For computers, in all of their varying forms across all of the ages. Obviously, a large modicum of operating systems and CPU architectures will feature here. Many computers will be linked off to separate pages in the future, but for now, they live here.

The missing FPU on the 486SX makes a difference for multimedia streams! The 486SX took 3 minutes to decode half one second. The DX2, however, coped in real time.

A testament of the abilities DSL has on an old 486. The OS is surprisingly capable on such ancient hardware, complete with X, MP3 decoding, and web browsing. Such is the powers of DSL, which also features on Microsoft's Original Xbox.

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/486.html

Given more time, I could have optimised the bootup time or installed a GUI.

A demonstration of Gentoo running on an astronomically old PC, and quite an interesting demonstration at that. This time, it’s a 486-based IBM PS/1 Consultant 2133 19c from 1993. It's capable of doing a bunch of basic tasks, like using Python, cloning a git repo, and playing music at an acceptable latency (as long as one doesn't run any other processes on the CPU). Maybe it can run X?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qSziR6sD8Q

https://yeokhengmeng.com/2018/01/make-the-486-great-again/

This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the Acorn RISC OS page.

In 2001, the arm32 port was split into separate ports for the various supported hardware types

Ranked at Tier 2, and may be slightly slow on the release cycle. However, this available port supports a modicum of ARM-based RiscPC-compatible computers. It's NetBSD, so obviously a large variety of things can be done with this.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/acorn32/

SymbOS is now fully network enabled and thanks to its multitasking environment multiple applications can open multiple connections at the same time.

A truly advanced marvel for the Amstrad CPC line of computers. Capable of doing a mind-blowing amount of things, including video and audio playback, multiple network connections, addressing 1TB+ hard drives, application and window multitasking, and more! You need to see it to believe it. Tremendous amounts of apps are available, too!

http://www.symbos.org/facts.htm

http://www.symbos.org/platform.htm

http://www.symbos.org/download.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS

Status: “runs slowly, does not look nice, and could probably be improved. But still worth a look”

The classic “portable” OS, available to run on Amstrad CPC systems. Unlike SymBOS, however, Contiki is a bit weak in comparison and doesn't run very well. It's worth including anyway, even though it's network functions are made redundant by SymbOS…

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/adamdunkels/contiki-1.x/tree/master/contiki-cpc

will be programatically generated with the user's modifications overlaid

A little “backport” of Minecraft, that apparently has a world the size of 65535 blocks. The fact that it has some modicum of world permanence is quite nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tglUQtZhWxc

http://www.indieretronews.com/2015/10/amscraft-minecraft-style-amstrad-cpc.html

64K version: Apple ][+ or IIe 128K version: Apple IIc or IIe with 64K RAM expansion

Seemingly originating on the Atari Lynx, this little OS that features on many different computers has also found itself on the Apple II computers. It features a web browsing capability, an app store, and more, with the developer possibly planning further additions.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=593

Apple IIe, IIc, IIc Plus, IIgs, IIe Option Card for Mac

A program which originated in the 1990s, but has received quite a powerful revival in 2022 that continues to this day! Providing a large variety of graphical features, the Apple II DeskTop is reminiscent of the early versions of the classic Mac Systems, albeit with functionality that isn't exactly equivalent. Dependent on ProDOS, much of the Apple II DeskTop's programs are simply programs which had a graphical option when running under ProDOS. Despite this, the features it offers are useful to many, with there generally being a higher amount of programs compared to competitors in its field.

https://github.com/a2stuff/a2d

https://www.a2desktop.com/about

with mouse support and more free memory for Contiki apps

The presiding internet browsing OS for old devices. Two versions are available: 40 and 80 column mode, of which 80 column requires at least an IIe. This 80 column enhanced version has received more development in the past years.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/contiki-os/contiki/tree/master/platform/apple2enh

https://github.com/adamdunkels/contiki-1.x/tree/master/contiki-apple2 (old sources)

unlike the Apple II Desktop, GEOS is a complete operating system with applications.

