Changes

[[Image:Future OS-Logo.gif|thumb|FutureOS-Logo]] [[Image:Future-os.jpg|thumb|400px|FutureOS main screen]]

== Introduction ==

'''FutureOS''' is an revolutionary operating system for the Amstrad [[CPC6128|CPC6128]], [[Plus|6128plus]], [[C-ONE|C-One]] and [[CPC TREX|T-Rex1CPC TREX]] . The version for the 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. Its The development of FutureOS and its applications continues from 1989 up to now(2023). Therefore FutureOS is controlled by 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 icons 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 during the early commercial era. But the question remained: since most CPCs have 128 KB (most C64 only have 64 KB), a filescreen-resolution of 640x200 (C64 only has 320x200) and some more advantages, why not have something better? So the FutureOS-Project was born and 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. FutureOS allows the user to control the computer with a broad variety of HIDs. The surface provides an icon section, it a file section and a status section. The OS can deal with files up 16 MB (24 bit file-length) and it can load/save files up to 4 MB long files in one piece. It has a dynamic memory management system, which divides RAM usually into 16 KB blocks- or in smaller pieces. Further it supports a broad variety of hardware expansions. FutureOS is delivered together with basic a variety of utilities in the same four ROMs. Additional expansion ROMs can be added. FutureOS can be used with German, English, French and Spanish language interfaces. The OS itself has roughly 70.000 lines of code, the source code is about 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.

The core of the OS needs 64 KB ROM. Compatible products are EPROMitself is executed directly in (Flash-cards, the [[Inicron )ROM-RAM-Box|ROM-RAM-BOX]], or [[SYMBiFACE II]], [[Ramcard 128Dobbertin EPROM 224|RAMcardEPROM]], Jareks [[CPC(in four 16 KB blocks).Flash|Flash-The support of the M4 SD card needs a fifth ROM]] or similar productsof 16 KB though. If you don't own such The OS allows jumps between the ROMs with the help of a cardlittle common area. Therefore the numbers of the four (five) 16 KB ROMs are hardcoded and the jumps are very quick. But never mind, you 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 take a look at '''FutureOS''' by using a compatible CPC Emulator (be loaded from media on demand if needed. Examples are the multitasking manager [[WinCPCCaruh]], [[CaPriCe|Caprice]], [[WinApe]], [[!CPCemu|CPCEmu]])and the UI/menu framework CBM.

The core of the OS itself is executed directly in '''FutureOS''' uses 2 KB (Pseudo-&B800...&BFFF)ROM or [[Dobbertin EPROM 224|EPROM]] where it is divided in four 16 of the first 64 KB blocks. It jumps between the ROMs with ; the help of a little common arearemaining RAM is available to applications. Therefore Additional RAM can be reserved for DIRectory buffering. Furthermore the numbers of OS uses memory management (up to 4 MB), file-handling and specialized Low/Mid/High-level routines and functions to access and manage the four 16 KB ROMs are hardcodedhardware.

'''FutureOS''' uses 2 KB (&B800...&BFFF) of the first 64 KB, all other RAM can be used for applicationslaunched from AmsDOS with the RSX commands |OS or |FDESK. Additional RAM If you use |FDESK you can be occupied for DIRectory buffering. Furthermore the OS uses memory management, file-handling leave '''FutureOS''' and Low/Mid/Highget back to BASIC where you have stopped before -level routines to access the hardwarefirst 48 KB (not the screen) have been preserved.

From AmsDOS/Basic you can start '''FutureOS''' with the RSX commands only runs well on a [[CPC6128|OS CPC6128]] or |FDESK. If you use |FDESK you can leave '''FutureOS''' and get back to BASIC where 6128 Plus (not CPC464 or 664, except you have stopped before - a RAM expansion with full RAM mode &C3 support like the first 48 KB one from Revaldhino), because of their support for RAM configuration C3 (not essential for the screenmouse pointer) have been preserved. 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-OS at all (neither BASIC, DOS, nor firmware). The only runs well on a exception can be the character set of the lower ROM. If you replace the lower ROM by the [[CPC6128CPC FutureOS lower ROM]] or 6128plus (not CPC464 or 664)for example, because they support the RAM configuration then FutureOS will start directly. In this case you can use your own set of characters, just put it between &C3 (which is essential for 3800 and &3FFF in the mouse arrow of the GUI)lower ROM.

