Why wouldn't you? Why not a later version, or every version? Wouldn't you like to know the reasoning behind the decision for doing this with MS-DOS 4 specifically? It seems like they're going through approximately each major revision but is that going to stop at 6.22 or will MS start releasing windows with win 1.0?
Well, the two relevant questions there are: A) is it?, and B) so what?
It's not like you're not allowed to provide paid support for a piece of open source software.
At this point I'm not sure what portion of the difference between 4 and 6.22 is relevant or unknown. That's a pretty well explored platform. I guess this way FreeDOS stays relevant a bit longer? Maybe? It's not like it isn't trivial to pull a copy of 6.22. It was trivial when it was new.
If 6.22 is used in military/banking/insurance/energy/heathcare system deep in the critical infrastructure, you don't want attackers finding weakness in OS that is not patchable.
Making it open source seems to me like the solution to that problem, not the cause. If there is a vulnerability in DOS 6.22 people probably know about it by now. If you're using it for something critical you probably would have an easier time patching it with full access.
Does this mean someone will make MS-DOS SoCs similar to the ned-clone blobs? i would love to have a gaming board for a small Commander Keen cabinet with ultra low power reqs
I'm all for that idea, but I don't think what's holding it back is the OS. It's not like there aren't ways to get there now, they're just... relatively rare and quite expensive.
I assumed the guy wanted to run DOS natively, otherwise open source MS DOS definitely isn't a requirement, you can just run DOSBOX on any cheap ARM SBC. But looking at the conversation you're having below maybe they just didn't think about that?
But hey, if you have links to new small form factor 386s for under 100 bucks please do share, I'd be super curious to get one. VGA out is strongly preferred. If I was going to live with nonsense digital output scaling issues I'd just use the MiSTer I already have.
But hey, if you have links to new small form factor 386s for under 100 bucks please do share...
Why does it have to be a 386? Why does it have to be new? All that's really necessary is "DOS Native" and if you head over to ebay and search for "used industrial computer", you can often find those for around $100.
In fact the YT channel "Cathode Ray Dude" has a series going right now called "Little Guys" where's he testing a variety of SFF systems, at least some of which are DOS Native industrial computer systems.
Honestly my good person, what you're looking for is out there if you're willing to be the tiniest bit flexible.
Yes, alternatives exist. But they can be... how would one put it? Relatively rare and expensive.
I am aware of single board industrial replacement alternatives, but those can be hard to get a hold of, depending on location. Shopping around for used, older thin clients that still have the right I/O and compatible-enough hardware is honestly not a terrible idea, although weirdly the video that you sent as an example highlights a bunch of caveats and issues I wouldn't even have thought about. Still, that one may be a fun project, if slightly not in the spirit, certainly off-spec for the period and definitely not plug-and-play.
Ultimately, though, I do see the appeal of a period-approrpiate, native revival device. Clearly not alone there, hence the OP and the viral success of the Hand, with all its limitations. I'm not saying you can't work around the need for that exact thing. You can and I have. To repeat what my first response to the guy was:
"It's not like there aren't ways to get there now, they're just... relatively rare and quite expensive."
i would love to have a gaming board for a small Commander Keen cabinet with ultra low power reqs
Huh? You can already get a DOS capable gaming board that uses less power than the display would. If nothing else for $200USD you can get a "Hand 386", yoink it out of it's case and put it in the cabinet of your choice.
There's lots of low power options out there for you! You can start your dream project NOW...there's no need to wait!
200 USD is more than 140 USD more than the consoles that has the soc I was talking about, of course if budget is no constraint I could start all projects I got in my want part of my brain
I added an edit that brought the cost down to $80 but it's possible to go lower, if you can deal with 16W of power draw then there's a variety of old Thin Client for sale on Ebay that can be had for $40!
At that point the materials to build the cabinet would cost more than the computer running it. Get busy!
