Documentation of Operating Systems and Developers

Operating system projects

AllOS/Alliance OS
The Alliance Operating system Project had choose the target since 1998 to create a new stable operating system which is based on the Stanford Caching Kernel Model. Originally this project has split from the Freedows project. Modifications at the source code were published last in March 2001. The project was stopped in meanwhile.

AMX
The real time operating system AMX is from the company Kadak. It is used where everywhere there it depends on time critical reaction times. The medical area, telecommunication, control of industrial plants, data acquisition, automation and space-travel belongs to the fields of application. For embedded devices AMX is the basis of Palm OS version earlier than 5. AMX is available for different architectures and was used for the first time in 1980.

Features:
- compact structure
- short response times
- interruption of processes after priority
- preemptive, priority controlled task planner

AMX kernel variants:
- AMX 86, operates with or without MS-DOS and BIOS
- AMX 386/ET, 80386, 80486, Pentium processors
- AMX 68000, 680x0 and 683xx processors
- AMX CFire, ColdFire processors
- AMX PPC32, PowerPC processors
- AMX 4-ARM, ARM, StrongARM and XScale processors
- AMX 4-Thumb, ARM7TDMI and other Thumb processors
- AMX MA32, MIPS32 processors

AROS (Amiga research Operating system) has the target, to became a compatible operating system to AmigaOS 3.1 on the x86 platform and to port for other platforms. The project started at the end of 1995. Many improvements flow into the development, the source code was put under the APL licence which is derived from the Mozilla Public License.

CRUX is a Linux distribution which define itself from other distributions by a slim basic installation. Applications for the same task were reduced on two different programs. Current software from the GNU software pool flows together with the latest Linux kernel into new releases. Different optimized versions exist for modern x86 processors.

The version CRUX 2.1 was published in April 2005, version CRUX 2.2 one year later.

The Freedows project plans to release a open source operating system under the GPL only for the x86 platform. Freedows shall emulate different operating systems and be compatible to applications, such as for Windows or Linux. No version was published till now, the content of the Freedows website were not updated any more for a long time. This project was stopped in 2002.

LynxOS is an real time operating system with short latencies. It is particularly suitable for time-critical applications, the performance can be increased linearly by additional hardware. LynxOS is binary compatibly to Linux and supports network applications and the POSIX Standard. With version 4.0 a performance increase of 30% was reached opposite to the pre-version.

Micriµm with his µC/OS-II real time kernel supports preemptive multitasking and finds his use on micro controllers and embedded systems. The "µC/GUI" allows the design of user interfaces and with "µC/FS" a high-speed and efficient file system is available.

Miray µnOS supports several processor families and was designed for embedded systems. The efficient real time Microkernel Sphere SP 2.0 is offered currently. The version µnOS 0.98 was released in July 2003.

Mungi is a single address space operating system (SASOS) on a 64-bit base. It is open source and is released under the GPL licence. By the SASOS design it differs from typical operating system structures. The sourcecode of the version 1.2 was published in September 2002.

Microware OS-9 was developed by the company RadiSys Corporation. It is a modularly built up real time OS for small devices and has preemptive multitasking. It can dynamically assign resources to preferred processes. Applications use the shared libraries, the file system is built up hierarchically. OS-9 can be operated without harddisk storage, it manages the system modules directly in the memory. This operating system does not allow programs direct hardware access by his architecture. The MGR Window Manager is used as user interface with X-Window. OS-9 supports processors of the architectures m68k, ARM/StrongARM, IXP1200, MIPS, PowerPC, SPARC, SuperH and x86/Pentium.

PaulOS was designed by Paul Sheer for small devices which shall be used for application development. It supports 16-bit, 32-bit and 64-bit processors. The file system follows the POSIX standard. Applications are executed in the single threading procedure with a very low latency. Many network applications were ported by Linux and come by the TCP stack from BSD and is used for example as mini-web server. The version 1.3.1 was published in April 2005.

PROLOGUE is a pure text oriented multitasking and multi-user operating system for x86 CPUs. Originally it was developed by Honeywell BULL as a very stable working environment for industry software as used by human doctors or workers. Successor of PROLOGUE is the operating system TWIN Server.

TinyOS 1.0 bases on a component model which can be adapted flexibly to embedded devices. It is designed for minimal hardware requirements.

