OSDev.org

Hi all,

I've last posted about GentleOS in June. I wasn't sure whether to bump the old topic or start a new one, but since there've been plenty of updates, I hope a new topic is OK.

GentleOS is a pair of OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs, made specifically for tinkering with old hardware on bare metal:

GentleOS/16 requires a PC with 8086+ CPU, 512KB of RAM and a CGA+ display supporting 320x200x4 video mode.

GentleOS/32 requires a PC with 386+ CPU, 640KB of RAM, and a VGA+ display supporting 640x480x16 mode or any 256-color VESA mode.

By design they're both entirely monolithic (single binary, single thread) and only support standard PC devices (CGA/VGA, 8042 keyboard, PS2 mouse, serial mouse, PC speaker, etc)

Some more information can be found on the new QA page.

Most notable changes since the last post:
- Both versions have now custom websites with embedded PC emulators where you can try them online
- Both: New music player app for playing songs on PC speaker
- Both: Compile-time configuration was mostly replaced with run-time setup
- Both: Overall performance and compatibility improvements
- G32: New native bootloader replaced dependency on GRUB
- G32: Min RAM requirement was lowered to only 640KB
- G32: Assets can be added through initrd without recompilation
- G32: New types of wallpapers supported: 1bpp and pixel-art
- G16: New Gallery app for viewing 1bpp images
- G16: New Sokoban game
- G16: New VGA color themes

Any feedback appreciated!

Cheers,
Luke

Hey Luke,

this is beautiful. You're giving new life and love to these old devices. You're starting to get me interested in that old Amiga that's laying around at my dads place. Really fun to play with the emulator on the website too. Keep it up.

Greets
Max