FAQ: DOS Applications for Internet Use

Last-Updated: 10 October 2010
Posting-Frequency: Monthly
Version: 2.5.4
URL: http://www.dendarii.co.uk/FAQs/dos-apps.html

DOS APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNET USE Compiled by Michael Bernardi

This material was originally derived from the MS-DOS Improvers Guide, which I wrote in 1995. That Guide become somewhat unwieldy and is no longer available, so I decided to extract the useful sections and use it here. This Guide is for PC users who don't (or can't) use Windows (or Linux).

If you have found other DOS Applications useful, then please let me know, so that I can add them to this list. Note they should be useful for Internet use, rather than general DOS programs, and should be able to run under MS-DOS 6.22, DR-Dos 7.03 or FreeDOS, not just under the Window 95 or later versions of DOS.

I may or may not have used any or all of the programs listed within this document. It is a compendium of material I have discovered or have been told about by other Internet users. It was originally biased toward Demon usage, but should now be generally useful.

Please send any comments/corrections/updates/additions to: Michael Bernardi <faqmaster_at_dendarii.co.uk>

A prototype was first posted on 7 Apr 95. Version 1.0 was posted on 9 May 95 (9/5/95). It is posted to demon.ip.support.pc every month and is cross-posted to demon.answers at this time. It is posted to demon.answers every week. It was revised after the Demon ftp site was revised and my email address changed. Version 2.1.7 was officially added to the other FAQs at "The Dendarii Nexus" on 3 May 97 as http://www.dendarii.demon.co.uk/FAQs/dos-apps.html.

As from 9 Jun 02 version 2.3.0 all email addresses have been "munged" so that the "@" sign is replaced by "_at_", hopefully this should reduce spammage, and was moved to
<URL:http://www.dendarii.co.uk/FAQs/dos-apps.html>.
As of 4 Jun 02 this FAQ was moved to different ISP, though still under the dendarii.co.uk domain. From version 2.5.0 it was renamed as "DOS Applications for Internet Use" given that MSDOS is no longer supported and that other versions of DOS are more easily available.

URLs (Universal Resource Locators) have been used to give standard nomenclature for file/information location. This is the format used by the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Usenet newsgroup comp.infosystems.www.announce. URLs are detailed in:-

"Universal Resource Identifiers in WWW" [Jun 94]
by Tim Berners-Lee <timbl_at_info.cern.ch>
<URL:http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1630.txt>
<URL:http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc1630.html>
<URL:http://www.w3.org/hypertext/WWW/Addressing/URL/Overview.html>

and also in the more recent

"Uniform Resource Locators (URL) [SDT0066]" [Jan 05]
by T Berners-Lee, R Fielding and L Masinter
<URL:http://www.rfc.net/std0066.html>
<URL:http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3986.txt>
<URL:http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc3986.html>

The format of this document has been influenced by
"The WinSock Client List" [Aug 95]
by Ed Sinkovits <edsink_at_cyberspc.mb.ca>
This gave details of almost every Shareware, Freeware or Public Domain Windows program that uses the Winsock TCP/IP interface, at the time of publication. With the development of web search engines to find files it appears to have stopped being updated.

In all cases where a URL giving the following form occurs <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/>
then the mirror sites as referred to below may be used instead
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/MIRRORS.TXT>
<URL:ftp://ftp.mirror.ac.uk/sites/ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/simtelnet/msdos/>

The program information format is consistent and follows the layout below:-

Name of Program:
Location/Filename: <URL: >
Date/Version:
Author/email contact:
Status: Shareware/GNU/Freeware/PD/commercial
Documentation:
Features:
Comments:

In the text edition some URL references can be rather long, and so are split/broken across two lines.
Within this document the status of software is defined in the following terms.

Commercial - You pay for a program, in advance from a shop or dealer
Shareware - Try BEFORE you buy, but pay you must
Bookware - The program is free BUT you pay for the documentation
Cardware/Beerware - Free but the author would be happy to receive a postcard/beer
GNU - With the spread of Linux, the GNU GPL has become widely used
Freeware - Totally free to use but author retains the copyright
Note in all cases above the author retains copyright of their program.
PD/Public Domain - Free to use and the copyright has been given up by the author. The distinction between PD and Freeware is often confused, but is very clear in law.
If the Status: label has more than one of these option selected then it means that its status is unclear (from the documentation given), unknown, or different parts of a package have different status.

The Demon DOS package

Name of Program: DIS: The Standard Demon Package
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/files/dis221.exe>
Date/Version: 3 Sep 01 ver 2.2.1
Author/email contact: Demon Support Team <Internet_at_demon.net>
Status: Some freeware, some shareware
Documentation: Comprehensive but unorganised
Features: Includes the DIS front end, and the Demon versions of KA9Q, Simple News, PcElm and the TED editor
Comments: Every Demon user who uses DOS should start here. It has been supported by Demon and its many users.
See also <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/doc/dispc.txt>

This is made up of four main parts

Name of Program: DIS: The Demon Front end
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/files/dis.zip>
Date/Version: 3 Sep 01 ver 1.30 UK
Author/email contact: Demon Support Team <Internet_at_demon.net>
Status: commercial but may copy freely
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive. The filename is DIS.DOC & DISPC.TXT
Features: Allows the management of the various DOS programs via a menu
Comments: Makes installation and use very easy

Name of Program: NET: Phil Karn's KA9Q for Demon Internet
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/files/nos218.zip>
Date/Version: 3 Sep 01 ver 2.18
Author/email contact: Demon Support Team <Internet_at_demon.net>
Status: Shareware (£10) via Demon
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive. The filename is KA9QNOS.TXT & DISPC.TXT
Features: Multi tasking TCP/IP network operation system. Will run on 8086!
Comments: Documentation is now somewhat out of step with the program. Highly customised by Demon, and very reliable. Includes integrated TCP/IP stack and PPP driver. No longer under development (use YAN or GREMNOS). (Last version of KA9Q released by Phil Karn (www.ka9q.net) is apparently GPL)

Name of Program: PCELM: Mail reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/files/pcelm112.zip>
Date/Version: 3 Sep 01 ver 1.12
Author/email contact: Demon Support Team <Internet_at_demon.net>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive, the filename is PCELM.MAN & DISPC.TXT
Features: Includes some support for MIME encoding
Comments: A reasonable offline mailer, doesn't support address books

Name of Program: SNEWS: Simple News reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/demon/ibmpc/dos/files/snews131.zip>
Date/Version: 2 Sep 01 ver 1.31.01
Author/email contact: Demon Support Team <Internet_at_demon.net>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive, the filename is SNEWS.DOC & DISPC.TXT
Features: A Simple threaded news reader with minimal email capability
Comments: Offline News reader. Doesn't support keep/delete article or Expires: header. For article deletion, see SnzPrune

Alternative Internet Tools

This section includes alternatives to the Standard DIS Suite, including different versions of KA9Q and alternative mail and news readers. This section includes programs which can act as plug in replacements for the DIS suite, or which work directly with the DIS suite.

