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%h*** Why would I want to use SvarDOS instead of FreeDOS? ***
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%h*** Why would I want to use SvarDOS instead of FreeDOS? ***
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The FreeDOS project is a free, open-source operating system that aims to be
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The FreeDOS project is a free, open-source operating system that aims to be
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100%% compatible with MS-DOS. And it is awesome. So why would I want to use
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100%% compatible with MS-DOS. And it is awesome. So why would I want to use
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SvarDOS instead?
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SvarDOS instead?
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%hLong release cycles
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%hLong release cycles
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The FreeDOS project began 29 June 1994. Version 1.0 came around in 2006.
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The FreeDOS project began 29 June 1994. Version 1.0 came around in 2006.
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Version 1.1 has been released in 2012, and the version 1.2 followed in
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Version 1.1 has been released in 2012, and the version 1.2 followed in
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December 2016. Version 1.3 was announced for December 2021. This translates
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December 2016. Version 1.3 was released in February 2022. This translates
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roughly to a 5-years release cycle. Granted, the DOS scene is not as active as
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roughly to a 5-years release cycle. Granted, the DOS scene is not as active as
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it used to be, but still, many things happen during a few years. Such
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it used to be, but still, many things happen during a few years. Such
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version-centric approach also requires users to perform full-system upgrades
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version-centric approach also requires users to perform full-system upgrades
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every now and then.
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every now and then.
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SvarDOS is very different in this regard: there are no versions at all.
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SvarDOS is very different in this regard: there are no versions at all.
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Whenever a new program is included into or updated within the distribution, it
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Whenever a new program is included into or updated within the distribution, it
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becomes immediately available through the SvarDOS repository and may be
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becomes immediately available through the SvarDOS repository and may be
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pulled either through the SvarDOS website or SvarDOS' pkgnet tool. Already
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pulled either through the SvarDOS website or SvarDOS' pkgnet tool. Already
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installed systems can be easily kept up-to-date using the distribution's
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installed systems can be easily kept up-to-date using the distribution's
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package manager.
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package manager.
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%hConstraints of legal nature
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%hConstraints of legal nature
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The FreeDOS project mimicks a proprietary operating system, with all its APIs
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The FreeDOS project mimicks a proprietary operating system, with all its APIs
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and peculiarities. For this reason, the project always had to be extremely
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and peculiarities. For this reason, the project always had to be extremely
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careful about what can and what cannot be included within the FreeDOS
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careful about what can and what cannot be included within the FreeDOS
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distribution. As a result, only "free software" (as in freedom, think GPL,
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distribution. As a result, only "free software" (as in freedom, think GPL,
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BSD, and so on) can make its way into the official distribution. While such
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BSD, and so on) can make its way into the official distribution. While such
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cautious approach is sane and legally safe, it is far from practical for
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cautious approach is sane and legally safe, it is far from practical for
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users. Allowing exclusively free software means that a high number of useful
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users. Allowing exclusively free software means that a high number of useful
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programs, tools and games are left behind. For example "freeware" tools (as in
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programs, tools and games are left behind. For example "freeware" tools (as in
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"gratis but no source included") are a no-go. Even open-source programs can be
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"gratis but no source included") are a no-go. Even open-source programs can be
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rejected, if they do not clearly state that they comply with an OSI-approved
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rejected, if they do not clearly state that they comply with an OSI-approved
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license.
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license.
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SvarDOS, on the other hand, is much more liberal about including packages.
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SvarDOS, on the other hand, is much more liberal about including packages.
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Basically, anything that is objectively useful, of reasonable quality,
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Basically, anything that is objectively useful, of reasonable quality,
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free/gratis and can be legally distributed in the form of a package, can be
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free/gratis and can be legally distributed in the form of a package, can be
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included in SvarDOS. The only exception is for the "core" system (ie. the
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included in SvarDOS. The only exception is for the "core" system (ie. the
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operating system itself), which must be based exclusively on free/libre
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operating system itself), which must be based exclusively on free/libre
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software. Read more about %lpkgrules.ama:SvarDOS package inclusion rules%t.
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software. Read more about %lpkgrules.ama:SvarDOS package inclusion rules%t.
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%hFreeDOS included!
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%hFreeDOS included!
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It must be noted, that although the goals of SvarDOS and FreeDOS may be
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It must be noted, that although the goals of SvarDOS and FreeDOS may be
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slightly different, SvarDOS wouldn't exist without FreeDOS. Indeed, SvarDOS
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slightly different, SvarDOS wouldn't exist without FreeDOS. Indeed, SvarDOS
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uses the excellent FreeDOS kernel, as well as a few other utilities borrowed
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uses the excellent FreeDOS kernel, as well as a few other utilities borrowed
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from the FreeDOS ecosystem.
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from the FreeDOS ecosystem.
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Read also: %lhistory.ama:SvarDOS origins
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Read also: %lhistory.ama:SvarDOS origins
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