AROS Research Operating System: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Operating system}}

{{About|the operating system|the Danish art museum|ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}

{{Infobox OS

| name = AROS Research Operating System

| logo =

|screenshot = [[Image:Arosrus.jpeg|150px|AROS showing its Cyrillic support]]

| screenshot = Icaros131.jpg

|caption = AROS showing its Cyrillic support

| caption = Icaros (AROS distribution) Desktop 1.3.1 with Amiga 68K integration (August 2011)

|developer = The AROS Development Team

| developer = The AROS Development Team

|family = [[Amiga]]

|source_model family = [[Open sourceAmigaOS]]-like

| source model = [[Open-source software|Open source]]

|latest_release_version =

| released = {{Start date and age|1995}}

|latest_release_date = [[April 2]], [[2007]]

| latest release version =

|kernel_type =

| latest release date = See distribution release dates

|supported_platforms = [[x86]], [[PowerPC|PPC]]

| kernel type = [[Microkernel]]

|license = [http://aros.sourceforge.net/license.html AROS Public License]

| supported platforms = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]], [[PowerPC]], [[Motorola 68000 series|m68k]], [[ARM architecture family|ARM]]

|working_state =

| license = [[AROS Public License|AROS Public]]

|website = [http://www.aros.org/ www.aros.org]

| working state = Current

| website = {{URL|https://aros.sourceforge.io/}}

}}

[[Image:AmigaOS.png|thumb|right|AROS family/development tree.]]

'''AROS Research Operating System''' ('''AROS''') is a [[free software]]/[[open source software|open source]] implementation of the [[AmigaOS|AmigaOS 3.1]] [[Application programming interface|API]]s. Designed to be portable and flexible, [[Porting|port]]s are currently available for [[x86]] and [[PowerPC]] based [[Personal Computer|PC]]s in [[native mode|native]] and hosted ''flavours'', with other architectures in development.

'''AROS Research Operating System''' ('''AROS''', pronounced "AR-OS") is a [[free and open-source software|free and open-source]] multi media centric implementation of the [[AmigaOS]] 3.1 application programming interface ([[API]]) which is designed to be portable and flexible. {{As of|2021}}, [[Porting|ports]] are available for [[personal computer]]s (PCs) based on [[x86]] and [[PowerPC]], in [[native (computing)|native]] and hosted ''flavors'', with other architectures in development. In a show of full circle development, AROS has been ported to the [[Motorola 68000 series]] (m68k) based [[Amiga 1200]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evillabs.net/wiki/index.php/AROS_m68k-amiga |title=AROS m68k-amiga |website=Evillabs.net |access-date=April 10, 2011 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209044137/http://www.evillabs.net/wiki/index.php/AROS_m68k-amiga |url-status=dead }}</ref> and there is also an [[ARM architecture family|ARM]] port for the [[Raspberry Pi]] series.

==Name==

AROS Research Operating System is a [[recursive acronym]] because its expansion includes the acronym itself.<ref>www.aros.org</ref>

== Name and identity ==

AROS used to mean Amiga Research Operating System, but, because of trademark issues with the Amiga name, it was changed to AROS Research Operating System.<ref>http://amigann.com/?id=3309</ref>

[[File:AROS Dark Kitty.png|thumb|left|AROS Kitty]]

AROS originally stood for ''Amiga Research Operating System'', but to avoid any trademark issues with the [[Amiga]] name,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mendoza |first=Nicolas |date=May 5, 2007 |url=http://amigann.com/?id=3309 |title=AROS drops Amiga from its name! |website=AmigaNN |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707133648/http://amigann.com/?id=3309 |access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://merlancia.us/amiga-hyperion/35-5decmcewenexhibit5show_case_doc.pdf |title=Evert Carton of Hyperion Entertainment claims AROS is "probably illegal" |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821193852/http://merlancia.us/amiga-hyperion/35-5decmcewenexhibit5show_case_doc.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2011 |df=mdy-all |access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref> it was changed to the [[recursive acronym]] ''AROS Research Operating System''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aros.org/ |title=AROS.org |website=AROS.org |access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref>

The mascot of AROS is an anthropomorphic cat named Kitty, created by Eric Schwartz and officially adopted by the AROS Team in December 2002.

Used in the core AROS About and installer tools, it was also adopted by several AROS community sites and early distributions.

Other AROS identifiable symbols and logos are based around the cat shape, such as the Icaros logo, which is a stylised cat's eye, or AFA (Aros For Amiga).

== Current status ==

[[File:AmigaOS 3 and clones.svg|thumb|200px|Amiga family/development tree]]

The project, started in [[1997]], has over the years become an almost "feature complete" implementation of AmigaOS - with currently (as of March 2006) only a few lacking areas of functionality. This was achieved by the efforts of a small team of developers.

The project, begun in 1995, has over the years become an almost "feature complete" implementation of AmigaOS{{snd}} which, as of May 2017,{{update inline|date=September 2021}} only lacks a few areas of functionality. This was achieved by the efforts of a small team of developers.

