Geos Operating System

Having learned early basic programming on a 128K Apple Macintosh I definitely grew and affinity to the graphical user interface type of setup. The C64 and C128 both had similar user interface environments that could be loaded onto the machine through one of your choice of drives such as the 1541, 1571, or 1581. Later the development of Ram Drives were introduced such as the 1700 (128k), 1764 (256k), the 1750 (512k), and the Geos 512k GeoRam. GEOS (Graphic Environment Operating System) is an operating system from Berkeley Softworks (later GeoWorks). , GEOS took full advantage of many of the add-ons and improvements available for these systems. Commodore's 1351 mouse was supported by GEOS, as were its various RAM expansion units. GEOS 128 also fully supported the C128's 640×200 high-resolution VDC display mode through a compatible RGB monitor.

The C64 version of GEOS incorporated a built-in fast loader, called diskTurbo, that significantly increased the speed of drive access on the slow 1541. (GEOS 128 could take advantage of the C128's enhanced "burst mode" in conjunction with the 1571 and 1581 drives.)

Geos is a fun to use program that gives the C64/128 the feel of a powerful 16-bit machine. Many accessory programs came out to work along with the standalone program such as:

• geoBASIC
• geoCable
• geoCalc
• geoChart
• geoDex
• geoDraw
• geoFAX
• geoFile
• geoFont
• geoLabel
• geoPaint
• geoPrint
• geoProgrammer
• geoPublish
• geoSpell
• geoWrite
• geoWrite Workshop

I personally own Geos 1.2 and 2.0 for the C64. I'm looking to score a copy of Geos 128. I've also got the 1700 and 1764 ram expansion along with the 1351 mouse. I have a 1350 mouse laying around somewhere that can also be used. If you have any useful ideas, or creations from Geos feel free to post. I'm looking forward to transferring some pictures I take with ComputerEyes to Geos format to play with. More info...