Name of Program: TEXTWIN: KA9Q variant with windowing & mouse pointer support Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/textwin/tw216d_1.zip>
Date/Version: 25 Nov 95 ver 1.0 (2.16d)
Author/email contact: John Washington <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/>
Status: Shareware/Freeware (see KA9Q)
Documentation: Included
Features: Drop-in replacement for net.exe (KA9Q). To revert, simply replace with the KA9Q net.exe
Comments: No longer under development, use YAN or GREMNOS

Name of Program: NETPOP: KA9Q variant of NET.EXE for use with POP3 email
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/ka9qpop/ka9qpop.zip>
Date/Version: 7 Dec 95 ver 1.0 (2.16d)
Author/email contact: Paul Overton
Status: Shareware/Freeware (see KA9Q)
Documentation:
Features: Supports Pop3 email collection
Comments: No longer under development, use YAN

Name of Program: YAN: KA9Q variant of NET.EXE for use with POP3 email
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.aven.freeuk.com/>
Date/Version: 29 Jan 06 ver 2.4m
Author/email contact: Ian Smith
Status: Free to use (see KA9Q)
Documentation: YAN version of DISView available
Features: Supports Pop3, no Server support, separate versions with pkt drivers and ppp, includes a lynx like browser too
Comments: Still being developed, based on DIS 2.16d

Name of Program: GREMNOS: KA9Q variant of NET.EXE
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.twoplaces.co.uk/gremnos.htm>
Date/Version: 12 Oct 04 ver 0.3d
Author/email contact: Simon Turner <gremnos_at_twoplaces.co.uk>
Status: Free to use (see KA9Q)
Documentation: Included
Features: Drop-in replacement for Demon's net.exe
Comments: Still under development

Name of Program: DISVIEW: Reference documentation/help screens for DIS KA9Q
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/doc/disview/disvw619.zip>
Date/Version: 12 May 96 ver 6.19
Author/email contact: Ian Wade
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: This is the ultimate documentation for the DIS version of KA9Q
Comments: Based on the DIS ver 2.16d NET.EXE. Includes TSR viewer program

Name of Program: NOSVIEW: KA9Q Nos viewer for documentation/help screens
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/doc/ka9q/nosvw304.zip>
Date/Version: 3 Mar 93 ver 3.04
Author/email contact: Ian Wade
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: This is the original documentation for the ham radio version of KA9Q. Available as the "NOSintro - TCP/IP over Packet Radio" book
Comments: Includes copy of NET.EXE that it describes

Name of Program: CPPNEWS: Offline news/mail reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/cppnews/cppnws43.zip>
Date/Version: 16 Feb 95 ver 1.43
Author/email contact: Nikki Locke <cppnews_at_trumphurst.com>
Status: Shareware (£15 + VAT)
Documentation:
Features: Replaces SNEWS/PC-ELM, with text mode windows and mouse support; Similar feature set, c source code available for £5 + VAT
Comments: Has been developed since soon after Demon started. DOS version appears to have stopped development

Name of Program: UMAIL: Offline news/mail reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/umail/umail15i.exe>
Date/Version: 16 Sep 95 ver 1.50i
Author/email contact: Software Sans Frontieres
Status: Shareware (£25)
Documentation:
Features:
Comments: Similar in use to SNEWS but with very enhanced feature set. Replaces SNEWS/PC-ELM

Name of Program: CHEETAH PRO: Demon Mail and News Reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/cheetah/chta1051.zip>
Date/Version: 11 Jun 96 ver 1.0
Author/email contact: Cheetah Support <cheetah_at_blackcat.demon.co.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Cheetah PRO is a freeware mail and news reader for use with Internet services using KA9Q as a means of providing Internet facilities. Primarily, it was written for Demon Internet Services, although there is no reason to suppose that it wouldn't work with any other Internet PROVIDER
Comments: No longer supported

Name of Program: PCOAK: Improved PCElm mail reader, fully compatible
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.twoplaces.co.uk/pcoak/>
Date/Version: 14 Nov 03 ver 0.2
Author/email contact: Simon Turner <pcoak_at_twoplaces.co.uk>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: PCElm documentation (not yet updated for PCOak);
PCOAKHST.TXT describes the changes from PCElm
Features: Simple offline mailer, fully backwards compatible with PCElm, many bugs fixed and enhancements made, more to come
Comments: Based on the final Demon version of PCElm (1.12 beta 4); being actively developed, with bugs fixed and new features added with each release

Name of Program: PMAIL: Pegasus Mail for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://risc.ua.edu/pegasus/dos/pmail350.zip>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/pegasus/pmail/dos/pmail350.zip>
Date/Version: 23 Jun 99 ver 3.50
Author/email contact: David Harris <David.Harris_at_pmail.gen.nz>
Status: Bookware
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive, the filename is GUIDE.EXE. This is an executable text file system. Covers the basics needed
Features: Fully featured email system, includes UUCODE and MIME support For details of many programs that will work with Pegasus Mail, and allow it to be used with Demon please see the "Guide to Pegasus Mail Addons List" which can be found at <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/pmail/pmail-addons.txt>
Comments: There is are two news groups (comp.mail.pegasus-mail.ms-windows and comp.mail.pegasus-mail.misc) dedicated to Pegasus Mail, which is worth reading. A series of FAQs can also be found at <URL:ftp://risc.ua.edu/pub/network/pegasus/FAQs/>.
See also <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/docs/HOWTO-install-Pegasus.txt>

Name of Program: VIEW: Alternative Mailer to use instead of good old PCElm
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/view/disvu101.zip>
Date/Version: 31 Dec 92 ver DIS 1.01
Author/email contact: Malcolm Muir <malcolm_at_muir.demon.co.uk>
Status: Shareware/Freeware
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive, the filename is VIEW.TXT
Features: Has an excellent address book and mail queue manager
Comments: Has had no development since December 1992 :-(

Name of Program: PINE-PC: Pine for 16 bit DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.washington.edu/pine/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.cac.washington.edu/pine/pcpine/old/PC-PINE-3.96/>
Date/Version: Feb 97 ver 3.96
Author/email contact: Pine Development Team <pine_at_cac.washington.edu>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Requires IMAP, different versions for different network drivers
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. Last version available for 16 bit DOS. Version 4.x is available for Window 95 DOS and later

Name of Program: OLIM: Off Line Internet Mailer
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.aven.freeuk.com/>
Date/Version: 29 Jan 03 ver 1.46
Author/email contact: Ian Smith
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Drop in replacement for PcElm. Written for author's own use
Comments: No support, other tools at same site

