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{{short description|Operating system for personal computers}}
{{Short description|Operating system for personal computers}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox OS
{{Infobox OS
| name = BeOS
| name = BeOS
| logo = BeOS logo.svg
| logo = BeOS logo.svg
| screenshot = BeOS Desktop.png
| screenshot = BeOS Desktop.png
| caption = BeOS R5
| caption = BeOS R5
| developer = [[Be Inc.]]
| developer = [[Be Inc.]]
| programmed in = [[C++]]
| family = BeOS
| source_model = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| source_model = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|10}}
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|10|3}}
| latest release version = R5
| working_state = Discontinued
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2000|3|28}}
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osdata.com/oses/beos.htm|title=BeOS|access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref><ref>“BeOS’ kernel is ‘proprietary’. It uses its own kernel (small but not really micro-kernel because it includes the file system and a few other things).” —Hubert Figuière{{cn|date=August 2021}}</ref>
| working_state = Discontinued
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osdata.com/oses/beos.htm|title=BeOS|access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref>
| language = English, Japanese
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]], [[PowerPC]]
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]], [[PowerPC]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020329105917/http://www.beincorporated.com/ | title=beincorporated.com | date=March 29, 2002}} then used Windows Whistler real shutdown sound as Startup #2
| website = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20110804175137/http://www.beincorporated.com/}}
}}
}}
'''BeOS''' was an [[operating system]] for [[personal computer]]s first developed by [[Be Inc.]] in 1990.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Finley|first=Klint|date=2015-05-29|title=This OS Almost Made Apple an Entirely Different Company|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/os-almost-made-apple-entirely-different-company/|access-date=2020-07-01|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> It was first written to run on [[BeBox]] hardware.
'''BeOS''' is a discontinued [[operating system]] for [[personal computer]]s that was developed by [[Be Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Finley|first=Klint|date=May 29, 2015|title=This OS Almost Made Apple an Entirely Different Company|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/os-almost-made-apple-entirely-different-company/|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> It was conceived for the company's [[BeBox]] personal computer which was released in 1995. BeOS was designed for [[Computer multitasking|multitasking]], [[Multithreading (computer architecture)|multithreading]], and a [[graphical user interface]]. The OS was later sold to [[OEMs]], retail, and directly to users; its last version was released as [[freeware]].
BeOS was positioned as a multimedia platform that could be used by a substantial population of desktop users and a competitor to [[Classic Mac OS]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. It was ultimately unable to achieve a significant market share, and did not prove commercially viable for Be Inc. The company was acquired by [[Palm Inc.]] and today BeOS is mainly used and developed by a small population of enthusiasts.


Early BeOS releases are for [[PowerPC]]. It was ported to [[Macintosh]] and then [[x86]]. Be was ultimately unable to achieve a significant market share and ended development with dwindling finances, so [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]] acquired the BeOS assets in 2001. Enthusiasts have since created derivate operating systems including [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]], which retains BeOS 5 compatibility.
The open-source operating system [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]] is an open-source continuation of BeOS concepts.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Haiku |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/about |publisher=Haiku, Inc.}}</ref> Beta 1 of Haiku was released in September 2018, six years after Alpha 4.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Haiku Release 1 Beta 1|date=September 28, 2018|url=https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2018_09_28_haiku_r1_beta1/|work=Haiku-OS.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929134523/https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2018_09_28_haiku_r1_beta1/|archive-date=2018-09-29}}</ref> Beta 2 of Haiku was released in June 2020,<ref name=":1">{{Citation|title=Haiku Release 1 Beta 2|date=June 9, 2020|url=https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2020-06-09_haiku_r1_beta2/}}</ref> while Beta 3 was released about a year later in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Media Release: The Haiku Project Celebrates the Release of Beta 3|url=https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2021-07-26_media_release_the_haiku_project_celebrates_the_release_of_beta_3/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=Haiku Project|language=en}}</ref>. Windows Whistler.


== History ==
==Development==
BeOS is the product of former [[Apple Computer]]'s [[Jean-Louis Gassée]], with the underlying philosophy of building a "media OS" capable of up-and-coming digital media<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Technical White Paper: The Media OS |url=http://www.be.com/products/beos/mediaos.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525183525/http://www.be.com/products/beos/mediaos.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> and multi-processors. Development began in the early 1990s, initially designed to run on [[AT&T Hobbit]]-based hardware before being modified to run on [[PowerPC]]-based processors: first Be's own [[BeBox]] system, and later Apple Computer's [[PowerPC Reference Platform]] and [[Common Hardware Reference Platform]], with the hope that Apple would purchase or license BeOS as a replacement for its aging [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Tom |date=November 24, 2004 |title=BeOS @ MaCreate |url=http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node/view/149 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324220739/http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node%2Fview%2F149 |archive-date=March 24, 2005 |access-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref>


The first version of BeOS shipped with the BeBox to a limited number of developers in October 1995. It supported analog and digital audio and [[MIDI]] streams, multiple video sources, and 3D computation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Completes $14 million Financing |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-15_Financing.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525192033/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-15_Financing.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> Developer Release 6 (DR6) was the first officially available version.
Initially designed to run on [[AT&T Hobbit]]-based hardware, BeOS was later modified to run on [[PowerPC]]-based processors: first Be's own systems, later [[Apple Inc.]]'s [[PowerPC Reference Platform]] and [[Common Hardware Reference Platform]], with the hope that Apple would purchase or license BeOS as a replacement for its aging [[Classic Mac OS]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node/view/149 | title=BeOS @ MaCreate | date=2004-11-24 | author=Tom | access-date=2006-11-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324220739/http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node%2Fview%2F149 | archive-date=2005-03-24 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


The BeOS Developer Release 7 (DR7) was released in April 1996. This includes full 32-bit color graphics, "workspaces" ([[virtual desktops]]), an [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] file server, and a [[web server]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-02-18 |title=Be Releases BeOS Version DR7 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-17_DR7.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970218230625/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-17_DR7.html |archive-date=February 18, 1997 }}</ref>
Toward the end of 1996, Apple was still looking for a replacement to Copland in their operating system strategy. Amidst rumours of Apple's interest in purchasing BeOS, Be wanted to increase their user base, to try to convince software developers to write software for the operating system. Be courted Macintosh clone vendors to ship BeOS with their hardware.<ref>{{cite magazine
| magazine = [[Computerworld]]
| title = Mac clones may bundle BeOS
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BUaIcc6lsdwC&pg=PA12
| date = 9 September 1996
| first = Lisa
| last = Picarille
| volume = 30
| issue = 37
| page = 12
}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine
| magazine = [[InfoWorld]]
| title = BE links up with Mac clone
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HDoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11
| date = 2 December 1996
| first = Cara
| last = Cuningham
| volume = 18
| issue = 49
| page = 11
}}</ref>