The Desktop of FutureOS is divided in two sections== Limitations ==For CPCs with 128 KB there may be some limitations. First an iconThe command |FDESK uses 48 KB E-sectionRAM, where you can choose your functionsa wallpaper uses 16 KB E-RAM. Second there 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 a section below, where strongly suggested. In case the OS requires more RAM you can browse through directories of discs always switch the wallpaper off to gain 16 KB and hard-disc partitionsuse the |OS command to start FutureOS.

Applications can call the GUI as a subroutine. The icons are fixed, so you will always work 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 same desktop.screen)

FutureOS A graphical mouse pointer is compatible used to select devices, functions or files; this pointer can be controlled with nearly all of the CPCs native datapointer based HID devices (joystick, mouse, trackball, light-pen, file- and format structures (fGrafpad II, analogue joystick etc. e. File-header, Disc-formats). It is not compatible with native [[AMSDOS]] or [[CP/M]] programs. FutureOS and compatible applications can be downloaded at: [http://www.FutureOS.de www.FutureOS.de]available for the CPC.

Filenames can use all 256 different characters and user numbers from 0 to 254 (except for &E5, which marks a deleted file). Different to Amsdos, a file that is erased under FutureOS will not be shifted to user &E5, but it will be physically removed from In addition functions provided by the directory. Files GUI can be viewed on-screen (scroll up and down) or printedactivated using hotkeys. You can also view the file-header. When typing a text-file it is possible Type "d" for example to set the number of columns read and lines of display the window the text is displayed in. File-headers are displayed as AmsDOS file or the icon-like file-header directory of a FutureOS program. An AmsDOS file-header has 128 bytes of which some bytes are unused. FutureOS makes use of those unused bytes so that files have a length definition of 24bit and can have a physical RAM select. Therefore a file can be defined to be loaded everywhere in the external RAM. Also a FutureOS file-header can contain a graphical icon, a textual icon or a short description of the filedrive.

The OS supports many of In SPARtan mode the hardware available for the CPC, including real-time-clocks, the Vortex disc drives, several mice & trackballs and the Dobbertin HD20 hard disc. Also the [[SYMBiFACE II]] (RTC and PS/2 mouse, RAM, ROM, IDE low level) are supported in system .8 beta. One idea of FutureOS was to support any hardware available. For example there are 3.5" B-drives, Vortex F1-D-drives, hard-discs, real-time-clocks, serial interfaces etc. Hardware expansion usually need drivers, GUI only displays icons which can be flexible added to an OSused directly. Unused icons will be hidden. In contrast to this one of mode the goal of FutureOS GUI is more easy to provide use and you see a monolithik architecture, where all drivers are implemented in a hardcoded way, because bigger part of the CPC has clearly defined hardware expansions compared to a PCwallpaper (if loaded).

* ''Plug and Play:'' If you connect a hardware expansion to a CPC, FutureOS will automatically detect that expansion, initialise it and make it accessibleWatch pictures or movies. The architecture of the OS allows you to add View text-files on-screen (scroll up and remove hardware down) or print them on purposeyour printer. An example: You add When viewing a trackball, picture you use it, then you connect can adjust MODE and use screen format using the cursor keys. When typing a joystick text file it is possible to set the number of columns and then you use a proportional mouse for example. You can turn external hardware lines of the window the text is displayed in the configuration-bytes on or off (use ConfigOS utility).

'''8 bit One or more files can be LOADed, SAVEd, RENamed, ERAsed, COPYd or PRINTed on printer ports<br>'''.

*3" A-drive *3" B-drive *3" C- and D- drive (hardware patch) *3.5" B-drive *5.25" B-drive *Atari ST 80 Track DS B-drive *Dobbertin D-DOS Double drive. Up Further there is the [[FutureOS Monitor]], which provides access to four drives 80 trackRAM, DS *Dobbertin X-drive 80 tracksROM, DS *Vortex F1-D *Vortex F1-S *Vortex F1-X *Vortex M1-D *Vortex M1-S *Vortex M1-XZ80 registes, I/O ports and allows the testing of routines.