Name of Program: SNEWS: Improved Snews newsreader, fully compatible
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/snews/>
Date/Version: 4 May 02 stable ver jlw (refer to above URL for latest info)
Author/email contact: John Washington <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Demon Snews documentation mods.h describes the changes from Demon Snews
Features: Simple newsreader and mailer, fully backwards compatible with Demon Snews, many bugs fixed and enhancements made, more to come
Comments: Based on the final Demon version of Snews (1.31.1 beta); being actively developed, with bugs fixed and new features added with each release

Other useful KA9Q utilities

Name of Program: MAKE_GET: KA9Q addon to get KILLed Usenet articles
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.timill.co.uk/smofsoft/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/make_get/mkgt_11.zip>
Date/Version: 8 Jan 95 ver 1.1
Author/email contact: Tim Illingworth <support_at_timill.co.uk>
Status: Shareware (£10)
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive, the filename is MAKE_GET.DOC
Features: If you set up a KILL file, MakeGet will fetch the killed articles
Comments: Good email support

Name of Program: SMOFPROC: Mail Processor utilities
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.timill.co.uk/smofsoft/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/mailutils/smpr_10.zip>
Date/Version: 21 Apr 96 ver 1.0b
Author/email contact: Tim Illingworth <support_at_timill.co.uk>
Status: Shareware (£10)
Documentation:
Features: It is designed to enable mail to be sorted into different mailboxes according to kill-file-like rules
Comments: Good email support

Name of Program: SMOFSEND: Quick mail sender
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.timill.co.uk/smofsoft/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/mailutils/smsd_10.zip>
Date/Version: 15 May 97 ver 1.1
Author/email contact: Tim Illingworth <support_at_timill.co.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: This quick mailer takes a message (header and body) and generates the appropriate .txt and .wrk files. That's it
Comments: Good email support

Name of Program: SMOFLIST: KA9Q addon to provide a Mailing List Manager
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.timill.co.uk/smofsoft/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/listutils/smls_11.zip>
Date/Version: 9 Jun 96 ver 1.1a
Author/email contact: Tim Illingworth <support_at_timill.co.uk>
Status: Shareware (£20/$30)
Documentation: The documentation included with the program is fairly comprehensive. A separate set of the docs can be found at: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/listutils/smlsd11.zip>
Features: Allows KA9Q to be used as a full blown listserver, archive server and auto FAQ poster. Can send a file as a reply to specific addresses
Comments: Reliable with good email support, well worth the money. Registration joins you to a list, which provides support & updates

Name of Program: AUTODIAL: To aid unattended/scheduled dial-up with KA9Q
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/autodial/autodl03.zip>
Date/Version: 19 May 96 ver 3.0
Author/email contact: Claire McNab <support_at_siberia.demon.co.uk>
Status: Freeware/Cardware
Documentation:
Features: AutoDial consists of a batch file to initiate immediate or delayed launching of KA9Q, using some specially written .EXEs. All parameters are specified as command-line options, allowing AutoDial to be combined with a scheduler such as Cron or with simpler batchfiles
Comments:

Name of Program: DELIVER: Delivers incoming queued email offline
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.pdlhost.demon.co.uk/utils/delvr230.zip>
Date/Version: 8 Nov 03 ver 2.3
Author/email contact: Pete (email address in zip file)
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Source code included
Features: Delivers incoming queued email offline according to a set of user-defined rules/expressions
Comments: Allows use of MailKill. Can be used for junk/spam filtering

Name of Program: NNTPSYNC: Util to synchronize Demon newsservers in nntp.dat
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/news/nntpsync.zip>
Date/Version: 16 Jan 96
Author/email contact: Dev Virdi <dev_at_virdi.demon.co.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: This is a small util written to keep the Demon Newsservers in sync with each other in the nntp.dat file used with KA9Q
Comments:

Name of Program: MAIL2SNZ: Converts mailing lists into news groups
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/mail2snz/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/news/snzml_01.zip>
Date/Version: 7 Aug 98 ver 0.1
Author/email contact: John Washington <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Takes incoming mail files (.txt files) and puts them into fake newsgroups for reading with Snews
Comments: Particularly useful when subscribing to maillist servers. Simple to install and use. (Part of the JWash Snews)

Name of Program: SNZPRUNE: Deletes specified articles from Snews newsbase
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/prune/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/news/snzpru03.zip>
Date/Version: 1 Nov 00 ver 0.5
Author/email contact: John Washington <URL:http://www.johnwash.co.uk/>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Articles marked for deletion by Snews 1.30 are pruned by SnzPrune
Comments: This program is intended for use with Snews version 1.30 or later. It deletes specified articles from one or more newsgroups. Unlike the Snews 'expire' utility, articles can be deleted from anywhere in the newsbase, and all relevant article numbers are correctly updated

Name of Program: ADDBOOK: Pop-up address book for PCElm
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/mail/addbook.zip>
Date/Version: 22 Aug 1995 ver 1.0
Author/email contact: Roger Byrne
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: ADDBOOK reads the alias file at start-up, and then when invoked by hot-keys, presents a sorted list of the aliases in a pop-up window, allowing you to choose the required address
Comments: ADDBOOK also provides an address grabbing facility, which captures the e-mail address from a message displayed in PCElm's built-in viewer, allows you to provide an alias, and saves it to the alias file

Name of Program: DEJUNK: Junkmail autodeleter
Location/Filename:
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub//pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/mail/dejunk24.exe>
Date/Version: 1 Mar 98 ver 2.4
Author/email contact: Michael Salem
Status: Shareware/Freeware/PD
Documentation:
Features: DEJUNK detects and autodeletes junkmail, unread. Most junkmail is Bcc'ed (Blind Carbon Copy); autodeleting such items, with provision to preserve mail from known Bcc sources (e.g., mailing lists) is in practice extremely effective. The From: and Subject: of deleted mail are displayed and stored in a log file, and deleted mail is stored in a file from which it can be recovered
Comments: This implementation will handle mail in text files as used by PCElm, and has notes on how to integrate it into the Demon DIS suite for DOS. I hope that the techniques, and the desirability of autodeleting junkmail unread, will be adapted to other platforms

Name of Program: MAILINFO: send pre-recorded information on request by e-mail
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/mail/mlinfo01.zip>
Date/Version: 30 May 96 ver 0.1
Author/email contact: Tom Wheeley
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Information on your company's products, An off-line finger .plan Mail bouncing with a smile, Updates if you are organising an event
Comments: It is designed for DEMON systems running KA9Q internet software under MSDOS. AFAIK, it should run under KA9Q with any setup, but that is untested

Name of Program: NLBST: NOS Log Buster (for KA9Q log file)
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/nlbst/nlbst10e.zip>
Date/Version: 21 Jan 96 ver 1.0E
Author/email contact: Dev Virdi <dev_at_virdi.demon.co.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: NOS Log Buster is an application to extract the Cost information from the log file generated by Demon KA9Q net program, and present it in a user-friendly manner for manipulation and for keeping records
Comments:

