From: mfb AT mbunix DOT mitre DOT org (Michael F Brenner)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: DOS vs WIN95
Date: 26 May 1998 14:30:58 GMT
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Message-ID: <6kejn2$km4@top.mitre.org>
References: <3565CE8E DOT 15DF AT bluewin DOT ch>
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To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Windows is better for GUIs than DOS is. However, DOS is still better
at some things, including direct hardware access and raw speed. My
300 MHz Pentium has a DOS boot in order to run the programs that
do not run under windows and to fix problems windows introduces.

Commercial applications cannot be written under any operating system
until you have customers. Get a market first and then target
whatever operating system they need. Many DOS programs will run
under windows. However, if you are going to do a windows-like GUI
with mouses and graphics-mode windows, you should definitely 
consider using a commercial windowing system like microsoft, solaris,
X windows, motif, etc., rather than programming the GUI in DOS.

If your application is realtime or is text oriented, you may get
better performance and much more control over your machine in DOS.

For example, I installed a card under Windows which gave the following
error message after installation of the software:
   
   Could not complete installation: your Internet connection could
   not connect to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [the company name] to automatically
   register your software and activate it. 

Similarly, DOS does not keep nearly as many logs and records of your
private files as Windows does, so it is much more secure.

Once an advertisement came along with a web page I was reading and I
attempted to delete it. I would up deleting copies of it and references
to it in about a dozen places. I am not sure whether I delete all copies
of it or not. This security breach in windowing systems in general
gives the manufacturer more control over your computer than you have
yourself. DOS is still sellable to people truly concerned with security,
speed, and access to the hardware.

But nothing takes the place of market. So get that first and all your 
other questions will be answered by your customers.