Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!necntc!frog!rms From: rms@frog.UUCP (Bob Santy) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: OS/9 and other operating systems Message-ID: <1965@frog.UUCP> Date: Mon, 7-Dec-87 15:54:00 EST Article-I.D.: frog.1965 Posted: Mon Dec 7 15:54:00 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 13-Dec-87 03:21:59 EST References: <8712030211.AA03408@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Organization: Superfrog Heaven [ CRDS, Framingham MA ] Lines: 41 Summary: OS9 for the Atari ST In article <8712030211.AA03408@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, AB084@DK0RRZK0.BITNET writes: > 1. A good OS should have very few (favorably no) bugs. It should > do what the documentation says, be predictable. No surprises > wanted. The ST version of OS9 has some problems in device drivers that should be fixed soon. The RS232 port driver for /T1 can crash the system. I have managed to run with use of /T1 without incident, but others have much trouble. > 2. It should be well documented and function in an intelligible way. > It should have a clear concept, e.g. of files, processes, etc. The references for the "professional" version of ST-OS9 are complete and correct as far as I know. OS9 is well known for a very "robust" file system. > 3. It should be stable. This means it runs for days or even weeks > without crashing and it does so even if it is not left alone, if > there is somebody working all the time and if this someone makes > mistakes. See comments in 1. > 4. There should be good software available for it or at least become > avalilable in the near future. Some kind of compatibility with a > "standard" such as UNIX would be nice. It would make porting easy. Again, the "professional" version has a fine C compiler that is reasonably UNIX compatible. > 5. It should provide (or be integrated with) a modern developing > system. Editor, compilers, linker, debugger, make, and so on. > All powerful, fast, and easy to use. Compilers should of course > generate quick code. See comments on 4. The "professional" version has all plus two editors: Emacs and a line editor "ed". > 6. Multitasking is a must. OS9 is multitasking. > 7. Real time capabilities might be useful. OS9 is real time. > Nice but not absolutely neccessary would be: > > 8. A TOS/GEM emulator. Don't want to lose all the games. And the few > excellent programs (like gulam or uniterm). Someone will probably come up with an emulator, but there may be some issues with the programs using resources improperly for OS9 to cope. > Bob Santy