Nearly every game available at that time ran on MS-DOS, and I had little reason to boot into Windows except to look around. I bought my first computer in 1993 from the now defunct, ZEOS Computers, and it came standard with Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS 6.0. MS-DOS was release in the summer of 1981 and supported up through MS-DOS version 8 in 2000. So while running multiple programs isn’t doable, running a single program like WordStar is right up its alley.Īlthough there are several DOS variants, Microsoft is responsible for bringing it to the masses by licensing it to early computer builders. DOS was also built in the days before multitasking was prevalent.
Unlike Windows, DOS doesn’t require weekly updates or patches. It can all feel heavy handed compared to the writing tools from 20 years ago. WordStar is a simple word processor that stays out of the way, unlike some of today’s software that attempts to correct not only spelling errors but provide grammar suggestions. Martin’s DOS computer isn’t connected to the internet which reduces interruptions (as well as viruses) and allows for more focused writing sessions.
