ShellDOS’s FAQ
Welcome to the ShellDOS FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions); here, we answer some common questions you might have about this retro console. If a question isn’t on this list, you can send it to [email protected], and if it is relevant, we will consider adding it.
What is ShellDOS?
ShellDOS, or simply shDOS, is a command-line interface currently under development that aims to recreate the experience of DOS-style command consoles from the 1980s and 1990s while introducing modern features, such as the use of Linux commands.
Is ShellDOS based on the source code of MS-DOS, FreeDOS, or other similar systems?
No, those are full operating systems, and ShellDOS does not aim to be an operating system. Rather, ShellDOS is an interface for an operating system.
It don’t use source code from those operating systems either (at least not in the initial phases); it’s programmed in C language and written from scratch—leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, but without directly copying snippets of FreeDOS source code.
What do I need to try ShellDOS?
First, you need to download the latest version of the project, extract the file, and compile it using OpenWatcom (you will find a specific section at this link).
Once the binary is created, you can run it directly on your version of Microsoft Windows if it’s a 32-bit build; if you compiled the 16-bit version, you need to run it in DOSBox, FreeDOS, or another 16-bit compatible operating system.
Why are there no binaries in ShellDOS?
ShellDOS repositories don’t distribute binaries for the console or any other commands, due to the system’s business model. While the system is free and its source code is distributed under the GPL license—meaning it can be downloaded and compiled without issue—the source code for the main project and any external commands is not distributed unless the end user pays $6 for an account to obtain the necessary binaries.
We believe that $6 USD for the final product is a very small price and a way to support the project. The final zip file contains not only the source code, but also the binaries, including shdos.exe and any other complementary executables of the project; otherwise, these must be installed manually (the necessary steps will be included in the documentation).
At the moment, we haven’t a final version of shDOS, so there is no installation package available; however, as soon as they are ready, the links will be posted on both the website and the corresponding repositories.
Can I contribute to the project? How?
Sure! We would love to receive external support. It is worth noting that the project is being developed entirely in C language.
While AI tools can assist with programming, the developer should thoroughly test the program before submitting a patch for integration. If code is taken from other projects, please specify this in the comments or documentation; this is especially important for open-source projects to ensure license compliance.
To submit patches, improvement requests, or implementations of missing features, please clone the shdos project, make all changes in your local repository, and then submit a request to merge the modified files. Acceptance or rejection of these submissions is at the discretion of the ShellDOS developer.
Why use ShellDOS?
ShellDOS is designed for retro-computing enthusiasts; if you are one of them—or simply want to relive the way people worked 30 or 40 years ago—this is the perfect project for you.
ShellDOS recreates the experience of using a command-line interface as the sole method of operating a computer: the user had to type the required command (along with any necessary parameters), press the Enter key, and wait for the response.
It may not be the most practical way to work nowadays, but some of us find a certain charm in this obsolete method of operating a computer.
What are the official websites for the ShellDOS project?
Our official websites are as follows (visit the dedicated section for further information, as well as the similarities and differences between these repositories):
- https://software.webxpress.top/projects/shdos
- Repository on Github: https://github.com/marjuanm/shdos
- Repository on Gitlab (mirror): https://gitlab.com/marjuanm/shdos