DR8 was released in September 1996 with a new browser with [[MPEG]] and [[QuickTime]] video formats. It supports [[OpenGL]], [[Remote access software|remote access]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Announces BeOS Version DR8 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-05_DR8.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525193252/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-05_DR8.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> and [[Power Macintosh]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=1996-10-21 |title=Be Demonstrates BeOS for PowerMac |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-06_BePower.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961021003440/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-06_BePower.html |archive-date=October 21, 1996 }}</ref>
Apple CEO [[Gil Amelio]] started negotiations to buy Be Inc., but negotiations stalled when Be CEO [[Jean-Louis Gassée]] wanted $300 million;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tom|first1=Hormby|title=The Rise and Fall of Apple's Gil Amelio|url=http://lowendmac.com/2013/the-rise-and-fall-of-apples-gil-amelio/|website=Low End Mac|date=10 August 2013|publisher=Cobweb Publishing, Inc.|access-date=28 March 2015}}</ref> Apple was unwilling to offer any more than $125 million. Apple's board of directors decided [[NeXTSTEP]] was a better choice and purchased [[NeXT]] in 1996 for $429 million, bringing back Apple co-founder [[Steve Jobs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |title=Apple Confidential: The Day They Almost Decided To Put Windows NT On The Mac Instead Of OS X! |author=Owen W. Linzmayer |year=1999 |website=Mac Speed Zone |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624175316/http://www.macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |archive-date=2013-06-24 }}</ref>


In 1996, Apple Computer CEO [[Gil Amelio]] started negotiations to buy Be Inc., but stalled when Be CEO [[Jean-Louis Gassée]] wanted $300 million<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tom|first1=Hormby|title=The Rise and Fall of Apple's Gil Amelio|url=http://lowendmac.com/2013/the-rise-and-fall-of-apples-gil-amelio/|website=Low End Mac|date=August 10, 2013|publisher=Cobweb Publishing, Inc.|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> and Apple offered $125 million. Apple's board of directors preferred [[NeXTSTEP]] and purchased [[Steve Jobs]]'s [[NeXT]] instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |title=Apple Confidential: The Day They Almost Decided To Put Windows NT On The Mac Instead Of OS X! |author=Owen W. Linzmayer |year=1999 |website=Mac Speed Zone |access-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624175316/http://www.macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |archive-date=June 24, 2013 }}</ref>
In 1997, [[Power Computing]] began bundling BeOS (on a CD for optional installation) with its line of PowerPC-based [[Macintosh clone]]s. These systems could [[dual boot]] either the [[Classic Mac OS]] or BeOS, with a start-up screen offering the choice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 1: 1995-1996 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1996 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc. |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217020944/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |archive-date=2010-12-17 }}</ref> [[Motorola]] also announced in February 1997 that it would bundle BeOS with their Macintosh clones, the [[Motorola StarMax]], along with MacOS.<ref>{{cite magazine
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=q60iT-ThpgMC&pg=PT11
| magazine = [[Computerworld]]
| title = Motorola snubs NT, picks BeOS for its Mac clones
| first = Lisa
| last = Picarille
| date = 24 February 1997
| page = 12
| volume = 31
| issue = 8
}}</ref>


The final developer's release introduced a 64-bit [[file system]]. BeOS Preview Release (PR1), the first for the general public, was released in mid 1997. It supports [[AppleTalk]], [[PostScript]] printing, and [[Unicode]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Releases BeOS Preview Release To Developers |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-05-10_AdvancedAccess.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525192506/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-05-10_AdvancedAccess.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> The price for the Full Pack was $49.95. Later that year, Preview Release 2 shipped with support for Macintosh's [[Hierarchical File System (Apple)|Hierarchical File System (HFS)]], support for 512MB RAM, and improvements to the user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-10-22 |title=Be Ships BeOS Preview Release 2 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-10-07_Preview2Ship.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971022013950/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-10-07_Preview2Ship.html |archive-date=October 22, 1997 }}</ref>
Due to Apple's moves and the mounting debt of Be Inc., BeOS was soon ported to the [[x86|Intel x86]] platform with its R3 release in March 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 3: 1998 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1998 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc. |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722115320/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |archive-date=2013-07-22 }}</ref> Through the late 1990s, BeOS managed to create a niche of followers, but the company failed to remain viable. Be Inc. also released a stripped-down, but free, copy of [[BeOS R5]] known as BeOS Personal Edition (BeOS PE). BeOS PE could be started from within [[Microsoft Windows]] or [[Linux]], and was intended to nurture consumer interest in its product and give developers something to tinker with.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc. |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217034633/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |archive-date=2010-12-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yellowbites.com/beos.html |title=BeOS/Zeta |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=YellowBites |publisher=YellowBites |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127165851/http://yellowbites.com/beos.html |archive-date=2013-11-27 }}</ref> Be Inc. also released a stripped-down version of BeOS for Internet Appliances ([[BeIA]]), which soon became the company's business focus in place of BeOS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc. |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722101638/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |archive-date=2013-07-22 }}</ref>


Release 3 (R3) shipped in March 1998 (initially $69.95, later $99.95), as the first to be ported to the [[Intel]] [[x86]] platform in addition to PowerPC, and the first commercially available version of BeOS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ATPM 4.09 - Review: BeOS Release 3 |url=http://www.atpm.com/4.09/page12.shtml |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.atpm.com}}</ref> The adoption of x86 was partly due to Apple's moves, with Steve Jobs stopping the Macintosh clone market,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-02-26 |title=Be boss offers OS to OEMs for free |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/2944.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |publisher=The Register|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020221230648/http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/2944.html |archive-date=February 21, 2002 }}</ref> and Be's mounting debt.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1998 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 3: 1998 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722115320/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref>
In 2001 Be's copyrights were sold to [[Palm, Inc.]] for some $11 million. BeOS R5 is considered the last official version, but BeOS R5.1 "[[Dano (BeOS)|Dano]]", which was under development before Be's sale to Palm and included the [[BeOS Networking Environment]] (BONE) networking stack, was leaked to the public shortly after the company's demise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5 : 2000 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722105220/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |archive-date=2013-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |title=More Information on the BeOS Dano Version |author=Jake Daniels |date=23 January 2001 |website=OSNews |publisher=OSNews |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090430/http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |archive-date=2014-03-14 }}</ref>


BeOS Release 4 has a claimed performance improvement of up to 30 percent. Keyboard shortcuts were changed to mimic those of Windows<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-04-27 |title=Be, Inc. Unveils BeOS Release 4 at COMDEX Fall 98 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_beosr4.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990427064350/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_beosr4.html |archive-date=April 27, 1999 }}</ref> However it still lacks [[Novell NetWare]] support.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=January 25, 1999 |title=A desktop alternative |url=https://www.forbes.com/1999/01/25/feat.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> It also brought additional drivers and support for the most common [[SCSI]] controllers on the x86 platform - from Adaptec and Symbios Logic. The bootloader switched from [[LILO (bootloader)|LILO]] to Be's own bootman.
In 2002, Be Inc. sued [[Microsoft]] claiming that [[Hitachi]] had been dissuaded from selling PCs loaded with BeOS, and that [[Compaq]] had been pressured not to market an Internet appliance in partnership with Be. Be also claimed that Microsoft acted to artificially depress Be Inc.'s [[initial public offering]] (IPO).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/02/20/be_inc_sues_microsoft/ | title=Be Inc. sues Microsoft | date=2002-02-20 | author=Andrew Orlowski| website=[[The Register]] | access-date=2008-04-24| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080420193929/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/02/20/be_inc_sues_microsoft/| archive-date= 20 April 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The case was eventually settled out of court for $23.25 million with no admission of liability on Microsoft's part.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/ | title=Microsoft Settles Anti-Trust Charges with Be | date=2003-09-08 | author=Mark Berniker| access-date=2008-04-24| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109045719/http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/| archive-date=2013-11-09}}</ref>


