GoKawiilHacker News thread seeks users still running legacy DOS business systems
An Ask HN post asks whether anyone still relies on DOS-era software like dBase, Clipper, CLARION or Paradox, or industrial equipment controlled via ISA cards or parallel-port dongles, to run real business processes. The poster says they are researching an idea for keeping such systems running on modern hardware and invites people to share experiences via comments or email.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The inquiry suggests there may be a market of businesses still dependent on decades-old software and hardware for critical operations, which could face growing risks as original machines fail and spare parts vanish. The response could inform a product or service aimed at modernizing or preserving these legacy systems, though no concrete plans have been announced.
- Post seeks real-world users of DOS-era business software and legacy industrial hardware
- Poster is researching a way to keep such systems running on modern hardware
- No product exists yet; this is an early, informal information-gathering effort
StarTech PCI to ISA Adapter Card — For anyone keeping legacy DOS machines and ISA-card industrial instruments alive, this adapter helps bridge old ISA peripherals with newer PCI-based systems, easing the hardware migration headache. It's a practical tool for hobbyists and engineers maintaining vintage industrial or CNC control setups.
See StarTech PCI to ISA Adapter Card on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: news.ycombinator.com, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “Ask HN: Who's still keeping a DOS machine up because the business depends on it?”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.