Re: Got an idea but might not be able to write all of it

[gids.rs@sasktel.net]

On Monday, October 22, 2012 8:49:34 PM UTC-6, Steve Nickolas wrote:

> http://apple2history.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/System-1.0-Launcher.jpg
 
> I was thinking of the possibility of making something that combines 
> Beautiful Boot's running without DOS, the ability to launch DOS by hand, 
> and a menu like this (using keyboard, joystick or mouse if found) as a DOS 
> 3.3 launcher tool.  Of course it would be bigger than Beautiful Boot (it 
> would need a whole copy of DOS 3.3, for crying out loud) but it would be 
> more powerful, being able to use the whole directory and run files of type 
> A, B and T.


It sounds like the Prodos BYE program.  Make the BYE program into a separate binary file and store it into the boot sectors of any DOS disk.  Obviously, the disk access would have to be reprogrammed to recognize DOS format.  Save DOS as a separate binary file and write an installer.  Also change the BYE program to recognize applesoft and binary files.  You now have a launcher for DOS, binary programs and applesoft programs, although applesoft programs would not have any disk access functions without DOS installed.

Just out of curiousity (and maybe sheer desperation to know) what programs would you run without DOS installed?

Rob