Sci-fi writer and WordStar lover re-releases the cult DOS app for free
Robert J. Sawyer has re-released WordStar 7 as free abandonware, including manuals and utilities for modern use, highlighting its enduring appeal among writers despite its complex ownership history.
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Robert J. Sawyer, a science fiction author, has re-released the cult word processing application WordStar 7 for free, recognizing it as "abandonware." This DOS-based program, last updated in 1992, remains popular among writers for its simplicity and efficiency in text processing, allowing users to navigate and edit text without a mouse. Sawyer has compiled a comprehensive package that includes WordStar 7, over 1,000 pages of scanned manuals, related utilities, and guidance for running the software on modern systems using DOSBox-X and VDosPlus. The history of WordStar is complex, having transitioned through various ownerships and versions, leading to its current status where its archival ownership is unclear. The re-release aims to preserve the application for its dedicated user base, which includes notable authors like George R.R. Martin and Anne Rice. The package is approximately 700 MB and includes tools for converting WordStar files to modern formats. Despite some technical challenges in running the software on contemporary operating systems, the initiative highlights the enduring appeal of WordStar among writers who value its focused design for writing.
- Robert J. Sawyer has re-released WordStar 7 as free abandonware.
- The software is favored by writers for its efficient text processing capabilities.
- The re-release includes manuals, utilities, and guidance for modern use.
- WordStar has a complex ownership history, complicating its archival status.
- The package also features a utility for converting WordStar files to modern formats.
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3 commentsOne day I asked him to show me how he used it, not in an instructional sense; I just wanted to watch him write with it. So he pulled up a paper he was working on and within seconds I grokked why. He flew through that document, but more than that, Wordstar offered significant text browsing and anotation capabilities.
I have an old NEC Mobile Pro hanging around. I wonder if I can get wordstar to run on windows CE…
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Robert J. Sawyer has created an online archive of WordStar 7.0, including the program, manuals, and resources, aimed at preserving its legacy and assisting writers who prefer its features.
WordStar 7, the last ever DOS version, is re-released for free
WordStar 7, the final DOS version of the word processor, has been re-released for free by Robert J. Sawyer, including emulators and documentation, appealing to contemporary users and writers.
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