Name of Program: LOGTRIM: NOS.LOG and MAIL.LOG expire utility
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/logtrim/logtrim.zip>
Date/Version: 21 Jun 1995 ver 2.0
Author/email contact: Roger Byrne
Status: Shareware/Freeware/PD
Documentation:
Features: A utility to remove old data from the KA9Q NOS.LOG file
Comments: KA9Q generates an ASCII file called NOS.LOG. LOGTRIM is a utility to strip out old information from NOS.LOG and so maintain a reasonable file size. The amount of information retained in NOS.LOG can be controlled by a command line parameter

Name of Program: LOGSTRIP: KA9Q log file filtering/expiry utility
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/logtrim/logstrip.zip>
Date/Version: 3 Jan 1996 ver 2.0
Author/email contact: Claire McNab <support_at_siberia.demon.co.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Logstrip extracts selected lines from KA9Q's NOS.LOG, allowing you to keep only the data you want, and to keep it in separate files. A plain text configuration file allows you to specify which lines to retain.
Log files can also be expired by date, by number of lines, or both methods. All parameters, including the frequency of expiry, can be can be controlled by command-line switches and/or configuration file entries
Comments:

Name of Program: CGIBIN: A way of processing WWW forms from DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/cgi/cgibin14.zip>
Date/Version: 28 Aug 95 ver 1.04
Author/email contact: Stephen M Baines
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features:
Comments: Allows you to create forms on a WWW page with the results returned by email

Generally useful Internet Tools

Name of Program: PGP: Pretty Good Privacy Public Key Encryption software
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.goggle.westfalen.de/pgp/>
<URL:http://www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/dos/>
<URL:http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1991.txt>
<URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/pgp/pgpi/5.0/msdos/pgp50ibi.zip>
Date/Version: 27 Mar 98 ver 5.0i
Author/email contact: Georg Bauer <Georg_Bauer_at_muensterland.org>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: fairly extensive, if a bit confusing
Features: Allows secure encryption of mail and news
Comments: This is International Version of PGP, approved by Philip Zimmerman International PGP home page at <URL:http://www.pgpi.org/>

Name of Program: UUCODE: Turn binary files into ascii for mail
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/decode/uuexe656.zip>
Date/Version: 1 Nov 96 ver 6.56
Author/email contact: Richard E Marks (Not on email)
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/43237.html>
Features: Takes a binary file and turns it into a 7 bit ascii file, to allow sending material by mail or to news groups. Decoders to reverse this are even more common
Comments: There are a number of different versions available in this directory

Name of Program: UNPOST: Extract from multi-segment uuencoded USENET postings
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/unpost/unpos241.zip>
Date/Version: ver 2.41
Author/email contact: John W M Stevens <jstevens_at_csn.org>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: UNPOST is a tool designed primarily to extract binaries from USENET binaries postings such as those made to alt.binaries.pictures.misc and comp.binaries.ibm.pc. As well as extracting binaries from USENET postings, UNPOST can extract binaries from multi-segment uuencoded mailings as well. Configurable for different newsreaders
Comments: ANSI C source included, for local assistance (i.e. Demon) contact Claire McNab <support_at_siberia.demon.co.uk>

Name of Program: UUXTRACT: Extracts UUENCODED stuff from news
Locations/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/uucode/uuxt214.zip>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/decode/uuxt214.zip>
Date/Version: 13 Jan 97 Ver 2.14
Author/email contact: Michael Watson
Status: Shareware (£10 or $15)
Documentation: Small, but thorough with a built in help screen. <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/43241.html>
Features: Smart, fast and friendly uu-decoder for UseNet newsgroups. Handles multi-part files with ease and will re-arrange the parts if required. You go straight from a newsgroup file to *.jpg, *.gif *.exe, *.wav, *.etc in one go. No more messing with cut and paste. Allows wild-card entry, so you can set it going on a whole directory of files and watch it search for and decode all the uu-encoded articles
Comments: For local assistance (i.e. Demon) contact Michael Watson

Name of Program: MIME64: Turn binary files into ascii for mail
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/decode/mime64d.zip>
Date/Version: 1 Feb 95 ver 6.4d
Author/email contact: Karl Hahn <hahn_at_netsrq.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Includes ANSI C source code <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/43208.html>
Features: Takes a binary file and turns it into a 7 bit ascii file, to allow sending material by mail or to news groups. Decoders to reverse this are even more common
Comments: This is a later/more sophisticated standard than UUCODE. Other versions are also available

Name of Program: MPACK: Convert MIME encoded files back to binary
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.andrew.cmu.edu/pub/mpack/old/mpack15d.zip>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/decode/mpack15d.zip>
Date/Version: 13 Feb 95 ver 1.5d
Author/email contact: mpack-bugs_at_andrew.cmu.edu
Status: Freeware/PD
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/43210.html>
Features: Source code available
Comments: Also available for other Operating Systems

Name of Program: ROT13: Simple ROT13 Encoder/Decoder for DOS systems
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/rot13/rot13v2.zip>
Date/Version: 19 Apr 95 ver 2
Author/email contact: Lawrence Wright
Status: Freeware/PD
Documentation: minimal
Features: Used by News
Comments: Faster than previous version

Alternative Text Editors

There have probably been more "discussions" about text editors,
on usenet, than almost any thing! (ie from vi to EDIT). This will only list Shareware/Freeware alternatives that work with the DIS suite! (no flames please).

Name of Program: SUPERTED: This is an enhanced version of TED
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/editors/superted.zip>
Date/Version: 13 Sep 93 ver 1.01
Author/email contact:
Status: Shareware/Freeware
Documentation: None
Features: This is an enhanced version of the TED editor supplied with the DIS suite
Comments:

Alternative File Viewers

Name of Program: LIST: This is Vernon D Buerg's famous Viewer
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.buerg.com/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/txtutl/list94a.zip>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/txtutl/list77a.zip>
Date/Version: 26 Oct 92 ver 7.7a / 30 Aug 02 ver 9.6o Author/email contact: Vernon D Buerg <vern_at_buerg.com>
Status: Shareware $37 / Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/51547.html>
<URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/51548.html>
Features: Very good file browser and manager
Comments: Older version free for personal use

Name of Program: VIEW: The file viewer for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://ww3.sympatico.ca/mdrury/freeware.html>
Date/Version: 22 Feb 02 ver 17.2
Author/email contact: Malcolm Drury <mdrury_at_sympatico.ca>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Fairly good, included
Features: File viewer for text, WordStar, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Ami Pro and Windows WRITE formats.
Comments: Also includes printer support

Name of Program: READ: This is Bruce Guthrie's FREE Viewer
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.erols.com/waynesof/bruce.htm>
Date/Version: 10 Aug 02 ver 02.08
Author/email contact: Bruce Guthrie <bruce.guthrie_at_mail.doc.gov>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Fairly good
Features: Straight forward file viewer
Comments: Bruce Guthrie has also written other useful free utilities