TriangleOS in the current version 0.0.3 of 30-4-2003 was developed by Wim Cool. It was programmed in C and assembler on the x86 platform with network abilities. For the version 0.0.5 a new Virtual file & Database System as well as a new user interface is researched.

v2os 0.64c is an assembler operating system which is freely developed. v2os is still in development, provided applications already demonstrate the abilities.

brickOS (formerly legOS) (last review: July 2003) is a open source operating system for robots from the Lego Mindstorm Kits. It supports all RSX subsystems, preemptive multitasking, infrared technique and the dynamic memory management as well as the dynamic load of programs and driver software.

Visopsys is developed since 1997, is open source and an independent development. The user interface is kept simple and functional. The version 0.62 was published in April 2006.

Linux distributions

The Linux distribution Yellow Dog is created by the company Terra Soft. It was the first commercial Distribution for Apple G4 systems in 1999, followed of the support for the Playstation 3 of Sony for the first time in 2006. Terra released the updated Yellow Dog Linux version 5.0.1 in May 2007. This software based on the Fedora Core and uses the Enlightenment Window Manager E17. It contains more than 500 updated programs, new is the support for WLAN.

Turbolinux The distribution based on Red Hat has her main field of application in Asia. Since the foundation of Turbolinux Inc. 1992 the supply was supplemented with commercial products and services. Turbolinux has strongly developed and established himself by the extended support of large IT enterprises. Since the beginning Turbolinux gives great importance to the internationalization of the software and is primarily in the industry on servers, but also on workstation. As a graphical surface were installed up to version 6.0 gnomes as a standard includet, the following versions set as standard the KDE desktop. RPM is used primarily as installation format.

With Turbolinux version 11 the manufacturer Turbolinux walks along new ways. The international version takes compatibility to Windows applications and supports the ActiveDirectory service. KDE or Xfce are available as a user interface, with CyberLink PowerDVD a commercial DVD player software is enclosed. With the progression desktop for Turbolinux the user will be able to migrate automatically data like e-mails and Office files from an existing Windows installation for Turbolinux. Contained is also the Kernel 2.6.12, X.org 6.8.2, GCC 3.4.3, Glibc 2.3.5 and RPM 4.4.2.

Turbolinux: date / version

1998 June / Turbolinux 1.0 (kyoto), Kernel 2.2.9
1999 May / Turbolinux 2.0 (okinawa), Kernel 2.2.13
1999 Juni / Turbolinux 3.0 (karatsu), Kernel 2.2.14
1999 Aug. / Turbolinux 4.0 (--), Kernel 2.2.15
2000 März / Turbolinux 4.2 (--), Kernel 2.2.17
2001 Aug. / Turbolinux 6.0 (--), Kernel 2.4.3
2001 Nov. / Turbolinux 7.0 (monza), Kernel 2.4.8
2002 May / Turbolinux 7.0S (esprit), Kernel 2.4.18
2002 Juli / Turbolinux 8.0 (silverstone), Kernel 2.4.19, gcc 3.2
2002 Okt. / Turbolinux 8.0S (vitamin), gcc 2.96, Kernel 2.4.18
2003 Okt. / Turbolinux 10D
2004 May / Turbolinux 10F
2004 Okt. / Turbolinux 10S
2006 May / Turbolinux 11

Lycoris Desktop/LX Lycoris was founded in the year 2000 and resided in Redmond/Washington. Based on Linux the Lycoris Desktop/LX has his strengths primarily in the simplified installation and user guidance, at the boot process only a small line of text indicates the consoles Shell.

Current version: build 75 (beta) test: July 2003
The installation routine of Lycoris desktop/LX (amethyst, beta) is a instant set up, no package selection or details for the application area are allowed. At least 850 MByte of free hard disk space are therefore needed. The installation turns out very simple, according to detail of used hardware (mouse, keyboard, network, printer,...) starts the installation and at the same time a card game. Windowmanager is KDE 2.2.2, the Linux Kernel version 2.4.20 is used, the booting manager is grub that can boot other system partitions too. After the restart the system is established and a detailed ShockwaveFlash presentation starts with the english speaking introduction into the Lycoris Desktop/LX. The DMA mode was already activated at all drives.
Different problems have been noticed because of the beta status, in the final version they are maybe solved.

