software

Os8088 — a Mac-style GUI OS for the IBM PC XT

, ,

os8088 is a graphical operating system that boots directly from a floppy on an Intel 8086/8088-based IBM PC/XT, providing a Macintosh System 1-style desktop with overlapping windows, pull-down menus, and pre-emptive multitasking—features not present in the original 1984 Macintosh. Written entirely in real-mode assembly and fitting within 256KB of RAM, it supports VGA, Hercules, and CGA displays, runs multiple loadable programs simultaneously, and includes applications like Minesweeper, a text editor, and a MOD music player. This hobby project revives an early Macintosh-like GUI on original-era hardware without relying on DOS, offering a modern take on retro computing through open-source code and real hardware demonstrations.

https://os8088.com/

Os8088 — a Mac-style GUI OS for the IBM PC XT Read More »

IBM I (OS/400) The Database Operating System

,

IBM i (formerly OS/400) is a unique operating system developed by IBM since the 1980s, notable for integrating a relational database (Db2 for i) directly into its kernel, treating all system resources as objects rather than files. Its architecture includes a technology-independent machine interface (TIMI) ensuring software compatibility across hardware generations, and a Single Level Storage model that unifies memory and disk addressing, enabling efficient data management and high reliability. While deeply tied to specialized IBM Power hardware, the system provides a distinctive approach to application hosting, security, and workload management, exemplified by features like message-based error handling and a text-based 5250 terminal interface alongside modern web-based tools.

https://osadmins.com/en/ibm-i-os-400-the-database-operating-system/

IBM I (OS/400) The Database Operating System Read More »

Maximum Overkill | OS/2 Museum

, , ,

The 1992 game Comanche: Maximum Overkill by NovaLogic uses a nonstandard DOS extender and an unconventional method to enter protected mode, which works on 386 and 486 processors but can fail on Pentium and later CPUs due to changes in how the Intel Pentium handles the writability of the CS segment in real mode. This subtle CPU architectural difference, combined with variations in system BIOS behavior, causes the original game to crash on some Pentium systems, especially after the first run, though patched and updated versions improve compatibility.

https://www.os2museum.com/wp/maximum-overkill/

Maximum Overkill | OS/2 Museum Read More »

PCjs Machines

, , ,

PCjs is a JavaScript-based project that emulates a variety of vintage computing hardware and software from the 1970s through the 1990s, including original IBM PCs, IBM compatibles, minicomputers, programmable calculators, terminals, and classic arcade games. It allows users to experience these systems and software directly in modern web browsers, featuring a rich library of historical programs, operating systems, utilities, and games such as Microsoft Word 1.15, Lotus 1-2-3, Windows 3.0, and Wolfenstein 3D. The project serves as a digital preservation effort, offering extensive documentation and open-source code for enthusiasts to explore and contribute to retro computing history.

https://www.pcjs.org/

PCjs Machines Read More »

Building an AmigaOS Development Environment in 2026

, ,

The article details setting up a modern AmigaOS development environment on Linux in 2026, including building a compatible amiga-gcc toolchain, obtaining and configuring AmigaOS ROMs, and running the system via the Amiberry emulator. It covers installing AmigaOS in the emulator, running cross-compiled executables, and setting up remote debugging with bgdbserver linked to m68k-amigaos-gdb. The guide emphasizes practical steps for retrocomputing enthusiasts to develop and debug software for classic Amiga hardware emulated on contemporary systems.

https://turtleware.eu/posts/Building-an-AmigaOS-Development-Environment-in-2026.html

Building an AmigaOS Development Environment in 2026 Read More »

Amiga Freeware Archive

, ,

The Amiga Freeware Archive offers thousands of classic Amiga games, applications, demos, graphics, music, and tools from the 32-bit home computing era, all available for free download. It features extensive collections from notable public domain libraries, scene groups, user groups, and disk magazines, preserving a wide range of software and digital culture from the Amiga community of the 1980s and 1990s.

https://amigafreeware.downer.tech/

Amiga Freeware Archive Read More »

Retrotechnology Media – Typewritten Software

,

The Retrotechnology Media site presents a comprehensive collection of screenshots showcasing a wide range of vintage operating environments and graphical user interfaces from 1983 to 2007. It documents the evolution of classic desktop systems, including SunTools, GEM, NeXTstep, BeOS, Mac OS versions, and others, serving as a visual archive for retro computing enthusiasts. The site also includes resources such as a software library, restoration projects, and historical articles dedicated to preserving and studying early computer technology.

https://typewritten.org/Media/

Retrotechnology Media – Typewritten Software Read More »

AmigaOS 2: The Greatest Upgrade

,

AmigaOS 2, released alongside the Amiga 3000 in the early 1990s, marked a major advancement over the original 1.x series by improving system stability, speed, and usability. It introduced a standardized GUI toolkit with a modern 3D look, enhanced file management features, modular preferences, and new developer frameworks such as BOOPSI and ARexx scripting, greatly expanding the platform’s functionality and ease of development. While some beloved features, such as the Guru Meditation error message and speech synthesis, were removed, AmigaOS 2 significantly modernized the user experience and prepared the Amiga line for the 32-bit computing era.

https://datagubbe.se/os20up/

AmigaOS 2: The Greatest Upgrade Read More »

Andrew Warkentin

, ,

The Virtual OS Museum is a comprehensive collection of over 1,700 pre-installed and pre-configured operating systems and standalone applications running on emulators within a Linux VM compatible with QEMU, VirtualBox, or UTM. Spanning from the earliest stored-program computers of 1948 to modern OSes, it offers an accessible way to explore historical operating systems without complex setup, featuring a custom launcher with snapshot capabilities and covering a vast range of platforms from mainframes and Unix variants to personal computer and mobile OSes.

https://virtualosmuseum.org/

Andrew Warkentin Read More »

Retrotechnology Media

,

Retrotechnology Media, hosted by Typewritten Software, presents a comprehensive museum of historical computer software and operating environments through a vast collection of screenshots and exhibits spanning from 1983 to 2007. The site documents the visual evolution of various desktop systems and the curator’s primary desktop setups over time, serving as a resource for preservation and study of vintage computing interfaces and software history. It includes systems like VisiCorp Visi On, SunTools, HP Integral PC, and IBM 4-Color CGA Graphics. The screenshots showcase the evolution of graphical user interfaces and desktop environments during this period.

http://www.typewritten.org/Media/

Retrotechnology Media Read More »

Scroll to Top