RISC OS fact check

Hi all,

I am interested in alternative operating systems, and I have created a comparison of different operating systems, including RISC OS: https://eylenburg.github.io/os_comparison.htm

As I don’t have any compatible hardware I can’t test RISC OS on all the information I put in are based on what I’ve found online. So I’m a bit worried that I got some things wrong. For example I have no way of checking myself whether Whatsapp Web or Zoom work in Iris/Otter or not (for the latter I put “no” because RISC OS doesn’t appear to support webcams in the first place which makes it a bit pointless).

So, please could let me know if I made any mistakes regarding RISC OS?

It might be worth noting that Android could be the most popular operating system.

This site https://gs.statcounter.com/platform-market-share/desktop-mobile-tablet (first Google result) suggests that mobile is about 60%, desktop is about 40%, and the rounding error is tablets.

That said, I think a lot of tablets pretend to be phones (I’m assuming “mobile” means a phone), so I’m not sure if it’s really possible to reliably tell the two apart (especially since the most popular two run Android or iOS, just like the phone versions).

Probably less popular

Rather than phrases like that (which is unspecific to the point of being purple prose), would it not be possible to pick a few sources (you’ll find they vary wildly, so probably best to average) to give some numbers as an idea of where they rank relative to each other?

I mean, “Unix” on desktops is barely a blip, so if “Probably less popular” for one of the non-Linux incarnations means 0.7% rather than 0.8%, honestly I’d count them as equals.

Legacy OS from the late 80s that was finally open sourced in 2018.

Given the history and heritage, I’d be inclined to drop the word “finally”. It sounds like people were twiddling their thumbs waiting for a decision to be made.

Unlikely to ever become “relevant” again

Probably true, but damn that’s a harsh way of saying it.

Oh, and HarmonyOS (Hóngméng) isn’t a fork of Android.
You might want to do some digging because countries that don’t appreciate American influence (say, China and Russia) have various indigenous operating systems that may be a fork of something existing (like a de-Googled fork of Android) or may be something home grown.
India is a bit late to the game, but plans are underway for an Indian OS to put into their smartphones (particulary given the vast differences in phone use between Indians and Americans).

Knowing Google’s tendency to kill its projects, it wouldn’t be surprising if Fuchsia development is discontinued suddenly.

You owe me a new keyboard. ;)

But, yeah, too true.

PS: I can’t help with the WhatsApp/Zoom as I don’t do “socials”.

You have “Native IPv6 support” listed even though it requires ROD’s third-party solution. With that in mind, Wi-Fi is also supported via Elesar’s third-party solution.

Suggested corrections:

Pre-installed on Desktops/Lapotops. Yes (selected devices) – see http://www.riscoscomputers.co.uk/ or http://www.riscosbits.co.uk/ (there are others too).

GPU hardware acceleration – yes on selected platforms (full 3d acceleration available on Pi, 2D desktop acceleration on i.MX6 and Titanium)

Multiple monitors – yes on selected devices (eg. Titanium motherboard)

Wireless lan – 3rd party add-on for Pi

GUID/GPT support – yes on platforms including the PartMan OS component

Filesystem – you’re missing FAT32 from the list which is not uncommon (and can be read on RISC OS), and at the risc (pun intended) of being irrelevant, your chart doesn’t mention ADFS format, which of course RISC OS supports!

Telegram – supported via free ChatCube application

Cloud sync – no mention of pCloud which is supported on RISC OS, and is available on many platforms

There are http imap smtp servers available and various ported apps, although to be fair, not necessarily the named ones in your list, so technically this is correct.

Also, as owners of the OS, we’d (RISC OS Developments Ltd) prefer your section on Developer to read “RISC OS Developments Ltd & RISC OS Open Ltd” since the two companies work together to develop and promote the OS.

Pre-installed on Desktops/Lapotops. Yes (selected devices) – see http://www.riscoscomputers.co.uk/ or http://www.riscosbits.co.uk/ (there are others too).

There’s a fairly comprehensive (we hope) list of the various hardware options at https://www.wrocc.org.uk/risc-os/a-guide-to-risc-os-hardware

Thank you everyone! I have made some updates:
- small changes in wording
- RISC OS is available pre-installed
- GPU acceleration, multiple monitors, GPT support
- WLAN and IPv6 via 3rd party components