The RISC OS GUI, developed by Acorn, prioritizes speed and efficiency through cooperative multitasking and a unique event handling model. Its distinctive drag-and-drop interface, involving iconic "icons" for applications, files, and even system settings, allows direct manipulation of objects and actions. Menus, invoked by clicking and holding on the desktop or objects, offer context-sensitive options, further streamlining interaction. While unconventional compared to prevalent windowing systems, RISC OS emphasizes minimal overhead and direct user control, leading to a responsive and arguably intuitive experience.
RPCEmu emulates Risc PC systems, including the A7000 and various StrongARM-based machines. It accurately recreates the hardware of these Acorn computers, allowing users to run original RISC OS software, including applications, games, and the desktop environment itself. The emulator boasts high compatibility and performance, supporting features like ARMv3, ARMv4, and StrongARM CPUs, FPA math co-processor, VIDC1 and VIDC20 graphics, and various sound and networking devices. RPCEmu aims for complete hardware accuracy, making it a valuable tool for preserving and experiencing these classic Acorn systems.
Hacker News users expressed significant enthusiasm for RPCEmu, praising its accuracy and the developer's dedication. Several commenters reminisced about using Acorn machines, particularly the Archimedes, sharing personal anecdotes and highlighting the platform's unique RISC OS. Some discussed the technical challenges of emulating older hardware and software, while others inquired about specific features like networking and sound support. The positive feedback underscores the impact of RPCEmu in preserving the legacy of Acorn computers and making them accessible to a wider audience. A few users also expressed interest in contributing to the project or exploring the emulated systems for the first time.
The original BBC Micro Elite source code, written in 6502 assembly, has been released and extensively commented by its author, Ian Bell. This release provides a fascinating look into the technical ingenuity behind the classic space trading game, revealing how Bell managed to cram a complex universe simulation, including 3D wireframe graphics and combat, into the limited resources of the 8-bit machine. The heavily commented code offers valuable insights into the optimization techniques employed, such as clever use of lookup tables and bit manipulation, making it a great resource for those interested in retro game development and 6502 programming.
Hacker News users discuss the newly released and heavily commented source code for the 8-bit game Elite. Many express excitement and nostalgia, praising the code's clarity and the detailed comments which provide insights into the game's development process. Several commenters highlight the impressive feats accomplished on such limited hardware, like the use of clever algorithms for 3D graphics and procedural generation. Some discuss the historical significance of Elite and its influence on subsequent games. A few users share personal anecdotes about playing Elite in their youth, while others analyze specific coding techniques used. There's also discussion about the challenges of working with 6502 assembly and the ingenuity required to overcome hardware limitations. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the release of this historical artifact and the opportunity it provides to learn from the pioneers of game development.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44021191
Several commenters on Hacker News praised RISC OS's GUI for its speed, simplicity, and innovative features like the icon bar and context menus. Some noted its influence on other operating systems, particularly in the mobile space. Others discussed its unique cooperative multitasking model and its drawbacks compared to preemptive multitasking. A few users shared personal anecdotes about using RISC OS, highlighting its appeal to hobbyists and its dedicated community. Some lamented the lack of wider adoption and speculated about its potential had it been open-sourced earlier. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of porting it to modern hardware and the limitations of its single-user design.
The Hacker News post titled "The RISC OS GUI" has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly revolving around the unique design choices of RISC OS, its performance, and comparisons to other operating systems.
Several commenters discuss the distinctive "click and drag" interface for selecting text and other elements, contrasting it with the more common double-click approach. Some appreciate its efficiency once mastered, while others find it counterintuitive. One commenter elaborates on how this mechanism extends to window management, where dragging a window's title bar moves it, and dragging its edges resizes it, all without dedicated buttons. This unconventional approach sparks debate on its usability and learnability.
The performance of RISC OS is another prominent topic. Commenters highlight its speed and responsiveness, often attributed to its tight integration with the underlying ARM hardware and efficient coding. One commenter fondly recalls its impressive performance even on older, less powerful hardware. Another speculates that the design choices, such as the cooperative multitasking model, contribute to its perceived snappiness.
Comparisons to other operating systems are also frequent. Some commenters liken RISC OS's philosophy to that of earlier versions of MacOS, pre-OSX, with its focus on simplicity and direct manipulation. Others mention BeOS as another example of an innovative operating system with unique GUI paradigms. The discussion also touches on how RISC OS deviates from the dominant Windows/MacOS/Linux desktop environments, prompting reflections on alternative design philosophies.
A few comments delve into the technical underpinnings of RISC OS. One commenter notes the absence of memory protection in older versions, which contributed to its speed but also made it less robust. Another explains the cooperative multitasking model, where applications voluntarily relinquish control to the system, contrasting it with the preemptive multitasking found in most modern operating systems.
There's also a discussion on the accessibility of RISC OS today, with some commenters providing links to emulators and resources for those interested in trying it out. A recurring theme is the nostalgic appreciation for RISC OS among those who used it in the past, often accompanied by lamentations about its decline in popularity.
While no single comment dominates the discussion, the collective conversation paints a picture of RISC OS as a unique and intriguing operating system, praised for its speed and unconventional interface, while acknowledged for its limitations and departure from mainstream design. The comments offer a blend of technical insights, personal anecdotes, and comparative analyses, providing a multi-faceted perspective on this less-known operating system.