Name of Program: HTMSTRIP: This is Bruce Guthrie's HTML stripper
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.erols.com/waynesof/bruce.htm>
Date/Version: 10 Aug 02 ver 02.08
Author/email contact: Bruce Guthrie <WayneSof_at_erols.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Fairly good
Features: Takes an HTML file and turns it into plain text
Comments: Bruce Guthrie has also written other useful free utilities

Name of Program: DOCFRAC: Converts between rtf, html and txt files
Location/Filename: <URL:http://docfrac.sourceforge.net/>
Date/Version: 28 Mar 05 ver 3.1.1
Author/email contact: Andrew Punch <URL:http://docfrac.sourceforge.net/emailform.html>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Can convert in any direction between rtf, html and txt files
Comments: Currently unavailable

Name of Program: ANTIWORD: Display MS Word files
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.winfield.demon.nl/>
<URL:http://antiword.cjb.net/>
Date/Version: 21 Oct 05 ver 0.37
Author/email contact: The AntiWord Team <antiword_at_winfield.demon.nl>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Available for multiple operating systems, the DOS port can be used to read MS Word files or turn them into a text file
Comments: DOS documentation a bit patchy as compiled under 32bit OS

Name of Program: QV: QuickView Pro - Ultra fast image video and sound player
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.multimediaware.com/qv/>
Date/Version: 11 Feb 06 ver 2.57
Author/email contact: Wolfgang Hesseler <qv_at_multimediaware.com>
Status: Shareware ($25)
Documentation: Included
Features: DOS based Multimedia Viewer with support for the video formats MPEG, AVI (incl. DivX), MOV, DL, FLI/FLC and animated GIF, the sound formats WAV, VOC and Audio MPEG (incl. MP3), and the picture formats JPG, BMP, GIF, PCX, TGA and more. Very fast picture display. Also supports VideoCD and CD-i playback. Includes English and German documentation
Comments: Still being developed, included in original Arachne package

Name of Program: MPEGONE: DOS MPEG & VideoCD Player
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.multimediaware.com/mpeg/>
Date/Version: 23 Dec 03 ver 1.10
Author/email contact: Wolfgang Hesseler <qv_at_multimediaware.com>
Status: Shareware ($25)
Documentation: Included
Features: Command line 32 bit protected mode program
Comments: Still being developed

Name of Program: MPXPLAY: 32-bit Audio Player
Location/Filename: <URL:http://mpxplay.cjb.net>
<URL:http://mpxplay.sourceforge.net
Date/Version: 27 Dec 05 ver 1.53
Author/email contact: PDSoft
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: 32 bit protected mode program, requires 486 or better
Comments: Still being developed

Name of Program: ACROBAT: Adobe's PDF DOS Reader
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/txtutl/acrodos.zip>
Date/Version: 31 Jul 96 ver 1.0
Author/email contact: Adobe
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/51350.html>
Features: Only DOS version of Adobe's widely used PDF reader Acrobat
Comments: acrodos.exe is no longer available from Adobe

Internet Applications requiring a Packet Driver connection

These are programs which can be used to replace or add to the above programs. If they are interactive (ie used to connect to other hosts) then they will REQUIRE a Packet Driver to be installed PRIOR to use. For dialup access this should be a SLIP or PPP Packet Driver. You will also need some sort of DIALER program.

Name of Program: WATTCP: Waterloo TCP/IP kernel - source code
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.wattcp.com/>
Date/Version: 5 Jun 01
Author/email contact: Erick Engelke <erick_at_wattcp.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Published Programmers Manual $40
Features: Free TCP/IP stack works with packet drivers
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. This code often finds itself in DOS TCP/IP applications (eg MS-Kermit), apps.zip contains a few examples of TCP/IP applications

Name of Program: WATT-32: 32 bit port of Waterloo TCP/IP kernel
Location/Filename: <URL:http://home.broadpark.no/~gvanem/>
Date/Version: 25 Jan 06 ver 2.2 dev 10
Author/email contact: Gisle Vanem <giva_at_bgnett.no>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: See WatTcp
Features: Free TCP/IP stack works with packet drivers
Comments: Supports GNU C/C++ 2.7, Borland C/C++ 4.x, Metaware HighC 3.x, Watcom C/C++ 11.x or later versions. Includes many network tools

Name of Program:mTCP: A nice little TCP/IP stack for IBM PCs, XTs PCjrs
Location/Filename: <URL: http://www.brutman.com/mTCP/>
Date/Version:16 Sep 10
Author/email contact: Michael B. Brutman <mbbrutman_at_yahoo.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Includes DHCP, Telnet, FTP, IRC, and SNTP clients, and ping command included.
Comments: Requires Packet Driver to work

Name of Program: PKTDRVR: Crynwr Packet Driver Collection
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.crynwr.com/drivers/>
Date/Version: Nov 93 ver 11
Author/email contact: Russel Nelson <nelson_at_crynwr.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.crynwr.com/packet_driver.html>
Features: Most DOS Internet programs use the Packet Driver interface to allow network drivers (including SLIP, PPP, or PLIP) to be use for any hardware
Comments: Created a skeleton which has been used by many other writers

Name of Program: DIS_PKT: NDIS NIC driver to Packet Driver interface
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://netlab1.usu.edu/pub/drivers/>
Date/Version: 3 Nov 91 ver 1.09
Author/email contact: Joe R Doupnik <jrd_at_cc.usu.edu>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Most DOS Internet programs use the Packet Driver interface to allow network drivers (including SLIP, PPP, or PLIP) to be use for any hardware, This allows such programs to be used with Microsoft NDIS NIC drivers.
Comments: Can be found as part of MS-Kermit

Name of Program: PKTMUX Packet Driver Multiplexor
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/pktdrvr/pktmux12.zip>
Date/Version: 29 Jan 93 ver 1.2b
Author/email contact: Graham W Robinson <G.W.Robinson_at_rl.ac.uk>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Most DOS Internet programs use the Packet Driver interface to allow network drivers (including SLIP, PPP, or PLIP) to be use for any hardware, This allows more than one program to access the same packet driver
Comments:

Name of Program: IPCONFIG: Dynamic IP address to environ for TCP config
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/internet/ipcfg012.zip Date/Version: Jul 99 ver 0.12
Author/email contact: Frank Molzahn <molzahn_at_cc.umanitoba.ca>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/47069.html>
Features: IPCONFIG consists of two utilities, IPREAD and IPRARP, used to put a dynamically assigned IP address into the DOS environment, for configuring TCP/IP applications
Comments:

Name of Program: NETDIAL: Simple modem script dialer
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/internet/nd130.zip>
Date/Version: 25 Aug 97 ver 1.30
Author/email contact: Marc S Ressl <ressl_at_geocities.com>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/47078.html>
Features: It is a simple modem script dialer for DOS. It is easy to use and configure, and allows one to make automatized dial-in's, for example to Internet providers. Features non-standard COM port support and multiple script tries
Comments: Combined with PPPD provides a simple and effective solution to DOS Internet connectivity

