Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!atexnet!cvbnet!jsulliva
From: jsulliva@cvbnet.UUCP (Jeff Sullivan, x4096 MS 4-2)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Need input for future DOS release
Message-ID: <154@cvbnetPrime.COM>
Date: 27 Mar 90 23:33:40 GMT
References: <2019@clyde.concordia.ca>
Sender: postnews@cvbnetPrime.COM
Lines: 80

Dear Microsoft,

     Let me preface my list by saying that (before PC's), I started 
 out on VMS, then worked primarily on DOS. In my career, I have since 
 worked on Macs and now (mainly) Unix. My home '386 PC runs DOS (4.01)
 and will continue to run DOS until Unix becomes more affordable.

     I wouldn't expect the new DOS to ever have the ease-of-use of the
 Mac, not the power of Unix (and I won't complain about either). DOS is
 DOS and what I would like to see is a better DOS.

     As I compiled this list, I kept saying "4DOS does that!". So, my
 first suggestion is to take a look at 4DOS, as was suggested in PC Mag's
 recent Technical Excelence award write-up. FYI, 4DOS is a shareware
 COMMAND.COM replacement with which I have no affiliation.

     Anyway, in order of my own preference:

- aliases (builtin)
  Like Unix (or 4DOS). alias and unalias commands.

- command history & command editing (builtin)
  I use dosedit, but I like Unix csh (c-shell) better.

- the ability to link files
  I have several copies on my disk that should be links.
  I'd like to see a Unix-like 'ln' utility.

- ability to load in extended/expanded memory
  To save on conventional RAM.

- ability to use "/" as directory delimiter and "-" as option delimeter.
  What can I say, a lot of Unix people complain!
 
- pushd, popd (builtin)
  Great for batch files!

- increase size of valid command strings and PATH.
  Link lines constantly exceed the character limit for DOS commands.

- a competent text editor
  Why not bundle the one that comes with MSC (ME?) ?
  Unix provides 'vi', and although I don't use it, I can get by.
  I couldn't even use EDLIN to edit the AUTOEXEC.BAT even if I needed to!

- filename completion.
  A press of ESC or F9 to complete or scroll thru completed filenames.

- password protection
  And "home directories".

- include Unix-like utilities (grep, diff, sed)
  Luckily, those exist in the public domain. All developers need grep!

- improve MORE
  I rewrote my own in a day to handle wildcards and tee's.

- turn off sounds (beeps/games) altogether using an environment variable.
  Something like SET NOBEEP in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.

- screen saver (builtin)
  I'd like to see random shapes/colors, but would welcome a simple blanker.

- memory mapper
  Something like PCTools MI (graphical a plus!).

- better file browser (builtin)
  Like 4DOS or Vern Beurg's LIST would be nice.

- script utility
  Start up a script to save all interactions to a file. Just like Unix.


Thanks for listening, I hope it helps (us all)!

Jeff Sullivan / Computervision/Prime \ {decvax|linus|sun}!cvbnet!jsulliva
CADDS R&D    / Bedford, MA      01730 \ jsulliva@cvbnet.prime.com
MSDOS_input_reply
 Jeff Sullivan / Computervision/Prime \ {decvax|linus|sun}!cvbnet!jsulliva
 CADDS R&D    / Bedford, MA      01730 \ jsulliva@cvbnet.prime.com