DR-DOS Returns: A Modern Reboot of a Classic OS
▼ Summary
– MS-DOS was Microsoft’s version of a Disk Operating System, originally inspired by Digital Research’s CP/M system.
– Digital Research created a superior, compatible alternative called DR-DOS, with its last official version released in 1991.
– A developer named [CheeseWeezel] has purchased the trademark and is creating a new, clean-room implementation called DR-DOS 9.0, currently in beta.
– This re-implementation was necessary due to the complex and troubled history of the DR-DOS intellectual property after multiple company sales.
– The new DR-DOS beta is currently free for non-commercial use, achieves basic compatibility like running DOOM, and revives what some consider the “true” DOS.
For many computer enthusiasts, the term DOS immediately brings to mind Microsoft’s MS-DOS. However, the landscape of early personal computing featured a notable competitor: Digital Research’s DR-DOS. This operating system offered superior features and full compatibility, carving out its own legacy before fading from the mainstream. Now, in a surprising twist, DR-DOS is poised for a modern comeback through a completely new, clean-room implementation.
A developer known online as CheeseWeezel has undertaken the ambitious project of resurrecting DR-DOS. He has secured the official trademark, lending authenticity to this revival. The new iteration is designated as DR-DOS version 9.0 and is currently in a beta testing phase. This fresh start was necessitated by the complex and convoluted history of the original intellectual property, which passed through several corporate hands, including Novell and Caldera, leading to licensing ambiguities. To avoid any legal entanglements or code contamination, such as a past incident where a rights holder improperly used FreeDOS code, the developer is building everything from the ground up without relying on any original source.
The current beta is available for free non-commercial use, though its licensing terms remain subject to change. Full system compatibility is still a work in progress, but a key milestone has already been achieved: the new DR-DOS can run the classic game DOOM. For those who fondly remember the era when DR-DOS was considered by many to be the technically superior option, its persistence into the 21st century is a welcome development. While projects like SvarDOS have kept the spirit alive, there’s a unique appeal to the official brand’s return. It even revives an old piece of computer humor; users could once joke that their OS had a “DR” (Doctorate) instead of just an “MS” (Master’s). Running this piece of computing history doesn’t require vintage hardware, offering a nostalgic trip for a new generation of users.
(Source: Hackaday)