Saturday, May 26, 2012

The New Commodore OS is Finally Here!

Actually, it came out last November, I just missed the party. Here is the release trailer, I thought it looked spiffy:


I posted previously about the New Commodore Company, which is releasing a New Commodore 64 and other Commodore-lookalike computers, that use conventional PC hardware on the inside. But the new Commodore Operating System, they promised, would bring back the "fun" in computing that the old Commodore Computers had.

I read somewhere that the new Commodore OS is based on Linux Mint 10. That's fine with me, Linux Mint is a great distro. The eye candy they've added is nice, and it looks like they have bundled it with lots of apps and software.

Introducing Commodore OS Vision
Commodore OS Vision is our customized GNU/Linux distribution for Commodore enthusiasts that is designed to unleash your creative potential and help you enjoy your computing experience to the fullest. Commodore computers were well known for their unique operating environments, so we seek to do the same, by providing a distinctive, attractive, advanced and fun operating system experience. Various themes are included, inspired by the Commodore 64 and various versions of the Commodore Amiga Workbench user environments, but with a modern spin, which includes many slick graphical effects which showcase the capabilities of our new Commodore machines.

Commodore OS Vision is not a derivative of the original AmigaOS developed for 68K microprocessor computers in the 1980's, but an entirely modern operating system based on GNU/Linux.

[...]

Pre-installed on all Commodore USA hardware, Commodore OS Vision comes pre-loaded with dozens of the latest and greatest productivity, creativity and entertainment software the open source world has to offer. Featuring dozens of exciting 3D games, the latest web browsing technology, a Microsoft Word compatible Office Suite, advanced graphical manipulation programs, 3D raytracing software, advanced software development tools and languages, photo and movie editing and sound and music composition programs, there is no task too big or too small for a Commodore or AMIGA computer to accomplish.

[...]

The Commodore OS Vision project was created as an operating system option for Commodore enthusiasts purchasing Commodore USA computers. It is but the first step on the path to creating the ultimate Commodore experience for our customers. This retro-futuristic OS experience takes design cues in its appearance from classic Commodore and Amiga operating systems and evolves them further to create a distinctive and modern 21st century look which adds personality to our new Commodore machines. The selection of software included also has a retro slant which would be familiar to many Commodore fans, making them feel at home. It features the latest iteration of the classic Gnome 2.x user interface, which many prefer for its simplicity, stability and straight forward access to applications.

Commodore OS Vision stands on the shoulders of giants, with a lineage that traces back to fantastic linux operating system distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu and Mint, which you might also be interested in installing on our machines. Commodore OS Vision auto-installs a graphical operating system boot menu facilitating this further, making your new Commodore machine a technology tinkerers delight. [...]

Wow. Follow the link for more details.

I love the retro-feel. It's still in Beta though. No phone support for it, although there is an online forum at commodore-amiga.org. They say the best is yet to come. I sure hope so.




Also see:

A thorough 12 minute tour/review on Youtube: Spatry's Cup of Linux

Here is it's listing on Distrowatch: Commodore OS Vision
     

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