*CPC BoosterA (+retag All previously used files) *Future Player MP3 Player *HD64180 Coprocessor card *Symbiface II, B (jump over next file name without tagging), C (Copy discs), D (display Directory), E (Erase files or format discs), F (Filecopy), G (Go to function below mouse arrow or tag a file name), H (show IDE Hard-disc), I (get Information), J (Jump to first file name), L (Load file), M (enter Machine Monitor), N (reName file or disc), P (Print DIR or file), Q (Quit OS session or start new), S (Save file), U (Untag all files), V (View pictures of text), W (set Alarm time - Wecker), X (eXecute application), Y (edit date), Z (edit time).

=== 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 'Hardby hand', but you also have a bit more control over the system.The Auto-disc<br>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).

*Dobbertin HD20 === Wallpaper ===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" (72 KB/s data transfer rateEnglish) *IDE hard discs (173 KB/s with [[IDE8255|IDE8255]], 162 KB/s with [[CPC"-IDE|CPC-IDE]] or [[SYMBiFACE II|Symbiface]]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'''Joysticks<br>'''ll need a MODE 2 screen with 512 x 256 pixel. You can even use an application inside [[JavaCPC]] for this.

*Analog Joystick You also can load a wallpaper by hand: Place such a 16 KB (6128 Plusheaderless) *Digital Joystick 1 *Digital Joystick 2screen in one of the E-RAMs and set the right system variable of the OS (see file #OS-VAR.ENG). Here are some Wallpapers:

'''Lighthttp://futureos.cpc-Pens<br>'''live.com/files/Wallpaper_HGBs_Deu-Eng.zip

=== Features ===*Dk'tronics 64 KBDump RAM, 256 KB and 512 KB ROM, expansion RAM or memory mapped I/O (CPC Plus)*Dobbertin 64 KB - 512 KB Edit RAM, expansion RAM or memory mapped I/O (CPC Plus)*Inicron 256 KB Access all I/O ports of the CPC and 512 KB external hardware*Jareks 4 MB RAM expansion Up Edit Z80 registers (previously to 4 MB calling an machine program). This includes the first and second register set, both index registers, the stack pointer, R and I*RAM7's Configure RAM , ROM, I/O for other functions* Move block of memory, ROM, RAM, expansion 2-RAM* Initialize block of memory with an 8 MB or 16 bit value, RAM, expansion RAM*Symbiface 512 KBCall a machine program or OS function* Exit, brings you back to the Desktop

*AMX mouse <gallery>caption="Some preview images of the game">*Atari ST (Schneider Magazin) *CPCImage:OS-Mousepack (Reisware) Mon_1.png*CPCImage:OS-Mousepack 2Mon_2.0 (Reisware) png*Geos (c64) Image:OS-Mon_3.png*PS</2 mouse (Symbiface)gallery>

'''Real== CBM -Time-Clocks''' the UI for Applications ==[[Image:CBM.png|thumb|right]]

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. *Dobbertin Smart Watch Using [[CBM|CBM]] as the standard (ROM select 15G/T) UI for FutureOS programs helps making them looking similar and usable in an intuitive way. *SymbifaceA part of the CBM is located in the FutureOS ROMs, 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 expansions<br>'''- which offers limited memory protection).

*Amstrad ROM expansion Features of Tasks:*Dobbertin EPROM card Up to 255 different tasks*Inicron ROM-Every task has its own RAM-BOX and stack*Jareks 2Tasks 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,5 MB which can be swapped. No chaotic window structure.* Tasks can be dynamically added and/ 4 MB Flash ROM or deleted*RAM7's RAMCard Tasks can be saved and continued later or on other computers*Super Power ROM Tasks can use additional OS functions*Symbiface Pseudo ROMThe regular Turbo Desktop of FutureOS can be used too* Aside of screen MODEs 0-3 different screen formats are usable (80x25, 68x30, 64x32)