Name of Program: SLIPPER: Peter Tattam's SLIP driver
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.trumpet.com/slipper/slippr15.zip>
Date/Version: 15 Jan 94 ver 1.5
Author/email contact: Peter Tattam <peter_at_trumpet.com>
Status: Freeware/PD
Documentation: Fairly comprehensive
Features: Supports EtherSlip and is faster than SLIP8250
Comments: A compressed SLIP version is also available, CSLIPPER. Originally designed to work with the Trumpet TCP/IP stack, which only works with SLIP. Details can be found at <URL:http://www.trumpet.com.au/dosapps/>

Name of Program: SLIPKT: DOS-based C/SLIP, Packet drivers
Location/Filename: <URL:http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~molzahn/cslip.html>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/pktdrvr/cslpkt05.zip>
Date/Version: 28 Feb 99 ver 0.56t
Author/email contact: Frank Molzahn <molzahn_at_cc.umanitoba.ca>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/7458.html>
Features: Provides Class 1 (ethernet) interfaces with full RARP support
Comments: CSLPKT: is also included with VJ TCP/IP header compression

Name of Program: DOSPPP: PPPD Packet Driver for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/pktdrvr/dosppp06.zip>
Date/Version: ver 0.6 beta
Author/email contact: Antonio Lopez Molero <tonilop_at_redestb.es>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Quite extensive, includes sample configuration files. <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/75392.html>
Features: This is a packet driver for PPP, based on the unix pppd with bits from elsewhere
Comments: Now a beta release. Combined with NetDial simple and effective

Name of Program: LSPPP: LadSoft PPP driver
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.members.tripod.com/~ladsoft/lsppp/>
Date/Version: 23 Oct 03 ver 1.0
Author/email contact: David Lindaner <camille_at_bluegrass.net>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.members.tripod.com/~ladsoft/lsppp/>
Features:
Comments: Small and still under development

Name of Program: PPPSHARE: Klos Technologies' PPP driver
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.klos.com/pub/demo/>
Date/Version: 15 Sep 02 ver 2.81
Author/email contact: Klos Technologies, Inc. <sales_at_klos.com>
Status: Shareware ($29.95)
Documentation:
Features: It's very robust, and quite popular with people who use the Internet for multi-player games. It can be used to replace the SLIP_PPP driver that comes with LAN Work-place for DOS
Comments: PPP is a DOS ODI driver that implements the PPP (Point-to-Point) protocol on standard PC COM ports. Includes easy to use setup program and dialer. Only available via email

Name of Program: IPROUTE: Provides IP routing and network address translation
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/iprv/iprv094.zip>
Date/Version: 9 Aug 96 ver 0.94
Author/email contact: David F Mischler
Status: Shareware ($50)
Documentation: Included
Features: Provides IP routing and network address translation using standard PC hardware
Comments: As from version 0.99 it has ceased to be shareware

Name of Program: NET-TAMER: Internet in a Thimble, for 386 & up
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.nettamer.net/>
<URL:ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/connect/n1101386.zip>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/nettamer/n1111386.zip>
Date/Version: 2 Jun 01 ver 1.12.1
Author/email contact: David Colston <nettamer_at_nettamer.net>
Status: Shareware ($35) lifetime registration
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/4334.html>
Features: Net-Tamer is a DOS PPP dial up access program, which requires no TSR packet driver. It will Web browse, get/send your Email, get/send Usenet messages, FTP upload/download a file, Telnet to another internet address, or check the time and date. It is a both robot and a navigator. It will get email and usenet groups, then log off so you can use the included offline reader, or you can choose to stay on and look around. It will also do a download/upload of mail or usenet on a timer. There are other versions for XT/286 PC's and mono CGA screens
Comments: Can be used to replace the complete suite. Has an excellent Web browser. Includes its own TCP/IP stack

Name of Program: NETMAIL: Automated Standalone POP3 and SMTP Program
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.nettamer.net/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/nettamer/netmail.zip>
Date/Version: 6 Aug 98 ver 1.09
Author/email contact: David Colston <nettamer_at_nettamer.net>
Status: Shareware
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/4337.html>
Features: NetMail is a stand-a-lone POP3 / SMTP client which will do dial up send and receive email. It is very small and will run on any PC with a modem. It is necessary to have an email program to read and write mail
Comments: 30 day evaluation copy

Name of Program: AGENT UPLOAD: Automated FTP Upload/Download
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.nettamer.net/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/nettamer/agent117.zip>
Date/Version: 9 Oct 98 ver 1.17
Author/email contact: David Colston <nettamer_at_nettamer.net>
Status: Shareware
Documentation: Read the agent.doc file carefully for a discussion of setup and uses, including web site updates.
<URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/48210.html>
Features: Agent Upload is a stand-a-lone FTP client which will do dial up FTP upload and download to an FTP server. It is very small and will run on any PC with a modem. It is especially designed to be callable from another program, including a TSR timer
Comments:

Name of Program: NTLS: NetTamer: Moves listserv email to 'newsgroup'
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/nettamer/ntls35.zip>
Date/Version: 10 May 99 ver 3.5
Author/email contact: Thomas L. Burleigh <tomburl_at_net-connect.net>
Status: Shareware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/8673.html>
Features: This program transfers messages from your Net-Tamer mail file, based on the text you specify to look for anywhere in the message, to Net-Tamer newsgroup (.dlu) files you specify
Comments: Requires Net-Tamer (see above)

Name of Program: NMDOS: NetMail DOS - SMTP/POP3 Internet email mailer
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.ressl.com.ar/netmail/>
<URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/internet/nmdos212.zip>
Date/Version: 9 Oct 99 ver 2.12
Author/email contact: Marc S Ressl <netmail_at_ressl.com.ar>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/11329.html>
Features: NetMail DOS is a mail program for Internet email. It supports the standard SMTP/POP3 protocols, and provides a low-level interface to email, making this program ideal for mail-bots and gateways. NetMail DOS also provides flood protection, protecting you from mail bombs. There is also a daemon mode that checks mail regularly, and exits on new mail
Comments:

Name of Program: LSICQ: DOS port of Mirabilis ICQ
Location/Filename: <URL:http://members.tripod.com/~ladsoft/lsicq/>
Date/Version: 29 Dec 01 ver 1.85
Author/email contact: David Lindaner <camille_at_bluegrass.net>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://members.tripod.com/~ladsoft/lsicq/overview.htm>
Features: A dos port of the *nix micq, Arachne compatible
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. No longer developed as AOL changed protocol

