Features
Our first beta release of TePhOS currently has the following features:
- 100% compatible with the original Texas Instruments 99/4A Operating System released in 1981 and by Oasis Pensive Abacutors in 1991.
- Updated to be compatible with original V9938/58 devices like our T.I.M. and newer devices like F18A and Pico9918.
OPA Micro-Manager
Designed by O.P.A. and originally released in 1991 on their S.O.B. device and fully written in GPL it is designed for easy cataloging and loading of software via all your devices like; floppy, ramdisks, hard drives, networks.
Fully supports “Review Module Library” featured in our original POP-Cart and SXB Multi-Mod and UberGROM devices, along with PGRAM+ and HSGPL, and our upcoming own improved 4 slot widget (cartridge expansion).
- Now fully updated to handle newer devices like TIPI, HDX, IDE, SCSI, etc.
- TRUE LOWER-CASE character set added to all your existing modules and programs.
- Run Assembly, Object, Forth, or c99 programs directly. (Min. 32k addon required)
- Launch various modules installed on your TI99 via the cartridge port.
- Capable of auto-loading a disk-based program on expanded systems on power-up.
9t9 BASIC
Currently, 9t9 BASIC operates just like the original TI BASIC system, but since the EDITOR/ASSEMBLER module is now integrated into the operating system, more calls and functions are available, and in future releases of TePhOS the internal BASIC will be improved even more by the addition of the BASIC support module, and addition support allowing the usage of more expansion memory devices and 40/80 text modes.
9t9 EDITOR/ASSEMBLER
The original Editor/Assembler module is now integrated into the operating system, currently the only improvement is the ability to change the loading path for the external files via the firmware installed program, and the ability to select either GPL Assembler or TMS9900 Assembler for when you want to compile your source files into an object file. Also supplied in the TePhOS 9t9 release zip, is both 40 column and 80 column editors. More new features are planned in the next release.
9t9 WRITER
The original TI WRITER module is now integrated into the operating system, currently the only improvement is the ability to change the loading path for the external files via the firmware installed program. Also supplied in the TePhOS 9t9 release zip, is both 40 column and 80 column editors. More new features are planned in the next release.
9t9 DISK MANAGER 2
The original Disk Manager was very limited and only supported “3 floppy drives”, as such it is currently NOT included in this current v1.81 beta release of our TePhOS 9t9, as a whole re-write is currently on-going to improve this module, and allow it to support all external devices, with an easier to use menu system, in managing all your files and directories, across all your devices and networks. Stay tuned to future releases, as this will be completed soon.
9t9 EQUATION CALCULATOR
The original TI-99/4 console had this feature, we are planning to bring it back along with new features, as why not its tiny, useful, and TI is world-famous for their calculators, so why not have it there to enjoy. 🙂
UPCOMING NEW 9t9 FEATURES
TI99’ers around the world over the decades have produced some amazing cool new hardware for the original system, as such we have been busy mapping out a way to integrated all those devices and add-ons you may already own and enjoy using, giving them more features and useful to everything you can imagine right out of the system when you power-up your console. Here below is just some of the upcoming new features now underway:
- Embedded HDX device (No more need to modify your RS232 card to transfer files)
- Embedded ROM device (Special DSR to load EA3/EA5/XB files from a virtual Rom-Diskette)
- Support for Clocks, and displaying of timestamps on files and directories
- Enhanced System menus and displays, if your system has an 80-colum device install
- Ability to use a mouse if found to move around the menu system and issue commands
- Support for special SDCARD device, found attached to “joystick” port
- Support for software controlled overclocking mods (Speed changes from 3Mhz to 4Mhz)
- RAMBO & SAMS Memory Management API for developers
- User Configuration Menu for System Settings and Defaults
- User Start-Up Menu for Launching their Favorite Programs
Over the next few months the above list of up-coming features will be added in future updates, now that the first beta release is out and we have a stable framework to build on, and an easy to manage upgrade system for end-users, we will be releasing more often new TePhOS releases as they are completed and fully tested for all to enjoy! 🙂