WordStar 7, the last ever DOS version, is re-released for free

Old DOS based word processor showing some sample text, and the shortcut key type menus in use back in the day.

Before WordPerfect, the most popular work processor was WordStar. Now, the last ever DOS version has been bundled and set free by one of its biggest fans.

One forgets today how massive WordPerfect and WordStar were in their days. In fact, anyone younger than around 35 or 40 years old won’t know anything except for Microsoft Word. WordStar is probably also “well” known for its odd shortcut keys. Back in its day, we did not have a mouse, so everything revolved around keyboard shortcuts.

Yes, Microsoft really did make everyone a bit lazy, as it’s no secret that if you know your common keyboard shortcuts in any app, you can work a lot faster than the person that also uses their mouse or the menu to do everything. Which is why those, who really know their command line, are going to work must faster than their counterparts using a GUI app.

But that’s the world we live in today

So, this old WordStar app will actually run in Windows, macOS and even Linux (with the suitable DOS emulator).

See https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/06/wordstar_7_the_last_ever/