The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook

BeOS

BeOS is the youngest major OS for Intel PCs. Although it was begun in 1991, the same year Linux began life, BeOS was originally developed on the now-defunct AT&T Hobbit processor and was ported to Motorola's PowerPC and finally to Intel x86 (and clone) CPUs. Linux, by contrast, began life on an Intel 386 CPU. BeOS was also developed from scratch as an entirely new OS, whereas Linux was a re-implementation of UNIX, and in fact took many existing software components from the GNU project.

In many ways, BeOS is the most unique OS commonly available for the PC. The others I discuss in this chapter are all derived from or influenced by either the DOS or UNIX molds. BeOS does have some UNIX influences, but it is its own OS. It does not run DOS, ...