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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : 1.44MB full GUI OS for old laptops....

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Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10030
Posted: 02:11am 27 Aug 2026
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This is really quite interesting.

1.44MB OS.....
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
Volhout

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Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 6071
Posted: 06:12am 27 Aug 2026
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Hi Grogster,

I am quite sure the 1.44MB is the kernel, with basic window manager (as in tinycore linux, although the tinycore linux minimum is 11Mbyte). The 89Mbyte image contains all the goodies (games, apps).

Impressive !!

Volhout
PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS
 
Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10030
Posted: 06:42am 27 Aug 2026
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Yes, I have downloaded this and am going to play about with it!

Yes, it's still really in alpha, but this is REALLY impressive!
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 9098
Posted: 07:32am 27 Aug 2026
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That demo is seriously impressive. They've made a really nice job of it.
Great to see that someone still programs in assembler!
Edited 2026-08-27 17:33 by Mixtel90
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
 
Bryan1

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Joined: 22/02/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2241
Posted: 07:43am 27 Aug 2026
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eh Grog's when I get club.py all sorted old laptops are my goal so for now at github level we can build a new OS in pure python so this pico3 "the one to rule them all" is put to the highest level where even Fuzix will be left behind.

Now got BT connected at boot aswell was wifi working side by side and now going thru USB issues so the 'C' code can be fixed.

Just today in order to get BT working I've done several new .uf2 firmware upgrades

People have been been brainwashed into going with existing OS's so lets with claude get onboard and make a whole new OS.

Now my 3D Model Editor is in it's early days of pcb design now the STL ouptput has proven to just work for making 3D prints and one has been sent to my future son in law to print straight from 3D Model Editor.

I will update my github soon with the latest club.py so with your pico3 board just load my .uf2 firmware have some mp.3's and a BT speaker so music can be played and a full SQLlite database is there to monitor your daily tasks and expenses/income.

Now lets say as a business you want to mass txt clients just select them from a list and click send txt or email, now this page needs a huge cleanup and with 16 button apps on the menu page and many more in sub pages.

Regards Bryan
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 9098
Posted: 09:29am 27 Aug 2026
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I don't believe that anyone can write an acceptable and usable OS in any high level language, especially an interpreted one such as Python. At least not unless it's well compiled. It's way too slow. You can use it for a *menu* system but that's not an OS. It doesn't matter whether the Python or whatever is written by a human or AI.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
 
PhenixRising
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Joined: 07/11/2023
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2071
Posted: 12:43pm 27 Aug 2026
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I used the Chrome browser to translate:
THIS PAGE


 
Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10030
Posted: 07:46am 31 Aug 2026
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  Volhout said  Hi Grogster,

I am quite sure the 1.44MB is the kernel, with basic window manager (as in tinycore linux, although the tinycore linux minimum is 11Mbyte). The 89Mbyte image contains all the goodies (games, apps).

Impressive !!

Volhout


Apparently....... NOT!!!

Here is a video of someone booting up from the floppy image - everything is there!

It's all in the 1.44MB floppy image....

......bloody hell!  

EDIT: WARNING - Some bad language in places...

I ALSO figured the floppy image was just the kernel and a very basic GUI, with none of the goodies, but seems we are BOTH wrong about that!  
Edited 2026-08-31 17:48 by Grogster
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
phil99

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Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 3372
Posted: 08:16am 31 Aug 2026
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Very impressive! The nearest to that I can think of is QuikMenu for DOS.
It was on a 1.44MB floppy too, along with the DOS boot files and serial mouse driver.
I don't remember all its extras but it had a text editor, image viewer, calculator, calendar / planner and icon editor to make icons for your programs.
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 9098
Posted: 09:01am 31 Aug 2026
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It reminds me of the QNX demo floppy that was given away as a cover disk years ago. A very capable bit of code. You can still get a modern version for the Raspberry Pi.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
 
Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10030
Posted: 12:10am 01 Sep 2026
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I remember that QNX demo thing!  
Had totally forgotten about it till you posted that.
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
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