DOS ain't dead

Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available (Announce)

posted by Wengier , 13.11.2021, 06:19
(edited by Wengier on 13.11.2021, 09:00)

Hi bretjohn,

Thanks for your suggestion. I agree that it is helpful to have a drop-down menu in the Configuration Tool to let users select only the valid values, but I want to mention that DOSBox-X's Configuration Tool already has a help screen which provides a description of each item in the selected section, and the valid values for each of them. You will see the help screen when you click the "Help" button in the bottom (to the left of "OK" and "Cancel" buttons). So it already achieves most of what you suggested.

In addition to the Configuration Tool interface, DOSBox-X does also provides a command-line interface for providing help. For example, the command config -help machine shows the help information for the "machine" config option.

Hope this helps.

> I was wondering if anyone has plans on updating the Configuration Tool in
> DOSBox-X. The one that's there now leaves a lot to be desired. First of
> all, it's sort of "ugly" with pop-up windows being the same color and
> design as the background which makes it hard to see. The "ugliness" is not
> a big deal, though.
>
> The main problem with it is that in many/most of the configuration items
> there is simply a box to fill in some text but the Configuration Tool
> doesn't provide any indication as to what valid values can be entered. You
> need to laboriously search through the documentation to try and figure out
> what values might be appropriate. Instead of text boxes in which anything
> can be entered, I think there should be pull-down menus with all the
> possibilities listed. There should also probably be a help screen for each
> item (F1) that provides a description of what the item does and why you
> might want to select a specific value.
>
> Also note that if DOSBox_X used a command-line interface (like QEMU, e.g.)
> the way you provide help to the user would be different. But, since
> DOSBox_X provides a GUI interface, it should be "up to snuff".
>
> My two cents, for what it's worth.

Complete thread:

• Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Wengier, 10.11.2021, 09:51 (Announce)
  • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - bretjohn, 12.11.2021, 17:51
    • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Wengier, 13.11.2021, 06:19
    • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Wengier, 24.12.2021, 01:16
  • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Rugxulo, 21.11.2021, 19:14
    • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Zyzzle, 22.11.2021, 04:12
      • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Rugxulo, 23.11.2021, 01:22
        • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Zyzzle, 23.11.2021, 03:49
          • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Wengier, 24.11.2021, 06:47
            • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Rugxulo, 27.11.2021, 04:58
              • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - Wengier, 28.11.2021, 08:34
  • Both DOS packages for DOSBox-X 0.83.19 are now available - KormaX, 24.11.2021, 11:55