In 2000, BeOS Release 5 (R5) was released. This is split between a Pro Edition, and a free version known as Personal Edition (BeOS PE) which was released for free online and by CD-ROM.<ref name=":7"/> BeOS PE can be booted from within Windows or [[Linux]], and was intended as a consumer and developer preview.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217034633/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=BeOS/Zeta |url=http://www.yellowbites.com/beos.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127165851/http://yellowbites.com/beos.html |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=YellowBites}}</ref> Also with R5, Be [[open source]]d elements of the user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-04-12 |title=Be Opens Source Code to Desktop Interface of BeOS 5 |url=http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-03-27_open.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010412102646/http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-03-27_open.html |archive-date=April 12, 2001 }}</ref> Be CEO Gassée said in 2001 that he was open to the idea of releasing the entire operating system's source code,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-02-03 |title=Be getting ready to open source BeOS? |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/17975.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |publisher=[[The Register]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020203000829/http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/17975.html |archive-date=February 3, 2002 }}</ref> but this never materialized.
After the split from Palm, [[PalmSource]] used parts of BeOS's multimedia framework for its failed [[Palm OS#Palm OS Cobalt|Palm OS Cobalt]] product.<ref>[http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html PalmSource Introduces Palm OS Cobalt], PalmSource press release, 10 February 2004. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721033812/http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html |date=July 21, 2012 }}</ref> With the takeover of PalmSource, the BeOS rights now belong to [[Access Co.]]<ref>[http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html ACCESS Completes Acquisition of PalmSource], ACCESS press release, November 14, 2005. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105165010/http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html |date=January 5, 2007 }}</ref>


Release 5 raised BeOS's popularity<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2000-08-15 |title=Be Goes Platinum with BeOS 5 |url=http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-05-09_platinum.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815093516/http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-05-09_platinum.html |archive-date=August 15, 2000 }}</ref> but it remained commercially unsuccessful, and BeOS eventually halted following the introduction of a stripped-down version for [[Internet appliance]]s, [[BeIA]], which became the company's business focus in place of BeOS.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722101638/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref> R5 is the final official release of BeOS as Be Inc. became defunct in 2001 following its sale to [[Palm Inc.]] A BeOS R5.1 "Dano", which was under development before Be's sale to Palm and includes the BeOS Networking Environment (BONE) networking stack,<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5 : 2000 |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722105220/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc}}</ref> was leaked to the public shortly after the company's close.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jake Daniels |date=January 23, 2002 |title=More Information on the BeOS Dano Version |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090430/http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=OSNews}}</ref>
=== Continuation and clones ===
[[File:BeOS family.svg|thumb|Family tree of BeOS and related operating systems.]]
In the years that followed the demise of Be Inc. a handful of projects formed to recreate BeOS or key elements of the OS with the eventual goal of then continuing where Be Inc. left off. This was facilitated by Be Inc. having released some components of BeOS under a free licence. Such projects include:


=== Version history table ===
* BlueEyedOS: It uses a modified version of the Linux kernel and reimplements the BeOS API over it (BeOS applications need to be recompiled). It is freely downloadable, but sources were never published. There have been no releases since 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blueeyedos.com/ |title=Welcome to BlueEyedOS |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 June 2003 |website=BlueEyedOS |publisher=BlueEyedOS |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407132603/http://www.blueeyedos.com/ |archive-date=2014-04-07 }}</ref>
* Cosmoe: A port of the Haiku userland over a Linux kernel. BeOS applications need to be recompiled. It is free and open source software. The last release was in 2004 and its website is no longer online.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cosmoe.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602144005/http://www.cosmoe.com/ |archive-date=2011-06-02 |title=The Cosmoe Operating System |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 June 2011 |website=Internet Archive |publisher=Cosmoe |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref>
* E/OS: short for Emulator Operating System. A Linux and [[FreeBSD]]-based operating system that aimed to run [[Windows]], [[DOS]], [[AmigaOS]] and BeOS applications. It is free and open source software.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreecountry.com/operating-systems/beos.shtml |title=Free BeOS and BeOS Clones |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 November 2009 |website=The Free Country |publisher=The Free Country |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> Active development ended in July 2008.
* [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]]: A complete reimplementation of BeOS not based on Linux. Unlike Cosmoe and BlueEyedOS, it is directly compatible with BeOS applications. It is open source software. The first alpha release, "Haiku R1 / Alpha 1", was released on September 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2009-09-13_haiku_project_announces_availability_haiku_r1alpha_1|title=Haiku Project Announces Availability of Haiku R1/Alpha 1|date=2009-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221080301/https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2009-09-13_haiku_project_announces_availability_haiku_r1alpha_1|archive-date=2013-12-21}}</ref> The second alpha release, "Haiku R1 / Alpha 2", was made available on May 9, 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2010-05-10_haiku_project_announces_availability_haiku_r1alpha_2|title=Haiku Project Announces Availability of Haiku R1/Alpha 2|date=2010-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090249/http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2010-05-10_haiku_project_announces_availability_haiku_r1alpha_2|archive-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> and the third alpha release, "Haiku R1 / Alpha 3", on June 18, 2011.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2011-06-18_haiku_release_1_alpha_3 |title=Haiku Release 1 Alpha 3 |date=June 18, 2011 |work=Haiku-OS.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623133528/http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2011-06-18_haiku_release_1_alpha_3 |archive-date=2011-06-23 }}</ref> "Haiku R1 / Alpha 4" was released November 12, 2012.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/news/2012-11-12_haiku_release_1_alpha_4 |title=Haiku Release 1 Alpha 4|date=November 12, 2011| work=Haiku-OS.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222225116/https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2012-11-12_haiku_release_1_alpha_4|archive-date=2013-12-22}}</ref> As of 2020, it is the only BeOS clone still under development, with the first beta version released on September 28, 2018,<ref name=":0" /> the second beta version released on June 9, 2020,<ref name=":1" /> and the third beta version released on July 26, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Media Release: The Haiku Project Celebrates the Release of Beta 3|url=https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2021-07-26_media_release_the_haiku_project_celebrates_the_release_of_beta_3/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Haiku Project|language=en}}</ref>

[[Magnussoft ZETA|Zeta]] was a commercially available operating system based on the BeOS R5.1 codebase. Originally developed by [[yellowTAB]], the operating system was then distributed by [[magnussoft]]. During development by yellowTAB, the company received criticism from the BeOS community for refusing to discuss its legal position with regard to the BeOS codebase (perhaps for contractual reasons). [[Access Co.]] (which bought [[PalmSource]], until then the holder of the intellectual property associated with BeOS) has since declared that yellowTAB had no right to distribute a modified version of BeOS, and magnussoft has ceased distribution of the operating system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |title=Zeta Operating System |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 October 2013 |website=Operating System.org |publisher=Operating System.org |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314085635/http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |archive-date=2014-03-14 }}</ref>