The quite noteworthy GEOS received an Apple IIgs/IIe port at a point, serving it's purpose as a fully featured OS for these computers, programs included. Nowadays, all of it's files are available for free.

http://toastytech.com/guis/a2geos.html

https://guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/geosapple

https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/ftp.apple.asimov.net/images/masters/other_os/gui/geos/

for its Apple IIGS personal computer that uses the ProDOS file system

Similar to the Apple II DeskTop program, but officially developed by Apple themselves only for IIGS computers. In essence, it served as a sort of System 5 analogue for the IIGS, providing many similar functions and benefits. Many programs existed for this OS, including text editors and games. The “system 6.0.4” is an unofficial 2017 release, which the wiki is currently looking for online (the files aren't downloadable in the archive link).

http://toastytech.com/guis/gsos.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_GS/OS

https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2003-gs-os-for-apple-iigs (6.0.1)

https://web.archive.org/web/20211030213722/http://a2central.com/7396/the-source-is-strong-with-this-one-system-6-0-4/ (6.0.4)

a mini web server running directly from your 8bit PC

Seemingly originating on the Atari Lynx, this little web server is capable of serving HTTP pages and images directly from this 8-bit computer. Is this in fact the future server for our wiki?

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=585

So Joe Davisson started extending Java Grinder to support the W65C816 as a CPU for with target platforms

With Mike Kohn's Java Grinder, it is now possible to run Java programs for the Apple IIgs. Of course, these programs need to be written specifically for the IIgs due to it's technical limitations.

https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/apple_iigs_java.php

in 1985, Steve Wozniak[…]called SOS “the finest operating system on any microcomputer ever”

The one and only OS for the Apple III computer. Despite being widely regarded as a failure, SOS was certainly a capable operating system, receiving the heralds of Steve Wozniak alongside a small but extant fan community in the present day. A smattering of programs exist for it, although everything is in a text mode.

https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/SOS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_SOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiXFTeKVT1I

This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the Classic Mac OS page.

I also got the mouse fully working in X by using GPM instead of native X driver

While extremely slow, it is technically possible to run any version of Mac OS X on the various 68k Macs. Presumably, the most “usable” combination is the newest and fastest 68k Mac with Linux (or BSD) support, which emulates the oldest and least needy version of Mac OS X. Experimentation is worthwhile here, as maybe a custom-tailored install image of OS X 10.0 or something could run on that sort of setup at a near-acceptable speed.

https://www.wired.com/2004/10/os-x-on-a-68k-c/

https://web.archive.org/web/20210801182005/https://iamscott.net/68kosx/ (newer attempt)

https://web.archive.org/web/20080915193039/http://mactalk.com.au/articles/68kpanther/

Launching MacBoot, you should be greeted with a login prompt. The root password is “Geheim”

This runs as a window within the Mac OS environment, rather than replacing the given OS. Still, it is interesting to see it as a capable secondary OS within OS. Many programs have been ported to it in the past, and the system requirements are unsurprisingly quite low. Fun fact: modern Intel processors also run Minix internally!

https://gunkies.org/wiki/Mac_Minix_1.5.10.7

It should run on most Macintoshes with a 68040 or 68030 processor

A highly capable port of NetBSD to a very large array of Apple’s latter-day m68k-based computers. Highly documented and often used in modern EOPs for these systems. There's a lot of interesting programs for this, and a lot of interesting uses for these programs. Certainly it could be fleshed out more?

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/mac68k/

Powerbook family. Hardware capabilities limit the usability of these systems

Unlike NetBSD, OpenBSD for the 68k Macs has been discontinued for quite a while, and it's primarily based off of the NetBSD port anyway. If you wished to use OpenBSD over NetBSD on your Mac, you certainly could…

https://www.openbsd.org/mac68k.html

it was supposed to introduce true multitasking & protected memory

The notorious overhaul attempt of Classic MacOS that failed miserably, despite having these beta builds available and leaked. Runs only on certain classic Macs, and may be very hard to emulate using a conventional emulator for this era of Macs.

https://www.macintoshrepository.org/531-mac-os-8-0-copland-beta-builds-

This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the Classic Mac OS page.

Models lacking Open Firmware[…]not supported[…]Currently, mkLinux is the only[…]support

Supports almost all PowerPC based Macintoshes, with the one exception being Macs released before August 7^th, 1995. Those aforementioned early computers do not have OpenFirmware, which complicates installing NetBSD to the point of not yet being supported. Otherwise, if a Mac is PowerPC, it should be able to run this.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/macppc/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/macppc/models.html

Only “New World” machines are currently supported

Still supported as of the most recent OpenBSD. Like the NetBSD port, many computers of the Mac PPC series are able to run this port, with the same exclusion of non-OpenFirmware Macs.

https://www.openbsd.org/macppc.html

This port originally started as NetBSD/pica port made by Per Fogelström, and supersedes it

Currently the most updated and recent OS for ARC MIPS systems. Not all ARC MIPS systems are supported, but the ones which are have been listed on the linked netbsd.org ports page.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/arc/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_RISC_Computing

Eventually, it was decided to stop supporting it and remove the code from the tree.