- nvidia graphics board doesn`t use 3D support
- Sound is palyed with noise and interruptions
- DVD playback isn`t reliably

On 09-13-04 Lycoris gave his Linux distribution Desktop/LX in version 1.4 free for release. The new Linux Kernel 2.4.27 and KDE 3.2.3 are contained.

FAUmachine FAUmachine (formerly UMLinux) is open source and runs completely in the user mode (not privileged CPU mode) of Linux. It can access directly the hardware and is transparently for use to the host. The main memory is provided virtually in a protected area. Depending on resources many UMLinux systems can run at the same time.

Caldera Open Linux Caldera, Inc. was founded in October 1994 by Bryan Sparks and taken over in January 1995 as a society. In summer 1998 Caldera Inc. has founded two subsidiary firms. Caldera Systems, Inc. responsible for the development and sale of Linux based Linux products in his main area on the PC market for desktop and servers computers like OpenLinux and Caldera Thin Clients Inc. with focus at solutions for Thin clients and the market for Embedded Systems like Embedix (embedded Linux OS) and DR DOS. In July 1999 the second named company was renamed to Lineo, Inc..

Renaming in August 2002 in SCO Group, now offers UnixWare and OpenServer products from the product take-over of SCO.

Corel Linux / Xandros Corel Linux OS based on the Debian distribution this one has found worldwide big encouragement. The Linux division of Corel was sold to the Startup enterprise Xandros, inclusive of the developers in August 2001. Xandros has his headquarter in Ottawa, Canada. Still this year (2002) Xandros wants to publish the Xandros desktop OS 1.0 in a Standard, Deluxe and Server Edition. Unusual feature opposite other distributions is the integrated CrossOver Office, a special customization of the Wine project for the use of Microsoft Office 97/2000. The Xandros Professional desktop 4.0 appeared in November 2006. The standard file system is ext3 now, with CrossOver Microsoft Office can be used, the programmes Open Office 2.0.3, Firefox 2.0 were updated and the search tool Beagle is new.

Operating systems for cars

Operating systems in automobiles are used for all sorts of control and security purposes. For example the air conditioner, instrument panel, anti-lock braking system, airbags, comfort functions are connected to the CAN bus. The car manufacturers need high demands on such operating systems. In Germany these software must primarily be OSEK certified if they are in relation with the CAN bus. OSEK or OSEK/VDX is such a specification for distributed control units and the API. Many important companies like BMW, Daimler Crysler, Siemens, Motorola, Infineon, Mercedes Benz and still many more are involved in this specification which was suggested as an ISO standard.

OSEK/VDX 2.2.1 specification (16-01-2003)
- for the first time version 1.0 published on 11-2-1995
- defines multitasking behaviour and API for system services in C
- for distributed 1 processor systems
- real time requirements
- interrupt and task behaviour
- minimal hardware requirements
- scalability
- portability
- resources management
- error handling, application and system errors

Operating systems of the Eighties

EOS is an operating system developed in Germany, was written in the programming language C and has compared to CP/M 3.1 more commands.

Eumel (Extendable Multi User Microprocessor Elan System) was spread a little and was developed by the GMD (Society for Mathematics and Data processing) and the "Hochschulrechenzentrum Bielefeld" (University in Germany/Bielefeld). It is designed as an multiuser system and contains the programming language Elan (Elementary Language).

Famos (Microcomputer Systems Inc.) was only little spread on the market like PDOS and was used for multiuser systems. PDOS had the markable feature, that it was developed for processors of the series MC 6800 and TI 9900 and is designed especially for real-time applications.

Oasis runs on different embedded computers for business independent and business specific application software. It was developed by Phase One Systems Inc., the abbreviation stands for Online Application System Interactive Software. Oasis runs on 8-bit and 16-bit processors like the Z80, 8088, 8086, 68000. It was used for singleuser and multiuser systems.

Prologue is based on the in 1975 developed operating system BAL and was developed in France. It was developed more for customers of multiuser systems, software and system solution companys which wanted more advanced application solutions. The Prologue architecture contains different layers which guarantee the greatest measure in portability at different hardware configurations. The system core "Nueleus" of the operating system was programmed mainly in assemblers, however the source code also partly consists of "C" and "BAL". The availability of the programming language BAL (Business Application Language) increases the value of this operating system. Many commands for data communications, file and database management, graphic and more became directly integrated so additional routines are no longer necessarily.

