Which saved more keystrokes? Norton Commander or Doskey?
Posted by probably_platypus@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 20 comments
I remember installing this the first time. I think I downloaded it from Exec-PC. A graphical (visual?) file manager made so much sense.
Gotta go off topic for those born after 1990.
Exec-PC was a BBS / bulletin board system - basically the internet, but much smaller. You could upload/download files, send messages, view por..images, and much more. You needed a subscription, a phone line that you could use for hours, and a modem (yup, the dee, doodle-doodle-doo-dee-scratchy-him-hem-boo-bop sounding thingy).
Windows 3 was also mind blowing, though I had seen Macintosh and a few other graphical OSes. Windows 3 ran on top of DOS. It wasn't an operating system on its own.
Objective-Ad3943@reddit
The best utility for me was List.
cazzipropri@reddit
NC for life. I use its linux reincarnations daily.
Specific-Union6589@reddit
Midnight Commander
cazzipropri@reddit
that's it!
sarajevo81@reddit
So it was a pirate BBS that took money from the users? That's just mean.
probably_platypus@reddit (OP)
Kinda, but not. My recollection is that running a BBS was a balance of having enough phone lines and modems vs. active (paying) users. People moved on if they got busy signals when dialing in to connect.
This is pre-internet. You weren't always connected. You consciously booted your PC, loaded Procomm Plus terminal emulation software, and dialed up your BBS.
The term shareware was more popular than open source or FOSS. Some titles were shared directly, and some were posted on the 'board' (in the files section).
Search was very slow. This is pre-graph days. Simple search algorithms ruled.
Copying a protected title was definitely piracy, but it was different somehow. Software definitely didn't rule the economy or stock market in 1985. The legal system seemed to regard software piracy as an activity for dorky nerds.
CoolBlackSmith75@reddit
It was not all about the software, some stuff made ware hard and faces blush
InsaneGuyReggie@reddit
XTree Gold
hamburgler26@reddit
I never had either of these growing up. But doskey on my 486 system is just huge! I can't believe I lived without such a thing for all of those years!
Although, I also got really good at typing commands over and over which benefited my career for a while so I have that going for me. Which is nice.
probably_platypus@reddit (OP)
Oh, the conflict! I recall those thoughts.
Former-Wish-8228@reddit
X-tree pro gold
LopsidedLegs@reddit
4Dos. I still have fond memories of that little program.
CoolBlackSmith75@reddit
Quarterdeck expension manager or memory, 4dos, 4 RA bbs processes. Had a blast with a friend of mine and TechNet newsgroup
probably_platypus@reddit (OP)
I've forgotten about Quarterdeck. Something new to add to my 486!
PecanLoveNubble@reddit
I haven't seen a FidoNet address in ages!
No-Succotash-9576@reddit
IBM PC AT is the most beautiful computer in my eyes, only wish I had one
probably_platypus@reddit (OP)
Right? Why are original PC and PC/XT everywhere but PC/AT so difficult to find?
packetmon@reddit
My friend (his dad actually) had a 5160 back in the 80’s. Spent lots of time playing Sierra titles on it. I’ve considered getting one and setting up some Sierra titles on it but holy poop shipping prices are just too damn much. Cause they’re literal tanks. :|
willzterman@reddit
* cough * X-Tree
NefariousnessOne2728@reddit
I only used Norton Commander but loved it.