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Format drive and install one of the following operating systems:

• BeOS
• Syllable
• AROS
• Plan 9
• Minix
• FreeDOS
• DR-DOS
• OpenVMS x86 port is coming!
• Visopsys
• SqueakNOS
• Haiku
• Kolibri
• ReactOS
• Tizen
• SkyOS
• MorphOS
• MenuetOS
• CP/M 86
• Multics, also see Multicians
• Erlang as an Operating System

There have been a large number of more or less obscure operating systems and not all have been ported to x86. Unfortunately the architecture has become a de facto standard even though it's not the best architecture or the most efficient but instead a patchwork of solutions to retain backwards compatibility. We have lost many interesting architectures over the years that would have deserved a better fate to the Intel bandwagon.

Think of this as a learning experience If Linux had implemented BeOS's is_computer_on_fire()* system call, he would have been able to log the situation, send an email to his friend to alert the authorities, and shut down cleanly.

*Yes, it's actually in the OS.

while Sun Fire Servers

At last we see the purpose of the is_computer_on() function.

Actually, Mr. AC...

If you had been using a real operating system, it would have been able to detect the fact that your computer was on fire.

Hopefully it is running BeOS as its is_computer_on_fire() call will provide at least some protection.