Hackaday · Maken

WordStar Lives Again (and Again)

A project by nampara-ai allows users to run the vintage WordStar word processor on modern machines or in a web browser. This is achieved by packaging a vintage MSDOS copy of WordStar with DOSBox and scripts for Linux, Mac, or Windows.

The appeal of WordStar lies in user familiarity and "finger memory," making it difficult for long-time users to switch programs. This is why some, like George R. R. Martin, continue to use it.

The project involves wrapping a vintage MSDOS copy of WordStar with DOSBox and providing scripts for various operating systems. A WebAssembly version is also available for browser use.

On Linux, the wordstar.sh script manages the process by locating the current directory, preparing the environment, creating a DOSBox configuration, and launching the application. A minor issue with symlink resolution was noted and a fix provided.

While not the only way to run WordStar (options include RunCPM or manual DOSBox setup), this project offers a convenient and easy method for quick access. The web version can be launched using Python's http.server module, accessible via localhost in a browser.

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