C64OS v1.0 released!

[RobertB]

     Greg Nacu has released C64OS v1.0, his new, text-based operating system for the Commodore 64 with the minimum requirements of a SD2IEC card drive and joystick/mouse.

https://c64os.com/

     You can use its full-featured File Manager or go into the App Launcher. Over 25 utilities are available! For more information on getting started with C64OS, see

https://c64os.com/c64os/gettingstarted/#requirements

     You can purchase C64OS in two different packages (bundles). The starter bundle at $59 Canadian (not including postage and any taxes) or the standard bundle at $64 Canadian (not including postage and any taxes). See

https://c64os.com/c64os/#order

Whether you buy the starter bundle or the standard bundle, you get the pre-installed C64OS on a SD card and a very well-done, printed User's Guide Supplement, among other items.

     For an up-to-date, comprehensive review of C64OS v1.0, go to Perifractic's Youtube video at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVeW2ZlV2WU

          Ooo, an optional Star Trek theme in C64OS !
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          Commodore Los Angeles Super Show - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[RobertB]

     C64 OS v1.03 has been released and now has support for the scroll wheel on a mouse connected through a MicroMys/MouSTer and support for mounting .D64, .D71, and .D81 files.  You can update the earlier version(s) of the OS by going to the download page at

https://c64os.com/c64os/softwareupdates/

     Note: To update v1.0 to the latest update, you must first run the v1.01 update, then run the v1.02 update, and then run the last update.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2023 - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex

[RobertB]

     Heh, I should have mentioned that if you want to read all about the changes in v1.03, just go to

https://c64os.com/post/mountandwheel
 
       Truly,
       Robert Bernardo
       Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
       Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
       Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2023 - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex

[RobertB]

     C64OS gets better and better!  Version 1.04 has been released, the Multimedia Release.  In this version, there is a new graphics file format called “Commodore Grafix” which has support for metadata, variable frame rate sizes, native/non-native video modes, multi-frame matrix images, including 3D models, panoramas, and animation sequences.  There are the new and/or improved Creator Tool and C64 Archiver, and the new SID Preview Utility with a SID Search Service.  Finally, the gfx.lib supports character-mode graphics.  (Some new features only available with the use of a RAM expander)  Whew!
     Check out the more complete descriptions of C64OS v1.04 and short videos of the Multimedia Release at

https://c64os.com

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group – http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network – http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan

P.S. Remember… to upgrade to v1.04, you must have upgraded to the previous versions, v1.00 to v1.03, in order.  See https://c64os.com/c64os/softwareupdates

[Jeff]

This is amazing! I just ordered the standard bundle a few minutes ago.

[RobertB]

     Version 1.05 of C64OS was released a few weeks ago.  This version has task-switching!  To upgrade to your v1.04 to v1.05, go to

https://c64os.com/c64os/softwareupdates

     To purchase C64OS, see

https://c64os.com/c64os/#order

           Merry Christmas!
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group – http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network – http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan

[RobertB]

     Version 1.06 of C64OS has been released! This version has some new utilities including "Visualizer." To upgrade to your v1.05 to v1.06, go to

https://c64os.com/c64os/softwareupdates

     To purchase C64OS, see

https://c64os.com/c64os/#order

          Back in California!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group – http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network – http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          April 13-14 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2024 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[Minuous]

I must be missing something...This seems completely pointless; who would pay the huge amounts of money being asked for this? Consequently, with no users why would anyone write software for this OS?

[kolla]

@Minuous

Amiga OS 3.2 you mean?

[Minuous]

No, the two are not even remotely comparable. OS3.2 is an upgrade to the official OS, with a large existing software library stretching back decades and far more users than this thing will ever have.

[Boing-ball]

No, the two are not even remotely comparable. OS3.2 is an upgrade to the official OS, with a large existing software library stretching back decades and far more users than this thing will ever have.

I just looked at this from the link provided… I cannot see what use this is, apart from someone who is just curious and have a play. I own a 128D system. I was thinking about getting GEOS 128. But as I own a few Amigas with AmigaOS 3.1 to 3.2.2.1 where I will have a better experience with RTG and even the native Amiga graphics. My 128D will still only be used for loading games for now….

[Marcio D.]

I must be missing something...This seems completely pointless; who would pay the huge amounts of money being asked for this? Consequently, with no users why would anyone write software for this OS?

That's a gross exaggeration.  C64 OS doesn't cost "huge amounts of money".  It's $59 or $64, depending on which package you buy.  And that's in Canadian dollars, not the more expensive US dollars.

A lot of retrocomputing is "pointless" if you're sporting a daily driver mentality.  Almost nobody is going to do any serious word-processing or other important tasks using a C64.  Not these days.

But you know what?  C64 OS is a legit-working system, growing more capable all the time as new features are added.  So if you were forced to use it for essential or semi-essential tasks, it might just get the job done, albeit much slower and less convenient than other ways.

At the very least, C64 OS is a fun demo, meant to dazzle you, your friends, retrocomputing show attendees, etc.

Lighten up!

[Minuous]

>That's a gross exaggeration.  C64 OS doesn't cost "huge amounts of money".  It's $59 or $64, depending on which package you buy.  And that's in Canadian dollars, not the more expensive US dollars.

That's a lot to pay for 8-bit software these days, especially when rival OSes such as GEOS are free (and have more apps available).

>At the very least, C64 OS is a fun demo, meant to dazzle you, your friends, retrocomputing show attendees, etc.

That seems an odd use case; there are thousands of cracktros and other demos that could be used for that.

[kolla]

The irony is so thick... I wouldn't be surprised if C64OS already has more software for it than software using Reaction.

[Marcio D.]

That's a lot to pay for 8-bit software these days, especially when rival OSes such as GEOS are free (and have more apps available).


That seems an odd use case; there are thousands of cracktros and other demos that could be used for that.

But you have to understand that GEOS is old.  So even though it's free to obtain, it no longer impresses folks the way it did in the 1980's.  Part of the fun in retrocomputing is creating and using new stuff for old equipment.  And C64 OS accomplishes that.

Scene demos are fun to watch, but there's no real interaction beyond that.  C64 OS is not only interactive, it can actually be useful if you want it to be.  Not everyone is content with merely watching demos and playing games.  Some crave more, and C64 OS scratches that itch for those folks.

What type of new C64 software are you paying only $20 for?  Game software?  If so, that's not really a fair comparison!


P.S.  Let's also remember how sluggish GEOS ran.  C64 OS is fast because it doesn't rely on floppy disk loading and it doesn't need to draw graphics for the user interface the way GEOS needs to.  This zippy aspect of C64 OS makes it very attractive, no doubt.