My feeling is that the first step is to first make the existing floppy disk - based boot disk into a CD - ROM version.
The second step is to expand the software. A DOS software is very small. Originally, because of the limit of 1.44, so many software were not added in, or the incomplete version was put in.
For example, the fonts of the Chinese character system. The original complete version is much more beautiful and has stronger functions, but now it is very ugly.
The third step is to add network functions and utility programs. For example, at least it should be able to telnet to BBS under DOS, and be able to send emails simply. It can use a browser like links to view English pages. Then add some common programs, such as watching movies, pictures, listening to MP3 and so on.
Don't make a reduced - version Windows because that will make the system read the CD - ROM frequently!!!!! Then it will be time to replace the CD - ROM! ! !
In fact, some games and calculators can also be added. Many games are not all very small. In addition, some utility software can be added, such as viewing the disk at a low level.
In this way, it is not a boot disk, but a usable DOS live CD. This is the development direction! ! !