VOGONS


WM 0.10 - a window manager for DOS XT/286

Topic actions

Reply 20 of 41, by zyzzle

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
theelf wrote on 2026-11-09, 11:38:

Please decompress the zip file to c:\WM

then run setup, then WML.COM

Does it have to be installed to that directory? I want to run it entirely from the root of a ramdrive, no /WM directory. In my case, the ramdrive is D:

Otherwise this looks lean and mean. Perfect. No bloat and very functional. I love it.

Reply 21 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Very nice! Your Noname Commander is also a killer app for XTs.

Please revisit your EN translated version of NC and Hoja. If I'm not mistaken, "agenda" is not the English word for "calendar" 😉 I didn't check everything, but noticed this one at first glance.

And I have a question: How to use the menu keyboard shortcuts? The menu is activated through <F9>, but why not <Alt>?

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 22 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 00:42:

Very nice! Your Noname Commander is also a killer app for XTs.

Please revisit your EN translated version of NC and Hoja. If I'm not mistaken, "agenda" is not the English word for "calendar" 😉 I didn't check everything, but noticed this one at first glance.

And I have a question: How to use the menu keyboard shortcuts? The menu is activated through <F9>, but why not <Alt>?

I dont remember used ALT for menu, always F9 in NC, alt was for alternate commands, but maybe yes, if you just press alt with no functions key was going to menu? i need to cheeck NC

If you like this NC, just use for some days, tellme all the strange stuff you find, or whatever you want better and i will fix it. later when i had time i will put code in github

I have too many old projects Ive made in my life that I never published, but I think they are not worth letting die on my HD

Reply 23 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 00:57:

I dont remember used ALT for menu, always F9 in NC, alt was for alternate commands, but maybe yes, if you just press alt with no functions key was going to menu? i need to cheeck NC

Opps, <Alt> is occupied for the alternative <Fx> functions activation. But <F9> for menu activation is super inconvenient and close to <F10>, which is for direct exit. What if <Shift> is for alternative <Fx> functions activation and <Alt> for the menu activation/shortcuts?

theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 00:57:

If you like this NC, just use for some days, tellme all the strange stuff you find, or whatever you want better and i will fix it. later when i had time i will put code in github

I have too many old projects Ive made in my life that I never published, but I think they are not worth letting die on my HD

Your Noname Commander is instantly my new favorite "DOS Commander" for XTs 😉 If you release the source code anywhere with public access, we could do such tweaks and bugfixes without bothering you to do it for us.

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 24 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 01:06:
Opps, <Alt> is occupied for the alternative <Fx> functions activation. But <F9> for menu activation is super inconvenient and cl […]
Show full quote
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 00:57:

I dont remember used ALT for menu, always F9 in NC, alt was for alternate commands, but maybe yes, if you just press alt with no functions key was going to menu? i need to cheeck NC

Opps, <Alt> is occupied for the alternative <Fx> functions activation. But <F9> for menu activation is super inconvenient and close to <F10>, which is for direct exit. What if <Shift> is for alternative <Fx> functions activation and <Alt> for the menu activation/shortcuts?

theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 00:57:

If you like this NC, just use for some days, tellme all the strange stuff you find, or whatever you want better and i will fix it. later when i had time i will put code in github

I have too many old projects Ive made in my life that I never published, but I think they are not worth letting die on my HD

Your Noname Commander is instantly my new favorite "DOS Commander" for XTs 😉 If you release the source code anywhere with public access, we could do such tweaks and bugfixes without bothering you to do it for us.

Ok, i will upload to github no problem

here is with ALT for menu

The attachment nc.zip is no longer available

Reply 25 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 01:31:

Ok, i will upload to github no problem

here is with ALT for menu

The attachment nc.zip is no longer available

Thanks for your effort, my friend, but this version is a keyboard shortcuts mess and not what I tried to describe. I'll just wait for the source code release.

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 26 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:07:
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 01:31:

Ok, i will upload to github no problem

here is with ALT for menu

The attachment nc.zip is no longer available

Thanks for your effort, my friend, but this version is a keyboard shortcuts mess and not what I tried to describe. I'll just wait for the source code release.

I tested and do exactly same behavior as volkov for example, what is a mess?

Like i said before i think norton use only f9 for menu, but volkov for example add alt like i did, and is not a mess

Just tellme what you found strange and i will change because will never be a next version, this is software i use just for me

Reply 27 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:13:

I tested and do exactly same behavior as volkov for example, what is a mess?

