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'''FutureOS''' is an revolutionary operating system for the Amstrad [[CPC6128|CPC6128]], [[Plus|6128Plus6128plus]], [[C-ONE|C-One]] and [[CPC TREX|CPC TREX]]. The version for the CPCPlus 6128plus supports some of its special features. The CPC464, CPC664 and [[KC Compact]] can run FutureOS with a [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/open-source-diy-512kb-ram-expansion/msg163566/#msg163566 revaldinho's] 512 KB RAM expansion only.FutureOS is being developed by [[TFM|TFM]] of [[FutureSoft|FutureSoft]] in [[Z80|Z80]] assembler. The development of FutureOS and its applications continues from 1989 up to now (20152023). Therefore FutureOS was already sold during the commercial era of the CPC6128 and 6128plus computers. Latest OS release took place at October 19th, 2023. Planned next release: 2025.

On the Amstrad CPC many efforts to build a GUI were made, few to build an OS. In other cases they were just extensions to realize some kind of a WIMP environment but weren't true operating systems with their own kernel, memory-management, BIOS, BDOS and so on. Therefore, the CPC's own OS (in combination with AmsDOS) and CP/M (Plus) were the only two known OSes for the series, but during the early commercial era. But the question remained: since most CPCs have 128 KB (most C64 only have 64 KB), a screen-resolution of 640x200 (C64 only has 320x200) and some more advantages, why not have something similarbetter? So the FutureOS-Project was bornand FutureOS system 0.1 was released during the late commercial era of the CPC6128. With the release of the 6128plus a special version of the OS was released for this computer.

The OS itself has about 45roughly 70.000 lines of code, the source code is about 580 808 KB in size.

=== How to start FutureOS ===The RSX command '''|OS''' will start FutureOS. You get directly into the Turbo Desk, there you can tag a drive and start an application f.e. (see Desktop). If you want to use FutureOS temporary then use the RSX command '''|FDESK''', this will save your first 48 KB RAM and you can leave FutureOS later and return to previous work. == Requirements ==

The core of the OS itself is executed directly in (PseudoFlash-)ROM or [[Dobbertin EPROM 224|EPROM]] (in four 16 KB blocks). It The support of the M4 SD card needs a fifth ROM of 16 KB though. The OS allows jumps between the ROMs with the help of a little common area. Therefore the numbers of the four (five) 16 KB ROMs are hardcoded and the jumps are very quick. But never mind, adapting ROM number is done by the installation software anyway. Applications like ROManager do also set all that ROM numbers automatically right. Further parts of the OS can be loaded from media on demand if needed. Examples are the multitasking manager [[Caruh]] and the UI/menu framework CBM.

'''FutureOS''' uses 2 KB (&B800...&BFFF) of the first 64 KB; the remaining RAM is available to applications. Additional RAM can be reserved for DIRectory buffering. Furthermore the OS uses memory management (up to 4 MB), file-handling and specialized Low/Mid/High-level routines and functions to access and manage the hardware.

'''FutureOS''' only runs well on a [[CPC6128|CPC6128]] or 6128plus 6128 Plus (not CPC464 or 664, except you have a RAM expansion with full RAM mode &C3 support like the one from Revaldhino), because of their support for RAM configuration C3 (essential for the mouse pointer). FutureOS is not compatible with [[Firmware]] or [[CP/M|CP/M]] programs, but supports their data structure. It needs a [[Class]] 2 CPC, it runs best with a [[Class]] 4 CPC or higher.

'''FutureOS''' does not require the native CPC-OSat all (neither BASIC, except its DOS, nor firmware). The only exception can be the character setof the lower ROM. If you replace the lower ROM by the [[CPC FutureOS lower ROM]] for example, then FutureOS will start directly. In this case you can use your own set of characters, just put it between &3800 and &3FFF in the lower ROM.

There is a Cartridge version of '''FutureOS''' which supports some Plus 6128plus features. == Limitations ==For CPCs with 128 KB there may be some limitations. The command |FDESK uses 48 KB E-RAM, a wallpaper uses 16 KB E-RAM. So in this case for example the E-RAM would be used up and this will inhibit some OS functionality (f.e. copy data). A RAM expansion is strongly suggested. In case the OS requires more RAM you can always switch the wallpaper off to gain 16 KB and use the |OS command to start FutureOS.

