ViewMAX

ViewMAX is the graphical user interface ( GUI) of DR DOS, which is based on GEM and was distributed with DR DOS 5.0 and 6.0. With ViewMAX all possible from the command line internal and external commands, and special utilities can be run.

History

Digital Research ViewMAX as integrated graphical user interface for the first time in 1990 in its in-house DOS operating system DR DOS 5.0 and DR DOS 6.0 in 1992. In about the same time Microsoft shipped with DOS shell from a similar system with the DOS operating system MS -DOS. Following the sale of DR DOS in 1993 and first went ViewMAX Digital Research over to Novell. The planned integration of ViewMAX as a file manager in Novell DOS 7 was not completed. With the re-issue of Novell DOS (formerly DR DOS) in 1996 to Caldera ViewMAX went to Lineo, a caldera subsidiary which was established in 1998 under the name of Caldera Thin Clients. As Novell integrated Caldera ViewMAX not in its operating system OpenDOS / DR -DOS ( formerly Novell DOS). Lineo 1999 published the source code of the unfinished version ViewMAX / 3 under the GNU General Public License.

Development

ViewMAX based on the kernel of GEM / 4, the cut in some only necessary for GEM applications functions, but was extended in other to the requirements of ViewMAX desktops. This close relationship starting from GEM applications is partly possible. The ViewMAX desktop itself is actually also a GEM application and can thus (if VIEWMAX.EXE is renamed VIEWMAX.APP ) will be executed under all PC - GEM versions, and thus also on GEM / 1 of 1984. However, an additional installation of PC - GEM Version 3 is required for the majority of available for GEM applications, however, after which they can be started directly from ViewMAX out.

In addition to the few functioning with ViewMAX GEM applications ( file name extension. APP ) nor programs with the file name extension. ACC can be performed. This is to " Desk Accessories " (literally translated as " desk accessories" ), which can expand or alter the operation of the GEM desktop.

Dissemination

ViewMAX shares the same fate as its counterpart DOS shell: as command line parameters to pure DOS level (see also → command line interpreter and → COMMAND.COM ) easier to pass than were under ViewMAX remained in wide use that extension. Also, there was at that time already suitable products for this purpose, such as the Norton Commander, the PC Shell or Xtree.

Revision history

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