Changes

== UI User Interface ==

The work surface uses user interface (UI) of FutureOS presents the user with three fixed sections: an icon section (upper half of screen), a pointfile-name display and-click interface, though it is not completely graphical in its natureselection section (lower half of screen) and a message line (bottom). The pointer user can browse through directories of discs and hard-disc partitions. A cursor arrow is used to select devices, functions or files; this cursor arrow can be controlled with a joystick, mouse, trackball or , light-pen. There is no command line. Therefore FutureOS stands somewhere in or the middle between a console interface and a fully-fledged GUI, since there are not the classical elements of WIMP that characterize a GUI but also there is no command lineGrafpad II.

The work surface of FutureOS is divided into two sections. On top there is an area holding several icons, where the user Applications can choose call the UI as a function. Below that subroutine (the user OK icon can browse through directories of discs and hard-disc partitionsbe used to return to calling application). The icons are fixed, so the layout remains stable throughout its use.

Applications can call the UI as a subroutine. The icons are fixed, so you will always work with the same layout.  Files can be viewed on-screen (scroll up and down) or printed. File headers can also be viewed. When typing a text file it is possible to set the number of columns and lines of the window the text is displayed in.  === The GUI/UI controversy === There has been some debate whether FutureOS' working environment can be labeled as a Graphical User Interface. On one hand, it does use icons, and it does have support for a mouse cursor. On the other hand though, it lacks several of the features a user has come to expect from a GUI OS, such as windows (and, what's more, windows that can be manipulated), menus and true (and customizable) icons pointing to various files or devices. Instead, there are some fixed icons, and most of them merely execute commands, something that makes them buttons rather than icons.  The developer insists, however, that this constrained set of features makes FutureOS eligible to be called a GUI. But if this is the case, and if someone wants to experience a GUI on the CPC, there are much better alternatives such as [[CEUS Desktop 2.0|CEUS]], the [[Desktop Environment System|Desktop Environment System]] or, of course, [[SymbOS|SymbOS]].

'''8 bit printer ports<br>'''

'''Drives<br>'''

'''Expansion cards<br>'''

'''Floppy discs,&nbsp;formats:<br>'''

'''Hard-disc<br>'''

'''Joysticks<br>'''

'''Light-Pens<br>'''

'''Memory expansions<br>'''

'''ROM expansions<br>'''

FutureOS is designed as an OS with fast routines and support for nearly all CPC expansions. It has specialised file handling and memory management capabilities that support programs up to 4 MB. 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 environment. At this point, the user can listen to MP3 files, work with graphic, use C programs, watch movies &amp; demos and play games. <br>