Name of Program: DOS LYNX: A browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/lynx/dlx0_8a.exe>
<URL:ftp://ftp2.cc.ukans.edu/pub/WWW/DosLynx/DLX0_8A.EXE>
Date/Version: 11 Aug 94 ver 0.8 alpha
Author/email contact: Lynx Help <lynx-help_at_ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu>
Status: Copyright Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Fast text-based multi-windowing, download any inline image, display inline GIFs, easy save to disc, mouse driven or simple keyboard commands. Includes support for blind users
Comments: Full source code is available (compile using TurboVision). slip_dis.zip needed (see above). Demon Config includes improved slip batch file for DosLynx, Gopher3 and Minuet. Read dis_lynx.txt in dis_lynx.zip *before* installing anything. See also <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/apps/lynx/doslynx.faq>
and for local assistance (i.e. Demon) contact Stephen Holmes <steve_at_blinkdog.airtime.co.uk>

Name of Program: DOSLYNX: An update of one of the earliest Web Browsers
Location/Filename: <URL:http://users.ohiohill.com/fmacall/>
Date/Version: Dec 05 ver 0.30b
Author/email contact: Fred Macall <fmacall_at_nccw.net>
Documentation: INFO.HTM, README.HTM, README.TXT, HISTORY.TXT, a sample .CFG file, and several other documents are included in the package
Features: Provides strong support for the file, ftp (PASV mode), http, and news URL types. Provides basic mailto (mail writing/sending) support. Protected and Real mode versions available.
Comments: Uses a Packet Driver. Runs on lowest common denominator 8088, or later, based IBM compatible PCs

Name of Program: BOBCAT: A DOS browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.fdisk.com/doslynx/bobcats/>
Date/Version: 3 Nov 98 ver E-07
Author/email contact: Wayne Buttles <bobcat_at_fdisk.com>
Status: Copyright Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Needs a Packet Driver connection. Text only interface
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. This is based on the Unix Lynx source code, but cut down. Uses NetDial and PPPD as default dialer and TCP/IP stack

Name of Program: LYNX_386: A DOS lynx browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.fdisk.com/doslynx/lynxport.htm>
Date/Version: 7 Nov 98 ver 2.8
Author/email contact: Wayne Buttles <bobcat_at_fdisk.com>
Status: Copyright Freeware
Documentation: Included as HTML files
Features: Needs a Packet Driver connection. Text only interface
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. This is based on the Unix Lynx source code. Requires 386 or better

Name of Program: LYNX: A DOS 32bit lynx browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.rahul.net/dkaufman/>
Date/Version: 18 Apr 04 ver 2.8.5rel1
Author/email contact: Doug Kaufman <dkaufman_at_rahul.net>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Included as HTML files
Features: Needs a Packet Driver connection. Text only interface
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. This is based on the Unix Lynx source code. Requires 386 or better. Includes ssl support

Name of Program: ARACHNE: A Graphical DOS browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://arachne.cz/?page=museum>
Date/Version: 22 Dec 01 ver 1.70 R3
Author/email contact: Michael Polak <xchaos_at_arachne.cz>
Status: Free for Personal use / Shareware ($30)
Documentation: Included as HTML files
Features: Built in PPP for dialup. Supports PNG format. Just under 1 Meg. Includes an install program. Now even faster
Comments: This is a very impressive graphical web browser. Will work with CGA display or better but best with VGA. A linux version is in development. Can use WATTCP.CFG

Name of Program: ARACHNE: A Graphical DOS browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.cisnet.com/glennmcc/arachne/>
Date/Version: 17 Apr 06 ver 1.90 GPL
Author/email contact: Glenn McCorkle <glennmcc_at_cisnet.com>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Included as HTML files
Features: Built in PPP for dialup. Supports PNG format. Just under 1 Meg. Includes an install program. Now even faster
Comments: Now available as a GPL version, since the original is no longer being developed

Name of Program: DR-WEBSPYDER: Graphical DOS browser for World Wide Web
Location/Filename: <URL:http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/browsers/dr-webspyder/2.0/drwebspyder.html>
Date/Version: 19 Aug 98 ver 2.0a
Author/email contact:
Status: No longer supported
Documentation: Included as HTML files
Features: Built in PPP for dialup. Download creates a boot disk which provides dialup connection
Comments:

Name of Program: SPIN: Saturnus Personal Internet Navigator
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.spin.saturnus.nl/engels/>
Date/Version: Currently in beta
Author/email contact: ing Gert-Jan de Jonge <thelord_at_pi.net>
Status: Freeware
Documentation:
Features: SPIN is a graphic HTML-Browser/Editor for DOS. With this browser you can automatically phone your Internet Provider. This may be with either a SLIP or a PPP connection
Comments: Requires 386 and Packet Driver, no recent development.

Name of Program: HTGET: Fetch files using HTTP from DOS machine
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/internet/htget102.zip>
Date/Version: 22 Dec 97 ver 1.02
Author/email contact: Ken Yap <ken_at_syd.dit.csiro.au>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/29093.html>
Features: Htget is a small program to fetch a document with HTTP
Comments: Requires Packet Driver for TCP/IP transport hardware

Name of Program: WGET: Fetch files using HTTP from DOS machine
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.rahul.net/dkaufman/>
Date/Version: 2 Sep 02 ver 1.8.2b rel1
Author/email contact: Doug Kaufman <dkaufman_at_rahul.net>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: Available at <URL:http://wget.sunsite.dk/>
Features: Needs a Packet Driver connection.
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG.

Name of Program: MS-KERMIT: An excellent telnet client
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.kermit-project.org/>
<URL:ftp://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/archives/msvibm.zip>
Date/Version: 18 Jan 95 ver 3.14
Author/email contact: kermit_at_columbia.edu
Status: Bookware
Documentation: Available in book form and as online texts
Features: Fully featured VT320, support for Packet Divers, Novell ODI and SLIP/PPP built in. Includes support for blind users
Comments: The Demon Config files have only been tested with the previous version eg MS-Kermit 3.13. Executables for ver 3.15 available to add to this installation. 3.15 supports DHCP.
Version 3.16 has been in beta since 1999 See also <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/kermit/msk_dis.zip>

Name of Program: SSHDOS: SSH1 / SSH2 Client for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://sshdos.sourceforge.net/>
Date/Version: 25 Nov 03 ver 0.95b / 23 Apr 06 ver 0.2.1
Author/email contact: Nagy Daniel
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/sshdos/>
Features: Uses packet drivers, now includes telnet
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG. ver 0.1.1 also available with sftp

Name of Program: DOSVNC: VNC Client for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://stuff.geizhals.at/priv/mjy/c0w/dosvnc.html>
<URL:http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/nino/dosvnc.html>
Date/Version: 28 Apr 99 ver 1.1
Author/email contact: Marinos J Yannikos <mjy_at_pobox.com>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: ReadMe.txt included
Features: Uses packet drivers
Comments: Uses WATTCP.CFG

Name of Program: TSOFT-NFS: NFS Client for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.tsoft.net/software/nfs/download.html>
Date/Version: 15 May 95 ver 1.02
Author/email contact: <nfs_at_tsoft.net>
Status: Shareware/commercial $25ish
Documentation: PDF & Printed manuals available, see also <URL:http://www.tsoft.net/software/nfs-client.html>
Features: Allows reassignment of DOS drive letter to an NFS server
Comments: No longer being developed but still available

