Hi there, I wrote this in response to a personal e-mail sent to me the other night and then shared it with the Blind Computer Users list but forgot to send it here. But after today's discussion, it occurred to me that some of you are curious about it as well.
I'll add this before starting. Apple IIs in school aside, I started using computers in around 1996. By that time, DOS was already obselete and no one would teach me what I wanted to know. I'd refused to learn Windows prior to then and had started on my own little adventure using MS-DOS 5.0, Word Perfect 5.1, DOS for Dummies tapes that I got from the NLS, a Word Perfect tutorial from the local library and a machine that I'd inherited from a friend of the family. But eventually, the computer, with a 386 cpu, crashed and I was forced to use Windows. I then began acquiring some DOS tech to the point that I had synths and two KeyNote Gold laptops with stripped-down versions of MS-DOS 6.21. But then, I lost the cable needed for the synth and by the time I went to college, the old tech was put away. Well, I graduated from college four years ago and found that crazy cable about two years ago, so now have time to get back to the system I love. Only now, I've outgrown the laptop and want to expand to a newer and better computer, which is why I'm having that custom one built. Anyway, here's the essay. Many people throughout my life have asked me why I love DOS so much. Not being a truly technical person, I could only give a few reasons from my limited experience. I love old tech in general, and avoid touch screens on things that work perfectly fine with dials, switches and real buttons. But that's not the only reason why I love DOS. It's a fast, efficient, stable, keyboard-friendly system which doesn't require alot of power, hard drive space, ram, speed or money passed the initial cost of a synthesizer, a screen reader if you get VocalEyes (sold but no longer supported), since all others are now free. Even the machine itself is also cheap, since you don't need a top of the line computer to run this os. Of course, if you choose to get scanning software and a braille embosser, that will add money to the overall cost, but even those can be bought at a good price if you're lucky enough to find them. Most of the mainstream software is also freeware, shareware or very cheap. The newer versions of the operating system, like FreeDOS and Enhanced DR-DOS, are open source, meaning that you can tweek them to meet your needs if you have the technical knowhow. They're also updating the various versions to be compatible with modern hardware and formats so you're not limited to using only older technology. Enhanced DR-DOS was just updated last year and has it's own built-in multitasker, available since the old DR-DOS days, which, if it works with a screen reader, means that you're not stuck using only one program at a time. As for me personally, I like programs that use the tui (text user interface) and the command line or that have nice hotkeys and/or menus built in and that don't have tons of graphics, most of which are unnecessary or which complicate things without reason. For the longest time, that was as far as I could go with my answer. But after 14 years, I've found the page that explains more than I ever could about why DOS is still a viable option today and why it shouldn't be tossed aside. At the below link, you'll find 37 fallacies about DOS and why they're all wrong. Some are common misconceptions and some even surprised me. It's a bit long but definitely worth reading, especially if you know alot about operating systems and/or are looking for an alternative one that will keep you on budget and won't give you a headache. http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/DOS/DOS-Fal.html Many have said that software and resources are no longer available for DOS. If they mean ones for adaptive technology, then sadly, they're right. But there's alot out there for the mainstream. http://www.unet.univie.ac.at/~a0503736/php/drdoswiki/index.php and http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/DOS/DOS-Head.html (especially the second one) are both gold minds of material and have just about everything you could ever want, from links to other websites, including ones with different varieties of DOS, to programs, to tutorials and books on using the os, various programs and even programming itself, to tips and even a little humour. The only things they doen't have, as I've said, are reviews and tips on using software from the blind point of view and information on finding and using adaptive technology. I hope this explains my point of view a bit more clearly and that some people here will be able to help me. I'd really like to get my system up and running. Talk soon, Eleni For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/