It can currently be installed on most [[IBM PC compatible]]s, and features native graphics drivers for video cards such as the [[GeForce]] range made by [[NVIDIANvidia]]. As of May 2007 USB keyboards and mice are also supported. AROS has been ported to the [[Sam440ep]] [[PowerPC]] board and a first test version for the [[Efika]] was released in 2009.

While the OS is still lacking in applications, a few have been ported, including [[Unix Amiga Emulator|E-UAE]], an emulation program that allows 68km68k-native AmigaOS applications to run in the same way a majority must be run on AmigaOS 4.0. Some AROS-specific applications have also been written. AROS has [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] networking support, and thehas available an experimental version of [[AMosaic]] web browser, availablefor test purposes, among other [[Internet]]-related applications. The Poseidon [[USB]] stack has been ported to AROS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/21548/Poseidon_USB_Stack_Bounty_Reached_Open_Source_AROS_Port |title=Poseidon USB Stack Bounty Reached: Open Source, AROS Port |website=OSNews |access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref>

AROS is designed to be [[Source-code compatibility|source-compatible]] with [[AmigaOS]]. On m68k [[Amiga]] hardware it is also [[Binary-code compatibility|binary-compatible]], so binaries already compiled for AmigaOS 3 can be run on AROS.<ref>[[Wikibooks:Aros/Platforms/68k support]]</ref> On x86 [[IA-32]] 32-bit platforms Janus-UAE,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sourceforge.net/projects/janus-uae/|title=Janus-UAE on SourceForge}}</ref> an enhanced [[E-UAE]], integrates Amiga emulation directly into AROS to run AmigaOS m68k binaries nearly transparent to the user. {{As of|2011|08}}, original AmigaOS 3 operating system files are needed for the emulation.

On 29th May 2007, Hyperion stated that AROS was "probably illegal", on page 27 of court documents related to the Amiga-Hyperion court case - http://merlancia.us/amiga-hyperion/35-5decmcewenexhibit5show_case_doc.pdf

The aim of AROS is to remain aloof of the legal and political spats that have plagued other AmigaOS implementations by being independent of hardware and of any central control. The de facto motto of AROS, "No schedule and rocking" both lampoons the infamous words "On Schedule and Rockin" from [[Amiga, Inc.]] CEO Bill McEwen, and declares a lack of the formal deadlines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amiga.com/corporate/amigadepartypack.shtml|title=AmigaDE Party Pack Announcement |website=Amiga Inc. |date=June 11, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619055418/http://www.amiga.com/corporate/amigadepartypack.shtml |archive-date=June 19, 2001}}</ref>

== Some AROS Programs Available ==

{{main|AROS Programs}}

A workable AmigaOS [[Kickstart (Amiga)|Kickstart]] clone for the [[Motorola 68000]] processor was released on March 31, 2011 as part of a [[open-source bounty|programming bounty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/printthread.php?t=55226 |work=amiga.org |title=Kickstart ROM Replacement (Phase II) Assigned |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206191839/http://www.amiga.org/forums/printthread.php?t=55226 |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.power2people.org/projects/profile/6 |work=power2people.org |title=Kickstart ROM Replacement (Phase II)}}</ref> The memory requirement is 2&nbsp;MB [[Amiga Chip RAM|Chip RAM]] and 1&nbsp;MB Fast RAM. This software is a complete free open-source alternative to AmigaOS.

== Distributions ==

The main AROS system files can be downloaded in many flavors from the project website. These files are compiled straight from the SVN source tree at night time, and are available as nightly builds. Nightlies also include some third party applications to allow people using the system to perform some very basic tasks.

For final/average user, like Linux, there are several distributions available:

=== Icaros Desktop ===

Since April 2009, the name VMWAros has been changed into "Icaros Desktop" to avoid ambiguities with any existing copyrighted [[virtual machine]] of any kind. Amiga 68K emulation integration, 3D acceleration for Nvidia cards and latest updates of applications can be found there.<ref name="icaros desktop">{{cite web|title=icaros desktop|url=http://www.icarosdesktop.org/|website=icaros desktop|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> The latest version of Icaros Desktop is version 2.3 (released 22 December 2020).<ref name="Icaros Desktop releases">{{cite web|title=Download|url=http://vmwaros.blogspot.se/p/download.html|website=Icaros Desktop|access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pearce |first=Rohan |date=November 4, 2014 |title=Icaros, the Amiga-like desktop OS for x86, hits 2.0 |url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/558813/icaros-amiga-like-desktop-os-x86-hits-2-0/ |work=Computerworld.com.au |access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref>

=== Broadway ===

Broadway is a distribution of AROS begun late 2009. The goal is to provide an easy-to-use and complete AROS experience. AROS Broadway contains some commercial software such as a media center, a [[cloud storage service]], and an app store. The latest version is 1.0 preview 5, released April 16, 2016.<ref name="AROS Broadway">{{cite web |title=AROS Broadway |url=http://www.aros-broadway.de/ |website=www.aros-broadway.de |access-date=14 March 2017 |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929114817/http://www.aros-broadway.de/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== AspireOS ===

