WordStar is a vintage word processor software that originated in 1978 during the CP/M era. It later expanded to MS-DOS and Windows before being ultimately surpassed by WordPerfect and Microsoft Word in the industry.
Despite its decline, WordStar still retains a dedicated fan base, particularly among novelists like George R.R. Martin, who famously wrote Game of Thrones using WordStar 4.0. Even though the software has not been updated for quite some time (the final DOS version being 7.0D released in 1992), there are enthusiasts who continue to utilize it.
The parent company of WordStar, MicroPro, went defunct long ago after a series of business deals with SoftKey in 1993 and subsequent sale to Mattel in 1999. However, this deal was unsuccessful, leading Mattel to eventually divest the software business. The current ownership status of WordStar remains unclear.
Recently, acclaimed science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer (a recipient of the Hugo and Nebula awards) who has been a long-time fan of WordStar, released WordStar 7.0D files for public distribution to make it more accessible. While WordStar is no longer compatible with modern operating systems, it can still be run through DOS emulators like DOSBox-X. Sawyer has compiled necessary tools and supplementary documents into a single Zip file to aid those interested in trying out WordStar for themselves.
TLDR: WordStar, an early word processor software, has a loyal following despite its obsolescence, with notable authors like George R.R. Martin and Robert J. Sawyer continuing to champion its use through the years.
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