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Raven
May 9th, 2009, 03:25 PM
We have a CP/M forum, a PC Clones forum, and a 386/486 and clones forum. Where does one post questions about DOS on a Pentium? I'm going to try Vintage Software for now, but I really think there should be a DOS Support forum for this stuff to be aggregated.
Ole Juul
May 9th, 2009, 04:13 PM
It seems that DOS stuff gets posted in different places. I'm not sure we'd get further ahead with a seperate forum since the subject usually comes up in relation to some hardware. Your suggestion of "Vintage Software" sounds about right to me. :)
Vlad
May 9th, 2009, 04:23 PM
DOS on a Pentium?

Off topic of the main forums. Pentium class processors are not vintage by any means, merely obsolete.


but I really think there should be a DOS Support forum for this stuff to be aggregated.

Again, we do not need a ton of forums to categorize everything down to an OCD level. If you put your mind to it your issue or question will fit into one of the existing forums, like Vintage Software or the particular platform it runs on.
Dreamcast270mhz
May 9th, 2009, 06:20 PM
when do you decide a certain platform is vintage, in that case...
mbbrutman
May 9th, 2009, 06:32 PM
Vintage means as old as dirt. Eight and 16 bit machines are definitely vintage at this point. 32 bit machines are a stretch .. I think we limit it to 386s and 486s. Pentium is kind of new yet ..

As for DOS software, I'd actually like to break out IBM PC software away from the IBM hardware part. 'IBM PCs and Clones' should be more hardware oriented, and 'Software' is too generic. And most of the posts relate to PCs around here, which means there is a lot of traffic in the one forum.

On the other hand, it's not terrible as it is. It would probably make more sense for people to use better subjects on their posts - that is far more valuable.
Lorne
May 9th, 2009, 06:38 PM
when do you decide a certain platform is vintage, in that case...

A lot of us are guilty of posting without searching - definitely me, but I'm learning (and now teaching too!).

Check out: http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=3071&highlight=vintage+definition

.
Raven
May 9th, 2009, 08:55 PM
I think Pentiums are quite vintage, they were out in the early 90s, which is now about 20 years ago. I was born in 1990, so that certainly feels quite vintage to me.
Vlad
May 9th, 2009, 09:24 PM
I think Pentiums are quite vintage, they were out in the early 90s, which is now about 20 years ago. I was born in 1990, so that certainly feels quite vintage to me.

The whole what is vintage and not thing has been debated to death in the hobby so we just set a limit for the forums. the Intel 80486 class is the max for vintage since 32-bit is just now being phased out. I can see your point though as a processor from the year you were born would certainly feel vintage.

The limit we set is merely for keeping things in order so no one argues. Really early ones like the 60 Mhz ones and the infamous FDIV bug ones were cutting it REALLY close to the line. The question you asked though, if its the padding one, is kind of processor independent and the ill fated 486 question was okay.

Heh, kinda funny now that you meantion the Pentium coming out the year you were born. I thought about it and vaguely remember seeing commercials for the Pentium II when it first came out.
lutiana
May 9th, 2009, 10:15 PM
I'd say a DOS forum is not a bad idea. It would shift alot of the DOS specific related issues to their own area.

DOS can be a huge grey area as it is definitely a vintage OS, but not necessarily installed on a vintage piece of hardware.

My DOS machine is an Athlon 1.3Ghz machine, which is not vintage. So if I need to post on a DOS specific issue where to do I put it? The IBM PC forum could work since it is an OS from those machines, but so could the later PC one since the hardware applies. Vintage software could work too since the OS is vintage.

Bottom line IMO is that there are enough questions/issues involving DOS that giving it a forum to itself would not be a waste especially if it covers all flavours of DOS (PC-DOS, MS-DOS, Free-DOS etc).
Vlad
May 9th, 2009, 10:22 PM
My DOS machine is an Athlon 1.3Ghz machine, which is not vintage. So if I need to post on a DOS specific issue where to do I put it?

Wow didn't think of that, good point.
lutiana
May 9th, 2009, 10:37 PM
Wow didn't think of that, good point.

I am honestly not sure if this was sarcasm or not. Perhaps I am tired.

I do admit that is a bit of a repeat of Raven's point, which I must of missed when I read the first post (once again I must be tired).
Vlad
May 9th, 2009, 10:42 PM
It wasn't sarcasm, I honestly didn't think of that type of situation despite doing the same thing myself. You raised a good point.
lutiana
May 9th, 2009, 10:46 PM
It wasn't sarcasm, I honestly didn't think of that type of situation despite doing the same thing myself. You raised a good point.

Wow, then I must be more tired than I thought.

Wait, actually its because of the huge blow out I just had with my teenage daughter. Its causing me to filter everything as if it was sarcasm. Time for a breather I think.
Vlad
May 9th, 2009, 10:48 PM
Its not entirely your fault, I do have a history of being sarcastic when its not necessary XD
Ole Juul
May 10th, 2009, 01:38 AM
Perhaps a new forum for vintage sarcasm would be in order. I'll be the first to post. :p


lutiana: ... blow out I just had with my teenage daughter. Its causing me to filter everything as if it was sarcasmLOL. When it comes to sarcasm I think teenage girls rule. Those are hard years but some day you'll miss it. :)