A historical port, being one of the first ports to ARC MIPS systems. It was depreciated long ago, during the late 1990s. Online FTP files for this port aren’t available, but they can be found on OpenBSD DVDs and CDs of the time if you desire exploring this historical oddity.

http://www.openbsd.org/arc.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_RISC_Computing

Created using a Motorola microprocessor instead of a Bell one, the machine would be retooled

One of the first multitasking window-based Operating Systems which actually became commercially available at a somewhat accessible level. Much interesting history can be found within this OS’s development.

http://www.brouhaha.com/~eric/retrocomputing/att/5620/5620_faq.html

https://techchannel.att.com/playvideo/2012/08/27/AT&T-Archives-BLIT-UNIX-GUI

https://www.osnews.com/story/26315/blit-a-multitasking-windowed-unix-gui-from-1982/

8-bit Atari can actually run a pre-emptive scheduler[…]in spite of the 6502’s fixed stack

A relatively capable DGOS/GEOS style OS for the Atari 8-bit systems, specifically the XL and XE. Requires at least 128KB RAM, which means expanding the base XL/XE as they only have 64 by default.

https://atari8.co.uk/gui/

Meine englische Übersetzung mag vielleicht an einigen Stellen sehr zu wünschen übrig lassen

Probably the most powerful and longest-standing OS for the Atari 8-bits, including the XL and XE (I think). Can get online and run a bunch of different programs. Appears to be entirely in German on first glance, however… the quote is about the creator's belief that his English translation in the OS leaves a lot to be desired. This is much better than the OS having no English support at all, so no worries!

http://www.atarixle.de/ (click Downloads on the right bar)

http://atarixle.ddns.net/boss/bossx.php

Currently it only supports the 850 serial interface

Able to run on all of the 8-bit series, seemingly. Capable of browsing the internet, which stands as the crowning achievement of this OS on the 8-bits. Cannot be emulated.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://www.atari8ethernet.com/Download.html (internet access tailored)

http://hitmen.c02.at/files/contiki/atari8bit/README.txt

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/241436-contiki-august-2015/ (old?)

https://github.com/contiki-os/contiki/tree/master/platform/atarixl

8bit-OS is a new and exciting “App” oriented Operating System currently under development

Primarily focused on the Atari Lynx, this little OS has been ported to this device, alongside several others. It features a web browsing capability, an app store, and more.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=593

a mini web server running directly from your 8bit PC

Originating on the Atari Lynx, this little web server is capable of serving HTTP pages and images directly from this little 8-bit computer.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=585

Due to the similarity of Portfolio and PC, parts of the code are used together

In essence, this is simultaneously the Windows/DOS port and the Atari Portfolio port together. Of course, the Portfolio port is a lot more interesting than the usual port, and it has clearly been altered primarily to accommodate the Portfolio.

http://www.mbernstein.de/contiki/

http://www.mbernstein.de/download/pofo/index.htm (DL)

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.

Sega Master System – SMSPlus Falcon

https://github.com/gameblabla/smsplus-falcon

Apparently just a demo that runs on top of TOS.

http://www.mbernstein.de/download/atari/index.htm

The informational page about this has been lost, but these people managed to get X and such running on the Falcon, using a version of Debian that’s running on a 2015 Linux kernel (in-date at the time). Note: this computer runs both a Motorola 68030 and a Motorola 56001. Some related links have been added below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0SJbXSJP8k

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19954376

https://twitter.com/Atari_MegaSTe/status/556583277793132544

avoids the use of the old, proprietary TOS as it is usually difficult to obtain.

