Releases/Alpha5

The FreeDOS Alpha 5 distribution was released 10 August 1996.

History

We don't have a complete history of the early FreeDOS releases. The 25+ years of DOS history page shows two dates for Alpha 5: 10/97 and 11/97. The page also explains that "The FreeDOS A5 released Nov '97 was the first modern FreeDOS distribution, and was a re-release of the FreeDOS Alpha5." So the date for Alpha 5 should be updated to either 10/97 or 11/97.

Looks like we had an official Alpha 5 release on Aug 10 1996 per this archived announcement.

See different archive of announcement which also says Aug 10 1996

An announcement archived elsewhere dated Jan 28 1996 suggests Alpha 5 will be released early 2/96. This was probably very optimistic; if other release docs show Aug 96, then that is probably correct.

Announcement

FreeDOS Alpha 5 release (August 10th, 1996)

INTRODUCTION TO FreeDOS

------------------------------------------------------


INTRODUCTION
------------

You have in your possession, the product of the combined work of
over 50 programmers and software developers from around the world, as
well as the end result of literally thousands of hours of work designing,
developing, coding, and testing of this software.  It is now released
to you free of charge, in the hope that it will, in some way assist you,
no matter where your journeys will take you.  With that said, on behalf
of everyone who has contributed to the FreeDOS project, I would like
to welcome you to the FreeDOS Alpha-5 release.

If you haven't figured it out yet, FreeDOS is a Disk Operating
System (OS), which is very similar to MS-DOS.  In fact, Free-DOS has
been designed to eventually be 100% compatible with all MS-DOS software.
As of right now, however, FreeDOS has not reached that 100% mark, and
is in fact still under Alpha Development.  It would not do much good to
release a software that was exactly the same is MS-DOS, so most of
FreeDOS has been programmed to provide features and enhancements above
and beyond those of MS-DOS.  Further, FreeDOS will run on ANY IBM or
COMPATIBLE x86 based processor.  The best part about FreeDOS to most
people is the fact that is 100% Free, you will never have to pay any
registration software, or anything of the sort (although any
contributions will be welcome).

ALPHA TESTING
-------------

FreeDOS is being released as an ALPHA release.  The standard
definition for a software to be given a classification of ALPHA is any
software which is still under development, and of which the major
known bugs HAVE NOT fully been worked out yet.  If you are looking for
a 100% bug free OS, then it may not be best for you to use FreeDOS
at this time.  During this testing period, we are asking that you
help us out as best as you can be reporting bugs, and other problems
that you see.  Please refer to the ALPHA.DOC file for additional
information, and instructions about this alpha test procedure.

GETTING ADDITIONAL HELP
-----------------------

Because FreeDOS is still under alpha development does not mean that
you can not get support for it.  In fact, there are many avenue's of
support for FreeDOS, and all of it's components and support utilities.
That support starts here, with the documentation that you already have,
and with this introduction file.  The next file that you should read is
the FreeDOS Frequently Asked Questions file, otherwise known as the FAQ,
it is shipped with the FreeDOS installation, and should be found in your
FDOS\DOC directory.  The latest version can also always be found on
our WWW site, or FTP site.

In case you do not already have them, here are those sites :

WWW Sites :
http://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos

FTP Sites :
ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos

In addition, Announcements as well as the latest versions of the
Free-DOS FAQ are periodically posted in the following news groups:

alt.2600
comp.os.msdos.misc
comp.os.msdos.programmer
alt.msdos.programmer

SYSTEM REQUIRMENTS
------------------

FreeDOS has been specially designed to be able to run on any type of
IBM or fully compatible computer system.  These systems range from
8088's and 8086's to Pentium Pro's and beyond.  A Hard drive will help,
but is not required.  Extended or Expanded memory will also help in
FreeDOS's overall performance, but also is not required.

FreeDOS is also designed to be compatible with all DOS 3.x and above
software.

RUNNING FREEDOS
---------------

One might ask, how does one 'RUN' an operating system.  Actually,
FreeDOS is 3 different programs in one, being comprised of a kernel, a
command shell, and support utilities.

The Kernel - This is what boots your system up when you turn the
power on.  You can make a system or bootable FreeDOS disk by using the
SYS command.

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