> Sounds impossible? Oh well, I might be daydreaming... <BG>
Doesnt sound too impossible.
I've been thinking for the last months, about what I would concider
as the "perfect DOS internet suite". Here are my views and points
after adding to Eko's list:
On 14 Jul 99 at 12:05, Eko Priono wrote:
> IMHO, a perfect DOS internet suite should be an *integrated* software
> which:
>
> * Operating in text mode both for eficiency and text reader/synth
> compability; will also effectively windows-compatible.
Not impossible. Its all depends on the design, though.
Maybe allow a text-reader module that will be loaded as part of the
software?
> * Has multisession/multitasking capability (KA9Q flavors are good
> candidate), this will saves your phone bill a lot in some countries.
It is possible to use KA9Q's source to learn how to do it.
> * Can connect to the internet with either ISDN, ADSL, DSL, LAN, or
> just the plain old modem.
This is just a question of drivers availbility.
> * Has no memory constrain (just like Win9x EDIT.COM ;-)
Should be able to use EMS/XMS or even Disk swap if necessary.
> * Has excellent and fast HTML rendering engine (Bobcat is a
> good candidate).
Thats depend on where you get the engine from. :)
This might sound crazy, but if Netscape got their source opened..
How about extracting the Netscape HTML rendering engine?
Its not platform depended! (It was ported to UNIX, Java..)
It can be used when in Graphical mode, while Text mode can use
the Lynx or Bobcat engine.
> * Has excellent e-mail/news support (perhaps just like Nettamer? ;-)
E-Mail software can be founded abundle. The News client will be a good
addition. And I'm not so sure that its really hard to make..
> * Has RESUME/mirrror search support for it's FTP function
Thats a tricky part. Anyone knows how to do this one?
I sepose that the Resume will be easier then the Mirror.
> * Has easy to use point 'n click user interface (like DOSLynx/T-Vision).
For achiving this one, maybe a number of suggested GUIs should be
tried. I have a few suggestions.. with demos. (Yes, this is what
I did in my free time.)
> * Has socks, SSL, HTTP 1.1, and Javascript support.
The specifications for all of these are availble around the Internet.
JavaScript may be tricky - heard that it consume quite alot of memory.
It should be optional for the user if to activate or not.
> * Has built-in Telnet, IRC, and ICQ functions.
Freewares and source and specifications are availble for all of those.
> * Has <.... insert your own prefs here ....>
Module function. My idea is that the suite will just be just a shell,
which will be able to multitask/season with its own applications.
The applications will be loaded separetly as modules. Kind of like
with DOS Navigator. This will allow an easy addition of new protocols
and tools in the future. It will also allow easy removing of tools
that the user do not want to use. Trick is, trying to make this
entire enviroment manager to not be too bloated, and slow.
(it IS possible!!).
The target of the shell will NOT be another "GUI for DOS", but
just a shell for the internet programs that were made for it.
I personally think that this might make the whole thing easier,
if you get a bare-bones shell that is optimised for Internet
software, and then develop apps for it..
Ofcourse, it should be capable of running its dialer without
starting the GUI (like: "C:\>inet /dial" will cause it to dial,
connect, and return to the prompt. Also disconnect the same way.)
This will allow it to be used as a dialer software for external
DOS progams. (should also be capable of quiting the shell
without hanging up for the same purpose.)
> * And best of all, it should be free for personal and non-commercial
> use; preferably ad-funded (like Mirabilis ICQ or Free-PC), not a
> nagware.
Thats all depends on the company/programmers group that do it.
I'd suggest using the method Michael picked - add a few
more (NOT VITAL) options to the software, which will be availble
for registered users. No one is forced to register or nagged by
a shareware limit. One think I know, is that when a software is
really good, people are motivated to pay for it.
Or Botton
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