FreeDOS; Free Open Source Operating System

With MS-DOS and PC-DOS no longer around, one would assume that one can no longer DOS programs. With FreeDOS, this is not true. FreeDOS is not only a clone of either but it has also been updated. It is free to download and share.

'FreeDOS is a complete, free, DOS-compatible operating system that you can use to play classic DOS games, run legacy business software, or develop embedded systems. Any program that works on MS-DOS should also run on FreeDOS.

It doesn’t cost anything to download and use FreeDOS. You can also share FreeDOS for others to enjoy! And you can view and edit our source code, because all FreeDOS programs are distributed under the GNU General Public License or a similar open source software license.'

(from the FreeDOS site).

I have installed it on older laptops. I was able to install where other operating systems would not install. I was able to install it with an USB optical drive and with the optical drive that was built into the laptop. I have downloaded and installed DOS games. 

It seems some newer laptops don't have optical drives but one can still buy an USB optical drive. The laptops that I have tried it on do have USB slots. I believe there is a trend where one can install from an USB flash drive. 

With FreeDOS, one can install and use older DOS games and software. There are still sites where one can find DOS games and software. Sites like Dos Games Archives, and Dos Games. 

As of 12/29/2016, the latest version is 1.2 and the latest news is 12/29/2016. 

BigGoofyGuy.

ReactOS: Free Open Source Clone of Windows?

I have been watching / monitoring ReactOS. It is an open source clone of Microsoft's Windows. It is still being developed but many are using and testing it. As the site indicates, it is in deep alpha mode. One can install it but some have limited success. I am hoping to one day use it instead of Windows.

There is a forum there is informative and helpful to anyone who is trying / testing ReactOS. One can report any problems and find help. One can also find information on development and assist - if one can - in doing programming. 

The download page is where one can download the source code, the installation and live version. One can use the ISO files to create / burn a CD with it. One can also download the source code. 

I have downloaded different versions - each one newer one than the previous - but have yet to get it to work. There are others that have gotten it to work. I am hoping to do the same. I have some older laptops that I have tried it on. It seems it needs to be installed by - currently but they are working on it - via an optical drive but one that is not attached via USB. They are working on USB drivers. 

BigGoofyGuy.

AT-ACT Play Den?

I saw this on Geeky Gadgets. It is a 'play den' made to look like an AT-ACT from Star Wars. I think it is not only way cool but also very nerdy. There are some videos at the site. It indicates the source is CF. In one of the video's, it shows how one gets into it and what is inside it. I think Star Wars fans of all ages would really like this.

(photo from Geeky-Gadgets).

Videos from the site.

Building a huge AT-AT.

Giant Stars AT-ACT Play Den.

I wonder if one could build it a little bigger and create a 'tiny house' or perhaps a 'nerd cave' for adults as well as kids? I like to think out loud on possible variations on the same theme. 

BigGoofyGuy.

Drone that slides into a cell phone case?

I saw and read an article at New Atlas (formerly Gizmag) about a very compact drone that slides into a phone case. It seems it is used for selfies. It is by Air Selfie Camera.

(photo from New Atlas)

The article indicates it slides into a cell phone case. I think that makes it cool and portable.

(photo from New Atlas).

I think it makes it convenient to use and easy to bring it with you when taking selfies. I think it could also be used in other way besides taking selfies. 

They have a Kickstarter program where one can pre-order it. There are some videos at the Kickstarter page.

Here is a review of it by New Domain. Here is another by DP Review.

Minion Flash Drives?

I bought flash drives from Staples that are unique. There are three separate ones. They are from the Despicable Me movies and the Minions movie. They are the Minions. I think they are great for nerdy Minion fans.

Dave.

Kevin.

Stuart. 

It shows how the heads come off to reveal the USB connector.

Pi3Cart Raspberry Pi 3 NES Cartridge Case Kit - article by Geeky Gadgets

I think this is really cool and retro. They take a NES cartridge and fit a PI 3 board into it. The article is on the Geeky Gadgets web site. It has the look and feel of the NES cartridge since it uses them as the case. They adapt the board so it fits into it. Like most retro designs, it is old on the outside but new on the inside.  I am glad they were creative with the case. It seems appropriate since the article indicates it would be good for NES emulators. I think it could be used for more than just that, depending on the imagination of the user.

They have a Kick Starter to fund the project.

Utopia 360 Virtual Reality Goggles

I bought the Retrak Utopia 36 virtual reality goggles with blue tooth controller from Best Buy. It was a reasonably prices about thirty dollars. The blue tooth controller uses two AAA batteries. The controller can used with either android or IOS, there is a switch between the two. The controller is similar to a game controller for a game machine but smaller. The goggles are adjustable and can be used with different phones. The virtual reality app's can be downloaded from the respective app stores.

I found that they fit over my glasses quite comfortably. It was tricky removing it without also removing my glasses too but I found a way. It held my phone quite well. I damaged on part while trying to put it in with the case on but it still worked quite well after I took the case / cover off. 

I tried different apps with it. I tried a haunted house - House of Terror VR, and a couple of virtual roller coasters; Darkness Roller Coaster and Roller Coaster VR. The haunted house was neat. One used the blue tooth controller to move around the haunted house. It helped to be on a swivel chair so one can sit down while exploring the haunted house. The other two were virtual roller coasters. One was simple but the other more complex and caused some nausea after using it for awhile.

I will be trying different virtual apps. There are ones where one can take a virtual tour of different places. One has to be careful not to use it too long since more current phones are stronger than the older ones and one would want ones brain that close to that source for too long. 

AMD Polaris Mini Gaming PC With No OS

Geeky-Gadgets has an article about the AMD Polaris mini gaming computer. It indicates it does not have an operating system. I think this is good since one can install any operating system one wants without having to pay for one that won't be used and erased / removed. There is also an article by Liliputing that has more photos.

(photo from the Geek-Gadgets article).

I like the simplicity of the design. I think one could customize it with a 'skin' of some type with ones own design. 

(photo from Liliputing article).

Zotac Mini PC.

Beauty and Brains? Hedy Lemarr and Spread Spectrum Technology

I was just watching an episode of Monumental Mysteries. They were talking about Hedy Lemarr. It showed she was not just a pretty face but also an inventor. One of her inventions was the spread spectrum Technology.

It is a shame the military did not use it during the world war but they seemed to have 'redeemed' themselves when they used it during the cold war. 

I think this site is interesting as it lists women inventors. 

I think everyone should check it out. 

Think Geek In Real Life?

I know there is a website called Think Geek that a lot of cool yet nerdy items. They also have stores in the real life / brick and mortar ones. I visited the one in The North Shore Mall in Peabody MA and one in the Mall of Rockingham in Salem NH. I think they are really nice. It is great for those who want to actually go to the store and see the items before buying them. They are not huge stores but they do have a lot in them. Here is the store locations site.

The people who work there are really nice and helpful.

Nerdy Creations by Nerdy Parents

Hit Share Now has some photos of cool yet nerdy items people have created for their babies. It shows how creative some nerdy parent or parents can be.

I think this is both cool, functional and nerdy. There is more on it at the article that the link connects to.

This one is from a Star Wars fan. There is more on it at the article the link connects to.

There are 10 on the site and one can click on Hit Share Now to see them.