os3.1 - Facelift to look/work like 3.9?

[Gulliver]

If you really try, and add lots of software packages, you may achieve similar functionality than 3.9 but much faster. You will need to do plenty of tweaking, but in the end it will work.
I have done it a couple of years ago, if you want i can make a long post with the stuff that will work nicely with your setup

[Gulliver]

Yes, really ClassicWB Advance will be easier in every way.

Get it at http://classicwb.abime.net/classicweb/advsp.htm

[Gulliver]

I have tested the picasso96 picture.datatype, it has some problems that show up when tweaking workbench backdrops with its prefs.
I find ReAction slows down GUI generation on programs compared to standart boopsi components. Too see this, just click of CacheCDFS in prefs and wait a while it draws its interface, and then compare it to its counterpart in the idefix97 package and you will notice a big difference in low end systems.
By the way, workbench.library is another 3.9 performance sucker!

[Gulliver]

In the end, 3.9 is better than 3.1, you just have to remove the crap that makes it slower on low end systems. On high spec 68k system it runs like a charm, way better than 3.1
I would rather say that a good experience on it starts with a 030 at 40mhz and at least 16MB fast!

AmigaOS3.9 low spec tip:
Amidock is a really cool app, but if you are low on spec, get rid of it! You will save ram and your Amiga will boot faster.

[Gulliver]

How to make 3.1 look like 3.9:

http://lilliput.host-cafe.com/TechDetails3.htm

@Cammy
The solution is to use 3.9 and strip some pieces of it so that it looks like 3.1, but upgraded and bugfixed in many areas!

[Gulliver]

Yes, it is a replacement that works, but it is buggier, as i said before. The other drawback is that it eats more memory and that the dithering method leaves a lot to be desired.
I believe that despite people blame picture.datatype in 3.9. It should be left there. The problem with picture.datatype in 3.9 is that it is compiled with Storm C, which does not produce optimized code eficiently, and that it is also a FAT binary, meaning it runs both on 68k and PPC.

I would change from 3.9 to make it faster:
Retire AmiDock from WBStartup
Of course, I would install MUI, as it draws programs GUIs faster than ReAction
Retire Benchtrash from WBStartup or if you really use it, replace it with Benchtrash 1.50
Retire DefIcons from WBStartup, it is one of the resource pigs
Remove all the .info files from /Prefs/ENV-Archive/Sys/ that you can
Replace RAWBInfo with Wbinfo 2.5
Replace the GIF and JPG datatypes for the akXXX series of datatypes, they are faster.
Replace Mounter with SCSIMounter 2.03
Replace CacheCDFS in prefs with the one that comes with Idefix97
Replace HDToolbox with HDInst 6.9
Replace Unarc with MUIUnarc
Replace Genesis TCP-IP with AmiTCP
Replace AWeb with IBrowse
Replace PlayCD with the Idefix97 counterpart
Remove Vinced or if you really use it, replace it with KingCon 1.8
Use env-handler, it will save precious memory
Remove AHI if you are just using Paula for sound
If possible avoid the usage of LoadModule and the AmigaOS ROM Update file by burning your own 3.9 rom. Use Remus and Romsplit for that and contact Nathan at http://www.amigamaniac.com to manufacture them
And then i would apply all this optimizations: http://lilliput.host-cafe.com/SpeednOp.htm


I know you will certainly get a faster, less memory and cpu hungry Amigaos 3.9 install this way!

PS: You can also remove all the files you wont use from /Locale, foreign languages.