DonNews #07 23 апреля 1999

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Opinion - NEOS - as it is.

(C) RD \ OHG


            NeOS, as it is.


   Not so long ago on a new SPECCY
OS "NeOS". Interesting name, is not it
(Not-OS). And since I'm waiting for the chegolibo this (also 
the development were ALEM'om, VVG) began to search for 
information on it. But, oddly enough, no information

except for articles ZX-NEWS, that NeOS
appeared, was not. (Apparently the authors DO NOT
interested in advertising their offspring.
But I soon found her flashing and texts
brief description of the analysis of which you and
introduce.

   At first glance, the authors came to the point
smart enough: the system kernel is in
ROM, the work is carried out with ustroistvami
through an external draiver (not always, see below)
there is a system restart, the system understands
memory above 48k (IS-DOS rules :-)).

   But on closer inspection
Firmware and system restarts revealed
minor flaws, spoiling the impression
of, in general, is good design:

   1. NeOS is tuned to standard SPECCY
screen 256 * 192 * 16 (restarts # EA; # ED; # F3; # F6
and others)

   2. Not quite clear where flashing
NeOS: at first I thought the place 128
BASIC, however, when viewing dump'a firmware
found that of start_up menu can be
run and 128 BASIC, and 48 BASIC. On
SPECCY like and ROM is no more
(Unless, of course not counting the balance of 16k ROM
TR-DOS, if you PENTAGON)

   3.sistema restarts NeOS not ordered
(Parameters restart one subgroup
transmitted differently). For example: all
restart, except 2, the output of the contents
Reg. "A" determines the result of
restarta.Pri A = 0 - all OK, if A = 1, 2 -
error. But at the restart, # F9 error is
flag Z, and restart # 102 Register of "C".

   In the majority of restarts associated with
windows, parameters are passed through
registers HL; DE; BC, but one reason
a descriptor, which indicates
Register IX. Also in the restart of output windows
and the cursor color is desirable to specify in the form
numbers 0-x, where x-the highest possible
color. For a standard screen is SPECCY
will be 15 (bits 0-2 define the color and bit
3 - brightness) So passed color at all
machines with more than 1 video mode. (Not
will drive the SPECCY into a corner, suddenly
SPRINTER will bring to mind or will develop
GENERAL GRAPHICS ;-))

   Clearly, in this case, you have to ask two
Color: the background and images. At the same-
the case of the print driver needs to be done
bootable.

   At the same time, despite all
deficiencies in the system stacks up against other
(IS-DOS, TRDOS, CP / M, MagOs, w95 :-)) rather
well and provides the greatest
opportunities when working with files. In
Specifically, it contains a clear
support for file systems IS-DOS, TR-DOS,
MS-DOS. In general, then, NeOS can work with
any file system, you just
write her driver!

   The only thing that would like to see
is the realization of the regime LBA. In this
mode, the system operates 24bitnym logical block address, and 
its conversion into cylinder / head / sector deals with driver

device (in addition to virtually
limited volume unit, this
mode, should accelerate the disk
subsystem by reducing payments) A
if the authors will fix all and the above-described
shortcomings, it will do fine.
(From an abundance of stunning new soft'a
nowhere will disappear -) I hope so
vudet.

   And this screen from NeOS Commander:



   Just like Dos navigator for pC, not
true-if:)?

   P. S. if anyone has more detailed
description of a system or program under it,
Throw it please, to the addresses specified in
CREDITS.

   If you sell soft under NeOS,
it is possible and such an option.