Like i said before i think norton use only f9 for menu, but volkov for example add alt like i did, and is not a mess

Just tellme what you found strange and i will change because will never be a next version, this is software i use just for me

There is no key for alternative <Fx> functions activation - I suggest <Shift> for this, so these combos to become <Shift>+<Fx>. <Alt> is now overlapping <F9>, but only partially. <Alt> activates the menu, but doesn't deactivates it - I suggest <F9> to be reassigned to another useful function, and <Alt> to inherit the original <F9> function for activating the menu + menu shortcuts like <Alt>+<L>, <Alt>+<R>, <Alt>+<F>, <Alt>+<C>, etc.... Also these <Alt>+<L>, <Alt>+<R>, <Alt>+<F>, <Alt>+<C>, etc... combos do not work at tall.

Do not waist your time in "fixing" this. I will adjust those key-shortcut combos for myself, when the source code is available.

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 28 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:30:
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:13:

I tested and do exactly same behavior as volkov for example, what is a mess?

Like i said before i think norton use only f9 for menu, but volkov for example add alt like i did, and is not a mess

Just tellme what you found strange and i will change because will never be a next version, this is software i use just for me

There is no key for alternative <Fx> functions activation - I suggest <Shift> for this, so these combos to become <Shift>+<Fx>. <Alt> is now overlapping <F9>, but only partially. <Alt> activates the menu, but doesn't deactivates it - I suggest <F9> to be reassigned to another useful function, and <Alt> to inherit the original <F9> function for activating the menu + menu shortcuts like <Alt>+<L>, <Alt>+<R>, <Alt>+<F>, <Alt>+<C>, etc.... Also these <Alt>+<L>, <Alt>+<R>, <Alt>+<F>, <Alt>+<C>, etc... combos do not work at tall.

Do not waist your time in "fixing" this. I will adjust those key-shortcut combos for myself, when the source code is available.

morning, OK, I get it, but then how would you do the quick search by name? Right now that is Alt+letter, and those letters would open menus

For me doing you a alternate keys are easy, 10minutes of my life, because in code is just change some variables, but you will need to bring me all alternatives one by one

Reply 29 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:51:

morning, OK, I get it, but then how would you do the quick search by name? Right now that is Alt+letter, and those letters would open menus

For example <F9>+<letter> will remain active only for this quick search function and this will be the "new" old assignment for <F9> function.

theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:51:

For me doing you a alternate keys are easy, 10minutes of my life, because in code is just change some variables, but you will need to bring me all alternatives one by one

It is not your fault, it's difficult to explain what exactly I have in mind. I could change/add some key scancodes or ASCII codes for triggering the key assigned functions, if I have the source code. So, do not waste these 10 minutes again 😉

Back to the main topic.

What's the purpose of WM256.EXE? Is it needed for 256-color VESA mode?

What's the purpose of WORKSPC.NEW? WORKSPC.NEW very much resembles WORKSPC.INI, so is it really needed for anything?

Do we need to keep SETUP.EXE after the initial file renaming?

Do we need to keep the empty ICONS folder?

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 30 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 10:07:
For example <F9>+<letter> will remain active only for this quick search function and this will be the "new" old assignment for < […]
Show full quote
theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:51:

morning, OK, I get it, but then how would you do the quick search by name? Right now that is Alt+letter, and those letters would open menus

For example <F9>+<letter> will remain active only for this quick search function and this will be the "new" old assignment for <F9> function.

theelf wrote on 2026-11-10, 09:51:

For me doing you a alternate keys are easy, 10minutes of my life, because in code is just change some variables, but you will need to bring me all alternatives one by one

It is not your fault, it's difficult to explain what exactly I have in mind. I could change/add some key scancodes or ASCII codes for triggering the key assigned functions, if I have the source code. So, do not waste these 10 minutes again 😉

Back to the main topic.

What's the purpose of WM256.EXE? Is it needed for 256-color VESA mode?

What's the purpose of WORKSPC.NEW? WORKSPC.NEW very much resembles WORKSPC.INI, so is it really needed for anything?

Do we need to keep SETUP.EXE after the initial file renaming?

Do we need to keep the empty ICONS folder?

here you are, enjoy doing strange key combinations

https://github.com/TheElf01/NonameCommander/tree/main

About WM, the only REALLY tested mode is 16 colores, in fact i left 256 color mode just for future testing, WM256.EXE is Wm in 256 color modes

I need to split because 256color mode need more ram, even is not used

We are talking about desktop! even in 16color mode fullscreen can be 256 colors, like chips in fullcreen, video player, geiss effect, or paint in both modes

WORKSPC.NEW is just a original copy of WORKSPC file, and if new things are add there, will update the INI, i made in case i want to do a "installer" for a software, but not write ini directly. You can erase if your ini is alreeady working or you like do change stuff by hand

Reply 31 of 41, by analog_programmer

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Thank you very much for the NC source code!

