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==Characteristics and versions==
==Characteristics and versions==
Developed for PowerPC [[central processing unit|processor]]s by Freescale and [[IBM]] while supporting the original [[AmigaOS]] [[68k|MC680x0]] applications via proprietary task based emulation, and most AmigaOS/PPC applications via API wrappers. It is [[Application programming interface|API]] compatible with AmigaOS 3.1 and has a [[GUI]] based on [[Magic User Interface|MUI]].
Developed for PowerPC [[central processing unit|processor]]s from Freescale and [[IBM]] while supporting the original [[AmigaOS]] [[68k|MC680x0]] applications via proprietary task based emulation, and most AmigaOS/PPC applications via API wrappers. It is [[Application programming interface|API]] compatible with AmigaOS 3.1 and has a [[GUI]] based on [[Magic User Interface|MUI]].


Besides the Pegasos version of MorphOS, there is a version for Amiga computers equipped with PowerUP PPC accelerator cards produced by [[Phase5]]. This version is free, although it does slow down after each two hour session if it has not been registered. Registration is free. PowerUP MorphOS was most recently updated on 23 February 2006, however it does not exceed the feature set or advancement of the Pegasos release.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.amiga.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6671 | title=Announcements : Updated MorphOS for PowerUP Users | author=Piru | date=February 23, 2006 | work=Amiga.org | accessdate=2007-03-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=11668 | title=MorphOS 1.4.5 Released for Classic Amiga | author=Thom Holwerda | date=August 24, 2005 | work=OSNews | accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref>
Besides the Pegasos version of MorphOS, there is a version for Amiga computers equipped with PowerUP PPC accelerator cards produced by [[Phase5]]. This version is free, although it does slow down after each two hour session if it has not been registered. Registration is free. PowerUP MorphOS was most recently updated on 23 February 2006, however it does not exceed the feature set or advancement of the Pegasos release.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.amiga.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6671 | title=Announcements : Updated MorphOS for PowerUP Users | author=Piru | date=February 23, 2006 | work=Amiga.org | accessdate=2007-03-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=11668 | title=MorphOS 1.4.5 Released for Classic Amiga | author=Thom Holwerda | date=August 24, 2005 | work=OSNews | accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:50, 6 June 2010

MorphOS
MorphOS logo
DeveloperThe MorphOS Development Team
OS familyAmigaOS
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed source with open source Ambient desktop
Initial release?
Latest release2.5 / June 4, 2010 (2010-06-04)
Available in14
PlatformsPegasos, some models of Amiga, EFIKA, Mac Mini G4, eMac
Kernel typeMicro/pico[1]
Default
user interface
Ambient
LicenseProprietary with GNU GPL Ambient user interface
Official websitewww.morphos-team.net

MorphOS is a computer operating system. It is a mixed proprietary and open source OS produced for the Pegasos PowerPC processor based computer, PowerUP accelerator equipped Amiga computers, and a series of Freescale development boards that use the Genesi Firmware, including the EFIKA and mobileGT. Since MorphOS 2.4 Apple, Inc. Mac Mini G4 is supported as well. The core, based on the Quark microkernel, is proprietary, although several libraries and other parts are open source, such as Ambient desktop.

Characteristics and versions

Developed for PowerPC processors from Freescale and IBM while supporting the original AmigaOS MC680x0 applications via proprietary task based emulation, and most AmigaOS/PPC applications via API wrappers. It is API compatible with AmigaOS 3.1 and has a GUI based on MUI.

Besides the Pegasos version of MorphOS, there is a version for Amiga computers equipped with PowerUP PPC accelerator cards produced by Phase5. This version is free, although it does slow down after each two hour session if it has not been registered. Registration is free. PowerUP MorphOS was most recently updated on 23 February 2006, however it does not exceed the feature set or advancement of the Pegasos release.[2][3]

A version of MorphOS for the EFIKA, a very small mainboard based on the ultra-low wattage MPC5200B PPC processor from Freescale, has been shown at exhibitions and user-gatherings in Germany.[4] Current (since 2.0) release of MorphOS supports the EFIKA.

History

Evolution of AmigaOS 3.x.

The project started in 1999, based on the Quark microkernel. The earliest versions of MorphOS ran only via PPC accelerator cards on the classic 68K Amiga computers, and required portions of AmigaOS to fully function. A collaborative effort between the companies bPlan (of which the lead MorphOS developer is a partner) and Thendic-France in 2002 resulted in the first regular, non-prototype production of bPlan-engineered Pegasos computers capable of running MorphOS or Linux. A busy promotional year followed in 2003, with appearances at conventions and exhibitions in several places around the world, including CES in Las Vegas. Thendic-France had financial problems and folded, however the collaboration continued under the new banner of "Genesi".

After some bitter disagreements within the MorphOS development team in 2003 and 2004 culminating with accusations by a MorphOS developer that he and others had not been paid, the Ambient desktop interface was released under GPL and is now actively developed by the Ambient development team. Subject to GPL rules, Ambient continues to be included in the commercial MorphOS product. An alternative MorphOS desktop system is Scalos.[5]

On April 1, 2008 the MorphOS team announced that MorphOS 2.0 would be released within Q2/2008. This promise was only kept by a few seconds, with the release of MorphOS 2.0 occurring on June 30, 2008 23:59 CET. The new version includes (along other improvements) the previously-missing native TCP/IP stack, an updated Sputnik release, AltiVec support, alpha compositing 3D layers for the graphical user interface, new USB components (including USB 2.0 support), new screenblankers, and Reggae, a new, modular, streaming multimedia framework. MorphOS 2.0 also includes support for the EFIKA, Pegasos I and Pegasos II machines. MorphOS 2 is commercially available at a price of 150 EUR per machine (111,11 EUR as a special promotion within the first two weeks of its release). A fully-functional demo of MorphOS is available, but without a keyfile, its speed is decreased significantly after 30 minutes of use.

On September 5, 2008 MorphOS 2.1 was released, fixing numerous bugs and adding support for the EFIKA's audio. On December 20, 2008 MorphOS 2.2 was released, fixing numerous bugs, adding a TrueCrypt-compatible disk encryption suite and several small items. On August 6, 2009 MorphOS 2.3 was released, fixing numerous bugs, adding Origyn Web Browser as the default browser, read only HFS+ filesystem support and several small items. On October 12, 2009 MorphOS 2.4 was released, adding support for Mac Mini G4 platform, as well as fixing various bugs and adding new features.

MorphOS includes a native TCP/IP stack ("Netstack") and two web browsers, Sputnik and Origyn Web Browser. Sputnik was begun under a user community bounty system [6] that also resulted in MOSNet, a free, separate TCP/IP stack for MorphOS 1 users. Sputnik is a port of the KHTML rendering engine, which WebKit is also based on.

Supported hardware

Amiga

Apple

Pegasos

  • Pegasos I G3
  • Pegasos II G3/G4

Other

  • EFIKA

Components

See also

References

  1. ^ "Basic Kernel Information". MorphOS Home Page. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  2. ^ Piru (February 23, 2006). "Announcements : Updated MorphOS for PowerUP Users". Amiga.org. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  3. ^ Thom Holwerda (August 24, 2005). "MorphOS 1.4.5 Released for Classic Amiga". OSNews. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  4. ^ Thom Holwerda (October 17, 2006). "MorphOS 1.5 Running on EFIKA to Be Shown". OSNews. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  5. ^ Chris Haynes (March 21, 2007). "Scalos - The Amiga Desktop Replacement". Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  6. ^ "Morph Bounties". MorphZone. Retrieved 2007-03-12.