The developer behind the popular Wordle clone for Windows 3.1, Windle, has once again surprised us by creating a new app for this vintage operating system. This time, they have brought a basic version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT responses to Windows 3.1 PCs with their latest creation called WinGPT.
WinGPT is a remarkable achievement as it allows users to experience an AI Assistant on their ancient 386 chip machines from the early 1990s. The developer shared their motivation behind building this app in a Hacker News thread, stating, “I didn’t want my Gateway 4DX2-66 from 1993 to be left out of the AI revolution, so I built an AI Assistant for Windows 3.1, based on the OpenAI API.”
The technical aspects of WinGPT are equally impressive. It is written in C using Microsoft’s standard Windows API and establishes a connection with OpenAI’s API server using TLS 1.3. The app does not require a separate modern PC to function, making it a self-contained solution for Windows 3.1. The developer mentioned that one of the most interesting challenges was getting the app to run on Windows 3.1 while managing the memory segmentation architecture on 16-bit versions of the operating system and building the user interface (UI) for the app.
However, due to the limited memory support of Windows 3.1, the ChatGPT responses provided by WinGPT are only brief. The app cannot handle the context of conversations, resulting in relatively short answers. Neowin, in its coverage of WinGPT, pointed out this limitation. Additionally, the WinGPT icon was designed using Borland’s Image Editor, a tool similar to Microsoft Paint that is capable of creating ICO files.
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The anonymous WinGPT developer shared some insights into the process of building the UI for the app. They revealed that most of the UI was constructed directly in C, meaning that each UI component had to be manually coded. The developer expressed surprise at the extremely limited set of standard controls available in Windows 3.1. While some expected controls like push buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, and edit boxes were present, many other essential controls used across the operating system were not available, making the UI development process more challenging.
For those who still possess a Windows 3.1 machine tucked away in their attic, garage, or basement, WinGPT is indeed a fascinating piece of nostalgia. The app binaries for 16-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows can be downloaded from dialup.net, a domain name perfectly suited for old Windows applications.
In conclusion, the creation of WinGPT is a testament to the ingenuity and passion of the developer behind it. By bringing the capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT to Windows 3.1, they have managed to combine modern AI technology with a vintage operating system, allowing users to engage with an AI Assistant on their ancient PCs. This unique offering brings a touch of AI revolution to the world of retro computing, reminding us that even outdated systems can find new and innovative uses. WinGPT is not just an app; it’s a nostalgic journey into the past with a futuristic twist.