This is a modern alternative to TOS which has been developed for many years. Currently, it is capable of running on all Atari hardware, plus some non-Atari computers. EmuTOS is widely regarded as a highly capable TOS alternative, albeit not without its flaws mostly in how it avoids implementing non-documented TOS APIs, resulting in the loss of some features. However, a modicum of new features are added with EmuTOS, such as IDE drive and FAT partition support.

https://emutos.sourceforge.io/

https://github.com/emutos/emutos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EmuTOS

a third party and now open-sourced multitasking-capable TOS-compatible operating system

A German-created alternative to TOS which is software-compatible. Despite having some downsides, MagiC is a capable performance-enhancing OS for ST computers that preserve the “TOS” functionality, similarly to EmuTOS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagiC

https://www.application-systems.de/magic/index.html

Unix-like kernel for Atari ST and compatible computers

A kernel which was created in an attempt to port GNU over to the ST systems. Nowadays, MiNT, known as FreeMiNT, is a powerful replacement for the stock TOS/GEM setup on ST systems, as it now comes with XaAES by default, providing a complete desktop + kernel experience.

https://freemint.github.io/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiNT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XaAES

Experimental support is available for the Milan

NetBSD is only supporting the later computers of the ST line, but nonetheless, they’re still supported.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/atari/

Atari's TOS is usually run from ROM chips contained in the computer

The original operating system for the ST line of computers. Achieved many innovations and garnered a devoted fanbase. Nowadays, it has been essentially superseded by “EmuTOS”, which replicates the function and appearance of TOS in an open-source and easily portable fashion.

http://www.avtandil.narod.ru/tose.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_TOS

Current status is experimental

Only two BeBox devices were released, and both of them are supported by NetBSD. It appears that the support is comprehensive despite being experimental, for the most part.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/bebox/

one of the few devices on the market running entirely on copyleft hardware

Very similar to the Zipit Z2 in how it functions, except it’s stock form is in it’s FOSS Linux state. Uses the same menu as the IZ2JFFS distribution on the Zipit Z2.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_NanoNote

http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote

Not much is said about this port, but it appears to have existed for quite a while.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/iyonix/

use Octo to write games conforming to the aesthetic constraints of the Nokia 3310 cell phone

While CHIP-8 is not exactly a computer, it fits best in this category due to it’s function as a portable interpreted programming language. Several little “EOP” style programs exist for the language, and it’s “Super” counterpart.

https://github.com/kripod/chip8-roms/tree/master/programs

https://github.com/JohnEarnest/chip8Archive/tree/master/src/nokiatemplate

Some Chromebooks have a legacy boot mode

While not all Chromebooks are able to do this, ones that are can run many different OSes. One of many said OSes is a DOS variant + Windows 3.11. YMMV, but people say MS-DOS 6.22 + Windows 3.11 works quite well for a new device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5dz4NLvxYg

Oncoming Debian Sarge will officially support MIPS-based Qube and RaQ

Various distributions are supported on these 20+ year old MIPS servers. Kernel support goes up to at least 3.x, and maybe higher.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/cobalt/ (netBSD)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_RaQ

https://web.archive.org/web/20181003151135/https://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Cobalt

To support booting Linux u-boot needs to be flashed to the internal flash

While this EOP does feature Linux as the system to get DOOM running, the primary focus is on DOOM itself playing. Of course, one doesn’t have to run DOOM when using this method that gets Linux onto this thing.

https://geoffg.net/maximite.html (CMM2 info)

https://github.com/TobleMiner/buildroot-cmm2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAf6q5keE7U

8bit-OS is a new and exciting “App” oriented Operating System currently under development

Primarily focused on the Atari Lynx, this little OS has been ported to this device, alongside several others. It features a web browsing capability, an app store, and more.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=593

an alternative uni-tasking operating system for the C128 and C64 that provides a Unix-like cmd

One of the multiple Unix-like operating systems released for the Commodore 64. It claims to have a “stronger” set of Unix-like utilities, despite a lower standard of function considering it's status as an operating system.

http://csbruce.com/cbm/ace/

https://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=650937&sid=d0b112b4ccd359a5a14484c822c4ec51 (ACE16 here)

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/collections.html

http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/c128/os/ace/index.html

I had a go at realizing it by making something that had a boot script

The least capable Unix-like operating system released for the Commodore 64, but it does in fact exist. Source code was lost for a while, but retrieved again at lyonlabs.

https://csdb.dk/release/?id=131487

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/collections.html

Engage your Commodore 64 using a terminal or command line interface familiar to modern computers.