=== Version history ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Release
!Date
!Hardware
|-
|-
! Release
|''Developer Release 4''
|[[Prototype]]
! Date
|[[AT&T Hobbit]]
! Hardware
|-
|-
|Developer Release 5
| DR1–DR5
| October 1995
|October 1995
| rowspan="7" |[[PowerPC]]
| [[AT&T Hobbit]]
|-
|-
|Developer Release 6
| DR6 (developer release)
| January 1996
|January 1996
| rowspan=6 | [[PowerPC]]
|-
|-
|Developer Release 7
| DR7
| April 1996
|April 1996
|-
|-
|Developer Release 8
| DR8
| September 1996
|September 1996
|-
|-
|Developer Release 9
| Advanced Access Preview Release
(Advanced Access Preview Release)
| May 1997
|May 1997
|-
|-
|Preview Release 1
| PR1 (preview release)
| June 1997
|June 1997
|-
|-
|Preview Release 2
| PR2
| October 1997
|October 1997
|-
|-
|'''Release 3'''
| R3
| March 1998
|March 1998
| rowspan=6 | [[PowerPC]] and [[x86|Intel x86]]
| rowspan="6" |[[PowerPC]] and [[X86|Intel x86]]
|-
|-
| R3.1
|R3.1
| June 1998
|June 1998
|-
|-
| R3.2
|R3.2
| July 1998
|July 1998
|-
|-
|'''Release 4'''
| R4
| November 4, 1998
|November 4, 1998
|-
|-
| R4.5 ("Genki")
|R4.5 ("Genki")
| June 1999
|June 1999
|-
|-
| [[BeOS R5|R5 PE/Pro ("Maui")]]
|'''Release 5''' ("Maui")
Personal Edition/Pro Edition
| March 2000
|March 2000
|-
|-
| [[Dano (BeOS)|R5.1 ("Dano")]]
|''R5.1 ("Dano")''
|[[Leaked source code|Leaked]]
| November 2001
| [[x86|Intel x86]]
|[[X86|Intel x86]]
|}
|}


==Hardware support and licensees==
== Features ==
After the discontinuation of the BeBox in January 1997, [[Power Computing]] began bundling BeOS (on a CD-ROM for optional installation) with its line of PowerPC-based [[Macintosh clone]]s. These systems can [[dual boot]] either [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] or BeOS, with a start-up screen offering the choice.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1996 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 1: 1995-1996 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217020944/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref> [[Motorola]] also announced in February 1997 that it would bundle BeOS with their Macintosh clones, the [[Motorola StarMax]], along with MacOS.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Picarille |first=Lisa |date=February 24, 1997 |title=Motorola snubs NT, picks BeOS for its Mac clones |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q60iT-ThpgMC&pg=PT11 |magazine=[[Computerworld]] |volume=31 |issue=8 |page=12}}</ref> [[DayStar Digital]] was another licensee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-02-18 |title=Be Announces BeOS Support for New Multiprocessor Systems |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-01-07_PowerMPDemo.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970218184150/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-01-07_PowerMPDemo.html |archive-date=February 18, 1997 }}</ref>
{{See also|List of BeOS applications}}

{{Expand section|date=July 2020}}
BeOS is compatible with many Macintosh models except [[PowerBook]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-01-27 |title=BeOS Ready Systems -- PowerPC |url=http://www.be.com/support/guides/beosreadylist_ppc.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990127234413/http://www.be.com/support/guides/beosreadylist_ppc.html |archive-date=January 27, 1999 }}</ref>

With BeOS Release 3 on the x86 platform, the operating system is compatible with most computers that run Windows. [[Hitachi]] is the first major x86 OEM to ship BeOS, selling the [[Hitachi Flora Prius]] line in Japan, and [[Fujitsu]] released the Silverline computers in Germany and the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] countries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lea |first=Graham |date=July 8, 1999 |title=Success expected for Be IPO |url=https://www.theregister.com/1999/07/08/success_expected_for_be_ipo/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> Be was unable to attract further manufacturers due to their [[Microsoft]] contracts. Be closed in 2002, and sued Microsoft, claiming that Hitachi had been dissuaded from selling PCs loaded with BeOS. The case was eventually settled out of court for $23.25 million with no admission of liability on Microsoft's part.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Berniker |date=September 8, 2003 |title=Microsoft Settles Anti-Trust Charges with Be |url=http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109045719/http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/ |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=April 24, 2008}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:beostru.PNG|thumb|The BeOS architecture]]
BeOS was developed as an original product, with a proprietary [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], [[symmetric multiprocessing]], [[preemptive multitasking]], and pervasive [[Multithreading (computer architecture)|multithreading]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.gbnet.net/public/be/acrobat/AboutBe.pdf|title=Company Backgrounder|website=gbnet.net|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> It runs in [[protected memory]] mode, with a [[C++]] application framework based on shared libraries and modular code.<ref name=":4" /> Be initially offered [[CodeWarrior]] for application development,<ref name=":1" /> and later [[EGCS]].

Its [[API]] is [[object oriented]]. The user interface was largely multithreaded: each window ran in its own thread, relying heavily on sending messages to communicate between threads; and these concepts are reflected into the API.<ref name="openbox">{{cite magazine |last1=Potrebic |first1=Peter |last2=Horowitz |first2=Steve |date=January 1996 |title=Opening the BeBox |url=https://archive.org/details/eu_MacTech-1996-01_OCR/page/n26/mode/2up |magazine=[[MacTech]] |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=25–45}}</ref>

BeOS uses modern hardware facilities such as modular I/O bandwidth, a multithreaded graphics engine (with the [[OpenGL]] library), and a [[64-bit]] [[journaling file system]] named [[Be File System|BFS]] supporting files up to one [[terabyte]] each.<ref name=":3" /> BeOS has partial [[POSIX]] compatibility and a [[command-line interface]] through [[Bash (Unix shell)|Bash]], although internally it is not a [[Unix]]-derived operating system. Many Unix applications were ported to the BeOS command-line interface.<ref>[[#Brown-1998|Brown (1998)]]</ref>

BeOS uses [[Unicode]] as the default GUI encoding, and support for input methods such as [[bidirectional text]] input was never realized.

==Applications==
BeOS is bundled with a unique [[web browser]] named NetPositive,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ars Technica: Browsin' on BeOS - Page 1 - (9/99) |url=https://archive.arstechnica.com/reviews/4q99/bebrow/bebrow-1.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=archive.arstechnica.com}}</ref> the BeMail [[email client]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ars Technica: E-Mail on the BeOS - Page 1 - (8/99) |url=https://archive.arstechnica.com/reviews/3q99/bemail/bemail-1.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=archive.arstechnica.com}}</ref> and the BePoor [[web server]]. Be operated the marketplace site BeDepot for the purchase and downloading of software including third party, and a website named BeWare listing apps for the platform. Some third party BeOS apps include the [[Gobe Productive]] office suite,<ref name=":3" /> the [[Mozilla]] project,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=CBR Staff |date=1998-07-16 |title=BEZILLA FREE BROWSER FOR BEOS ON TRACK |url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/bezilla_free_browser_for_beos_on_track |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Tech Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bezilla: Mozilla for BeOS |url=https://www-archive.mozilla.org/ports/beos/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www-archive.mozilla.org}}</ref> and multimedia apps like [[Cinema 4D]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CINEMA 4D goes BeOS |url=http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_maxon.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=testou.free.fr}}</ref> [[Quake (video game)|''Quake'']] and ''[[Quake II]]'' were officially ported, and ''[[SimCity 3000]]'' was in development.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2000-01-10 |title=To Be Or Not To Be |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/beos |access-date=2023-11-24}}</ref>