The Graphic User Interface (GUI) of FutureOS presents the user with three sections: * the icon section (upper half of screen), * the file window (lower half of screen) * and the message base (the two bottom lines of the screen) The GUI appears directly after starting FutureOS, but can also be used by applications. The user can browse through directories of discs and hard-disc partitions. The text window provides space to display one directory page, this is 64 different file names (equals one full directory of a Data, System or IBM formatted disc). Using the keys SHIFT and CONTROL you can browse page by page through the directories of devices.  A graphical mouse pointer is used to select devices, functions or files; this pointer can be controlled with nearly all of the pointer based HID devices (joystick, mouse, trackball, light-pen, Grafpad II, analogue joystick etc.) available for the CPC.

The In addition functions provided by the GUI appears directly after starting FutureOS, but can also be used by applicationsactivated using hotkeys. The user can browse through directories of discs Type "d" for example to read and hard-disc partitions. The size of display the text window is fixed to the space needed to display 64 different file names at once (this equals one complete directory of a data, system or IBM formatted disc). Using the keys SHIFT and CONTROL you can browse page by page through the directories of devices. A graphical mouse pointer is used to select devices, functions or files; this pointer can be controlled with nearly all of the pointer based HID devices (joystick, mouse, trackball, light-pen, grafpad etc.) available for the CPCdrive.

Files can be viewed Watch pictures or movies. View text-files on-screen (scroll up and down) or printedprint them on your printer. When viewing a picture you can adjust MODE and screen format using the cursor keys. When typing a text file it is possible to set the number of columns and lines of the window the text is displayed in.

File headers can also be viewedexamined. FutureOS uses expanded but compatible file-headers, that allow a file to be up to 16 MB in length. The file-header can additionally specify the target RAM of a file. Further it can contain a file icon or a short file description.

It When the Spartan mode is off, all icons will be shown all the time.The Spartan mode can be activated by setting a bit in the configuration bytes, either by hand of by using the ''''Konfig OS'''' / ''''Config OS'''' utility (see system application disc). === Auto-DIR mode ===If the Auto-DIR option is switched on you just click on an drive / partition icon to read, sort and show its DIRectory. Furthermore in this mode some 'AI' is activated f.e. when you click at the Copy icon and no files are tagged the Desktop will directly jump into Disc-copy mode instead the File-copy mode.If the Auto-DIR is off, then you need to do more things 'by hand', but you also have a bit more control over the system.The Auto-DIR mode can be activated by setting a bit in the configuration bytes. This is done by using the ''''Konfig OS'''' / ''''Config OS'''' utility (see system applications).

Like for most OS the background of the Desktop can be adapted. This is actually quite easy for FutureOS. Just use the application "-LoadHGB.64K" (English) / "-LadeHGB.64K" (German). HGB stands for "HinterGrundBild" and is German for Wallpaper. There are discs and ROMs full of wallpapers.

If you want to create your own wallpapers then you'll need a MODE 2 screen with 512 x 256 pixel. You can even use an application inside [[JavaCPC]] for this.

You also can load a wallpaper by hand: Place such a 16 KB (headerless) screen in one of the E-RAMs and set the right system variable of the OS (see file #DOS-VAR.ENG). Here are some Wallpapers:

== FutureOS hardware monitor ==The [[FutureOS Monitor]] is a small built in machine monitor of the [[FutureOS]] operating system. It contains basic functions to access (expansion) memory and the Porting system to comfortably access all the CPCs I/O ports. When using FutureOS for the CPC Plus you can also access all memory mapped I/O (hardware sprites, DMA-sound, soft scrolling etc.). === Features ===* Dump RAM, ROM, expansion RAM or memory mapped I/O (CPC Plus)* Edit RAM, expansion RAM or memory mapped I/O (CPC Plus)* Access all I/O ports of the CPC and external hardware* Edit Z80 registers (previously to calling an machine program). This includes the first and second register set, both index registers, the stack pointer, R and I* Configure RAM, ROM, I/O for other functions* Move block of memory, ROM, RAM, expansion RAM* Initialize block of memory with an 8 or 16 bit value, RAM, expansion RAM* Call a machine program or OS function* Exit, brings you back to the Desktop === Images === <gallery>caption="Some preview images of the game">Image:OS-Mon_1.pngImage:OS-Mon_2.pngImage:OS-Mon_3.png</gallery> == CBM - the UI for Applications ==