A somewhat new command line terminal/program of sorts for the C64. Takes cues from various more familiar OSes, like Linux.

https://github.com/chironb/ChiCLI

Keep the spirit alive in the year 2001

Also requires SuperRAM and SuperCPU. Has a quite pretty GUI, while being capable of preemptive multitasking and running a variety of programs.

http://www.symbos.de/mirrors/www.clips64.de/index.htm

http://www.symbos.de/mirrors/www.clips64.de/general.htm

runs on any standard unmodified and unexpanded Commodore 64

One of the presiding recent operating systems made for the Commodore 64, as it’s able to access and browse the internet quite effortlessly. The origination of the Contiki project. Can be emulated in VICE, and presumably other emulators if desired.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/contiki-os/contiki/tree/master/platform/c64

the Z80 processor is underclocked to be compatible with the C64's memory bus

Not worthwhile as an OS of interest for the Commodore 64, but it does exist. Requires the Z80 expansion cartridge, and it lacks in software.

http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/C64/CPM/

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/c64cpm.pdf

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/collections.html

not only between 6502 systems but with large parts of the world of CP/M systems

Somewhat of a clone of the CP/M port, DOS/65 has some file system overlap and potential application overlap. Does not require a clunky cartridge.

http://www.z80.eu/dos65.html

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/collections.html

preemptive multi-tasking, signals, semaphores, redirection, a standard library

Easily the most capable of the Unix-like operating systems made for the Commodore 64. Still in active development. Contains a webserver through the SLIP daemon (Serial Line Internet Protocol).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeckOS

https://github.com/fachat/GeckOS-V2

http://www.6502.org/users/andre/osa/index.html

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/GeckOS/index.html

At its peak, GEOS was the third-most-popular microcomputer operating system in the world

Likely the best operating system released for the Commodore 64. Highly advanced, capable of working with many addons, loaded with applications, and much more. Even has alternative desktops.

https://github.com/bluewaysw/geos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEOS_(8-bit_operating_system)

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/onrequest/geos/index.html

IPC (inter process communication) through pipes

An earlier Unix-like for the Commodore 64. Appears to have a lot of features, applications, and more that is detailed on the sourceforge.

http://lng.sourceforge.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LUnix

Full Motion Video/Audio Movies for the Commodore64

Requires the SuperCPU and SuperRAM additions. Very feature-filled; it can even play videos. Many applications with more modern purposes are available.

http://wingsos.org/

http://wingsos.org/downloads.html

a mini web server running directly from your 8bit PC

Originating on the Atari Lynx, this little web server is capable of serving HTTP pages and images directly from this little 8-bit computer.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=585

The 6502/6510 assembler / disassembler module and output generator in naken_asm and Java Grinder were done by Joe Davisson

Thru Mike Kohn's Java Grinder, it is possible to run Java programs on the Commodore 64! Of course, these programs need to be written specifically for the C64 due to it's technical limitations.

https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/c64_java.php

All Commodore 128 computers are highly compatible with Commodore 64 programs. This entry is for Commodore 128 “focused” EOPs, such as it’s Contiki port.

runs in 80 column mode, but it is far from perfect

Despite presumably supporting the C64 version of Contiki, a C128 tailored version of the OS is also available. It's not in the best state according to the dedicated hitman page, but the GitHub has recent commits which may have fixed these problems.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/contiki-os/contiki/tree/master/platform/c128

Since the introduction of AmigaOS in 1985 there have been four major versions and several minor revisions

The presiding original OS for the Amiga computers, which has a very long and robust history behind it. Still existing today, AmigaOS was known for it's innovations which it brought to the OS market. Despite the existence of many alternatives, AmigaOS is still a very formidable system for the many different Amigas out there.

https://www.amigaos.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmigaOS

This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the AmigaOS page.

The following Amigas have an acceptable processor built-in: A2500, A3000, A3000T, A4000/040

A wide variety of distributions feature a level of support for a variety of Amiga systems. Depending on the system, one may need to install a CPU board installed to get Linux working.

http://www.linux-m68k.org/faq/amigahw.html

The Amiga version of Minix 1.5 runs on A500, A2000 and A3000 computers and is compatible with 68000, 68010, 68020 and 68030 CPUs

Known to run on several Amiga models, with some video proof. The extent of it's functionality and practicality is for the most part, not touched upon.

https://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=50276

https://aminet.net/package/misc/os/Minix_Amiga

it will not run on A500, A600, A1000, A1200, A2000, A4000/EC030, CDTV or CD32 out of box

This port supports a large variety of the Amiga series. However, it requires MMU, which eliminates a certain set of Amiga computers if they do not have a CPU board installed. Such Amiga-based devices are listed above.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/amiga/

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/amigappc/ (for PowerPC expansion boards!)

