Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

github.com

31–40 of 112 posts

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#31
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There seems to be an 8 meg image here: https://github.com/luke8086/gentleos32/releases/download/202...

Someone prepare a set of floppy disk images so you can get the proper installation experience.

Including the mandatory corruption on the last one.

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#33

A pre-build floppy disk image would be great, so I could run it on my IBM PS/1 from a floppy.

For PS/1 you'll need the 16-bit version from https://github.com/luke8086/gentleos. A floppy image is provided in releases. Note you only need to copy the first 64KB, the rest is just padding for emulators.

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#34
post #29
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“Vintage” 64 bit PC’s aren’t a thing. > Edit: I understand a motivation if it is on simplicity choosing one or the other, but other than that I don't see why that should ever be a goal worthy to be pursued. Software should really "just work" no matter the number of bits and bytes. Not really how software works.

The DEC 3000 would like to have a word with you.

It even has 64 bit "word" size!

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#35
post #14

> A hobby operating system for vintage 32-bit PCs. I am all in favour of great projects, but why a differentiation between 32-bits or 64-bits? I don't understand that. Is a computer that is 32 bit or 64 bit, either way which, not worthy? Edit: I understand a motivation if it is on simplicity choosing one or the other, but other than that I don't see why that should ever be a goal worthy to be pursued. Software should…

“Vintage” 64 bit PC’s aren’t a thing. > Edit: I understand a motivation if it is on simplicity choosing one or the other, but other than that I don't see why that should ever be a goal worthy to be pursued. Software should really "just work" no matter the number of bits and bytes. Not really how software works.

Itanium was released 25 years ago now...

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#37

> A hobby operating system for vintage 32-bit PCs. I am all in favour of great projects, but why a differentiation between 32-bits or 64-bits? I don't understand that. Is a computer that is 32 bit or 64 bit, either way which, not worthy? Edit: I understand a motivation if it is on simplicity choosing one or the other, but other than that I don't see why that should ever be a goal worthy to be pursued. Software should…

In this context, 32-bit means the minimal requirement. You can absolutely run even the 16-bit version on a 64-bit PC, provided it has BIOS/legacy-boot mode.

It only won't work on modern pure-UEFI systems because that would require writing full stack of USB drivers for keyboard and mouse, and that would be a huge task.

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#39
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“Vintage” 64 bit PC’s aren’t a thing. > Edit: I understand a motivation if it is on simplicity choosing one or the other, but other than that I don't see why that should ever be a goal worthy to be pursued. Software should really "just work" no matter the number of bits and bytes. Not really how software works.

Itanium was released 25 years ago now...

Whilst that’s definitely old in computer terms, even “retro”, is it old enough to be “vintage”?

Personally I’d have said it isn’t. But these terms are subjective.

Re: Show HN: GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs

#40

[flagged]

That video's bullshit. People prefer old UIs because modern ui is shit, not because they're not creative. Computer programs are tools. It doesnt do anyone any good if they're unusable in the name of chasing moronic trends.

I have a theory that corporations make new UIs to entertain people through them. First, to create the feeling that something is happening, and second, to increase screen time.

Old interfaces were far more practical for getting work done, and therefore obviously boring.

For me, as someone who is supposed to use technology as a tool and not as a source of amusement, the new interfaces of the major OSes feel unacceptable. But the other billion people chatting and scrolling are the real consumers, not me — and as a result, we now have the interfaces we have.

Post reply on HN