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From: radford@calgary.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.m68k,comp.sys.misc
Subject: Re: What is an OS?
Message-ID: <766@vaxb.calgary.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 25-Jan-87 23:10:28 EST
Article-I.D.: vaxb.766
Posted: Sun Jan 25 23:10:28 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 27-Jan-87 19:17:36 EST
References: <8520@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU> <1270@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP> <2331@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: U. of Calgary, Calgary, Ab.
Lines: 15
Summary: Virtually every computer has an operating system.
Xref: watmath comp.sys.amiga:1709 comp.sys.mac:954 comp.sys.m68k:171 comp.sys.misc:254

This discussion of whether the Mac, Atari, Amiga, etc. has a real
operating system is silly. Virtually every computer has an operating
system; some have better operating systems than others.

An operating system is just what it says: the system that lets the
computer be operated. It consists of all the software required for
basic operation of the computer in its intended environment.

Those people who say that the Atari, say, doesn't have an operating 
system really mean they don't like its operating system. Usually,
they mean they don't like its lack of multi-tasking. OK, that's fine.
Don't use it. But don't make silly definitions of "operating system" that
just show how narrow your view of computers is.

    Radford Neal