The OpenBSD/amiga was initially derived from NetBSD/amiga in 1995

Discontinued long ago, but still capable of running on certain Amiga systems, of which some will need the CPU or “accelerator” card if you want to use OpenBSD.

https://www.openbsd.org/amiga.html

Mostly the demo just shows off different possibilities of what the API can do.

Thru Mike Kohn's Java Grinder, it is now possible to run Java programs on Amiga computers. Of course, these programs need to be specifically written for the Amiga due to it's hardware limitations.

https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/amiga_java.php

A quite impressive port of Contiki to such an old computer. There's “no networking hardware” according to the hitmen page, but this may be different now, which could mean this computer could theoretically get on the internet in the present day. Some links of potential leads for this: https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/networking-your-pets.26568/ http://www.6502.org/users/andre/cbmhw/petnet/index.html

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/adamdunkels/contiki-1.x/tree/master/contiki-pet

Another quite impressive port of Contiki to such an old computer. There's “no networking hardware” according to the hitmen page, but this may be different now, which could mean this computer could also theoretically get on the internet in the present day. Potential lead for networking hardware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daoAllAv9qo

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/adamdunkels/contiki-1.x/tree/master/contiki-plus4

the base system works, but there is no networking support yet.

A still impressive port, which implies the potential for networking. The problem here is that, unlike earlier systems, the networking support here is known to be not yet added, at least according to the hitmen page. Otherwise, it works fine.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

https://github.com/adamdunkels/contiki-1.x/tree/master/contiki-vic20

The major Linux distribution that supports them is the Debian/mipsel port

Various models exist within this series of systems, and they are supported by Linux to varying degrees. Some models have better support than others.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DECstation

https://web.archive.org/web/20110709030753/http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/DECstation

runs on a wide range of DECstation and DECsystem systems

Supports a large variety of the DECstation and DECsystem computers.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/pmax/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/pmax/faq.html

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/pmax/models.html

NetBSD/vax was the first free OS that ran on the VAX series of computers

A very large series of computers, with a very wide-spanning port of NetBSD. Some of the earliest VAX computers from 1977 are capable of running NetBSD. Quite impressive.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/vax/

http://www.netbsd.org/docs/Hardware/Machines/DEC/vax/sections.html

Upgrading the Shark's firmware can be somewhat frustrating[…]you may want (or need) to do it

Capable of supporting various systems and various firmwares for these systems.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/shark/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/shark/faq.html

See FM Towns series.

Using Chocolate Doom and SDL 1.2

The primary focus of the linked media is the Doom port, but the little chip does depend on Linux to actually load it. Conceivably, more could be done with this underlying layer.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mv2g8xt4sh2yvvk/DoomStix_ProjectFinal.tar?dl=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjG1GbeJyVc

the board can run various flavors of Linux

The heading is just some of the OSes that can be easily installed on this. In essence, it’s basically a less… let's say less controversial Raspberry Pi in a lot of ways.

https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-xu4-special-price/

try booting from a system with a framebuffer that is not supported[…]the screen will turn black

Many systems exist in this 9000 group, and the 300 and 400 series within are able to run NetBSD. Certain systems do not have framebuffer support. A vast amount of hardware-related support information has been documented.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/hp300/

A native, unaccelerated X11R6 server is available for all supported frame buffers except the sti

Unlike the NetBSD port, this port was discontinued several years ago. However, it still does support a reasonable set of machines.

https://www.openbsd.org/hp300.html

(more may work, but additional models have not been tested yet)

A large arrangement of hardware is supported by this port, with seemingly near-complete ability to interface with whatever peripherals one may have installed in their HP.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/hppa/

Currently, all the supported systems boot multi-user

Still supported in the 7.0 release. A large arrangement of hardware is supported, like the NetBSD port.

https://www.openbsd.org/hppa.html

Not much is said about this, but it appears that a few computers of this series are supported.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/ibmnws/

the first free Operating System to run on this class of machines

A few models are known to work for this port, and more are in need of testing.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/rs6000/

A very lightweight port, considering this device has only 32MB RAM. It’s unsure what practical purpose could be served by this, yet it still exists.

https://old.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/nqzj0c/7_sd_cardsized_soc_running_debian_10/

capable of browsing the web, doing email, and functioning as an X terminal

This is a more specifically tailored distro of Linux, meant for these old and low resource computers, primarily emphasized for laptops, but not necessarily limited to them. This is also capable of running X, Opera, and many other capable programs.

http://distro.ibiblio.org/baslinux/

It simply describes a way of squeezing a large Linux into a very small space

A general install outline of Linux on very old laptops that’s not particularly tailored to any laptop. It does specify which laptops the guide was used for, but presumably many other laptops will work too.

https://tldp.org/HOWTO/4mb-Laptops.html

https://tldp.org/HOWTO/4mb-Laptops-1.html

There’s just a lot of OSes available for these - even Plan 9 and Inferno. The team must look into these more…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SheevaPlug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GuruPlug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DreamPlug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_computer

These computers are “clones” of certain ZX Spectrum series computers. See Sinclair ZX Spectrum series.

