*BSD News Article 29337


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From: cgreen@usin.com (Cliff Green)
Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.misc,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: Impressions: FreeBSD vs Linux
Date: 8 Apr 1994 11:10:01 -0700
Organization: U.S. Intelco Networks Inc.
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newton@cleese.apana.org.au (Mark Newton) writes:

>...  I tell them that the reason it's taking so
>long is that the vast majority of people who use BSD are doing so because
>they can't stand the sight of a C> prompt and want to use a real operating
>system.

>They usually don't see the joke. :-)

>I think the rapidity with which Linux's dosemu has developed is due to
>the fact that most Linux people are DOSers who have been convered to UNIX.
>By and large, BSD types seem to be UNIX people who wouldn't even consider
>running DOS in the first place, let along emulating it.

I partially agree, but I think you're looking at it from purely a 'techie'
point of view and missing a major reason.  Which is:  the reason that DOS
emulators are needed and used are because of the wealth of good, useful
software written for DOS (and MS Windows).  I personally think that DOS
is an abomination and it's shameful that it is considered an operating 
system :-), but most of my productive work at home is done on DOS/MS Windows
software (e.g. Borland C++, WordPerfect, Compuserve Info Mgr, Simply Money,
Packrat, Tax something-or-other, etc.).  I use whatever tool/application is
appropriate for my needs (and budget), regardless of what I think of the 
underlying technology (I would love to see comparable software at comparable
prices running under Linux).  Until the Linux world (and Unix
in general) can get enough of a critical mass for these kind of cheap, useful
personal applications, there will be a need for DOS emulation.

Cliff