==Reception==
Be did not disclose the number of BeOS users, but it was estimated to be running on between 50,000 and 100,000 computers in 1999,<ref name=":0" /> and Release 5 reportedly had over one million downloads.<ref name=":7" /> For a time it was viewed as a viable competitor to [[classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], but its status as the "alternative operating system" was quickly surpassed by [[Linux]] by 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Should you be in on Be Inc.'s IPO? |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/should-you-be-in-on-be-inc-039s-ipo/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>


Reception of the operating system was largely positive citing its true and "reliable" multitasking and support for multiple processors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN - Meet the challengers to Windows' throne - June 12, 1998 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9806/12/upstarts.idg/index.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref> Though its market penetration was low, it gained a niche [[multimedia]] userbase<ref name=":0" /> and acceptance by the audio community. Consequently it was styled as a "media OS"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |title=A Silicon Valley funeral for Be Inc |url=https://www.theregister.com/2002/01/17/a_silicon_valley_funeral/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> due to its well-regarded ability to handle audio and video.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Writer |first=Henry Norr, Chronicle Staff |date=2000-03-28 |title=Be Inc. Tries 'Open Source' System Version |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/be-inc-tries-open-source-system-version-2791911.php |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> BeOS received significant interest in Japan,<ref name=":5" /> and was also appealing to [[Amiga]] developers and users, who were looking for a newer platform.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/CUAmigaIssue101Jul98/page/n27 |title=CU Amiga |publication-date=July 1998 |issue=101}}</ref>
BeOS was built for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as [[symmetric multiprocessing]] by utilizing modular I/O bandwidth, pervasive multithreading, [[preemptive multitasking]] and a [[64-bit]] [[journaling file system]] known as [[Be File System|BFS]]. The BeOS GUI was developed on the principles of clarity and a clean, uncluttered design.


BeOS and its successors have been used in media appliances, such as the Edirol DV-7 video editors from [[Roland Corporation]], which run on a modified BeOS<ref>{{cite web |title=EDIROL by Roland DV-7DL Series Digital Video Workstations |url=http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110070209/http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |access-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref> and the Tunetracker Radio Automation software that used to run it on BeOS<ref>{{cite web |last=Hacker |first=Scott |date=May 21, 2001 |title=BeOS And Radio Automation |url=http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011122020105/http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/ |archive-date=November 22, 2001 |access-date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=Byte.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vernon |first=Tom |date=June 4, 2002 |title=TuneTracker 2 Brings Automation to All |url=https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/tunetracker-2-brings-automation-to-all |magazine=Radio World |access-date=February 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 2005 |title=Station to station |magazine=Computer Music |publisher=Future plc |issue=82 |pages=68–73 |issn=1463-6875}}</ref> and [[Magnussoft ZETA|Zeta]], and it was also sold as a "Station-in-a-Box" with the Zeta operating system included.<ref>{{cite web |title=TuneTracker Radio Automation Software |url=http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114113220/http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html |archive-date=November 14, 2006 |access-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref> In 2015, Tunetracker released a [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]] distribution bundled with its broadcasting software.<ref>{{cite web |last=Förster |first=Moritz |date=March 17, 2015 |title=Alternative Betriebssysteme: Haiku als USB-Distribution |url=https://www.heise.de/ix/meldung/Alternative-Betriebssysteme-Haiku-als-USB-Distribution-2576692.html |access-date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=iX Magazin |language=de}}</ref>
The [[API]] was written in [[C++]] for ease of programming. The GUI was largely multithreaded: each window ran in its own thread, relying heavily on sending messages to communicate between threads; and these concepts are reflected into the API.<ref name=openbox>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[MacTech]] |title=Opening the BeBox |url=https://archive.org/details/eu_MacTech-1996-01_OCR/page/n26/mode/2up |date=January 1996 |page=25-45 |first1=Peter |last1=Potrebic |first2=Steve |last2=Horowitz |volume=12 |issue=1}}</ref>


==Legacy==
It has partial [[POSIX]] compatibility and access to a [[command-line interface]] through [[Bash (Unix shell)|Bash]], although internally it is not a [[Unix]]-derived operating system. Many [[Unix]] applications were ported to the BeOS [[command-line interface]].<ref>[[#Brown-1998|Brown (1998)]]</ref>
The Tascam SX-1 digital audio recorder runs a heavily modified version of BeOS that will only launch the recording interface software.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 6, 2011 |title=Professional Audio Coming to Haiku? |url=http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001075206/http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haikuware}}</ref> The [[RADAR (audio recorder)|RADAR 24, RADAR V and RADAR 6]], hard disk-based, 24-track professional audio recorders from iZ Technology Corporation were based on BeOS 5.<ref>{{cite web |title=iZ RADAR 24 |url=http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227175204/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/ |archive-date=December 27, 2006 |access-date=December 27, 2006}}</ref> Magicbox, a manufacturer of signage and broadcast display machines, uses BeOS to power their Aavelin product line.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jay Ankeney |date=May 1, 2006 |title=Technology Showcase: Digital Signage Hardware |url=http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204210751/http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |publisher=Digital Content Producer}}</ref> [[Final Scratch]], a 12-inch vinyl timecode record-driven DJ software and hardware system, was first developed on BeOS. The "ProFS" version was sold to a few dozen DJs prior to the 1.0 release, which ran on a Linux virtual partition.<ref>{{cite web |author=Peter Kirn |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Ni Ends Legal Dispute Over Traktor Scratch; Digital Vinyl's Twisty, Turny History |url=http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090055/http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Create Digital Music}}</ref>


===Spiritual successors===
BeOS used [[Unicode]] as the default encoding in the GUI, though support for input methods such as [[bidirectional text]] input was never realized.
[[File:BeOS family.svg|thumb|Family tree of BeOS and related operating systems]]
After BeOS came to an end, Palm created [[PalmSource]] which used parts of BeOS's multimedia framework for its failed [[Palm OS#Palm OS Cobalt|Palm OS Cobalt]] product<ref>[http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html PalmSource Introduces Palm OS Cobalt], PalmSource press release, February 10, 2004. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721033812/http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html|date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> (with the takeover of PalmSource, the BeOS rights were assigned to [[Access Co.]]<ref>[http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html ACCESS Completes Acquisition of PalmSource], ACCESS press release, November 14, 2005. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105165010/http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html|date=January 5, 2007}}</ref>). However, Palm refused the request of BeOS users to license the operating system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |title=Palm scuppers BeOS co-op hopes |url=https://www.theregister.com/2002/01/15/palm_scuppers_beos_coop_hopes/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> As a result, a few projects formed to recreate BeOS or its key elements with the eventual goal of then continuing where Be Inc. quit.


