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''Parts of this article have been copied from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS english Wikipedia article].''
'''SymbOS''' is a free multitasking operating system for Z80 based 8-bit computer systems written by [[Prodatron]]. At present it is available for the computers of the Amstrad CPC as well as for all MSX models starting from the MSX2 standard and all Amstrad [[PCW ]] (Joyce) models until the PcW10. Contrary to early 8-bit operating systems it is based on a microkernel, which provides pre-emptive and priority oriented multitasking and manages RAM memory with a size of up to 1024 kB. SymbOS contains a MS-Windows like GUI, supports hard discs with a capacity of up to 128 GB and can already be booted on an unexpanded Amstrad CPC-6128, [[PCW ]] or a 128K-MSX2.
* ''12/2006'': SymbOS release 1.1 is out
* ''05/2007'': 1MB and richtext support together with the graphical browser [[SymZilla]] have been implemented
* ''07/2007'': Development of the [[PCW ]] version started
==Technical background==
**Amstrad [[CPC]]-6128 (unexpanded) and compatibles ([[CPC TREX]], [[C-ONE]])
**MSX2 with 128KB Ram (unexpanded) and compatibles (MSX2+, MSX TurboR, OCM)
**Amstrad [[PCW ]] (all models until PcW10)
*'''Supported external hardware'''
**[[dk'tronics]] memory expansion 64K-512K and compatibles ([[Dobbertin]], [[SYMBiFACE II]])
SymbOS has been developed originally for the Amstrad CPC. Because of the modular structure with the strict separation of general and hardware components the porting to other Z80-based systems is quite easy.
The MSX computers starting with the MSX2 standard are supported since summer 2006. The Amstrad [[PCW ]] port is available since August 2007 (beta). Versions for the Enterprise 128 and the SAM Coupé are possible, too, as they fulfill the requirements for SymbOS.
By keeping a basic condition for an operating system, the strict separation of hardware and application software by the supply of an intermediate layer, SymbOS applications run platform-independently on each computer and do not have to be adapted for a special system. Exceptions are applications, which access directly the hardware.
* [http://cpcrulez.free.fr/applications_symbos_apply_preview.htm french information on CPCRulez]
* [http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/137/137_03.html "New Generation - CPC Windows?"] ([[WACCI]] article by [[ChaRleyTroniC]])
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20060308100315/www.snakeoillabs.com/2005/10/30/8-bit-guis-eye-candys-not-just-for-the-32-bit/ "8-Bit GUIs - Eye candy’s not just for the 32-bit!"] (Article)
* [http://www.msx.org/forumtopicl6203.html Main thread on MSX.org]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6071242217428356949&q=symbos SymbOS presentation(Video) at RetroEuskal 2006]