Tools like copyFilenames can use all 256 different characters and user areas from 0 to 254 (except for &amp;E5, formatwhich is reserved for deleted files). Unlike Amsdos, verify 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 refresh as graphic icons (f. e. a FutureOS application). 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.  FutureOS includes the fastest FDC-based disc exist- and file-reading and writing routines for the CPC. You This is possible by ignoring the interleave factor, reading one physical sector directly after each other to the correct position in memory but also by just starting with the first appearing sector of every new track. In addition the DIRectory is buffered in RAM, the head of the floppy must not step back to look for the next block. The track step rate is increased and can be adjusted for every drive. It's even faster than optimized copy files from different programs like Crowns' [[Crime|Crime]]. == Implementation of Hardware == The OS supports many of the hardware available for the CPC. One of the ambitions of FutureOS is to support all hardware available. Hardware expansions usually need drivers that can be flexibly added to an OS. Contrary to this approach, a goal of FutureOS is to provide a monolithic architecture where all drivers are implemented in a hardcoded way.  *''Disc drives and hard discs :'' FutureOS supports up to eight floppy disc drives and up to four hard disc partitions (Dobbertin HD20 hard disc). It buffers the directories read from any mass storage device in the expansion RAM to speed up drive access. *''Plug and Play:'' If a hardware expansion is connected to the CPC FutureOS will automatically detect that expansion, initialise it and make it available to user and applications. The architecture of the OS allows you to add and remove hardware on purpose (hot plug and play). You can switch external hardware on or off in the configuration bytes (use ConfigOS utility). == Memory Management ===== RAM ===* Unlike other discs CPC-OS the FutureOS uses only small amounts of the memory of the CPC since it is located and executed in ROM.* When using the Desktop the OS uses the RAM between &A000 and &BFFF (8 KB).* In case an application is running: 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.* Depending on the amount of active drives and HD partitions additional expansion RAM blocks will be occupied for directory buffering, but there is no reduction in free main memory (first 64 KB). After loading data this buffers can be freed again of course.* 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. == OS supported Hardware == ==== Printer ports ====*7 bit [[Printer Port|printer port]] (native)*[[8bit Printer Ports|8 bit printer port]] 6128plus using Amstrads CRTC solution*[[Happy Computer 8bit Printer Mod|Happy Computer Mod]] using CAS_WRITE as Bit 7. ==== Drives ====*3" A, B, C and D drives (C, D need hardware patch) *3.5" and 5.25" drive *Atari ST 80 Track double-sided B-drive *[[Dobbertin|Dobbertin]] D-DOS Double drive. Up to four drives 80 track, double-sided. *[[Dobbertin|Dobbertin]] [[XD-DOS]] X-drive 80 tracks, DS*[[F1|Vortex disc drives FI-D, F1-S, M1-D, M1-S]]. Own FDC, up to four drives 80 track, double-sided.*[[F1|Vortex disc drives F1-X, M1-X]]. Up to 80 track, double-sided.and ...*[[HxC Floppy Emulator]] (On message "Disc is write protected" put a HFE in HxC or adjust its configuration) ==== Expansion cards ====*[[Albireo]] (partial)*[[AMRAM2]] (combined EPROM and S-RAM card)*[[C4CPC]] 6128 Plus version*[[CPC Booster]](+) and MiniBooster*[[M4 Board]] (RTC, ROM management)*[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] (partial)*[[SYMBiFACE III|SYMBiFACE III]] (partial)*HD64180 Coprocessor card*[[EPROM]] cards or EPROM simulator cards like the [[Britannia ROM Board]], [[Dobbertin]] EPROM card, [[Honeysoft ROM Board]], [[Inicron ROM-RAM-Box]], [[KDS Sideways ROM Board]], [[MegaFlash]], [[MegaROM]], [[SuperPower ROM Box]], [[SYMBiFACE II]], SuperROM Plus and others ==== Mass storage / Hard-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 =====*[[CPC-IDE]], [[SYMBiFACE II]] and [[X-MASS]] IDE support, but only low-level, FutureOS IDE-ROM needed*[[IDE8255]] IDE support, but only low-level, FutureOS IDE-ROM needed ==== Joysticks ====*[[Analog Joysticks|Analog Joystick]] (6128 Plus) *[[Digital Joysticks]] 1 and 2 ==== Memory expansions ====* 4 MB expansion from Zaxon*[[c't 512 KB internal RAM expansion]] (DIY) (c't magazine)*[[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]]*[[FlashGordon]]*[[Inicron RAM-Box|Inicron]]*[[Inicron ROM-RAM-Box]]*[[M4 Board]]*[[MegaFlash]]*[[RAM7 2MB memory expansion|RAM7's RAM expansion]]&nbsp;(up to 2 MB) *[[RAM BOX]]*[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]]*[[X-MEM]]*[[Y-MEM]]*[[Z-MEM]] 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 ====*[[Dobbertin Smart Watch]] and the version from dxs*[[LambdaSpeak III]] and [[LambdaSpeak FS]]*[[M4 Board]]*[https://pulkomandy.github.io/shinra.github.io/nova.html Nova]*[[SYMBiFACE II:Realtime clock|SYMBiFACE II]]*[[SYMBiFACE III]]*[[Dk'tronics Real Time Clock]] ==== Sound and Music ====*[[Amstrad SSA-1 Speech Synthesizer]]*[[CTC-AY SDK main fr|CTC-AY]] aka [[PlayCity]]*[[Digiblaster]]*[[Dk'tronics Speech Synthesizer]]*[[FuturePlayer]] for MP3 samples up to 128 kbps (max. 4 MB in size)*[[LambdaSpeak]] (the MP3 module is fully supported)*[[Soundplayer]] ==== Networking ====*[[Amstrad Serial Interface]]*[[CPC Booster]]+ and TotO's MiniBooster*[[Schneider RS232 Interface]]*[[USIfAC]]*[[Virtual Net 96]]There is limited support at the moment === Additional HIDs (Hot Plug & Play compatible) === The following pointer-based input devices are supported by FutureOS. Applications can use them by calling the appropriate OS function in OS-ROMs A, C or D.  ==== Mice ====*[[Albireo|Albireo Mouse]]*[[Atari-ST mouse adapter|Atari ST mouse adapter]] ([[CPC Magazin|Schneider Magazin]])*[[AMX Mouse|AMX Mouse]], [[PS2Mouse|AMX PS/2 Mouse Adapter]]*[[CPC-Mousepack 2.0|CPC-Mousepack]] (Reisware)*[[GEOS mouse|GEOS mouse]] ([[Commodore 64]] device)*[[Imperium Solo]]*[[MultiPlay]] one or both mouses (ACME)*[[SYMBiFACE II:PS/2 mouse|PS/2 mouse]] of [[SYMBiFACE II]]*[[USB mouse]] of [[SYMBiFACE III]]*[[Dk'tronics Mouse Interface]] limited ==== Lightpens ====*[[Dk'tronics Lightpen|Dk'tronics lightpen]]*[[Happy Computer Light Pen]] (DIY from German magazine)*[[Lindy Light Pen]] ==== Graphic Tablets ====*[[Grafpad II|Hegotron Grafpad II]] ==== Trackballs ====*[[Atari-ST mouse adapter|Atari ST trackball adapter]] (Schneider Magazin)*[[Marconi|Marconi trackball]] == ROM-included Utilities == 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 initialized. It is possible to call (and return from) a routine with defined CPU registers (complete register set) and memory. == OS functions == Only some examples are mentioned.* The String Editor: It allows to enter strings up to 64 KB, different character sets can be used, a range of legal letters can be defined, four keyboard levels (normal, shift, control and shift+control) can be used.

