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Windows 98


Also see the summary at Windows.

Summary
   
Windows 98 is a desktop operating system made by Microsoft that run on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 80x86.

  • further reading: books on Windows 98
  • Should I switch to Windows 98?
  • What are the alternatives to Windows?

Intended purpose
Server/mainframe: Only low end servers can run on this operating system.
Desktop/workstation: for general desktop use
Handheld: not appropriate
Real time: not appropriate
Kind of OS: proprietary
Release Date: Windows 98
Current Version:
Cost: $209
    
You can get the OEM version of Windows 98 (normally only available with the purchase of a new computer) by purchasing the VirtualPC package.
Hardware Supported: Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, 486DX
Maximum Number of Processors:
Number of bits:
Kernel: proprietary
POSIX: not supported
Peripherals:
File Systems Supported:
  • preferred file system: FAT32 (NRWF)
  • file systems can read/write: VFAT (RW), FAT (RW), SMB (RW) (see SMB and firewalls)
  • file systems read only and can write through optional software: ISO 9660 (Rw), ECD (R), CD (Rw), DVD-Video (R), DVD-ROM (R)

Other Systems Emulated:
Graphics Engine:
Text Command Shell: DOS command line
User Interface (graphic):
Graphic Command Shell: Explorer
Disabled support:
Internet Services:

Internet Explorer

    
One of the major features of Windows 98 is a closer merger of Microsoft’s operating system and web browser. This isn’t done for any technological reasons or for the convenience of the customer (many customers find the blurring between the graphic command shell and web browser to be confusing), but instead serves the interests of Microsoft by extending their operating system monopoly into the Internet.

Application Programs:
Security:
    
“As Windows users are being plagued by computer viruses, spam, buggy software, and Web pop-up ads, some are questioning why the Redmond, Wash.-based software behemoth has failed to integrate security and repair features that could make computers less prone to problems.
    “ ‘Microsoft has added lots of bells and whistles to Windows to protect their operating system franchise over the years, but when it comes to Windows security and reliability, they’ve done comparitively little until recently,’ said Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute, a Bethesda, Md.-based computer security and training organization.
    “ ‘It’s like they are selling faster cars with more powerful engines but leaving off the seat belts and air bags — all those critical things that make customers safe when using their products,’ he added.
    “Microsoft’s critics say the reason the company isn’t eager to add security features is simple: Doing so wouldn’t help it fend off competitors whose products could undermine the spread of Windows.

   
“ ‘You would think there would be money to be made in Microsoft having some kind of more effective antiviral program of their own,’ said Andrew Gavil, an antitrust expert and law professor at Howard University. ‘But virus programs don’t present any threat to their operating system monopoly.’ ” —Los Angeles Times, “Microsoft Runs Into Bundling Dilemma”, March 27, 2004

Microsoft falsely claimed that it would make security a company-wide priority in its much publicized 2002 “trustworthy computing initiaitve”. Since then, Microsoft Windows (all versions) has become even more vulnerable to viruses and other internet attacks. Security is a purposely false and misleading marketing slogan at Microsoft.

“Ironically, some experts say, product bundling is partly to blame for Windows’ security woes.
 
“Lee A. Hollaar, a computer science professor at University of Utah, said the widespread proliferation of the Melissa computer virus stemmed from the tight integration of Microsoft’s Outlook e-mail program with its writing application, Word.

“ ‘The Melissa virus exists only because Microsoft expanded Word documents to contain functions that let it access the Outlook address book’, Hollaar said.

“Similarly, he explained, when the Internet Explorer Web browser was folded into the operating system, it exposed Windows to greater security risks from the Net.’ ” —Los Angeles Times, “Microsoft Runs Into Bundling Dilemma”, March 27, 2004

Other:

“You may have noticed that a new TV ad for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer e-mail program uses the musical theme of the ‘Confutatis Maledictis’ from Mozart’s Requiem. ‘Where do you want to go today?’ is the cheery line on the screen. Meanwhile, the chorus sings ‘Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis,’ which means, ‘The damned and accursed are convicted to flames of hell.’ ” —Gary Pavek

“Windows machines have advantages, too, such as more configuration options, cheaper up front cost, availability of software, snappier response on window controls, cheaper components, more peripherals.” —Why Monopolies Are Bad, by Jeff Adkins

OS/2


Also: OS/2 Warp and OS/2 Warp Server


Summary
    
OS/2 client is a high performance desktop operating system made by IBM that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 80x86. OS/2 Warp Server is a more advanced version of OS/2 designed for use as a network server.

  • further reading: books on OS/2
   
“Whether you run a large enterprise or a small business, OS/2 Warp Server offers you a strategic network platform, for today and the future. With OS/2 Warp Server, you gain a complete, fully-functional application server, a highly reliable network operating system, a systems management server, backup and recovery services, and more…all in a single, cost-effective solution that’s easy to install and manage. The bottom line? OS/2 Warp Server is an extraordinary feature-rich network operating system.”