P.S. A minor bug in UTILS.C - leftover form ES to EN translation:

write(1, "UTILS -agenda | -ascii | -diff file1 file2\r\n", 50);

If we do not want to "print" 6 bytes (characters) with garbage at the end of the line, this line should be:

write(1, "UTILS -agenda | -ascii | -diff file1 file2\r\n", 44);

And there's even more critical bug, which messes correct hex and bin ASCII codes values showing:

        case 'u':
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);

num:

The fix:

        case 'u':
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);
goto num;

case 'x':
case 'X':
base = 16;
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);

num:

The word Idiot refers to a person with many ideas, especially stupid and harmful ideas.
This world goes south since everything's run by financiers and economists.
This isn't voice chat, yet some people overusing online communications talk and hear voices.

Reply 32 of 41, by OzzFan

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I really like your UI design. It looks great!

Hobbyist Developer : https://www.shelteringoak.com/du/

Reply 33 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Guys!! next version i port the covox driver from my VGMDOS player, not only wav files... midi too!!! i made a small midi software player long time ago, and ported very easily to WM

The attachment wm_000.raw1.png is no longer available
analog_programmer wrote on 2026-11-10, 11:07:
Thank you very much for the NC source code! […]
Show full quote

Thank you very much for the NC source code!

P.S. A minor bug in UTILS.C - leftover form ES to EN translation:

write(1, "UTILS -agenda | -ascii | -diff file1 file2\r\n", 50);

If we do not want to "print" 6 bytes (characters) with garbage at the end of the line, this line should be:

write(1, "UTILS -agenda | -ascii | -diff file1 file2\r\n", 44);

And there's even more critical bug, which messes correct hex and bin ASCII codes values showing:

        case 'u':
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);

num:

The fix:

        case 'u':
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);
goto num;

case 'x':
case 'X':
base = 16;
v = lng ? va_arg(ap, unsigned long) : (unsigned long)va_arg(ap, unsigned);

num:

Thanks! i upload the fixeed nc to github https://github.com/TheElf01/NonameCommander/r … eases/tag/v1.02

OzzFan wrote on 2026-11-12, 23:39:

I really like your UI design. It looks great!

thanks a lot! im a big fan and long time user of OS/2!

Reply 34 of 41, by Cyberdyne

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Best version of tetris. Looks like Windows 3.1 version, but controls are smoother.
Solitaire is so wooden and user unfriendly.
256 color mode just hangs with black screen with blinking cursor. (P166 MMX with S3 Virge)

I am aroused about any X86 motherboard that has full functional ISA slot. I think i have problem. Not really into that original (Turbo) XT,286,386 and CGA/EGA stuff. So just a DOS nut.
PS. If I upload RAR, it is a 16-bit DOS RAR Version 2.50.

Reply 35 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Cyberdyne wrote on Yesterday, 14:46:

Best version of tetris. Looks like Windows 3.1 version, but controls are smoother.
Solitaire is so wooden and user unfriendly.
256 color mode just hangs with black screen with blinking cursor. (P166 MMX with S3 Virge)

thanks! i m a big fan of WEP tetris sincee kid, remember playing in my father work in windows 3.0 greeat memories. I remadee with some updates

About solitaire... MY FAULT! sorry!!! i dont play much this card games and i did not realize the version i add to the build was old! some of first ones i made

Some are ports using original source https://archive.org/details/microsoft-windows … source-code.-7z

I port these gradually over the year, and I realized the ones I uploaded earlier were just the initial versions. I had left the good, uptodate ones in a different watcom directory on another drive. Here the updated WM and the actual latest versions of my games. Let me know if they are still missing anything, oi tried my best with the ports!