You can developp develop very freely, even : the RST vectors RSTs are free usablefor use, you can choose the interrupt mode and access all the hardware. Also the second register set of the Z80 can be completely used by applications - in contrast to all other OS for the CPC. *''Z80 Assembler:'' You can use an assembler for AmsDOS or for CP/M. Switching between AmsDOS and FutureOS is freely usablefast and using |FDESK allows to come back to AmsDOS with the first 48 KB or RAM remaining untouched. There is a Z80 library for FutureOS the programmer can use for own applications. *''The Command Bar Menu:'' In addition [[CBM]] can make application development easy and quick. All needed sources are provided and explained. A variety of sample programs exist to show how to use CBM. *''Programming in C for FutureOS:'' With [[FIOLIB|FIOLIB]] - the IO-Lib for FutureOS it's also possible to use C as a programming language. Beside the usual I/O the FIOLIB provides a lot of valuable functions for management of text, keyboard, files, relative files, screen, colors, graphic and more. == Applications / Demos / Games == The following programs can be downloaded at the FutureOS homepage, see Weblinks below.  === Games ===*[[Burnin Wheels]] (Soft scrolling car racing game) *[[Cyber Huhn|Cyber Chicken]] (3D space game)*[[Gerelakos|Gerelakos]] ([[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 ===* ''Z80 Assembler:'' You can use an assembler for AmsDOS or for CP/M. Switching between AmsDOS and FutureOS is fast and using [[Captain Future]] (4 MB movie that uses Jareks 4 MB expansion)*[[Darth Vader]] (stand alone demo)*[[FutureView|FDESK allows to come back to AmsDOS with the first 48 KB or RAM remaining untouched.FutureView]] (disc mag) *[[Gravitation Zero]]*[[Meg Ryan sample]] demo*[[NGC4650A]]*[[Odiesofts Snow]]*[[Rotating Fractal]] (stand alone demo)*[[Star Trek sample demo]]

