Linked by Gavin Wraith on Wed 5th Jul 2006 17:44 UTC
So you thought you would find here an impartial, knowledgeable comparison of RISC OS with the more popular and better known operating systems? Think again; I have been so steeped in RISC OS, since even before its appearance two decades ago, were that possible, and I am so ignorant of other operating systems, that I cannot honestly deliver to you a balanced picture. Well, that is the modern usage of apology over with, so let us get on to the older sense. Note: This is the 2nd entry to our Alternative OS Contest which runs through 14th July!
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Member since:
2005-11-10
Whilst this is an introduction to RISC OS (an OS I used as a school child), it fails to mention Arthur, the OS that came before RISC OS. http://www.guidebookgallery.org/timelines/riscos
RISC OS itself was not released until 1989. Before that the original Mac OS, Windows, GEM and GEOS were already around, not making RISC OS the second GUI for public consumption as claimed.
I like the detailed coverage of RISC OS's application structure, as it is similar to how OS X functions, utilizing folders as applications.
The author is also using a custom OS X like skin for his machine. I'm personally in disfavour of demonstrating an OS with a highly customised space as it does not show the OS in the correct timeframe, somewhat stealing from the magic.
Overall, this is a nice and passionate review, but doesn't "name some names" enough, regards comparisns. (For example, the classic Mac OS finder is similar to RISC OS's filer in that they are both spatial, not allowing you to open two windows of the same directory.