AquariusOS

AquariusOS is a free and open source computer operating system derived from the MikeOS and TachyonOS projects and designed from the ground up to run on 16-bit and 32-bit hardware platforms. It has been written in the BASIC and Assembly programming languages.

Distributed as Live CD ISO images

Currently, the AquariusOS project is distributed as Live CD ISO images, one for each of the supported hardware architectures, 16-bit and 32-bit. Both ISOs have only 1.5 MB in size and can be written to CD discs, which can be later used to boot the operating system from the BIOS of a PC.

AquariusOS’ main menu

While there’s no boot menu on the Live CDs, the operating system will prompt users with a comprehensive main menu, from where they can access a file manager, a text editor, a picture editor, a sound editor, and a memory editor.

In addition, you will be able to access a mouse API test, a BASIC shell, a command-line shell, various fun games, including WolfRUNNER, Sudoku, Cosmic Flight, MikeTron Reloaded, Hangman and Muncher, a calculator and a system monitor.

From the main menu, you can also access all the preinstalled programs (please note that some of them are binaries in the BIN format and others are written in BASIC or Assembly, avaialble in the .ASM and .BAS file formats), as well as to restart or turn off the computer.

A very cool OS for ZX Spectrum nostalgics

During our tests, AquariusOS proved to be a very cool computer operating system for people in their late 30’s who miss the good ol’ days when they played a lots of games on their 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit or 128-bit personal home computers, such as the highly acclaimed ZX Spectrum.

Future versions of the AquariusOS will also be distributed in 64-bit and 128-bit editions, but the developers should add even more games and apps!