Operating Systems Programmers Flock to BeOS

April 1st, 2008 by Pawn Showers

Your rating: None

A disturbing trend in modern OSes is to abandon optimization code for multiple processors. Most operating system are optimized for the i686 platform by default, and 64bit compiles are becoming more common. What are the users of tried and true processors like the 486 or Pentium I supposed to do? Enter BeOS.

BeOS is an operating system designed to run on a wide variety of processors. And since it was created the early 90's, you can bet the code runs smooth even the 386 processor. Got a 286? No
problem.

In a recent discussion about BeOS, Gadget Guy Shawn Powers said, "I'm thrilled about BeOS! I didn't think my old 286 laptop would ever be useful again. Now, with BeOS, not only am I surfin' the web at 2400 baud, but I can sync with my Palm III again!"

Shawn also gives us a list of the advantages BeOS offers over other, more bloated operating systems:

* Low hard disk demands
* Miniscule RAM requirements
* Compatible with TONS of legacy hardware
* Full VGA & CGA support!
* Carrying around a 286 laptop is great exercise
* Floppy disk support
* 9 & 25 pin serial port support

In the end, it really boils down to what you want in an operating system. If you're looking for something optimized for the i386 platform, with the ability to run on any x86 CPU -- BeOS is the OS for you. Don't let the high demands of Vista, Ubuntu, or even Windows 98 get you down. BeOS levels the playing field, and makes your antiquated hardware scream.
__________________________


Special Magazine Offer -- Free Gift with Subscription
Receive a free digital copy of Linux Journal's System Administration Special Edition as well as instant online access to current and past issues. CLICK HERE for offer

Linux Journal: delivering readers the advice and inspiration they need to get the most out of their Linux systems since 1994.

Post new comment

Please note that comments may not appear immediately, so there is no need to repost your comment.
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <pre> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <i> <b>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options

Newsletter

Each week Linux Journal editors will tell you what's hot in the world of Linux. You will receive late breaking news, technical tips and tricks, and links to in-depth stories featured on www.linuxjournal.com.
Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Tech Tip Videos

From the Magazine

July 2009, #183

News Flash: Linux Kernel 3.0 to include an on-the-go Expresso machine interface! Ok, maybe not, but Linux is definitely going mobile, from phones to e-readers. Find out more inside about Android, the Kindle 2, the Western Digital MyBook II, The Bug, and Indamixx (a portable recording studio). And if you've gone mobile and you been wanting more Emacs in your life then check out Conkeror.


To compliment the mobile we've got the stationary: parsing command line options with getopt, checking your Ruby code with metric_fu, and building a secure Squid proxy. How is this stationary you ask? What can we say? It's not. We just wanted to see if anybody actually read this part of the page :) .


All this and more, and all you have to do is get your hot sweaty hands on the latest copy of Linux Journal.





Read this issue