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szundibanyasz Feb 5, 2014 @ 8:48am

SteamDOS

I think Valve should make an OS based on FreeDOS, another command-line OS, that nobody cares about. It could run all the DOS games that are already on steam natively, so it would be just as good gaming platform, as SteamOS. Opinions?

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Showing 1-15 of 36 comments

Air Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:01am

I don't see the point. I don't believe that anyone makes any DOS applications or games anymore.

istvan_v Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:16am

You can already run old DOS games on Linux with DOSBox. Although it is "slow" because it emulates the PC hardware and runs FreeDOS on it, this is not an issue with 20+ years old games that ran on 80386 or 486 CPUs. It also emulates old sound cards with OPL3/FM synthesis (AdLib, early Sound Blasters, etc.), so sound works correctly in the games.

However, like Wine, it is unlikely to be an "official" part of SteamOS, and you need to install and set up DOS emulation yourself.

Last edited by istvan_v; Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:19am

szundibanyasz Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:48am

Well, nobody makes AAA games for Linux either, I don't see why FreeDOS would be worse. It already has a Mantle-like bare-metal API (Glide API). L4D2 could run at least 500 FPS on that

Last edited by szundibanyasz; Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:50am

XÆЯO_Vince Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:51am

Yeah, DOSBox can be used in SteamOS for games like Kings Quest and I think most or all DOS games on Steam actually use DOSBox as their back-end. BTW, DOSBox isn't that slow because you can increase the "CPU cycles" in it to emulate a faster 386 or 486 CPU.

Zoot Feb 5, 2014 @ 9:58am

DOS, like Windows, is a crap product made by Microsoft. Why base a new OS on crap when you can base it on Linux?

XÆЯO_Vince Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:02am

Originally posted by szundibanyasz:
Well, nobody makes AAA games for Linux either, I don't see why FreeDOS would be worse. It already has a Mantle-like bare-metal API (Glide API). L4D2 could run at least 500 FPS on that

No offense but this comment is quite ridiculous. I don't think DOS has had any real relevence other than to emulate old games and access command prompt for quick commands since about 1995. People now expect multi-tasking capability and rich, user-friendly graphical interfaces.

Linux does have a few native AAA titles now and many more can run via Wine / Crossover, while all the rest can be streamed with IHS, which is getting better with each beta update.

szundibanyasz Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:05am

Originally posted by Zoot:
DOS, like Windows, is a crap product made by Microsoft. Why base a new OS on crap when you can base it on Linux?

FreeDOS isn't made by MS, it is also free and open source.

Zoot Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:07am

Originally posted by szundibanyasz:
FreeDOS isn't made by MS, it is also free and open source.

Who cares? It is based on MS-DOS, which is made by Microsoft, and crap.

szundibanyasz Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:10am

Originally posted by Xaero:
People now expect multi-tasking capability and rich, user-friendly graphical interfaces.

You can use OpenGEM, which is a really great GUI, at least it's not worse than Gnome 3. Well, nothing is. If people want to use good and friendly graphical interfaces, they will stick to OSX and Windows 7 anyway.

Zoot Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:14am

OSX and Windows 7 UI's are crap, particularly for a console device.

#10

XÆЯO_Vince Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:32am

OpenGEM appears to be non-multitasking and sports a GUI reminiscent of the Windows 2.1 or 3.0 era; Its pretty impressive if we were in the year 1994.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the purpose of this thread boils down to you simply being a critic of SteamOS and Linux in general? Thats fine...SteamOS isn't for you then and you will be able to purchase most Steam Machines with a Windows dual-boot pre-installed for a little extra.

Last edited by XÆЯO_Vince; Feb 5, 2014 @ 10:33am

#11

Adi Feb 5, 2014 @ 11:28am

Originally posted by szundibanyasz:
I think Valve should make an OS based on FreeDOS, another command-line OS, that nobody cares about. It could run all the DOS games that are already on steam natively, so it would be just as good gaming platform, as SteamOS. Opinions?

Is this for real? Why don't you just stop using Steam?It's not like anyone would care about you.
Opinions?

Last edited by Adi; Feb 5, 2014 @ 11:28am

#12

ReBoot Feb 5, 2014 @ 1:03pm

Originally posted by szundibanyasz:
I think Valve should make an OS based on FreeDOS, another command-line OS, that nobody cares about. It could run all the DOS games that are already on steam natively, so it would be just as good gaming platform, as SteamOS. Opinions?

If you have written it funnier, it would've been a great thread. Or were you trying to be serious?

Last edited by ReBoot; Feb 5, 2014 @ 1:03pm

#13