A kiosk is a multiple user system, but not necessarily a simultaneously multiple user system. So DOS will work most likely. Chances are though, the DOS system files and tools themselves need to be on read only memory if there is any possibility of a person being at a command line and making a mistake or doing something malicious. DOS used in a kiosk breaks down if there is any persistent data tied to a particular person that needs to be saved on the kiosk, but often that isn't what you actually want. A large ROM and a lot of ram placing data on a ram drive is an option. Hit the reset button, the data is gone. Freedos in particular boots up quickly, so users can hit the reset button and the next person will be able to use the system shortly. Dos is simple compared to Linux, less to go wrong and troubleshoot. Dos supports some software that no other environment supports. Dos with local only area networking on a kiosk may be connected to a true multiuser multitasking OS so that individual user data can be saved securely. A kiosk in essence should be just a terminal to a more advanced server. The advantage of a true single user fast booting OS is that you can hit the reset button and you won't damage it. Don't hit the reset button on a Linux system, it may not boot again.
> Why are you assuming said DOS system will be accessed by multiple > strangers? For things like FreeDOS, there will be a single user who > installs it in the first place and runs it after it is. While it's > theoretically possible to set up DOS in a VM so that different users > have different DOS systems, t's far more bother than it's worth. > > If I am setting up a kiosk, DOS is *not* what I'll use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ridiculously easy VDI. With Citrix VDI-in-a-Box, you don't need a complex infrastructure or vast IT resources to deliver seamless, secure access to virtual desktops. With this all-in-one solution, easily deploy virtual desktops for less than the cost of PCs and save 60% on VDI infrastructure costs. Try it free! http://p.sf.net/sfu/Citrix-VDIinabox _______________________________________________ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
