PC-DOS v7.0 Beta
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Welcome to Guinan - the beta version of PC DOS version 7.0. PC-DOS continues
IBM's (recent) tradition of packing a fully MS-compatible version of DOS with a
number of extra features and utilities. Guinan includes an online Command
Reference, Error Message Reference, and REXX Reference.
I personally run different versions of DOS on the different machines that I
use for development and BBS, including MS-DOS 5.0, MS-DOS 6.20, MS-DOS 6.22,
Novell DOS 7.0, and PC-DOS 6.3. I use PC-DOS 6.3 on my main programming
machine, and have absolutely no problems with it (although I use QEMM, not
IBM's built-in memory manager). I think that these enhancements to PC-DOS 7.0
should prove to make it even better, the REXX support in particular (and
superior-to-drivespace Stacker support for those who use compressed drives).
I have found no apparent bugs in PC-DOS v7.0, and presume that it is quite safe
to use.
Guinan also adds additional features and enhancements such as:
-- Mouse support during installation
-- Flexible install, including DOSkey support and review/edit of configuration
-- RAMBoost (IBM's memory manager) handles multiple configurations now
-- E.EXE (IBM's text editor) enhances menu selection, mouse awareness,
expanded sort capabilities, deleted record recovery, ability to change
default settings (colors, tabs, margins, window mode, etc.), and a browse
mode for the online F1 help.
-- File Update program, which monitors files on two computers and keeps them
synchronized.
-- PC DOS Viewer for reading and searching online books (Command Reference,
Error Messages manual, and REXX User's Guide). It also provides quick
access to help fod DOS commands, device drivers, REXX commands, DOS error
messages, and .INI files.
-- POWER.EXE has added power management events.
-- Support for docking device drivers (DOSDOC, DDPOPUP) to dynamically load
drivers as needed.
-- Reduced conventional memory requirements.
-- The QCONFIG command now identifies and displays additional machines,
adapters, and planars.
-- DOS BACKUP has returned.
-- Full support for the REXX language (championed on OS/2). REXX for DOS
includes utilities and commands designed for PC DOS.
-- Inclusion of Stacker data compression, which can conver any existing
SuperStor/DS (from old PC-DOS), DoubleSpace (MS-DOS 6.2), or DriveSpace
(MS-DOS 6.22, Windows95/MS-DOS 7.0) volumes. Will also convert standalone
Stacker compressed drives. Stacker support includes support for the Stacker
DOS Toolbox and Stacker Windows Toolbox. You may even use data on
compressed diskettes on computers which do not have Stacker installed.
Stacker under Guinan runs AutoProtect to ensure data integrity.
-- PCMCIA support includes easier setup procedures.
-- New version of Central Point Backup included.
-- Anti-Virus protection provided with IBM AntiVirus and IBM AntiVirus for
Windows. Updated with many new viruses.
The following new commands have been added to Guinan:
ACALC DPMS PCMSETUP STAC
CHECK FILEUP REMOVDRV STACKER
CNFIGNAM HCONVERT REPORT SYSINFO
CONFIG PASSWD REXX TUNER
CREATE PCM SCREATE UNCOMP
DDPOPUP PCMDINST SDEFRAG UNPACK2
DCONVERT PCMFDISK SDIR VIEW
DOSDATA PCMINST SETUP (StackeXDF
DOSDOCK PCMRMAN SSETUP XDFCOPY
IBM's PC-DOS, like Novell DOS (DR-DOS) is certainly a viable alternative to
MS-DOS. It has many more built-in features, more efficient memory management,
and bundled extras than MS-DOS does, and is fully compatible with the DOS
(and Windows) software library. All it lacks is the marketting inertia that
Microsoft has.
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