Arthur (operating system)

Infobox OS
name = Arthur



caption =
developer = Acorn Computers Ltd
source_model = Closed source
kernel_type =
supported_platforms = ARM architecture
ui = Graphical user interface
family =
released = 1987
latest_release_version =
latest_release_date =
latest_test_version =
latest_test_date =
marketing_target = Acorn Archimedes
programmed_in =
prog_language =
language = English
updatemodel =
package_manager =
working_state = Historic
license =
website =

Arthur is an early graphical user interface (GUI) operating system (OS) that was used on Acorn ARM-cpu-based computers from about 1987 until the much-superior RISC OS 2 was completed and made available in April 1989. It was the operating system of the earliest Archimedes ARM machines.

The desktop is very primitive. It features a colour-scheme typically described as "technicolour". Its earlier revisions were very buggy, and was only really meant to be a placeholder until RISC OS 2 (a name chosen instead of Arthur 2) was completed.

The graphical desktop runs on top of a command-line driven operating system derived from Acorn's earlier MOS operating system for its BBC Micro range of 8-bit microcomputers.

The "Arthur" name was supposedly dropped from version 2 because of the release at the time of a movie called '. Arthur is said to stand for "A Risc-based operating system by THUR"'sday". Supposedly Arthur was put together in break-neck speed because a revolutionary operating system which Acorn had under development (ARX) wasn't going to be ready in time.

Most software made for Arthur can be run under RISC OS. A few titles will not work, however.

References

External links

* [http://www.ooooooooo.net/arthur/art.html Arthur Lives!] - a guide by Ben Jefferys
* [http://acorn.cybervillage.co.uk/emulation/arthur/ Arthur OS Emulator]