Console Mode, DOS Emulator on OLPC

[elw at stderr.org]

> If you agree, a different runlevel could be used for that, ie the olpc 
> could be switched easily between sugar mode and non sugar mode - call it 
> salt or pepper if you want :)


I don't see much point in diverging from the sugar model - it works for 
everything else, and having stuff integrated into the system is 'clean' 
for folks to work with.


> Actually, it could be a usefull distinction - the bootloader could start 
> the kernel in either runlevel, depending on a special key combination, 
> so that legacy educational applications could run without any problem or 
> any complex operation, without interfering at all with anything else.


that is waaaaaaay more complicated and invasive of the rest of the system 
than i think could be made workable.


> I too can see that being put into a good use, because there are several 
> important DOS application for sign language actually used in Brazil, and 
> many X applications in highscools and universities around where I live.

> I've been experimenting with such hacks. I'll try to release a good
> prototype soon.


I am particularly interested in seeing the sign language bits promoted, if 
you have some of those -- my partner's son is deaf, so ASL (and other 
visual) education tools are of particular interest to me [and to him].

--elijah