The ability to access the many MSDOS programs is enticing. A look thru catalogs of 3 West Coast dealers in MSDOS Shareware programs certainly proves the point of the availability of a vast range of programs at very reasonable prices. In quantities of less than 10 disks the prices run about $3.25-$4.00. Some large programs require 2-3 disks. Remember, Shareware involves additional payment in some cases if the program is satisfactory, but not an excessive surcharge (the original payment is to the company, none goes to the programmer).
The catalogs provide good descriptions and sometimes indicate the additional amount of memory required for an IBM PC type computer.
Having this information, is an IBM PC MSDOS type program practical in an emulator form? Once the cost of additional memory, disk driver hardware, a printer interface, and some kind of a “tool kit” program is written off, then the investment is for a program to emulate MSDOS, plus MSDOS itself if it is not in your mix of programs. The cost seems high if MSDOS must be purchased. The “chocalate” version includes version 4.0 and a set of manuals, along with the basic emulator, “SOLUTION” and its manual. The “vanilla” version is the emulator and manual only.
It should be noted that the emulator manual makes no effort to discuss MSDOS programming, except enough to get the MSDOS program loaded. The user must get manuals, books, school classes, etc. to actually use MSDOS. Provision is made in “SOLUTION” to use the dedicated F1-F10 common to MSDOS by providing other key stroke combinations.
The user must have additional memory for the QL as the first added bank of 256K will just get by with MSDOS plus a single disk program if not too long. When considering longer programs like spreadsheets and wordprocessors, a second bank of 256K will be needed unless working with really elaborate programs in which case a fully populated board with 768K would be required.
An MSDOS emulator program makes the mother computer (QL for instance) think it is an IBM PC type computer. It takes two programs to accomplish this emulation. The first, called “SOLUTION” by Digital Precision, is loaded into the computer memory. It does all of the converting from the IBM PC CPU type commands to the QL CPU Superbasic type commands. The second program is MSDOS itself. It is kind of like running 2 programs in series back and forth.
Because of the reduced speed of an emulator (about 1/10 of a PC) I am using an accelerator called “LIGHTNING” which almost gives normal PC speed. My procedure for getting MSDOS into operation is to load “LIGHTNING”, then the tool kit (TK2) is initialized, next “SOLUTION” is loaded, and finally MSDOS.
There seem to be several emulators on the English market. Digital Precision has had experience with a CP/M emulator, plus one for the Atari computers. Reviews in English magazines seem to show a preferance for the DP system as being the most complete and reliable. Sources in the US include RMG Enterprises, 1419 1/2 7th St. Oregon City, OR 97045, and SHARP’S Inc. Box 326, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
So far my biggest objection to the operation of “SOLUTION” is the need, when in MSDOS, to start all over again with a computer reset when a MSDOS type program hangs up. Maybe that will be reduced with experience with the system and maybe there is something in the “SOLUTION” manual or in the MSDOS manual that gives a clue for solving this. As usual, there is an extended learning process required when switching computer operating systems.