I had some spare time, so I took some liberties with ​Paul's text. Hopefully I
didn't slice-n-dice it too badly from your original intent! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FreeDOS is a free re-implementation of Microsoft's MS-DOS, the de-facto
operating system for many computers available in the 80s and 90s. As FreeDOS is
open source, anyone can get the[source code](https://freedos.org/source/)and
has the liberty to use, redistribute and propose modifications to it.
Having already achieved its original goal of full MS-DOS compatibility, FreeDOS
has since evolved past MS-DOS with many new features, such as APM power
management, the FDNPKG network-enabled package manager, LBA large disk support,
Long File Name support, as well as several tools and commands from the Linux
world, such asgrep,cal,head,teeandless.
FreeDOS is a complete operating system and, if so desired, can be installed
over top of any operating system your computer currently has, replacing itand
all of your datacompletely. Because of this, as opposed to installing directly
on the computer you use daily, we recommend instead installing it into a
"virtual machine" - a simulation of a complete computer system inside your
existing PC - upon which you may[install
FreeDOS](http://wiki.freedos.org/wiki/index.php/VirtualBox).[Emulators](https://www.freedos.org/links/)are
available (and often totally free to use!) for all modern computer platforms
which allow you to set up and configure these virtual machines. Alternatively,
if you have an old and otherwise unused computer taking up space, you
can[install FreeDOS directly on real
hardware](http://wiki.freedos.org/install/)as well.
FreeDOS comes packaged with a[base
collection](https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/repositories/latest/pkg-html/group-base.html)of
programs which duplicate the commands offered by MS-DOS and, as such, operates
using a traditional
text-based[command](http://wiki.freedos.org/wiki/index.php/Dos_commands)line
interface. Like other DOS systems, FreeDOS does not include a graphical desktop
by default, although for a more contemporary environment you can install one of
the[graphical
interfaces](https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/repositories/latest/pkg-html/group-gui.html)available.
Of course every application available cannot fit in the default FreeDOS
installation, but we have made available[a large collection of other
programs](https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/repositories/latest/pkg-html/index.html)which
provide features akin to those found on modern computers, and there are other
websites which showcase[additional
programs](https://www.freedos.org/links/)made to run in any DOS-compatible
system, including FreeDOS. As FreeDOS provides 100% compatibility, you can even
run any MS-DOS-era applications or games you already own.
If you have questions or encounter problems while using FreeDOS, help is always
available at the[FreeDOS
Wiki](http://wiki.freedos.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page)knowledge base. If a
solution cannot be found there, you may communicate with FreeDOS developers and
users directly using the[FreeDOS Mailing
Lists](https://www.freedos.org/forums/). Although FreeDOS has spent years of
its life under test in real-world conditions, there's always the possibility of
unintended behavior in any software. To aid in exterminating bugs, the FreeDOS
project maintains a[list of known issues](https://www.freedos.org/bugs/)where
you can report any bugs you may encounter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do y'all think?
Sent with [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com/) secure email.
------- Original Message -------
On Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 1:45 PM, Paul Dufresne via Freedos-devel
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Precedently suggested web site should have at the beginning:
>
> "I know all this" links to the following:
>
> News (link to news)
>
> Let's talk ( https://www.freedos.org/forums/ )
>
> Wiki ( http://wiki.freedos.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page )
>
> Bugs ( https://www.freedos.org/bugs/ )
>
> Gitlab (link to https://gitlab.com/FreeDOS )
> Github (link to https://github.com/search?q=freedos)
> Ibiblio ( link to https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/ )
> Ibiblio What's included (
> https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/1.3/official/report.html
> )
> Kernel ( https://github.com/FDOS/kernel )
>
> The downloads ( https://test.freedos.org/download/ )
>
> Other links ( https://www.freedos.org/links/ )
>
> Visit web page for newcomers (link to previously suggested page)
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