System informations:
- real multiuser and multitasking operating system
- runs on Intel 8086/8088 computers
- can manage up to eight workplaces
- up to 1 (one) mbyte RAM, at least 128 kbytes
- can manage storage devices with at most 512 mbyte per drive
- needs 60-70 kbytes of RAM- dynamic memory management
- time controlled program flow
- spooling function for printers
- supports index sequential access (ISAM) to harddisk storage devices
- supports the programming language Dialogue II (similar to dBaseIII)

Operating systems produced for VEB Robotron

The personal computers "AC A 7100" from the DDR (German Democratic Republic) VEB (Nationally-owned company) Kombinat (compareable with a company) Robotron was delivered with the basic equipment K1710 monitor with the model number K 7229.22 as well as the keyboard K 7637.9X for special working tasks. With the port of CAD/CAM periphery it also was used for technical drawings. There was even the possibility of the remote power on and a integrated fan and power failure detection.

- 16-bit processing deepth
- modular computer design
- individually expandable
- up to 768 kbytes of RAM, 560 ns access time
- 32 kbytes permanent storage in the EPROM
- installation of 5"1/4 harddisk storage disks with 10 mbyte possible
- support for K 5600.20 5"1/4 floppy disks
- CPU description: K 1810 WM 86,5 MHz- extendable by a Co-processor
- up to 1 mbyte memory addressing
- system bus clock frequency: 9,832 MHz

SCP 1700 (Single User Control Program)
- floppy disk oriented singleuser system
- use as a terminal or in the local area network
- preferred use for the development of programs and office automation
- modular design
- control program loader LDSCP for transient commands in the CMD format- control program SCPX (file SCP.SYS)
- including standard software (like word processing)
- delivered with the compilers FORTRAN77, C, Pascal, MODULA-2, COBOL
- with the porgram interpreter BASIC
- graphic extension SCP-GX by GIOS (graphics input/output system) and GDOS (graphic device operating system)

MUTOS 1700
- Time-sharing operating system- UNIX derived
- / root file system structure
- powerful Shell with programming similar statements
- for different computer platforms
- written mostly in C
- utility programs like cp (copies), cmp (compare), mkdir (creates directory), rm (deletes files or directories)
- field of application was the development of software or scientific computing

BOS 1810


- real time operating system
- multitasking with priority control
- modular design
- object oriented design
- field of application is the development of software
- contains already necessary device drivers
- included file access control with right assignment
- error treatment by validity tests
- condition controls with rule definition of exceptions
- dynamic RAM assignment
- interactive adaptation to the user with configuration profiles

Object types:
- Task (active individual program)
- Jobs (passive, separate of single applications to others)
- mailboxes (information exchange between tasks)
- semaphores (integer, affected the status of tasks to active/inactive)
- segments
- Connections

AROS 0.4.8 - Desktop interface	AROS 0.4.8 - AmiStart 0.66	AROS 0.4.8 - Version and desktop menu	AROS 0.4.8 - Access to files
Visopsys 0.61 - boot process	Visopsys 0.61 - LiveCD or installation	Visopsys 0.61 - User interface	Visopsys 0.61 - File manager and text viewer
Visopsys 0.61 - Settings and Program manager	Visopsys 0.61 - command line	Visopsys 0.61 - Quit the PC	Lycoris b75 - options for shut down
b75 - root directory	b75 - Multimedia icons and picture view	b75 - harddisk storage directory	b75 - Mozilla browser, connected by modem with Internet
b75 - software administration	b75 - system control	b75 - desktop and settings	b75 - enhanced settings
b75 - Service/Daemon administration	b75 - Internet and network settings	b75 - List view in the Konqueror file manager	DSL 2.1b - boot screen
DSL - desktop	DSL - Firefox browser	DSL - Shell with root directory and version	SymphonyOS Beta1 - boot prompt
SymphonyOS Beta1 - Mezzo Desktop and Shell with version	SymphonyOS Beta1 - computer settings	SymphonyOS Beta1 - Firefox browser	SymphonyOS Beta1 - program selection

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