Since its arrival last December, Doom has become one of the most widely played games for DOS-based personal computers.

Basic still comes with DOS-based computers.

Many consumers began using DOS-based computers at work, and saw value in purchasing compatible systems for home use as well.

Wordperfect is the most popular word processing software for DOS-based personal computers, but that does not guarantee it primacy under a different operating system.

"When I first sat down at a DOS-based computer, I wanted nothing to do with them," she explained.

It is not the flashiest example of either, but the remarkable thing is that it works so well on an average DOS-based personal computer.

The problem is that the built-in sound systems of most DOS-based computers were designed to do little more than beep.

The DOS-based computer must have a hard disk; the Mac version runs on just about any model.

For another, manufacturers continue to churn out DOS-based computers that will be useful for years, if not decades.

Version 3.0 brings a new level of functionality to DOS-based computers, but the icons that represent programs are dull.