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GEOS Available for Download After 18 Years

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the oldies-but-goodies dept.

gp writes "Back in 1986, Berkeley Softworks presented GEOS, the Graphical Environment Operating System for the Commodore 64 (screenshots). GEOS effectively turned the 8-bit Commodore 64 into something very similar to a Macintosh, but for an 8th of the price. In 2004, pushed hard by rivaling C64 open source alternatives such as the Contiki operating system and desktop environment and the LUnix *nix clone, the owners of GEOS have finally decided to release GEOS to the public. Hordes of Commodore 64 users are expected to download the system." Sadly, there's no mention of GEOS for the Apple 2 series of computers, which also enjoyed this fine precursor of GUIs to come.

13 of 471 comments (clear)

  1. cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    look out XP!!

    1. Re:cool by Ianing · · Score: 5, Funny

      what is this 8th bit?

  2. What the hell...? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So somebody *did* get that leaked NT code to compile?

    1. Re:What the hell...? by Llywelyn · · Score: 5, Funny

      I always just *knew* that MS was trying to force us to buy hardware upgrades to run their OS...

      --
      Integrate Keynote and LaTeX
  3. Pushed hard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is there really THAT much pressure among C64 OS's?

  4. Define Horde by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hordes of Commodore 64 users are expected to download the system."

    Watch out, I hope their web servers will be capable of handling all 23 downloaders.

    1. Re:Define Horde by MisterFancypants · · Score: 5, Funny
      Watch out, I hope their web servers will be capable of handling all 23 downloaders.

      23 downloaders, each with 1200 baud C-1670 modems...This site will be Slashdotted for sure.

    2. Re:Define Horde by Penguinshit · · Score: 5, Funny


      1200?!?

      You must come from the rich part of town. I had to make due with my 110 baud. I could read faster than that thing could print to the screen.

      --

      I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...

  5. Re:Great Timing by teklob · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anyone who's still got a C64 should really consider upgrading...

  6. lemme see if i remember... by joeseph+schmo · · Score: 5, Funny

    LOAD "GEOS",8,1

    POKE "SCO","SHARP STICK"

    ahhh yes...

  7. Geoworks ahead of the curve by oingoboingo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Geoworks was certainly an early pioneer in one area: unimaginative name conventions for its apps. Looking at the screenshots page, every damn app is geoThis, or geoThat. It's a wonderful trend that the KDesigners of the KDE KDestop KEnvironment have picked up one, as well as their GCompetitors Gover Gat Gthe GNOME GProject. And don't get me JStarted Jon Java JApplications.

  8. Re:Great Timing by G-funk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are you keeping up with the Commodore? Because the Commodore is keeping up with you!

    Flamin' soviets...

    --
    Send lawyers, guns, and money!
  9. Re:Great Timing by kinnell · · Score: 5, Funny
    invulnerable to viruses

    Just because there are no viruses for the C64, doesn't mean it's invulnerable. It's just that writing a virus for a C64 would be like beating up your grandmother.

    --
    If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets