== Introduction ==
'''FutureOS''' is an new written operating system for the Amstrad CPC6128 and 6128plus developed by [[TFM]]. Its development continues from 1990 up to now. The applications of FutureOS can load be up to 512 KB files in one piece. Files can be as long as the corresponding drive or hard disc partition. FutureOS has a memory management tablesystem, which divides RAM into 16 KB blocks. FutureOS is delivered together with disc and monitor provides standard utilities in the same ROM. Further applications are delivered for disc or hard-disc. FutureOS is written completely in Z80 assembler.
== Requirements ==
The core of the OS needs 64 KB ROM. Compatible products are EPROM-cards, the ROM-RAM-BOX, [[SYMBiFACE II]], RAMcard or similar products. If you don't own such a card, you can take a look at FutureOS by using a compatible CPC Emulator (WinCPC, Caprice, WinApe).
The core of the OS itself is executed directly in (Pseudo-)ROM or EPROM where it is divided in four 16 KB blocks. It jumps between the ROMs with the help of a little common area. Up to 48KB of Ram is used by the OS and DIRectory buffering, the rest The free RAM can be used for applicationsand DIRectory buffering. Furthermore it contains memory management, file-handling and Low/Mid/High-level routines to access the hardware. From AmsDOS/Basic you can start FutureOS with the RSX commands |OS or |FDESK. If you use |FDESK you can leave FutureOS and get back to BASIC where you have stopped before - the first 48 KB (not the screen) have been preserved.
FutureOS only runs well on a CPC6128 or 6128plus, because they support the RAM configuration &C3 (which is essential for the mouse arrow of the GUI).
== Hardware ==
The OS supports many of the hardware available for the CPC, including different serial interfaces, real-time-clocks, printers, the Vortex disc drives, several mice & trackballs and the Dobbertin HD20 hard disc. Also two components of newer hardware expansions like the [[SYMBiFACE II]] CPC-Booster (RTC rudimentary, since the Booster does all itself) and the Symbiface (RTC, PS/2 mouse) are supported in system .8 beta. Mouse support can't be used in own applications, but only inside the file selection menu.
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.
== Conclusion ==
FutureOS was designed as an OS with fast routines. It has specialised file-handling and memory-management that support programs up to 512 KB. The idea is that development of games, graphic tools, word processors, sound (especially MP3), management of big amounts of data, and programming languages should be possible in this environment. Today you can hear MP3 sounds, work with graphic, use C programs, watch movies & demos. During But the last 6 years 4 new features project FutureOS is still and 2 bugfixes have been addedwill ever be under further development.
== Web links ==
* [http://www.FutureOS.de FutureOS homepage]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FutureOS/ FutureOS Downloads & Mailing list]