I'm confused here. I used risc os 3 machines during school years ago, but I've no idea what happened after 4. Who's developing it now? What hardware is available, etc? I'm clued up on the modern Amiga but the acorn stuff I have NO idea.
RISCOS Ltd. have been developing RISC OS since RISC OS 4 in 1999 and are still doing so. RISC OS 6.20 is the latest version at the time of writing (released December 2009). This is available via the Select subscription scheme.
If you want new hardware, the only option is the A9Home from Advantage 6. sold by CJE Micros. Currently this runs RISC OS 4.42.
Another alternative if is to use Virtual Acorn's Virtual Risc PC emulation under Windows or Mac OS X. This emulation can run the very latest RISC OS 6.
Finally, you have the option of second hand native hardware - Acorn's Risc PC. APDL sell refurbs, or you could try Ebay. These can also run the latest RISC OS 6.
RISC OS has always had a certain amount of memory protection, although it was undermined by some poor design decisions in the early days (e.g. module area and zero page not protected from user-mode access). It was also undermined by overreliance on SWIs as a mechanism for dynamic linking (because a side-effect is to switch to a privileged mode).
Likewise, RISC OS has always had pre-emptive multitasking if you count the TaskWindow module as part of the operating system.
RISC OS 6 Looks exactly the same as RISC OS did 20 years ago. More maintenance than development.
hamish909 1 year ago
This operating system looks very interesting. Is this still being developed?
beramodesmonologue 2 years ago
yes.
jamesleetrigg 2 years ago
Are there any plans for modern features like memory protection and pre-emptive multitasking in the immediate future?
alexxmidnite 2 years ago
Don't know.
Podule0 2 years ago
I'm confused here. I used risc os 3 machines during school years ago, but I've no idea what happened after 4. Who's developing it now? What hardware is available, etc? I'm clued up on the modern Amiga but the acorn stuff I have NO idea.
richardmaudsley77 2 years ago
RISCOS Ltd. have been developing RISC OS since RISC OS 4 in 1999 and are still doing so. RISC OS 6.20 is the latest version at the time of writing (released December 2009). This is available via the Select subscription scheme.
Podule0 2 years ago
And what hardware is avalible?
richardmaudsley77 2 years ago
If you want new hardware, the only option is the A9Home from Advantage 6. sold by CJE Micros. Currently this runs RISC OS 4.42.
Another alternative if is to use Virtual Acorn's Virtual Risc PC emulation under Windows or Mac OS X. This emulation can run the very latest RISC OS 6.
Finally, you have the option of second hand native hardware - Acorn's Risc PC. APDL sell refurbs, or you could try Ebay. These can also run the latest RISC OS 6.
Podule0 2 years ago
Looks like the hardware is a lot cheaper than the amiga then. The only dealer in the UK wants a hundred quid for a a1200 and no upgrades, madness.
I know what i'll be doing next time I get payed then.
richardmaudsley77 2 years ago
RISC OS has always had a certain amount of memory protection, although it was undermined by some poor design decisions in the early days (e.g. module area and zero page not protected from user-mode access). It was also undermined by overreliance on SWIs as a mechanism for dynamic linking (because a side-effect is to switch to a privileged mode).
Likewise, RISC OS has always had pre-emptive multitasking if you count the TaskWindow module as part of the operating system.
cs99cjb 2 years ago
I want acorn back
Blahhhhhhhhh 3 years ago
Acorn have gone, but RISCOS Ltd. are developing RISC OS 6.
Podule0 2 years ago