The attachment latestcaardgames.zip is no longer available

just decompress on top of old WM, dont erase old WM

ok, about 256 colors, is not my goal, and better to remove because is the first thing people ask me, my WM is 16 colors, the 256 colores i made for someone ask me, and forget to remeove from build. Anyways, i tested here and 256 color mode work fine in: Trident 8900D, trident 9000i, CL5401, CL5424, OTI087 (with vesa patch) , WD90C00, this is for XT and 286 PCs nothing beyond isa tested, and think i use a LOT of asm tricks for VGA
6
Anyways test if Chips Challenge work in fullscreeen, is 392x300 16colors, and Paint 640x480x256 or in image viewer loaad a 640x480 256 color bmp, if this modes work finee in S3 Virge, the we know the 256 color driver dont work because a trick i use, beecause the 256 colors mode for 16 color WM are without tricks

Reply 37 of 41, by Grzyb

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
theelf wrote on Yesterday, 18:10:

392x300

What's that mode?
Normal VGA monitors don't support 300 scanlines.
I recall seeing 400x300 modes somewhere - probably late versions of UniVBE/SDD - I guess they were double-scanned, supported by monitors as 800x600, right?

In 2003, I voted in favour of joining the European Union. However, due to later developments - especially the restrictions on cash usage - I have withdrawn my support. DOWN WITH THE EU!

Reply 38 of 41, by theelf

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Grzyb wrote on Yesterday, 20:37:
What's that mode? Normal VGA monitors don't support 300 scanlines. I recall seeing 400x300 modes somewhere - probably late versi […]
Show full quote
theelf wrote on Yesterday, 18:10:

392x300

What's that mode?
Normal VGA monitors don't support 300 scanlines.
I recall seeing 400x300 modes somewhere - probably late versions of UniVBE/SDD - I guess they were double-scanned, supported by monitors as 800x600, right?

It is a custom mode I made the VGA timings by hand. And yes, is double scanned

I start from normal mode 13h and then I change the sequencer and CRTC registers directly. Is unchained, like Mode X. No BIOS, no VESA.

Dot clock is 28.322 MHz, pixel clock is about 14.2 MHz. Horizontal total is 108 characters of 4 pixels each one. 98 are visible, so 98 x 4 = 392 pixels.

Vertical is 611 lines total and 600 visible. I put max scan line to 1, so every row is draw two times. That make 300 rows

The monitor see about 31.6 kHz horizontal and about 51.7 Hz vertical. Is like a 600 lines signal, similar to a low refresh 800x600. A multisync monitor work fine with it. A fixed frequency monitor maybe not

if you have a fixed one, i add lonnnnnggg time ago a option

[Video]
Mode=392 (default one)
Mode=392B (safe timming 70 Hz no double scan)

clock 28.322 MHz / 31.6 kHz
449 total lines

Just check if 392 mode dont work for you. I have a old CRT 1993, 800x600 and work fine, in trident and cirrus logic cards, no vesa need

Ah this year I posted this, maybe is interesting

Custom modeline for EGA modes in VGA card

Last edited by theelf on 2026-11-13, 21:49. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 39 of 41, by reflexve

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
theelf wrote on Yesterday, 21:33:
It is a custom mode I made the VGA timings by hand. And yes, is double scanned […]
Show full quote
Grzyb wrote on Yesterday, 20:37:
What's that mode? Normal VGA monitors don't support 300 scanlines. I recall seeing 400x300 modes somewhere - probably late versi […]
Show full quote
theelf wrote on Yesterday, 18:10:

392x300

What's that mode?
Normal VGA monitors don't support 300 scanlines.
I recall seeing 400x300 modes somewhere - probably late versions of UniVBE/SDD - I guess they were double-scanned, supported by monitors as 800x600, right?

It is a custom mode I made the VGA timings by hand. And yes, is double scanned

I start from normal mode 13h and then I change the sequencer and CRTC registers directly. Is unchained, like Mode X. No BIOS, no VESA.

Dot clock is 28.322 MHz, pixel clock is about 14.2 MHz. Horizontal total is 108 characters of 4 pixels each one. 98 are visible, so 98 x 4 = 392 pixels.

Vertical is 611 lines total and 600 visible. I put max scan line to 1, so every row is draw two times. That make 300 rows

The monitor see about 31.6 kHz horizontal and about 51.7 Hz vertical. Is like a 600 lines signal, similar to a low refresh 800x600. A multisync monitor work fine with it. A fixed frequency monitor maybe not

if you have a fixed one, i add lonnnnnggg time ago a option

[Video]
Mode=392 (default one)
Mode=392B (safe timming 70 Hz no double scan)

clock 28.322 MHz / 31.6 kHz
449 total lines

Just check if 392 mode dont work for you. I have a old CRT 1993, 800x600 and work fine, in trident and cirrus logic cards, no vesa need

Hey, just wanted to say this is really awesome and I can't wait to test it out on my 486 when I have a chance. I appreciate all human developed projects, and this one has had a lot of thought put into it. Great job!