BeUnited, a BeOS oriented community, converted itself into a [[nonprofit organization]] in August 2001<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-06 |title=BeUnited - A global initiative aimed at professionally developing and marketing the BeOS |url=http://www.beunited.org/index.php?about |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020206051436/http://www.beunited.org/index.php?about |archive-date=February 6, 2002 }}</ref> to "define and promote open specifications for the delivery of the Open Standards BeOS-compatible Operating System (OSBOS) platform".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-04-08 |title=beunited.org - Open Standards BeOS-compatible Operating Systems |url=http://www.beunited.org/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050408051038/http://www.beunited.org/ |archive-date=April 8, 2005 }}</ref>
== Products using BeOS ==
BeOS (and now Zeta) continue to be used in media appliances, such as the Edirol DV-7 video editors from [[Roland Corporation]], which run on top of a modified BeOS<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html | title=EDIROL by Roland DV-7DL Series Digital Video Workstations | access-date=2006-11-16 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061110070209/http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html |archive-date = 2006-11-10}}</ref> and the Tunetracker Radio Automation software that used to run it on BeOS<ref>{{cite web |last=Hacker|first=Scott|url=http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/|title=BeOS And Radio Automation|publisher=Byte.com|date=21 May 2001|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011122020105/http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/|archive-date=22 November 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vernon|first=Tom|url=https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/tunetracker-2-brings-automation-to-all|title=TuneTracker 2 Brings Automation to All|magazine=Radio World|date=4 June 2002|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 2005 |title=Station to station|magazine=Computer Music |publisher=Future plc|issn=1463-6875|issue=82|pages=68–73}}</ref> and Zeta, and it was also sold as a "Station-in-a-Box" with the Zeta operating system included.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html | title=TuneTracker Radio Automation Software | access-date=2006-12-09| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061114113220/http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html| archive-date= 14 November 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 2015, Tunetracker released a Haiku distribution bundled with its broadcasting software.<ref>{{cite web |last=Förster|first=Moritz|url=https://www.heise.de/ix/meldung/Alternative-Betriebssysteme-Haiku-als-USB-Distribution-2576692.html|title=Alternative Betriebssysteme: Haiku als USB-Distribution |publisher=iX Magazin|language=de|date=17 March 2015|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>


====ZETA====
The Tascam SX-1 digital audio recorder runs a heavily modified version of BeOS that will only launch the recording interface software.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |title=Professional Audio Coming to Haiku? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 September 2011 |website=Haikuware |publisher=Haikuware |access-date=18 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001075206/http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |archive-date=2011-10-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Immediately after Palm's purchase of Be, a German company named [[yellowTAB]] started developing [[Magnussoft ZETA|Zeta]] based on the BeOS R5.1 codebase and released it commercially. It was later distributed by [[magnussoft]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Bradford Morgan |title='Be' is nice. End of story. |url=https://www.abortretry.fail/p/be-is-nice-end-of-story |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.abortretry.fail |language=en}}</ref> During development by yellowTAB, the company received criticism from the BeOS community for refusing to discuss its legal position with regard to the BeOS codebase. [[Access Co.]] (which bought [[PalmSource]], until then the holder of the intellectual property associated with BeOS) declared that yellowTAB had no right to distribute a modified version of BeOS, and magnussoft was forced to cease distribution of the operating system in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Zeta Operating System |url=http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314085635/http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Operating System.org}}</ref>


====Haiku (OpenBeOS)====
The [[RADAR (audio recorder)|RADAR 24, RADAR V and RADAR 6]], hard disk-based, 24-track professional audio recorders from iZ Technology Corporation were based on BeOS 5.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/| title= iZ RADAR 24| access-date= 2006-12-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061227175204/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/| archive-date= 2006-12-27| url-status= dead}}</ref>
[[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]] is a complete [[open source]] reimplementation of BeOS. It was originally named OpenBeOS and its first release in 2002 was a community update.<ref name=":6" /> Unlike Cosmoe and BlueEyedOS, it is directly compatible with BeOS applications. It is open source software. As of 2022, it was the only BeOS clone still under development, with the fourth beta in December 2022 still keeping BeOS 5 compatibility in its x86 32-bit images, with an increased number of ported modern drivers and [[GTK]] apps.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=R1/beta4 – Release Notes |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/get-haiku/r1beta4/release-notes/ |access-date=December 24, 2022 |website=Haiku Project |language=en}}</ref>


====Others====
Magicbox, a manufacturer of signage and broadcast display machines, uses BeOS to power their [[Aavelin]] product line.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ | title=Technology Showcase: Digital Signage Hardware | author=Jay Ankeney | date=2006-05-01 | publisher=Digital Content Producer | access-date=2006-12-09| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204210751/http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ | archive-date=2012-02-04 }}</ref>
[[File:Cosmoe screenshot2.png|thumb|Screenshot of an early version of Cosmoe]]
BlueEyedOS tried to create a system under [[LGPL]] based on the [[Linux]] kernel and an [[X Window System#Software architecture|X server]] that is compatible with BeOS. Work began under the name BlueOS in 2001 and a demo CD was released in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueEyedOS Demo/Test CD Now Available – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/3313/blueeyedos-demotest-cd-now-available/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> The project was discontinued in February 2005.


Cosmoe, with an interface like BeOS, was designed by Bill Hayden as an open source operating system based on the source code of [[AtheOS]], but using the [[Linux kernel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Cosmoe's Bill Hayden – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/1075/interview-with-cosmoes-bill-hayden/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-02 |title=IsComputerOn - Contact with Bill. (updated) |url=http://joomla.iscomputeron.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=927 |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202134456/http://joomla.iscomputeron.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=927 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosmoe Developer Seeks Successor – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/16634/cosmoe-developer-seeks-successor/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> ZevenOS was designed to continue where Cosmoe left off.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZevenOS - Does it recapture the flavor of BeOS? {{!}} Linux Journal |url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/zevenos-does-it-recapture-flavor-beos |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.linuxjournal.com}}</ref>
[[Final Scratch]], a 12-inch vinyl timecode record-driven DJ software/hardware system, was first developed on BeOS. The "ProFS" version was sold to a few dozen DJs prior to the 1.0 release, which ran on a Linux virtual partition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |title=Ni Ends Legal Dispute Over Traktor Scratch; Digital Vinyl's Twisty, Turny History |author=Peter Kirn |date=28 April 2008 |website=Create Digital Music |publisher=Create Digital Music |access-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090055/http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |archive-date=2014-03-14 }}</ref>


BeFree started in 2003, initially developed under [[FreeBSD]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BeFree 0.1.0 Released – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/3579/befree-010-released/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> and later [[Linux kernel|Linux]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-12-03 |title=About BeFree |url=http://befree.berlios.de/about.php |access-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031203151211/http://befree.berlios.de/about.php |archive-date=December 3, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-08-13 |title=BeFree |url=http://befree.sourceforge.net/about.php |access-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813094426/http://befree.sourceforge.net/about.php |archive-date=August 13, 2004 }}</ref>
== See also ==


