ideas.txt

PROBATOR - side ideas parking lot
(captured during the build; not part of Probator itself)

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IDEA #1  -  "Abandonware Compatibility Lab"
Captured: 2026-07-12
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The pitch (Felipe's words, lightly structured):
    Find abandonware - old software from the Win95 / DOS era that no
    longer runs on Windows 10/11 - and make it compatible again.

Why it's fun / why it fits:
    - Same retro-computing energy as Probator's Win98 skin.
    - Preservation angle: rescuing software that would otherwise be lost.
    - A real engineering puzzle (compatibility shims, not just nostalgia).

Rough angles to explore later (unverified - to research if we pick it up):
    - Wrap/patch old binaries so they launch on modern Windows.
    - Bundle/automate DOSBox / PCem / 86Box / Wine-style layers.
    - Detect why a given old exe fails (16-bit, missing DLLs, DirectX,
      display modes, CPU timing) and auto-apply the right fix.
    - A GUI that scans an old install and reports "here's what's broken
      and here's the shim that fixes it."

Open questions for when we revisit:
    - Legal footing of redistributing abandonware (NOT legal advice -
      would need a real lawyer; many titles are still under copyright).
    - Scope: DOS games? Win9x productivity apps? Both?
    - Do we target end-users (one-click "make it run") or tinkerers?

Status: PARKED. Revisit after Probator has legs.