The "'''C'''ommand '''B'''ar '''M'''enu" ([[CBM|CBM]]) is a partially resident part of FutureOS, which can be easily linked into applications. * It's object oriented ('''OO''') user interface consists of several flexible windows, pull down menus and file selectors. * In addition hot keys can be used. * Using [[CBM|CBM]] as the standard (G/T)UI for FutureOS programs helps making them looking similar and useable usable in an intuitive way. * A part of the CBM is located in the FutureOS ROMs, another the flexible part can be individually adapted to its target applications and will be integrated in the application itself. [[Image:Caruh.png|thumb|192px|Example of Task Manager Caruh]]== Caruh - the Task Manager for Applications ==[[Caruh]] is the task manager for the cooperative preemptive multitasking under FutureOS. It's available as RAM application (and planned for lower ROM - which offers limited memory protection). Features of Tasks:* Up to 255 different tasks* Every task has its own RAM and stack* Tasks have a priority* Tasks can use a part of the main screen (background task) or an own complete screen (foreground task)* Tasks use multiple screens, which can be swapped. No chaotic window structure.* Tasks can be dynamically added and/or deleted* Tasks can be saved and continued later or on other computers* Tasks can use additional OS functions* The regular Turbo Desktop of FutureOS can be used too* Aside of screen MODEs 0-3 different screen formats are usable (80x25, 68x30, 64x32)

The file system of FutureOS can handle multiple simultaneous floppy disc drives and hard disc partitions. Also SD cards are supported up to 32 GB. After the selection of the devices FutureOS reads and buffers the directory entries of the devices. This speeds up the the data transfer significantly. Integrated utilities like the multi file copy can copy files from physical sources to different physical destinations in one run.

Filenames can use all 256 different characters and user areas from 0 to 254 (except for &amp;E5, which is reserved for deleted files). Unlike Amsdos, a file that is erased under FutureOS is not shifted to user &E5, but is physically removed from the directory. During this process the directory get sorted. File headers can be displayed as small text files or as graphic icons (f. e. a FutureOS applikationapplication). An AmsDOS file header has 128 bytes of which most are unused. FutureOS makes use of those unused bytes so that files have a length definition of 24 bit (16 MB file length) and can have a physical RAM select. Therefore a file can be defined to be loaded everywhere in the external RAM. Also a [[FutureOS Header|FutureOS file-header ]] can contain a graphical icon, a textual icon or a short description of the file.

* In case an application is running the : The RAM that is used by the OS can be reduced to the region between &B800 and &BFFF, in this case only 2 KB are occupied by system variables of the OS.

* FutureOS provides an expansion RAM manager containing all needed OS functions to check for, order, allocate , free and manage expansion RAM up to 4 MB. * Also files of that length (4 MB) can be loaded and saved at once. This depends on the amount of connected E-RAM of course. === ROM ===* The core OS uses 64 KB ROM* By using fixed ROM numbers quick jumps can be made from one ROM to another ROM without the need of using RAM. This is also true for additional ROMs which want to use the API in the care ROMs A-D.* FutureOS provides an expansion ROM (XROM) architecture which allows to add programs as expansion ROMs. For the native OS these ROMs are declared as "extension" and will NOT be initialized. ==== XROMs ====* Currently there are a few XROMs for FutureOS:** ROManager 2.4.3 - to manage any kind of (Flash-)ROM expansion and the M4** System-Tools (English or German) - Control Panel, Configuration, System Information, and and and** Wallpapers I, II and III - enjoy a pretty background picture** FutureTex - text editor, character designer and keyboard manage** XROM for the M4 SD card mass storage (under development, request beta version from TFM) * Applications from an XROM can be automatically launched when FutureOS starts up. F.e. you can have your favorite wallpaper when starting FutureOS. The tools to setup autostart are on the XROM disc.

'''printer ==== Printer ports<br>''' ====

*[[8bit Printer Ports|8 bit printer port]] 6128 Plus 6128plus using Amstrads CRTC solution

'''==== Drives<br>''' ====

*Atari ST 80 Track DS double-sided B-drive *[[Dobbertin|Dobbertin]] D-DOS Double drive. Up to four drives 80 track, doublesideddouble-sided.&nbsp;

*[[F1|Vortex disc drives FI-D, F1-S, M1-D, M1-S]]. Own FDC, up to four drives 80 track, doublesideddouble-sided.*[[F1|Vortex disc drives F1-X, M1-X]]. Up to 80 track, doublesideddouble-sided.

