FAQ or good write up about AROS, MorphOS, OS4 etc

[Malakie]

Can someone point me to some information.   I am wondering about all these different systems and what they represent.

For example, I currently use a real A1200 and A4000 system for Amiga stuff supplementing with AmiKit on a pc when I do not have access to those.

I am wondering what advantages or changes are inherent in MorphOS, AROS, OS4 and what would be the best route to go in terms of maintaining Amiga capability and compatibility with hardware and software.

I have no intention of getting rid of my legacy Amiga's but am wondering the viability of 'upgrading' yet maintaining what I love about the Amiga.

Any help on this would be appreciated.. Thanks

Malakie

[xeron]

Well, each of the 3 systems is different and have their own merits. Only OS4 and MorphOS can run 68k amiga software; AROS requires them to either be run in UAE or be recompiled. OTOH, AROS runs on available hardware...

If you get a PowerPC card, you can have OS3.x, MorphOS and OS4 all installed and switch between them.

In my purely subjective opinion,i prefer OS4 to MorphOS and OS3.x, but at the end of the day, its all good.

[amigadave]

In brief, MorphOS is said to currently have the best integration of it's 68k emulation and compatibility in running legacy software.  AOS4 is close behind and to my knowledge (which is very limited when it comes to AROS) the 68k emulation for AROS is not been done yet and they are now thinking of using WinUAE in AROS to run old Amiga software.

You can try MorphOS for classic Amiga computers for free if you have a CyberStormPPC or BlizzardPPC card in one of your classic Amigas, and for the past few months AmigaOS4.0 for Classic Amigas with PPC accelerators has been available for purchase.

So, if you have the "Big Bucks" and can find a PPC card for your A1200 or A4000, or you already have one, you could upgrade to a PPC Amiga like OS and give it a test drive.

[Piru]

MorphOS intro: http://www.morphzone.org/modules/IntroToMorphOS
MorphOS developer info: http://developer.morphosppc.com/
The Pegasos Book (it has tons of great info): http://www.efika.org/ThePegasosBook/

[Malakie]

Thanks everyone...  Will take a look at the information.  You all cleared some things up nicely in terms of basic differences.

Are many companies actively developing new apps for any of those?  Any that have a viable future?

[hooligan]

Malakie wrote:
Are many companies actively developing new apps for any of those?  Any that have a viable future?

No