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Written by DrHax9908

A long time ago, I wanted to share some of my projects with the public, but never got around to it.

Well, that changes today, as I finally intend to release some of my work. The first thing I will be releasing is an FreeDOS disk image for DosBox that contains the setup files for Windows 3.11, I cannot legally distribute a PREINSTALLED copy of Windows 3.11 due to the license agreement, the disk image is being released for educational use, and to comply with fair use laws, the download page will have a personal commentary included, written by me commentating on the software included and criticizing the way Microsoft has handled some situations. As of writing the initial version of this post, the disk image is NOT released. I need to carefully do this to NOT infringe on copyrights.

 

EDIT: I previously said I was going to use MS-DOS for this, however, due to the copyright still being maintained by Microsoft, I cannot use MS-DOS. However, I feel I can use a specific file from MS-DOS in the FreeDOS disk images. I had to use the MS-DOS HIMEM.SYS file for windows to even boot up in standard mode, so, I am claiming far use on this project for nonprofit educational purposes, my argument for that is that I am specifically teaching, and providing a way, to install a legacy operating system into a virtual environment for the use of

A: Learning how to use it

B: Teaching and providing partial assistance on how to install older and unsupported software/games for educational use (note: We do NOT encourage you to pirate said older/software games, if you install trial versions it is legal, but asking for help with finding/using a bootleg license key will NOT get you any help from us, and there are VERY few exceptions to that, we will only help with those matters if the company that CREATED AND SOLD the software, is defunct, and there is no owning organization for the software to purchase a license from. THIS INCLUDES GAMES LIKE DOOM, AND WHILE I DO KNOW OF A LOCATION OF A DOWNLOAD FOR A NON SHAREWARE COPY OF THE DOS VERSION OF DOOM, I WILL NOT LINK IT DUE TO THE FACT IS STILL A COPYRIGHT ENFORCED GAME. IF THE ACTIVE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OF DOOM SEES THIS AND WANTS THE LOCATION OF SAID ILLEGAL DOWNLOAD LINK, EMAIL ME FOR THAT INFO, I WILL PROVIDE IT ONLY TO THE COPYRIGHT OWNER AS I DO NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH PROMOTING PIRACY) 

C: Documenting compatibility issues with Windows 3.1 being used on FreeDOS, along with compatibility issues with old windows games on Windows 3.1 being used on FreeDOS

D: Documenting compatibility issues with FreeDOS/Windows 3.1 on DOSXBOX (DOSXBOX is the XBOX classic port of DOSBox, this disk image is being provided FOR said port of DOSBox, using this on DOSBox-X (a community continuation of DOSBox with extra features, and 3dfx support, not to be confused with DOSXBOX as it is NOT the same thing), or PC DOSBox, is NOT supported by me, unless you are attempting to add programs to the virtual disk image file)

E: Providing a means of demonstration of older versions of software on DOSXBOX for class projects (this scenario is a niche one, but it is still possible to happen, I have a Mexican friend who said her school had firmware modified consoles that could run stuff like this, but this is unlikely to reach said school, but the reason is still valid, someone could bring in their own personal console to their school for this)

If I can think of any more reasons I will list them here