Codename G-OS

["Lazy Bone" <zhulien@alphalink.com.au>]

Hi All,

This is the first email to announce the start of a new international
multiplatform 'commercial' project 'Codename G-OS'.

Most of you are not currently on the official mailing list and those who are
not will not get any more emails than this first one unless you contact me and
tell me that you would like to be on the list.

If you are a developer and are interested in being part of this project,
please email me.


Disclaimer
==========

Nothing here is yet solid, but are ideas that will evolve with the project.


Codename G-OS
=============

Codename G-OS stands for Generic Operating System.  It is the bringing
together of many old and some new OS concepts in order to create a functional
operating system for many typically incompatible computer systems.  G-OS will
be CPU independant, but give most of the full speed of each CPU - read on...

Codename G-OS target platforms
==============================

Initially G-OS will be targetted at computers that are currently considered
redundant, or no longer manufactured.  This will hopefully increase the
userbase of G-OS to a reasonable size before targetting current more modern
platforms.  It will also encourage new comers to software development who both
enjoy programming these old systems or wish to widen their audience for new
computer applications.

Initial target systems will be (not in any preferred order, but in order of
programmer resources - this is where programmers are needed):

      Platform                CPU

      Amstrad CPC             Z80
      Amstrad PCW             Z80
      Commodore 64/128        6502
      CP/M based              8080/Z80
      MSX based               Z80
      ZX Spectrum             Z80
      MSX (various)           Z80


Later targets:

      Amiga                   680x0
      IBM Compatible          80x86


Yes, G-OS will be Commercial/Disclaimer (only an idea at this stage)
====================================================================

G-OS will be a commercial product.  All people/companies (copyright holders)
involved in its development will have the SAME EQUAL rights to the full G-OS
source code AND runtime.

Each copyright holder will be allowed to do ANYTHING they wish with the
product with the exception of a few points below. They can give away, market
or sell the G-OS source code/runtime at their own will.  This will create
competition and increase distribution channels.

None of the developers/copyright holders one will ever be responsible or
liable for any damages directly or indirectly due to the use or mis-use of
this product - if sold, a disclaimer will be created to protect all involved.

No one will be allowed to further develop and 'release' this OS in a way that
will render some platforms incompatible unless the platform becomes
non-supported because of lack of programming resources (ie: no access to an
MSX programmer or computer will not prevent all other platforms from
progressing).  This will be considered a breach of contract liable to legal
action.  This will also control the compatibility between platforms and ensure
that a standard IS followed.

A board of developers will be created to make decisions - mostly they can be
debated (hopefully quickly) and a majority rule situation will apply - but...
The overall concept of the OS, being platform independant cannot be debated.


Features
========

An initial feature list at this stage would be impossible to be fully
accurate, but here are some ideas for possible and desireable features of
G-OS.

   CPU independance (P-Code software with JIT (Just In Time) Compiler)
   Multitasking AND Singletasking (depends on available RAM/resources etc)
   GUI
   Commandline
   Shared libraries/device drivers
   JIT compiler embedded in the OS

The feature list will no doubt grow.


Implementation
==============

Because G-OS will be multiplatform or 'platform independant', there are some
key factors that will make G-OS unique in both the way it will function and
they way it will be implemented.

G-OS will have a HAL (Hardware abstraction layer) which will lie beneath (or
in the middle) the OS.  G-OS will be mostly coded in a generic P-Code that can
be compiled to native code by the JIT compiler which will be an optional part
of the HAL.  Platforms which support the JIT compiler will benefit from huge
speed improvements.  The JIT compiler itself will be written partly in P-Code
with ONLY the platform specific code generation routines written for each
platform.  This will make one compiler available to all supported platforms. 
Libraries and devices can be written in P-Code as can applications.  The JIT
compilier will have the option to compile to native code 'ONCE ONLY' or 'ON
EVERY LOAD' of an application/library/device.


About Me
========

My name is Julian Cassin, I live in Melbourne Australia and am director of a
small computer company 'Computer Kingdom'.  This project will be a commercial
venture for 'Computer Kingdom' but initially a non profit one. ALL parties
involved will benefit EQUALLY from - whether they are an individual OR a
company.  The more resources that can be put into this project, the better the
outcome will be.

If you like the idea of this project or have any constructive comments about
it, please contact me - I would love to here from you.

Regards



Julian Cassin
(Director - Computer Kingdom Pty Ltd)