*[[HxC Floppy Emulator]] (firmware updated!On message "Disc is write protected" put a HFE in HxC or adjust its configuration)

'''==== Expansion cards<br>''' ====*[[Albireo]] (partial)*[[AMRAM2]] (combined EPROM and S-RAM card)*[[C4CPC]] Only the version for the 6128 Plusversion*[[CPC Booster]](+ ) and MiniBooster*[[M4 Board]] (partialRTC, ROM management)*[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]](partial)*[[SYMBiFACE III|SYMBiFACE III]] (partial)

'''==== Mass storage / Hard-disc''' discs ====*[[Dobbertin Harddisc|Dobbertin HD20]] (72 KB/s data transfer rate, four partitions of 5160 KB)*[[M4 Board]] (135 KB/s data transfer rate, SD card supported) ===== Hard-discs discontinued =====

'''==== Joysticks<br>''' ====

'''==== Memory expansions<br>''' ====* 4 MB expansion from Zaxon

*[[Campursoft ROM Board]] (DIY)*[[CPC4MB|Jareks 4 MB RAM expansion]] provides 4 MB RAM*[[D-ROM]]*[[Dk'tronics memory expansion|Dk'tronics]] 64-512 KB and compatibles (*[[Dobbertin Memory Expansion|Dobbertin]], [[Inicron RAM-Box|Inicron]], [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]], [[RAM BOX]])

*[[Inicron ROM-RAM-BoxBOX]]*[[CPC4MBSYMBiFACE II|Jareks 4 MB RAM expansionSYMBiFACE II]] up to 4 MB

'''CPC464 and CPC664 users can run FutureOS when using this RAM expansion:http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/open-source-diy-512kb-ram-expansion/msg163566/#msg163566 ==== Real-Time-Clocks''' ====*[[Dk'tronics Real Time ClockDobbertin Smart Watch]]and the version from dxs*[[Dobbertin Smart WatchLambdaSpeak III]] (at ROM select 15) and [[LambdaSpeak FS]]*[[M4 Board]]*[https://pulkomandy.github.io/shinra.github.io/nova.html Nova]

'''==== Sound and Music<br>''' ====*[[Amstrad SSA-1 Speech Synthesizer]]

*[[Dk'tronics Speech Synthesizer]]*[[FuturePlayer]] for MP3 samples up to 128 KBkbps (max. 4 MB in size)*[[LambdaSpeak]] (the MP3 module is fully supported)

'''==== Networking'''====*[[Amstrad Serial Interface]]

=== Additional HIDs (Hot Plug & Play compatible) ===

'''==== Mice<br>''' ====*[[Albireo|Albireo Mouse]]*[[Atari-ST mouse adapter|Atari ST mouse adapter]] ([[CPC Magazin|Schneider Magazin]]) *[[AMX Mouse|AMX_MouseAMX Mouse]] *, [[PS2Mouse|AMX PS/2 Mouse Adapter]]*[[CPC-Mousepack 2.0|CPC-Mousepack]] (Reisware) *[[GEOS mouse|GEOS mouse]] ([[Commodore 64|C64]]device)*[[Imperium Solo]]*[[MultiPlay]] one or both mouses (ACME)

'''==== Lightpens<br>''' ====*[[Dk'tronics Lightpen|Dk'tronics lightpen]] *[[Happy Computer Light Pen]] (DIY from german German magazine)

'''==== Graphic Tablets<br>''' ====*[[Grafpad II|Hegotron Grafpad II]]

*[[Grafpad II|Hegotron Grafpad II]]  '''==== Trackballs<br>''' ====*[[Atari-ST mouse adapter|Atari ST trackball adapter]] (Schneider Magazin)

The FutureOS ROMs already include several utilities as an addition to the operating system. Tools like copy (files or discs), format discs (data-, system-, ibm- and Vortex-format), erase files, rename files, type and print files, set alarm time, set time of RTC, verify discs or directory refreshing , display file-header etc. are available without the need to load them from an external medium.  Multiple files can be copied between different physical media and user numbers / directories in one go.