Name of Program: XFS: NFS Client for DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/9.0/dosutils/xfs186/>
Date/Version: 21 Sep 94 ver 1.8
Author/email contact: Robert Juhasz
Status: Shareware $15
Documentation: Manual Included
Features: Allows reassignment of DOS drive letter to an NFS server
Comments: No longer being developed but still available

Name of Program: BSD-SYSLOGD: Port of Unix SYSLOG daemon to DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/lan/bsylg133.zip Date/Version: 21 Jul 99 ver 1.33
Author/email contact: Ken Yap <ken_yap_at_my-deja.com>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/47279.html>
Features: BSD-SYSLOGD is a port to DOS of the BSD Unix SYSLOG daemon. This is a program that will accept network packets for the SYSLOG service at UDP port 514 containing system event information from Unix systems
Comments:

Name of Program: PPWizard: An HTML Preprocessor
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~dbareis/ppwizard.htm>
Date/Version: Apr 06 ver 06.109
Author/email contact: <dbareis_at_labyrinth.net.au>
Status: Freeware
Documentation: Included
Features: Can also be used to generate CSS, ASP, JS and VBS
Comments: For DOS requires the REGINA Rexx Interpreter, provided onsite <URL:http://www.rexx.org/>

Name of Program: ORB: An HTML Preprocessor
Location/Filename: <URL:http://sourceforge.net/projects/orb/>
<URL:http://www.cinenet.net/~cberry/orbinfo.html>
Date/Version: 4 Mar 03 ver 2.0.3
Author/email contact: Craig Berry <cberry_at_cinenet.net>
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation: ver 1.3 Oct 96
Features: Orb is a tool for Web developers which makes design, development, and maintenance of large sites easier. Allows inclusion as in c and other programming languages. Thus the parts of the page that doesn't change can be included in a "header" or "footer"
Comments: Went GPL as no longer developed by the originator.

Name of Program: INTRADOS: HTML browser for DOS-based Intranets
Location/Filename: <URL:ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/html/ntrdos14.zip>
Date/Version: 18 Dec 98 ver 1.4
Author/email contact: Charles Cork
Status: Shareware ($35)
Documentation: Included <URL:http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/4200.html>
Features: IntraDOS is an HTML browser for DOS-based PCs, primarily for office intranets and other hypertext needs. While not a web browser, it imitates the interface of leading web browsers for HTML and text documents that are available on a machine's hard drive or network server.
It supports basic tables and other HTML tags that can be represented in text-mode displays and runs in less than 300K
Comments: It can be used without a mouse. Using its stockpile feature, DOS-based 386 PCs can have access to HTML files almost as quickly as Pentiums with leading browsers. Offline use ONLY. No longer being developed

Commercial Alternative TCP/IP Systems

Name of Program: Lantastic for DOS
Location/Filename: N/A
Date/Version: ver 8.0
Author/email contact: <URL:http://www.spartacom.com/>
Status: commercial $119 1 user license
Documentation:
Features:
Comments: Apparently still available though very expensive.

Name of Program: Novell's LAN WorkPlace for DOS
Location/Filename: N/A
Date/Version: ver 5.0
Author/email contact:
Status: commercial / No longer available or supported
Documentation: Full Manual
Features: Includes both network and dialup connectivity and all TCP/IP tools in both DOS and Windows format
Comments:

Name of Program: FTP's PC/TCP
Location/Filename: N/A
Date/Version: ver 2.3
Author/email contact:
Status: commercial / No longer available or supported
Documentation: Full Manual
Features: Includes all TCP/IP tools, no longer available
Comments: This uses Packet Drivers as a standard interface. Includes both network and dialup connectivity

Name of Program: DVX: Quarterdeck's DesqView/X
Location/Filename: N/A
Date/Version: 16 Mar 94 ver 2.0
Author/email contact: various
Status: commercial / No longer available or supported
Documentation:
Features: X Windows under DOS, requires Novell's LWP for DOS, included in the package
Comments: See <URL:http://www.chsoft.com/dv.html> for downloadable material

Name of Program: Async Systems Socket Library SDK
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.asyncsystems.com/>
Date/Version: 15 May 98 ver 2.05
Author/email contact: support_at_asyncsystems.com
Status: commercial/90 day evaluation
Documentation: Included in Word format
Features: Developer's toolkit for DOS
Comments: This uses standard interfaces. Includes both network and dialup connectivity. Very expensive

Name of Program: Async Systems TERMview/NC
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.asyncsystems.com/>
Date/Version: 15 May 98 ver 2.05
Author/email contact: support_at_asyncsystems.com
Status: commercial/90 day evaluation
Documentation: Included in Word format
Features: Includes all TCP/IP tools
Comments: This uses standard interfaces. Includes both network and dialup connectivity

Given that this document refers to DOS applications only, and MSDOS is no longer available from MicroSoft I feel it appropriate to also mention the following.

Name of Program: PCDOS: The Original IBM PCDOS 2000
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.software.ibm.com/os/dos/>
Date/Version: ver 2000
Author/email contact: N/A
Status: No longer available
Documentation:
Features: Fully functional operating system, includes PCMCIA drivers.
Comments: This is cheaper than the Cardsoft PCMCIA drivers on their own

Name of Program: DR-DOS: Originally Digital Research DOS
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.drdos.net/>
Date/Version: ver 7.0.3
Author/email contact: N/A
Status: Freeware/commercial
Documentation: <URL:http://www.drdos.net/>
Features: Fully functional operating system, DR-Dos purchased by Device Logic Inc in Oct 2002.
See <URL:http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/drdos> for download details
Comments: Free for personal use, also at one point called OpenDOS Commercial version 8.0 <URL:http://www.drdos.com/> $20-$35

Name of Program: FreeDOS: The FreeDOS Project
Location/Filename: <URL:http://www.freedos.org/>
Date/Version: 1 Dec 04 ver Beta 9 SR 1
Author/email contact: various
Status: GNU/Freeware
Documentation:
Features: Aims to be a complete, free, 100% MSDOS compatible OS
Comments: Still under development

The latest version of this document may be obtained from <URL:ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/doc/ibmpc/dos-apps.txt>
A webified version can now be found at "The Dendarii Nexus" <URL:http://www.dendarii.co.uk/FAQs/dos-apps.html> (This is the most up to date copy). The latest version is posted to the newsgroups demon.ip.support.pc every month and to demon.answers every week.

Copyright 1995/2010 by Michael Bernardi <mike_at_dendarii.co.uk>. This file may be freely distributed provided that it remains unedited from its current form, and best efforts are made to keep any copies up to date. It may be printed for personal use.
Sections may be quoted for reference providing its source is given.

Mike

Last Updated: 10 October 2010

Michael Bernardi mike_at_dendarii.co.uk