[Coco] origins of OS-9

[Aaron Wolfe]

On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 6:57 AM, Bob Devries <devries.bob at gmail.com> wrote:
> I found this article on the "wired" website:
>
> http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.09/microware.html?pg=1&topic=&topic_set=
>
> It's mostly about Microware's DAVID, but there's some history about RT/68
> and OS-9 in there too.
>

Thanks, this article has a great amount of history, more than I've
seen anywhere else.

> --
> Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's
> native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer.
>
> Edsger W.Dijkstra, 18 June 1975
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Aaron Wolfe" <aawolfe at gmail.com>
> To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
> Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 9:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [Coco] origins of OS-9
>
>
> I just found a Microware ad in the Mar-Apr 1979 issue of 68 Micro
> Journal (vol1 no2).
>
> Products (all for 6800) include a Lisp interpreter, the A/BASIC
> compiler and interpreter, an Eliza chat program, a chess game, and
> most interestingly RT/68.
>
> RT/68 is described as:
>
> RT/68 Real Time Operating System
> MikBUG compatible ROM that combines an improved monitor/debugger with
> a powerful multitasking operating system.  Supports up to 16
> concurrent tasks at 8 priority levels plus real time clock and
> interrupt control.  Thousands in use since 1976 handling all types of
> applications.  Available on 6830 (MIKBUG-type) or 2708 (EPROM-type)
> ROM.  Manual is a classic on 6800 real-time applications and contains
> a full source program listing.  $55
>
> ..so it seems Microware had quite some experience with operating
> systems and BASICs prior to the 6809.  Motorola's decision to partner
> with them for the Basic09 and OS-9 projects may well have been based
> on these products, and I do wonder if some of the ideas if not the
> code of RT/68 are present in OS-9.
> Interesting stuff.
>
> On Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 9:14 PM, Lothan <lothan at newsguy.com> wrote:
>>
>> Wasn't that Microware RT68 for the 6800? This is pure conjecture on my
>> part,
>> but I somehow doubt Microware really had to put much thought into the
>> decision to create an operating system for Basic09. I mean it had already
>> created the RT68 platform for the 6800 and it sure is a lot easier to
>> develop and sell products for an operating system than it is to do
>> bare-metal development for each product it creates.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Stephen H. Fischer" <SFischer1 at Mindspring.com>
>> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 7:51 PM
>> To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Coco] origins of OS-9
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I seem to remember that there was something before OS-9 for the 6800.
>>>
>>> FLEX had been in existence for the 6800 for some time and perhaps
>>> something else.
>>>
>>> I think that I have the 68 micro journals starting just before OS-9 was
>>> announced in an ad.
>>>
>>> Look in the scanned copies in the Archive.
>>>
>>> Have these issues been looked at by anyone?
>>>
>>> SHF
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Heskett"
>>> <gene.heskett at verizon.net>
>>> To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:12 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Coco] origins of OS-9
>>>
>>>
>>>>> I think there is a part of the story that I haven't been able to find:
>>>>> how OS-9 became a powerful, full featured OS and not just a shell for
>>>>> running B09.
>>>>>
>>>> I can't argue about that, and considering that we are all much the
>>>> richer
>>>> for
>>>> it, no other os's docs have ever approached the clear, concise detail
>>>> they
>>>> gave us. What an education it has been!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Cheers, Gene
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
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