Intended purpose
Server/mainframe: OS/2 Warp intended for small and medium scale servers
Desktop/workstation: OS/2 client intended for desktops and workstations
Handheld: not appropriate
Real time: not appropriate
Kind of OS: proprietary
Release Date: April 2, 1987
  • OS/2 1.0: December 1987
  • OS/2 4.0: September 1996
  • OS/2 Warp Server for e-Business: November 1999
  • OS/2 Warp Server for e-Business ACP: November 2000
  • OS/2 Warp Client 4.51 (MCP): November 2000
  • eComStation (based on OS/2; from Serenity Systems): May 2001 [separate web page coming]
Current Version: 4.51
Cost: $250
Hardware Supported: Pentium, 80486
Maximum Number of Processors: 64
    
“This is normally a single processor OS, but you can get the pro version that contains the SMP kernel from warp server. The client does not come with SMP, only the server, and only if you request it. The maximum number of processors is 64 but not considered practical for more than 16 because you have reached the point of diminishing returns. Four processors runs 300% faster than one (for NT, it is more like 250%).” —David Eckard
    
“OS/2 Warp Server can use at least 4 clusters of 64 CPUs for a total of 256 CPUs.” —Robert Damian Mauro
    
“On an RS/6000 implementation based off the the AS/400 ‘Phoenix’ technology, they’ve done 256 clusters at max CPUs per node.” —Robert Damian Mauro

Number of bits: 32
Kernel: proprietary
POSIX: compliant
Peripherals: “some but not all PC hardware” —Kristian Elof Sørensen
File Systems Supported:

  • preferred file system: HPFS-2 (NRWF)
  •  file systems can read/write/format: FAT (DRW), HPFS (NRWF), HPFS386 (RW), JFS (RW)
  • file systems read only and can write through optional software: ISO 9660
  • file systems can read/write/format through third party or optional software: HFS (rw), NTFS (r), FAT32 (rw), VFAT (rw), ext2fs (rw), extfs(rw), NFS (rw), TVFS (rw)
    
“Both OS/2 and eCS can now use the JFS from AIX. You use it for the data partitions as you can’t boot from it. You still do that from HPFS. JFS will also span partitions and drives. Four drives, two of them scsi and two IDE, you can make drive q: be on all four, without any drive letters before it.” —David Eckard

Other Systems Emulated: Windows 3.1 (built-in emulation), PC-DOS (built-in emulation, same as MS-DOS)

Graphics Engine: GRADD
   
“IBM developed a 32-bit GRE (GRaphics Engine) for it’s OS/2 2.1. Then sometime when they released OS/2 Warp 4 they released a new “object oriented device driver” called GRADD, which is also 32-bits.” —Pat Jaworski

Text Command Shell: UNIX shells
User Interface (graphic): Presentation Manager, X Window
Graphic Command Shell: WorkPlace, X Window

OS/2

Screen shot of OS/2



screen shot courtesy of Dead Operating Systems

“It [OS/2] does have available 2 complete GUI X implementations (including support to run whatever X GUI you wish such as KDE, etc) and full text based *nix support as well.” —Robert Damian Mauro

Disabled support:
Internet Services:
Application Programs:
Security:
Other:
references

OS/MVS


MVS


Summary
    
OS/MVS was IBM’s primary mainframe OS for decades.
    
“Multiple Virtual Space. Virtual storage OS for IBM 370, derived from MVT. Originally called VS2, Release 2. First release 1974.” Professor Jim Mooney’s list of Batch Systems for Large Computers

Intended purpose
Server/mainframe: medium to large scale servers; mainframes (originally a batch system)
Desktop/workstation: workstations (for those with command line familiarity)
Handheld: not appropriate
Real time: not appropriate
Kind of OS: proprietary
Release Date: initial release 1974
Current Version: 5.2

Cost:
Hardware Supported: System/360 mainframes, System/370 mainframes, System/390 mainframes (and compatibles)
Maximum Number of Processors: “MVS can handle multiple sysplex processors (in parallel)” — Pat Jaworski
Number of bits:
Kernel: proprietary
POSIX: certified

“Interestingly enough, IBM’s MVS mainframe operating system is now X/Open branded.” — Steve Byan
Peripherals:
File Systems Supported:
Other Systems Emulated:
Graphics Engine:
Text Command Shell: JCL
User Interface (graphic):
Graphic Command Shell:
Disabled support:
Internet Services:
Application Programs:
Security:
Other:
    
“A mainframe can be a great back-end to a mission critical enterprise database system. All you need on the client end is an OS/2, AIX, Windoze9x/NT workstation (or vitually ANY PC or home computer capable of TN3270 protocol).” — Pat Jaworski

 

References

    
Scherr, A.L. Functional structure of IBM virtual storage operating systems. Part II: OS/VS2-2 concepts and philosophies. IBMSJ Vol. 12, No. 4, 1973, pp. 383-401.
   
Auslander, M.A., et al. The Evolution of the MVS Operating System. IBMJRD, Vol. 25, No. 5, Sept. 1981, pp. 471-482.