Which Model III DOS is considered "the best" or is "standard"?

[Omega-TI]

While getting back into TRS-80 stuff, I'd like to remain at least somewhat organized. This means I do NOT want to have 15 disk images with an assortment of 7 different DOS's that don't play well together.

 

So over the past 30 years has one DOS risen to the top as "the best" or "standard" in the TRS-80 community that everyone uses?

[JamesD]

I don't think there is a single accepted DOS as THE DOS but I think LDOS is one of the most popular.

[+sm3]

You can download LDOS & LS-DOS disk images from here (along with a host of other stuff): http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html#down

 

Remember, TRSTools should be able to automatically patch them for the date fix.

[Turbo-Torch]

I mainly use LDOS as it supports my double sided disk drives and has endless features.

TRSDOS is very user friendly and probably the best overall choice for someone just wanting to run software.

I also have NEWDOS 80 but that's for really advanced users.

[+save2600]

LDOS for me, when I had my Model III as well.

[+sm3]

I suppose you could say LS-DOS (or LDOS) is closer to a "standard" DOS than most since it was essentially the same as TRSDOS 6 (Tandy hired Logical Systems to create TRSDOS 6).

 

LDOS evolved from code (VTOS) that was written by the original TRSDOS programmer for the Model 1, Randy Cook.

 

One of the benefits of using LDOS on the Model I & III is that Model III LDOS can read disks from Model I LDOS. Something that can't be done with the original TRSDOS versions.

 

This is one of those areas (just like the Atari world) where there are many different preferences.

[Omega-TI]

I don't know if this will be of any interest to anyone other than myself, but when I recently got back into things, a nice guy supplied me with a cool game on an image of a TRSDOS 1.3 diskette to get started with. So, if anyone uses TRSDOS 1.3 and likes to have reference material in printed form, this converted and very slightly spruced up reference guide may be of some interest.

 

BTW - It only takes six sheets of paper if printed in booklet form.

 

TRSDOS 13.pdf

[+sm3]

Wow nice, thanks! While I tend to use LDOS or LS-DOS on mine these days, I have fond memories of using TRSDOS 1.3 on a Model III the most.

 

I spent (like most) many hours playing around with a Model III at my local Radio Shack after school. That 1.3 boot screen with the block graphical representation of a computer always brings back great memories!

 

I still use both TRSDOS 2.7 and TRSDOS 1.3.

[John_L]

Hands down NEWDOS 80 was the best OS, LDOS wasn't bad either, but NEWDOS 80 was more powerful.