re:GS/OS, Ensoniq+65816

[FORDE@UV6.EGLIN.AF.MIL]

philip@utstat.toronto.edu writes:

>Is GS/OS (and support for the Ensoniq) portable? That is, is
>there any reason why GS/OS must run on a 65816? If not, then
>is there something unique about GS/OS which one can't find in
>other micro OS's?

I should probably leave this to the experts at Apple Inc, but...

Other than the fact that GS/OS is written in 65816 assembler code, uses ROM 
calls unique to the Apple IIGS, and is thus hardware dependent there are 
probably no reasons it couldn't be ported.  In other words, you could no 
doubt build the necessary toolbox programming aids and write an operating 
system for any computer with the requisite display capabilities to run 
something that looks like and functions like GS/OS.  You'd probably have to 
deal with a look and feel lawsuit (ask MicroSoft about that) but what the 
heck, lawyers need to eat, too.

I'm going to assume you're a Windows victim and have discovered just how 
brain dead that software is and would like something a little more 
palatable -- like GS/OS on an ?86 machine.  I empathize with you.  I use a 
Mac IIci and a Unisys 386 (with Windows 3.1) in my office.  But every night 
I go home and hug my IIGS for being the best of the trio!  

I don't mean to start another "flame the other guy's machine war" but what 
the heck?  The guys in the Gulf shouldn't have all the fun, eh?

Eric S. Ford
forde@uvg.eglin.af.mil