=== Applications ===* ''Programming in C for FutureOS[[Caruh]] (partial ROM resident OS expansion:'' With Multi-Tasking Manager) *[[CBM|CBM]] (partial ROM resident OS expansion: Common Application (G)UI) *[[-CntrlPanel]] (control panel) *[[FilmeMacher|FilmeMacher]] (movie player) *[[FIOLIB|FIOLIB]] it also possible to use (C as library) *[[Flash ROManager|Flash ROManager]] (management of Jareks Flash ROM expansion) *[[FuturePlayer|FuturePlayer]] (MP3 and WAV player) - Ask TFM for MP3 files on discs*[[FutureTex|FutureTex]] (text editor)*[[GMSK|GMSK]] (sprite converter) *[[GSED]] (Graphic Playground Editor for 2D / 3D games) *Kane (sprite grabber)*HD20 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)*[[MegaFlashROManager]] (management of the MegaFlash Pseudo-ROMs for FutureOS and BASIC)*[[MMcR Format]] (Ultrafast formatting tool for batches of discs)*[[ROManager|ROManager]] (management of a programming language.variety of Flash- and Pseudo-ROM cards)

== Applications / Demos / Games Conclusion ==

* Captain Future demoFutureOS is the longest running projects for the CPC6128 / 6128plus. It's development startet around 1989 and in 2023 we saw a new release.* [[CBM]] (pull down menu library)* Darth Vader demo* [[FilmeMacher]] (movie player)* [[FIOLIB]] (C library)* [[Flash ROManager]] (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 Jareks Flash ROM expansion)* Fractal demo* [[FuturePlayer]] (MP3 useful tools and WAV player)utilities.* [[FutureView]] (disc mag)* [[Gerelakos]] (RPG under construction)* [[GMSK]] (sprite converter)* [[GSED]] (Graphic Playground Editor for 2D / 3D The idea is that development of professional software, games)* Hero (third party game)* Meg Ryan sample demo* [[Return , graphic tools, word processors, sound, management of big amounts of data, and programming languages are possible in this environment. At this point, the Sisters]] user can do all this, like listen to MP3 files, work with graphic, use and create C programs, watch movies, demos and play games (a Giana Sisters Clone)* [[ROManager]] (management of the [[SYMBiFACE II|Symbiface]] Pseudo-ROMssee weblinks).

== Conclusion Web links ==

=== General ===*[http://www.FutureOS was designed as an OS with fast routines and support of nearly all CPC expansions. It has specialised file-handling and memory-management that support programs up to 4 MBde FutureOS. The idea is that development of games, graphic tools, word processors, sound (especially MP3), management of big amounts of data, and programming languages are possible in this environmentde]*[http://koaks. Today you can hear MP3 soundsamstrad.free.fr/amstrad/documents/article_futureos.html FutureOS, work with graphic, use C programs, watch movies &amp; demos and play games. <br>le supersonique du CPC]

== Web links =Discussion Forum ===*[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/futureos-corner/ Discussions in English]*[http://cpc-live.com/forum/index.php/board,5.0.html Diskussionen auf Deutsch]

* [http://www.=== Youtube Videos ===There is a special youtube channel for FutureOS, it provides different playlists for different topics related to this comprehensive OS.de FutureOS homepage]Please have a look here:* [httphttps://groupswww.yahooyoutube.com/groupuser/FutureOSrealTFM/ playlists FutureOS Downloads &amp; Mailing listPlaylists]