Johnson Lam schreef:
I think it SHOULD BE optimized for 386 CPU, that means priority is
386, then have a 8086/286 version for users still using old PC's.
generally the term 'optimized' means 'works only for/on', which I find
very bad. Proper 'optimize' should mean 'has additional features or
speed increase when run on a better platform'
FreeCOM indeed should be optimized for 386 (use XMS), but the same
binary should also work on 80286 (also XMS support if you have about
1.5MB or more total), and on 8086.
When no XMS is found, CALL /S (swap freecom out to disk) should be
allowed to work.
However current FreeCOM versions have become too big and complex to
allow all features in a single binary.
4DOS uses the same 'swap to XMS' trick, and in conventional memory is a
lot larger (220KB or so) without this trick.
most optimal would be a 8086 compatible version of FreeCOM, with all
features enables, and XMS swap on 286, and support for swapping to HMA
or expanded memory (EMS). EMS does exist on hardware cards on really
ancient computers.
The reason is FreeDOS will aim for working in all PC, especially NEW
PC can enjoy the old software, since MS-DOS cannot take advantage of
the new hardware such as huge memory, fast hard disk, DVD-RW, 256bit
3D GPU. I'm waiting for such a demo or application can utilize the
full hardware power and it run on FreeDOS.
If I want to run old software in old PC, MS-DOS or PC-DOS can did the
job.
Win98's MSDOS requires a 386 I think, which rules out older computers
(embedded systems for example).
Everybody with older-than-386 CPU and less than 2 MB or even 4 MB RAM
should, if you ask me, be given only a VERY compatible 8086 boot disk.
ODIN works fine for that, if updated :)
Sadly, I've more than 4 PC in my "workshop" but none of them below
Pentium grade. The slowest is AMD K6-III 400MHz. Fastest is AMD
AthlonXP 2000+.
I think a lot, if a user want to play 48KHz MP3 or play a VCD on 80286
PC, that's almost "no possible", for custom control like cashier or
text processing don't need a fast PC, and they can use MS-DOS.
why use MSDOS when FreeDOS is available? :)
Rgds,
Johnson.
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