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To: 
Path: lsuc!jimomura
From: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.m68k.pc
Subject: Re: OS9 Questions
Summary: some answers
Keywords: OS9
Message-ID: <1882@lsuc.UUCP>
Date: 21 Jun 87 12:11:25 GMT
References: <2953@felix.UUCP>
Reply-To: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura)
Distribution: world
Organization: Consultant, Toronto
Lines: 50


In article <2953@felix.UUCP> jeff@felix.UUCP (Jeff Wallace) writes:

...


     Although it's a bit Color Computer oriented and generally only reflects
the situation in 6809 based OS-9 systems "The Complete Rainbow Guide to
OS-9" is good reading.  You can buy this easily at a Radio Shack.  For
68000 reading, the best material is the system manual which you can buy
from Microware directly.  I think it costs something like $40.00--which is
what I've paid for some text books.  It's not cheap, but not outrageous.

>	Some specific questions I have:
>	- Is OS9 a public domain entity or has it typically been produced

     OS-9 is not public domain.

>	  and supported by commercial folks?
>	- Has OS9 been used on uPs other than the 6809 and 680XX?

     OS-9 has not been used for other micros--just 6809 and 680xx

>	- Are there particular applications to which OS9 is/was envisioned?

     Historically, the first version of OS-9 was written to run Microware
BASIC09 on the 6809.  This says nothing about what it's good for though.
Microware promotion of OS-9 is as a real-time system base.  This tends to
target it into the 'controller' world.

>	- I've heard a rumor that the Signetic 68070 uP (whenever it becomes
>	  real) is an ideal OS9 host.  Is this true?

     Well, yeah, I guess you could say that.  It's a strange way to look
at it in my mind.  OS-9 68K being designed essentially around the 68K
processor family, any processor designed to use the instruction set
could be seen as an equally good host, some being better than others
in a particular area.  The high degree of integration of an '070 makes
for inexpensive, compact designs.  The '020, on the otherhand lends itself,
conversely to greater customization of the hardware environment.  The
68008 is probably best for small dedicated controllers which might
benefit from the instruction set compatibility with larger 68K systems
(really no other advantage that I can see over the 6809).  The 68000
and 68010 make for cheaper designed simple computers than the '020
(really just the cost of the chip rather than anything inherent).


-- 
Jim Omura, 2A King George's Drive, Toronto, (416) 652-3880
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