A small machine monitor is also provided. The [[FutureOS Monitor]] provides features like CPU register editing(all!), access to the I/O ports, memory dump and editing , and display and manipulation of the ASIC contents (6128 Plus). Memory blocks can be copied or initialisedinitialized. It is possible to call (and return from) a routine with defined CPU registers (complete register set) and memory.

The following programs can be&nbsp;downloaded&nbsp;at the FutureOS homepage, see Weblinks below.

*[[CBMGerelakos|CBMGerelakos]] (non resident OS [[RPG]] under construction) *[[H.E.R.O.]] by [[Flynn]]*[[Return of the Sisters|Return of the Sisters]] (a Giana Sisters Clone) WIP name "A tribute to the Sisters..." === Demos ===*[[Captain Future]] (4 MB movie that uses Jareks 4 MB expansion)

*[[FutureViewFutureTex|FutureViewFutureTex]] (disc mag) *[[Gerelakos|Gerelakos]] ([[RPG]] under constructiontext editor)

*[[Meg Ryan sample]] demoHD20 BackUp / Compare / Restore Tool for the Dobbertin HD20 hard disc (20 MB) - also using M4 SD card!*HD20 Emulation Image Selector (Tool for the SF3 Dobbertin HD20 hard disc emulation)

*[[NGC4650A]]*[[Odiesofts Snow]]*[[Return of the Sisters|Return of the Sisters]] (a Giana Sisters Clone) WIP name "A tribute to the Sisters..."*[[ROManager|ROManager]] (management of the [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] a variety of Flash- and Pseudo-ROMsROM cards)*[[Rotating Fractal]] (stand alone demo)*[[Star Trek sample demo]]

FutureOS is the longest running projects for the CPC6128 / 6128plus. It's development startet around 1989 and in 2023 we saw a new release.It's designed as an OS with fast system calls and support for nearly all CPC expansions. It has specialised file handling and memory management capabilities that support programs up to 4 MB and files up to 16 MB. SD cards are supported up to 32 GB. In addition FutureOS already contains lots of useful tools and utilities.The idea is that development of professional software, games, graphic tools, word processors, sound, management of big amounts of data, and programming languages are possible in this environment. At this point, the user can do all this, like listen to MP3 files, work with graphic, use and create C programs, watch movies, demos and play games (see weblinks).

-- Youtube Videos --*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5pELSnmnDM Installing FutureOS on a [[MegaFlash]]]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQfZsoN4wrU A Tribute to the Sisters Level 1]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5TTf68VDPk A Tribute to the Sisters Level 2]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?vDiscussion Forum ==srl5KJJpHJQ&feature=related Filmemacher / Moviemaker Demo 1]*[http://www.youtubecpcwiki.comeu/watch?v=BegY8i07iqA&feature=related Filmemacher forum/ Moviemaker Demo 2]*[http:programming//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIeUEqPZfutureos-04&feature=related Filmemacher corner/ Moviemaker Demo 3Discussions in English]*[http://www.youtubecpc-live.com/watch?v=RPyCKAttjEo Some fun with MacDeath's R-Type GFX]*[http:forum//wwwindex.youtube.comphp/watch?v=VtVYaQuDw5c Let it snow... let it snow... let it snow.board,5.0.html Diskussionen auf Deutsch]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPYBy-F-8s4&feature=related Playing an 8 bit Star Trek Sample on Digiblaster]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBK2_LBDl6Y Showing a 4 MB video on an Amstrad CPC using Jareks 4 MB expansion]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?vYoutube Videos ==MjllfqKZjyY Forth issue of FutureView IV]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF0SbEJEO0A Display the keyboard matrix of the CPC]*[http://www.There is a special youtubechannel for FutureOS, it provides different playlists for different topics related to this comprehensive OS.com/watch?v=pVPStMg5keU Showing the file-headers / icons of files on disc]*[httpPlease have a look here://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGkiMJbWfpk How to install a Wallpaper?]*[httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc1a_56lJgA Formatting batches of discs ultrafast using MMcR]*[http:user/realTFM/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vWZeZpNYjg Using RUNC framework to run Small C programs under playlists FutureOSPlaylists]

[[Category:4 MB RAM SoftwareSupport]]