this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2023
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Can you recommend a version of emacs that works in Windows 98 or older? (alien.top)
submitted 1 year ago by jmhimara@alien.top to c/emacs
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The emacs website has versions down to 22, but none of them seem to work correctly on Windows 98. I managed to get emacs 22 running, but it does not display correctly on screen. Only the -nw version runs correctly.

Is there any version that works well on the older OSes?

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[–] Qudit314159@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why don't you just use a modern version of Windows? You can download it from Microsoft for free. It only lacks a few non-essential features without activation.

[–] jmhimara@alien.top 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This is for a project I'm working on a Windows 98 machine. No need to be condescending.

[–] Bobbias@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There was no condescension in that post. Many people all questions like this when the correct answer is in fact to find a different solution such as using a modern OS. Nowhere did you explain that using a modern OS was not an option.

Please try to avoid immediately going on the defensive when someone makes a suggestion that you feel is ignoring something important about your question when you failed to adequately explain your reasoning.

[–] jmhimara@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The user first posted "Why don't you ask an Archaeologist" and then deleted/edited their comment to the current version. Felt condescending to me.

As for the clarity of the question, certainly I'm happy to offer follow ups, but to me it seems pretty straightforward. If someone's asking for a version specifically for Windows 98 in 2023, it's not because they did not consider a newer OS. It seems be going out of your way to be confused, but then again, I can't speak for everybody.

[–] Own_Significance3964@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

The user first posted "Why don't you ask an Archaeologist"

That's good advice. They were just trying to help you. Who else would you expect to have knowledge of such ancient software?

[–] Qudit314159@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's not my intention to be condescending. However, using a 25 year old piece of software that is not being maintained anymore is rarely the best option. You didn't explain why you can't use a newer version of Windows or a modern Linux distro.

[–] javajunkie314@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I mean, I keep a computer around running Windows 3.11. Some people enjoy the challenge of running old software on old hardware, rather than in emulators—it's fun. 25 years old definitely qualifies as "retro."

But also "you didn't explain" is, again, kinda condescending—why should OP have to justify themself to you? You couldn't imagine any reason they might be asking about Windows 98 other than that they were wrong and in need of correction? If that were so, why would GNU bother maintaining the old-gnu FTP directory?