard Schwartz
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howardbschwartz "at" california.com