AspireOS is a distribution, begun in 2011, by Nikos Tomatsidis, which is focused on Dell Latitude D520 and Acer Aspire One 110, 150 computers. Latest version is 2.2, codenamed "Obitus", released November 2018.<ref name="AspireOS">{{cite web |title=AROS Aspire |url=https://sites.google.com/site/arosaspireone/ |website=sites.google.com |access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="Obitus">{{cite web |title=AspireOS v2.2 codename "Obitus" is ready |url=https://ae.amigalife.org/index.php?topic=71.0 |website=ae.amigalife.org |access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>

=== AROS Vision ===

AROS Vision is a native m68k distribution, which can run on both real hardware or in emulators like [[UAE (emulator)|UAE]].

=== Apollo OS ===

ApolloOS is an active m68k distribution, crafted specially for the Vampire V4 Standalone [[FPGA]]-based system.

=== AxRuntime (AxRT) ===

AxRuntime uses the AROS source code to create a portable runtime, which is what AROS in hosted mode is actually anyway.

As a tool for developers the runtime makes use of this mode more convenient. The current version is version V41.4.<ref>https://github.com/deadwood2/AROS/tree/alt-runtime/arch/all-runtime/docs/distribution</ref>

AxRuntime binaries are Linux binaries, but work with Windows Subsystem for Linux on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

For use on Linux the best recommendation is Ubuntu 20.04 64-bit, other Linux systems are less well supported but work.

== Influence on AmigaOS and MorphOS ==

[[Haage & Partner]] used small pieces of the AROS source code for AmigaOS 3.5 and 3.9.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aros.sourceforge.net/documentation/users/faq.php#what-is-the-relation-between-aros-and-haage-partner |title=What is the relation between AROS and Haage & Partner? |access-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref>

Large parts of [[MorphOS]] ([[AmigaDOS]], [[Intuition (Amiga)|Intuition]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amigahistory.co.uk/morphoscritics.html|title=Ralph Schmidt responds to criticism that MorphOS is 'stolen' AmigaOS code |access-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref> and more) have been ported from AROS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aros.sourceforge.net/documentation/users/faq.php#what-is-the-relation-between-aros-and-morphos |title=What is the relation between AROS and MorphOS? |access-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref>

== System requirements ==

=== x86 ===

* CPU, newer than [[i486|Intel 80486]] (recommended minimum clockspeed of 700&nbsp;MHz for desktops and 1&nbsp;GHz for laptops/notebooks/netbooks)<ref name="wb_x86"/>

* [[Floating-point unit|Floating Point Unit]] (FPU)<ref name="wb_x86"/>

* 256 MB RAM<ref name="wb_x86">{{cite web |title=Aros/Platforms/x86 support |url=http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Aros/Platforms/x86_support&oldid=2529522 |date=May 27, 2013 |website=Wikibooks |access-date=June 8, 2013}}</ref>

== See also ==

{{Portal|Free and open-source software|Amiga}}

* [[MorphOS]]

* [[Zune (widget toolkit)|Zune (GUI toolkit)]]

* [[AmigaOS]]

* [[AmigaAmigaOS 4]]

* [[Emulator]]

* [[Virtual machine]]

* [[Porting]]

* [[BinaryOpen-source compatibilitysoftware]]

* [[Source-compatibilityMorphOS]]

* [[OpenList sourceof softwarecomputing mascots]]

* [[:Category:Computing mascots]]

* [[Zune (GUI toolkit)]]

== References ==

{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

{{Wikibooks|Aros}}

{{portal|Free software}}

{{commons category}}

{{Wikibookspar||Aros}}

* {{Official website|www.aros.org}}

* [http://www.aros.org/ AROS: AROS Research Operating System]

* [http://www.aros-execicarosdesktop.org AROS-ExecIcaros Desktop] - discussion forum for AROS

* [http://www.aros-broadway.de AROS Broadway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929114817/http://www.aros-broadway.de/ |date=September 29, 2023 }}

* [http://www.aros.bbs.pl AROS Polska]

* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120715052933/http://www.aeros-os.org/ AEROS]}}

* [http://www.thenostromo.com/teamaros2/ Bounties]

* [http://www.arosaspireos.ppa.plcom AROS_PLAspireOS]

* [[Wikibooks:Aros/Platforms/x86 support|Wikibooks Hardware Compatibility]]

* [http://archives.aros-exec.org AROS Archives: AROS software repository similar to Aminet]

* [https://archive.today/20130101082549/http://members.shaw.ca/guis/aros.html Old AROS Bootable CD screenshots]

* [http://aros.aminet.net AROS section of Aminet]

* [https://aros.sourceforge.net/download.php sourceforge.net – AROS download]

* [http://www.arosworld.org AROSWorld Community]

==References==

<references/>

{{AROS}}

{{AmigaOS}}

{{Microkernel}}

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[[Category:Microkernels]]

[[Category:PowerPC operating systems]]

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