==See also==
* [[Access Co.]]
* [[Access Co.]]
* [[BeIA]]
* [[BeIA]]
* [[bootman]]
* [[Comparison of operating systems]]
* [[Comparison of operating systems]]
* [[Gobe Productive]]
* [[Gobe Productive]]
* [[Hitachi Flora Prius]]
* [[Hitachi Flora Prius]]
* [[KDL]]
* [[NetPositive]]
* [[OpenTracker]]
* [[Pe (text editor)|Pe]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{wikicite | ref=Brown-1998 |reference={{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Martin C.|title=BeOS: Porting UNIX Applications|year=1998|publisher=[[Morgan Kaufmann]]|isbn=978-1558605329}} }}
* {{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Martin C.|title=BeOS: Porting UNIX Applications|year=1998|publisher=[[Morgan Kaufmann]]|isbn=978-1558605329}}
* {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/MacUser9701January1997/page/n67/mode/2up |magazine=[[MacUser (US edition)|MacUser]] |page=64-72 |date=January 1997 |volume=13 |issue=1 |title=Plan Be |first1=Henry |last1=Bortman |first2=Jeff |last2= Pittelkau}}
* {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/MacUser9701January1997/page/n67/mode/2up |magazine=[[MacUser (US edition)|MacUser]] |pages=64–72 |date=January 1997 |volume=13 |issue=1 |title=Plan Be |first1=Henry |last1=Bortman |first2=Jeff |last2= Pittelkau}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [https://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/software/the-dawn-of-haiku-os The Dawn of Haiku], by Ryan Leavengood, IEEE Spectrum May 2012, p 40–43,51-54.
* [https://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/software/the-dawn-of-haiku-os The Dawn of Haiku], by Ryan Leavengood, IEEE Spectrum May 2012, p 40–43,51-54.
* [http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/ Mirror of the old www.be.com site] [https://web.archive.org/web/20140814144041/http://www.tristomattia.eu/mirror/www.be.com/ Other Mirror of the old www.be.com site]
* [http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/ Mirror of the old www.be.com site] [https://web.archive.org/web/20140814144041/http://www.tristomattia.eu/mirror/www.be.com/ Other Mirror of the old www.be.com site]
* [http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7265/ BeOS] Celebrating Ten Years
* [http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7265/ BeOS] Celebrating Ten Years
* [http://www.begroovy.com/ BeGroovy] A blog dedicated to all things BeOS <!-- Linked here, because BeGroovy has the biggest archive of BeOS-related news -->
* [http://www.begroovy.com/ BeGroovy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913010819/http://www.begroovy.com/ |date=September 13, 2020 }} A blog and news archive for BeOS
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527010042/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/30/forgotten_tech_beos/ BeOS: The Mac OS X might-have-been], reghardware.co.uk
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527010042/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/30/forgotten_tech_beos/ BeOS: The Mac OS X might-have-been], reghardware.co.uk
* [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/beosprog/book/ Programming the Be Operating System]: An O'Reilly Open Book (out of print, but can be downloaded)
* [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/beosprog/book/ Programming the Be Operating System]: An O'Reilly Open Book
* {{YouTube|9eMGbDJmgv0|BeOS Developer Video}}
* {{YouTube|9eMGbDJmgv0|BeOS Developer Video}}
* {{US trademark|78558039}} (BeOS)
* {{US trademark|78558039}} (BeOS)


{{BeOS}}
{{BeOS}}
{{AmigaOS}}
{{Operating systems}}
{{Operating systems}}


Revision as of 13:00, 5 May 2024

BeOS
BeOS R5
DeveloperBe Inc.
Written inC++
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelProprietary
Initial releaseOctober 3, 1995; 28 years ago (1995-10-03)
Latest releaseR5 / March 28, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-03-28)
Available inEnglish, Japanese
PlatformsIA-32, PowerPC
Kernel typeMonolithic kernel[1]
LicenseProprietary
Official websiteweb.archive.org/web/20110804175137/http://www.beincorporated.com/

BeOS is a discontinued operating system for personal computers that was developed by Be Inc.[2] It was conceived for the company's BeBox personal computer which was released in 1995. BeOS was designed for multitasking, multithreading, and a graphical user interface. The OS was later sold to OEMs, retail, and directly to users; its last version was released as freeware.

Early BeOS releases are for PowerPC. It was ported to Macintosh and then x86. Be was ultimately unable to achieve a significant market share and ended development with dwindling finances, so Palm acquired the BeOS assets in 2001. Enthusiasts have since created derivate operating systems including Haiku, which retains BeOS 5 compatibility.

Development

BeOS is the product of former Apple Computer's Jean-Louis Gassée, with the underlying philosophy of building a "media OS" capable of up-and-coming digital media[3] and multi-processors. Development began in the early 1990s, initially designed to run on AT&T Hobbit-based hardware before being modified to run on PowerPC-based processors: first Be's own BeBox system, and later Apple Computer's PowerPC Reference Platform and Common Hardware Reference Platform, with the hope that Apple would purchase or license BeOS as a replacement for its aging Mac OS.[4]

The first version of BeOS shipped with the BeBox to a limited number of developers in October 1995. It supported analog and digital audio and MIDI streams, multiple video sources, and 3D computation.[5] Developer Release 6 (DR6) was the first officially available version.

The BeOS Developer Release 7 (DR7) was released in April 1996. This includes full 32-bit color graphics, "workspaces" (virtual desktops), an FTP file server, and a web server.[6]

DR8 was released in September 1996 with a new browser with MPEG and QuickTime video formats. It supports OpenGL, remote access,[7] and Power Macintosh.[8]

In 1996, Apple Computer CEO Gil Amelio started negotiations to buy Be Inc., but stalled when Be CEO Jean-Louis Gassée wanted $300 million[9] and Apple offered $125 million. Apple's board of directors preferred NeXTSTEP and purchased Steve Jobs's NeXT instead.[10]

The final developer's release introduced a 64-bit file system. BeOS Preview Release (PR1), the first for the general public, was released in mid 1997. It supports AppleTalk, PostScript printing, and Unicode.[11] The price for the Full Pack was $49.95. Later that year, Preview Release 2 shipped with support for Macintosh's Hierarchical File System (HFS), support for 512MB RAM, and improvements to the user interface.[12]

Release 3 (R3) shipped in March 1998 (initially $69.95, later $99.95), as the first to be ported to the Intel x86 platform in addition to PowerPC, and the first commercially available version of BeOS.[13] The adoption of x86 was partly due to Apple's moves, with Steve Jobs stopping the Macintosh clone market,[14] and Be's mounting debt.[15]

BeOS Release 4 has a claimed performance improvement of up to 30 percent. Keyboard shortcuts were changed to mimic those of Windows[16] However it still lacks Novell NetWare support.[17] It also brought additional drivers and support for the most common SCSI controllers on the x86 platform - from Adaptec and Symbios Logic. The bootloader switched from LILO to Be's own bootman.

In 2000, BeOS Release 5 (R5) was released. This is split between a Pro Edition, and a free version known as Personal Edition (BeOS PE) which was released for free online and by CD-ROM.[18] BeOS PE can be booted from within Windows or Linux, and was intended as a consumer and developer preview.[19][20] Also with R5, Be open sourced elements of the user interface.[21] Be CEO Gassée said in 2001 that he was open to the idea of releasing the entire operating system's source code,[22] but this never materialized.