The MIPS Magnum 3000 was a popular workstation that was re-badged by companies

MIPS co. created a popular brand of workstation that was often sold, rebadged, or cloned. A small amount of these workstations are supported by NetBSD.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/mipsco/

Operating Systems (Intel 8080)

FINISH: DOS and CP/M with expansions

so it normally requires at least two 8-bit RAM chips and two 8-bit ROM chips

This bare-bones setup requires using a 68008, due to the low amount of RAM chips. To use a normal 68000, one would need to add more chips. Can even be ran on a breadboard (coming soon to your digital logic intro course), but it’s a lot faster on an actual printed PCB. The creator doesn't seem to have released a schematic - frankly, this isn't surprising. It even has vi and a text game!

http://www.bigmessowires.com/2014/11/17/68-katy-68000-linux-on-a-solderless-breadboard/

http://www.bigmessowires.com/68-katy/

These single board computers have a variety of models which are supported by NetBSD.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/mvme68k/

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/mvmeppc/ (PPC successor boards!)

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/mvme68k/boards.html

Similar to NetBSD, these boards were supported in both their 68k and 88k variants. Support ceased in version 5.5.

https://www.openbsd.org/mvme68k.html

https://www.openbsd.org/mvme88k.html

See MSXes.

Supporting only a selection of models, the NetBSD port for these systems appears somewhat limited. Only 3 systems are tested and working, with others being either untested, or limited to serial.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/ews4800mips/

I have neither much information of PC-6001 BIOS nor real machine!

Contiki on the NEC PC-6001. The port seems quite rudimentary, and the biggest problem is that it seems to have not been tested on real hardware, only emulation. Maybe we could fix that, eventually…

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20030402160602/http://www.markn.org/contiki/

See NEC PC-9801 series.

Very little is said about this, but it does exist.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/netwinder/

There is experimental support for turbo NeXT machines

Various systems are supported, but one can only interface with them using peripherals that are not on ADB.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/next68k/

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/next68kfaq/

NetBSD/luna68k runs on the original LUNA and the successor LUNA-II

These devices are significantly more common than the Luna 88k series. Most hardware has support in this port, but a few specific ones are not compatible with NetBSD.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/luna68k/

Kenji Aoyama wanted to run a modern operating system on his LUNA-88K2

Currently supported up to the most recent release, which is 7.0. Capable of running most of the computer’s devices. Also supports multi-user.

https://www.openbsd.org/luna88k.html

https://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/7.0/luna88k/INSTALL.luna88k

8bit-OS is a new and exciting “App” oriented Operating System currently under development

Primarily focused on the Atari Lynx, this little OS has been ported to this device, alongside several others. It features a web browsing capability, an app store, and more.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=593

No information available except 2 download links.

http://hitmen.c02.at/html/tools_contiki.html

a mini web server running directly from your 8bit PC

Originating on the Atari Lynx, this little web server is capable of serving HTTP pages and images directly from this little 8-bit computer.

http://8bit-unity.com/?page_id=585

No superfluous fluff here; only the written word.

Similar to the CHIP-8, this isn’t exactly computing, but it fits best here due to it’s status as a programming language and game engine. The links contain various EOP-esque programs available for this fantasy engine.

https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=41855 (word processor)

https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?cat=7#sub=2&tag=tool (many misc tools)

https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?cat=7&sub=2#sub=2&tag=utility (many misc utilities)

to build a minimal Linux system, with just a bootloader, Linux kernel and simple user-space

A PDF detailing the port of Linux for this system, and how to run it.

https://bootlin.com/pub/conferences/2018/elc/petazzoni-e-ale-buildroot-tutorial/petazzoni-buildroot-tutorial-lab.pdf

It was more or less a failure in the marketplace, and very few actual PReP machines were built

