A hobby operating system, RetrOS-32, built from scratch, is now functional on a vintage IBM ThinkPad. Written primarily in C and some assembly, it supports a 32-bit protected mode environment, features a custom kernel, and boasts a simple command-line interface. Currently, functionalities include keyboard input, text-based screen output, and disk access, with the developer aiming to eventually expand to a graphical user interface and more advanced features. The project, RetrOS-32, is available on GitHub and showcases a passion for low-level programming and operating system development.
Joseph Bayer, a hobbyist operating system developer, has reached a significant milestone in a personal project: their custom-built 32-bit operating system, named RetrOS-32, is now successfully booting and running on a vintage IBM ThinkPad. This achievement marks the culmination of considerable effort invested in designing and implementing a functional operating system from scratch. RetrOS-32, hosted on GitHub, is written primarily in C and assembly language, reflecting a low-level, hands-on approach to system development.
While the specific ThinkPad model is not explicitly stated in the post title, the project demonstrates the capability of the self-developed OS to operate on real hardware, showcasing its progression beyond purely emulated environments. The project's GitHub repository likely contains the source code, documentation, and potentially build instructions for RetrOS-32, allowing others to examine the inner workings of the OS and potentially contribute to its development. This accomplishment signifies a deep understanding of operating system principles, including memory management, process scheduling, and hardware interaction. Developing a functional operating system that boots and runs on hardware is a complex undertaking, requiring meticulous attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of low-level programming concepts. The "Show HN" nature of the post suggests a desire to share this achievement with the Hacker News community and invite feedback, fostering discussion and collaboration around the project.
Summary of Comments ( 28 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43803148
Hacker News users generally expressed enthusiasm for the RetrOS-32 project, praising the author's dedication and the impressive feat of creating a hobby OS. Several commenters reminisced about their own experiences with older hardware and OS development. Some discussed the technical aspects of the project, inquiring about the choice of programming language (C) and the possibility of adding features like protected mode or multitasking. A few users expressed interest in contributing to the project. There was also discussion about the challenges and rewards of working with older hardware, with some users sharing their own experiences and advice.
The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: My self-written hobby OS is finally running on my vintage IBM ThinkPad" (linking to the RetrOS-32 project on GitHub) generated a fair amount of discussion with a mix of praise, curiosity, and constructive feedback.
Many commenters expressed admiration for the author's dedication and the technical achievement of creating an operating system from scratch. Several described it as an inspiring project, particularly for those interested in low-level programming and OS development. Some shared their own experiences with similar endeavors, reminiscing about the challenges and rewards of such undertakings.
A recurring theme in the comments was curiosity about specific technical aspects of RetrOS-32. Users inquired about the choice of programming language (C++), the memory management strategy, the boot process, and the overall architecture of the OS. The author actively engaged with these inquiries, providing detailed explanations and insights into the design decisions.
Several commenters offered suggestions and feedback. One suggestion was to explore incorporating a specific feature related to debugging capabilities, which prompted a discussion about the potential benefits and implementation challenges. Another commenter raised a question about the long-term goals of the project, prompting the author to clarify their intentions and vision for RetrOS-32's future development.
A few commenters drew parallels to other hobby OS projects and discussed the broader landscape of OS development in general. This led to a brief exchange of opinions regarding the practicality and relevance of such projects in the modern era, with some arguing for the educational value and others emphasizing the advancements in existing operating systems.
There was also some light-hearted banter and playful comments referencing classic operating systems and the nostalgia associated with vintage hardware. This contributed to a generally positive and encouraging atmosphere in the discussion thread.