Release 5 raised BeOS's popularity[18] but it remained commercially unsuccessful, and BeOS eventually halted following the introduction of a stripped-down version for Internet appliances, BeIA, which became the company's business focus in place of BeOS.[23] R5 is the final official release of BeOS as Be Inc. became defunct in 2001 following its sale to Palm Inc. A BeOS R5.1 "Dano", which was under development before Be's sale to Palm and includes the BeOS Networking Environment (BONE) networking stack,[24] was leaked to the public shortly after the company's close.[25]

Version history table

Release Date Hardware
Developer Release 4 Prototype AT&T Hobbit
Developer Release 5 October 1995 PowerPC
Developer Release 6 January 1996
Developer Release 7 April 1996
Developer Release 8 September 1996
Developer Release 9

(Advanced Access Preview Release)

May 1997
Preview Release 1 June 1997
Preview Release 2 October 1997
Release 3 March 1998 PowerPC and Intel x86
R3.1 June 1998
R3.2 July 1998
Release 4 November 4, 1998
R4.5 ("Genki") June 1999
Release 5 ("Maui")

Personal Edition/Pro Edition

March 2000
R5.1 ("Dano") Leaked Intel x86

Hardware support and licensees

After the discontinuation of the BeBox in January 1997, Power Computing began bundling BeOS (on a CD-ROM for optional installation) with its line of PowerPC-based Macintosh clones. These systems can dual boot either Mac OS or BeOS, with a start-up screen offering the choice.[26] Motorola also announced in February 1997 that it would bundle BeOS with their Macintosh clones, the Motorola StarMax, along with MacOS.[27] DayStar Digital was another licensee.[28]

BeOS is compatible with many Macintosh models except PowerBook.[29]

With BeOS Release 3 on the x86 platform, the operating system is compatible with most computers that run Windows. Hitachi is the first major x86 OEM to ship BeOS, selling the Hitachi Flora Prius line in Japan, and Fujitsu released the Silverline computers in Germany and the Nordic countries.[30] Be was unable to attract further manufacturers due to their Microsoft contracts. Be closed in 2002, and sued Microsoft, claiming that Hitachi had been dissuaded from selling PCs loaded with BeOS. The case was eventually settled out of court for $23.25 million with no admission of liability on Microsoft's part.[31]

Architecture

The BeOS architecture

BeOS was developed as an original product, with a proprietary kernel, symmetric multiprocessing, preemptive multitasking, and pervasive multithreading.[32] It runs in protected memory mode, with a C++ application framework based on shared libraries and modular code.[8] Be initially offered CodeWarrior for application development,[32] and later EGCS.

Its API is object oriented. The user interface was largely multithreaded: each window ran in its own thread, relying heavily on sending messages to communicate between threads; and these concepts are reflected into the API.[33]

BeOS uses modern hardware facilities such as modular I/O bandwidth, a multithreaded graphics engine (with the OpenGL library), and a 64-bit journaling file system named BFS supporting files up to one terabyte each.[17] BeOS has partial POSIX compatibility and a command-line interface through Bash, although internally it is not a Unix-derived operating system. Many Unix applications were ported to the BeOS command-line interface.[34]

BeOS uses Unicode as the default GUI encoding, and support for input methods such as bidirectional text input was never realized.

Applications

BeOS is bundled with a unique web browser named NetPositive,[35] the BeMail email client,[36] and the BePoor web server. Be operated the marketplace site BeDepot for the purchase and downloading of software including third party, and a website named BeWare listing apps for the platform. Some third party BeOS apps include the Gobe Productive office suite,[17] the Mozilla project,[37][38] and multimedia apps like Cinema 4D.[39] Quake and Quake II were officially ported, and SimCity 3000 was in development.[40]

Reception

Be did not disclose the number of BeOS users, but it was estimated to be running on between 50,000 and 100,000 computers in 1999,[30] and Release 5 reportedly had over one million downloads.[18] For a time it was viewed as a viable competitor to Mac OS and Windows, but its status as the "alternative operating system" was quickly surpassed by Linux by 1998.[41]

Reception of the operating system was largely positive citing its true and "reliable" multitasking and support for multiple processors.[42] Though its market penetration was low, it gained a niche multimedia userbase[30] and acceptance by the audio community. Consequently it was styled as a "media OS"[43] due to its well-regarded ability to handle audio and video.[44] BeOS received significant interest in Japan,[11] and was also appealing to Amiga developers and users, who were looking for a newer platform.[45]

BeOS and its successors have been used in media appliances, such as the Edirol DV-7 video editors from Roland Corporation, which run on a modified BeOS[46] and the Tunetracker Radio Automation software that used to run it on BeOS[47][48][49] and Zeta, and it was also sold as a "Station-in-a-Box" with the Zeta operating system included.[50] In 2015, Tunetracker released a Haiku distribution bundled with its broadcasting software.[51]

Legacy

The Tascam SX-1 digital audio recorder runs a heavily modified version of BeOS that will only launch the recording interface software.[52] The RADAR 24, RADAR V and RADAR 6, hard disk-based, 24-track professional audio recorders from iZ Technology Corporation were based on BeOS 5.[53] Magicbox, a manufacturer of signage and broadcast display machines, uses BeOS to power their Aavelin product line.[54] Final Scratch, a 12-inch vinyl timecode record-driven DJ software and hardware system, was first developed on BeOS. The "ProFS" version was sold to a few dozen DJs prior to the 1.0 release, which ran on a Linux virtual partition.[55]

Spiritual successors

Family tree of BeOS and related operating systems

After BeOS came to an end, Palm created PalmSource which used parts of BeOS's multimedia framework for its failed Palm OS Cobalt product[56] (with the takeover of PalmSource, the BeOS rights were assigned to Access Co.[57]). However, Palm refused the request of BeOS users to license the operating system.[58] As a result, a few projects formed to recreate BeOS or its key elements with the eventual goal of then continuing where Be Inc. quit.

BeUnited, a BeOS oriented community, converted itself into a nonprofit organization in August 2001[59] to "define and promote open specifications for the delivery of the Open Standards BeOS-compatible Operating System (OSBOS) platform".[60]

ZETA

Immediately after Palm's purchase of Be, a German company named yellowTAB started developing Zeta based on the BeOS R5.1 codebase and released it commercially. It was later distributed by magnussoft.[61] During development by yellowTAB, the company received criticism from the BeOS community for refusing to discuss its legal position with regard to the BeOS codebase. Access Co. (which bought PalmSource, until then the holder of the intellectual property associated with BeOS) declared that yellowTAB had no right to distribute a modified version of BeOS, and magnussoft was forced to cease distribution of the operating system in 2007.[62]

Haiku (OpenBeOS)

Haiku is a complete open source reimplementation of BeOS. It was originally named OpenBeOS and its first release in 2002 was a community update.[61] Unlike Cosmoe and BlueEyedOS, it is directly compatible with BeOS applications. It is open source software. As of 2022, it was the only BeOS clone still under development, with the fourth beta in December 2022 still keeping BeOS 5 compatibility in its x86 32-bit images, with an increased number of ported modern drivers and GTK apps.[63]

Others

Screenshot of an early version of Cosmoe

BlueEyedOS tried to create a system under LGPL based on the Linux kernel and an X server that is compatible with BeOS. Work began under the name BlueOS in 2001 and a demo CD was released in 2003.[64] The project was discontinued in February 2005.

Cosmoe, with an interface like BeOS, was designed by Bill Hayden as an open source operating system based on the source code of AtheOS, but using the Linux kernel.[65][66][67] ZevenOS was designed to continue where Cosmoe left off.[68]

BeFree started in 2003, initially developed under FreeBSD[69] and later Linux.[70][71]

See also

References

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Further reading

External links

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