DosLynx Quick Start Home Page

DosLynx version 0.32b allows you to enable sending the HTTP Header Referer: field in its GET and POST requests. This is described in RFC 2616, Hypertext Transfer Protocol -- HTTP/1.1, section 14.36. (That specification also acknowledges that its Referer keyword is a misspelling of the word referrer.) The Referer: field reports the URL of the document containing the link being requested. So, to a certain extent, it confirms or reveals what it is that you are reading. Unfortunately, a few HTTP servers won't honor requests that don't include a satisfactory Referer: field. To get your way with those servers, you may have to compromise or relax your security interest(s), to a certain extent.

By default, sending the Referer: field is disabled or vetoed.

Referer: field sending is controlled by a two level arrangement, in DosLynx. Both levels have a veto over sending the Referer: field. refmode= configuration provides the first level of control. DOSLYNX.CFG provides a new section describing this configuration. A new Options|Manage HTTP Referer Mode menu entry or command provides the second level of control, or management.

By default, both the DosLynx Real Mode and Protected Mode versions will try to identify and use any mouse driver installed into your PC's INT 033h Vector. For one reason or another, the installed mouse driver may prove to be problematic in some installations. As all DosLynx operations may be performed via the keyboard, a new mouse= configuration option is provided for disabling mouse driver support, to bypass such a problem. DOSLYNX.CFG provides a new section describing this configuration, as well.

This release also includes several bug fixes. Including one for a bug that has been seriously impairing the Protected Mode version's reliability. These fixes and other improvements again make DosLynx v0.32b the strongest running version(s) of DosLynx, ever!

The Traditional DosLynx v0.32b package contains DOSLYNX.EXE and all of its supporting files. This is the Real Mode version, recommended for all users. The DosLynx v0.32b Protected Mode add-on contains DOSLYNXP.EXE, a sample DOSLYNXP.BA_ file, and an updated DPMIREVU.HTM document. It is recommended for users with systems that can provide DPMI service. Both of these .ZIP files may be un-zipped into the same directory, without conflict.

There are a couple other readme files for DosLynx. One is the again updated README.HTM which still tells about the original features, command line parameters, and other important stuff. There is also a history file which describes the major changes I've made in bringing DosLynx from v0.31b to v0.32b. The history file also contains known bugs or missing features. If you find one that isn't there, please e-mail me at the address in this graphic. As I don't have a '286 based PC, presently, I am especially interested in hearing from anyone who is able to try the DosLynx Protected Mode version on such a system. Finally, Wayne S. Buttles has provided a little cheat sheet listing the key commands to run DosLynx from the keyboard. It includes ones he added. I've brought it up to date and added a second page listing the "DosLynx Control, Movement, and Navigation Keys".

Remember that you can navigate with your numeric key pad by putting Num Lock ON.

DosLynx no longer contains a built-in graphics viewer. That has been replaced with a swap out and call to DLXVIEW with a parameter naming the .BMP, .GIF, .JPG, .PCX, or .TIF file to be viewed. You may edit DLXVIEW.BAT to invoke your favorite viewer. The DosLynx v0.32b package contains a sample DLXVIEW.BAT which invokes LXPIC (requires CGA+).

As Wayne said: "I have enhanced DosLynx for my own personal enjoyment. . . . I am just releasing my changes to the general public in hopes that it will help some other DOS User. I have made every attempt to keep it compatible with the lowest IBM-Compatible computer so that the greatest number of people can benefit and I will continue to do so as long as I play with the code."

Good luck, and happy browsing.

Fred C. Macall
29 June 2006