Not many systems following this specification exist, but many of the ones which do exist are supported by NetBSD.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/prep/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/prep/faq.html

a MIPS R3000A compatible core capable of booting the Linux kernel version 3.16 in about 3 seconds and with a rating of 48.74 BogoMIPS. It features a compatible MMU, but no FPU.

a0R3000 is a custom Verilog-based CPU core compatible with the R3000A that can also boot Linux. PS1 port based off of this?

https://github.com/alfikpl/aoR3000

The vc4 module fails to load

For how lightweight and cheap this device’s specifications are meant to be, the fact that it can run a graphical postmarketOS is amazing. Display, WiFi, Xway, mainline, and Bluetooth all work. Of course, it needs a screen and more effective method of input, but the function is still quite excellent.

https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi_Zero_(raspberry-pi0)

See SHARP X68000 series.

To get the machine to boot up with a serial console, make sure the keyboard is unplugged

One of the first, if not the first FOSS OS to run on the SGI computers, such as the Indy and O2. Supports a large array of peripherals and systems, but not all of them.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/sgimips/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sgimips/faq.html

one of the longest projects on ZX-Spectrum - operational system Doors

A highly impressive OS for the ZX Spectrum line of computers. It mainly aimed to clone the general appearance of Windows, which it definitely succeeds at (without being a straight up copy). Some programs are bundled with it, although specifics about these programs aren't immediately apparent to our team. Nonetheless, Doors is almost certainly the most capable OS available for ZX Spectrum computers.

http://doors.yarek.pl/screens.shtml

http://doors.yarek.pl/home.shtml?lang=en

Currently only single CPU models are supported by NetBSD/newsmips

Supporting both earlier 68k-based, and later MIPS-based NEWS workstations, the NetBSD port is somewhat mixed in compatibility, but does appear to support an acceptable amount of NEWS models.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/news68k/

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/newsmips/

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/news68kfaq/

from the early to mid 1980's

One of the earlier computing platforms to feature a NetBSD port. A few multibus systems are supported, but not VME systems.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/sun2/

They were superseded by the sun4 SPARC RISC systems

Succeeding the sun2 port, the NetBSD port for this series of computers is quite concise and filled with supported models.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/sun3/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sun3/faq.html

NetBSD/sparc64 supports both 32-bit and 64-bit kernels.

A Tier 1 port that supports a wide variety of the UtlraSPARC systems, alongside their clones. Only a few systems are unsupported by NetBSD, and all but one are being actively worked on to include support.

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/sparc/ (32bit work!!)

http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/sparc64/

http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sparc/faq.html

Yet another “fantasy computer” with a large modicum of available EOPs and programs, which are linked below.

https://tic80.com/play?cat=2&sort=2&page=0

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.

CHIP-8 – CHIP-80

https://tic80.com/play?cart=953

Install PMOS to sd card. Start device with the sdcard in the internal card reader of the device.

Some sort of weird laptop thing that normally runs Android 4.0 or Windows CE 6.0. There are a large amount of other laptops on the VIA/WonderMedia 8850 chipset, which should all support postmarketOS relatively similarly.

https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Tokio_Techbook_(tokio-techbook)

put a copy of the disk image with my working Rhapsody install on Macintosh Garden

A completely functional running version of Apple’s only x86-based system from the 90s. Doesn’t support color.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyUbN5tFYo

https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/ljbo52/i_made_a_teeny_tiny_hackintosh_with_apple/

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/rhapsody-dr1-dr2-intel-x86-ppc

all the hardware I tried to configure works fine with modern GNU/Linux.

With a few tweaks, and using slightly older versions of Linux (not old at the time of this experiment), one can run a fully modern Gentoo on the 1997 Libretto 70CT, complete with very strong hardware support.

https://vminko.org/gentoo_manuals/libretto

With one of the earliest i586 processors and period-correct components

One of the many old devices that can run modern-ish Linux through AOSC’s retro branch. While the install is very minimalist, programs like systemd, neofetch, and other such modern cmd functions are perfectly workable, albeit a little slow.

https://imgur.com/gallery/UOs7skq

https://hackaday.com/2019/08/23/modern-linux-runs-on-ancient-toshiba/

Uze8 is Chip8/SuperChip emulator for the Uzebox

Yet another “fantasy console” style thing, listed in computing for its extraconsole status.

http://uzebox.org/wiki/Uze8

http://uzebox.org/wiki/Uzeamp

http://uzebox.org/wiki/Movie_Player