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Post by robertb on Dec 21, 2023 22:15:05 GMT
On Facebook's "Commodore 65 and MEGA65 fan club", I mentioned that you were going to start working on the TRIANGULAR μOS for the Mega65, and one person called it a proof of concept (which I suppose he meant that it was not a full-fledged OS like GEOS 65). Merry Christmas! Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group - www.dickestel.com/fcug.htmSouthern California Commodore & Amiga Network - www.portcommodore.com/sccan |
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Dec 22, 2023 18:43:20 GMT
On Facebook's "Commodore 65 and MEGA65 fan club", I mentioned that you were going to start working on the TRIANGULAR μOS for the Mega65, and one person called it a proof of concept (which I suppose he meant that it was not a full-fledged OS like GEOS 65). That is very good description of TRIANGULAR μOS. Actually it was full-fledge proof of concept in its inception and very definition of it in versions for PET (1.0x) and unexpanded VIC-20 (1.10 & 1.11). Oh, those old μOS day. Now it's still nowhere near serious OS, but its going somewhere into more serious direction. Current series 1.4x will bring many more enhancements. C65 version 1.5x will transfer it into 80 column display and new architecture, not mention speed boost of 3.54 MHz CPU. In series 1.6x for MEGA65 I will really try to benefit to similar, but somewhat faster BASIC65 and exploit those new features of this potent machine first in BASIC and later introduction of ML-BASIC hybrid codebase with version 2.00 (and on) will give further considerable speed boost to μOS not to mention new features possible. Ultimately I would strife to make μOS a nice GUI OS for writing and running great BASIC or ML GUI apps . In series 2.x on MEGA65 I would like to achieve all of those more ambitious goals of mine, like for example multitasking windowed BASIC programs. It would be great that, after all that effort, people will easily write some BASIC or ML windowed apps. After all, nothing will be more true of TRIANGULAR μOS than this catchy phrase "From zero to hero", when I will have decent stable μOS versions 2.x. As of current development, I've implemented API to whole drawing and I'm having some regrets in few places, due to speed decrease. Start Menu and some parts of SETTING windows are rendering faster with PRINT, so after reorganizing and optimizing variables, if those will still be visibly slower, I will revert those to older PRINT-ed version. Buttons, icons and some labels are doing great so they will stay in place, especially since performance drop is relatively small and actually codebase is not much bigger (at places even smaller), not mention huge coding convenience that those elements bring. Bear in mind that primary reason for this BASICALLY API calls is developments 3rd party GUI apps. Expanded TEMPLATE program will use 100% of those API calls and μOS SDK Programmers Reference Guide will describe in details those calls and development process, basing on TEMPLATE program. Other things: I've patched minimal stuff in STAR WARS and CRAB IN NEW YORK, plus latter can now exit from gameplay by F8 key, like all other games. Those 2 games I consider finished and won't updated. Also SIMCITY has no issues so it won't be touched in version 1.41 ( but probably it will be expanded, but later in version 1.42 or 1.43). Now only GP BRAZIL will be improved. And maybe WORDS. |
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Dec 25, 2023 22:24:54 GMT
Merry Christmas all!.
I've just finished updating GP BRAZIL. Few more changes, add new TEMPLATE + update documentation and 1.41 will be released before New Year.
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Dec 29, 2023 21:14:28 GMT
Time for some info about TRIANGULAR μOS updates after busy Christmas holidays.
I nearly finished debugging and polishing GUI. I've taken back some API calls, since many areas drew faster with PRINT statement. Nonetheless, all apps have at least some API calls. Also lot's of mechanisms are corrected. Folders windows are resized and of different sizes. Start menu visually is the same, but underlying code is improved.
Variables are rescheduled and many joined into one to reduce their number, thus system works faster (mouse goes from 4.80s to 4.67s).
WORDS type-in mechanism is muuuch faster (around 5 times: 4.15s from 11.2s in 1.40 or 19.03s in 1.36). WORDS has reworked some other mechanisms.
Overall GP BRAZIL is reworked just little, I will try to upgrage it further or leave it as it is.
GUI is virtually ready. Now, I will just tailor some non-GUI programs, while I will develop TEMPLATE and put it into GUI core codebase and update documentation (variables list is already updated). And on 31 December I will release μOS 1.41 as planned.
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Dec 30, 2023 20:50:59 GMT
Today I've finished μOS 1.41 codebase. System clipboard is stored on disk in CLIPBOARD.DAT file instead in System Registry (it is in tape buffer). That brings files count to 14. BIOS resets clipboard file after start/restart. BIOS has expanded error messages, so in 80 column VDC mode it will ask if you want to change to 40 column or exit to BASIC, in C64 mode it will instruct you to start μOS in C128 40-column mode and on C64 it will tell you that you need C128. To hint 1.42 future window color changes, Task bar shares color with Title bar> Standard this is orange, but whenever you change Title bar color, Task bar changes as well. Also DISK icon is changed from 6x6 icon that dates from μOS 1.00 BETA for PET days (2016/2017!!), to smaller, 5x5 diskette icon. GP BRAZIL track is more random (mix of straights, right & left turns). Also opponent cars (2 at max) are randomly generated in better manner, but not randomly disappear (in middle of first pass or after few passes), but perform one pass and then disappear. Moreover, they don't come in black color, so no "invisible opponent" can stealthy kill you. Updated TRIANGULAR μOS 1.41 Task list: - Wrongly assigned function keys are fixed => DONE - System clipboard is stored on disk in CLIPBOARD.DAT file => DONE - BIOS: Expanded error messages system => DONE - GUI: New expanded START MENU => DONE - GUI: Task bar shares color with Title bar => DONE - GUI: Some icons updated => DONE - DISK: Misplaced labels when moving fixed => DONE - BASICALLY API expanded with icons, buttons and text labels elements => DONE - WORDS is 3x times faster type-in mechanism and other improvements => DONE - GP BRAZIL: More realistic opponent cars placement and more random race track => DONE - Variables simplified and reorganized => DONE - Code restructured => DONE - BASICALLY Jump Table expanded => TODO - TEMPLATE program is expanded => TODO - Improvements & bugfixes => DONE - Documentation is updated and expanded => Currently in development More updates hereWhat's left is to expand TEMPLATE, add BASICALLY Jump Table to it and update documentation. Release tomorrow (31 December). |
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Dec 31, 2023 23:34:27 GMT
TRIANGULAR μOS 1.41 for Commodore 128 is released.  This is 4th (3rd major) μOS release this December. μOS codebase is even more cohesive. Known errors corrected. Few additional correction made since yesterday. Despite lots of changes, GUI file grew just nearly 0.5 KB to 22.02 KB compared to 1.40. BASICALLY API and its Jump Table is implemented. SDK TEMPLATE is set of expanded demonstrative programs. Documentation is expanded and updated, one chapter is in form of detailed tutorial how SDK TEMPLATE apps work and explains its code. TRIANGULAR μOS 1.41 for Commodore 128 [31-12-2023]: - Wrongly assigned function keys are fixed - System clipboard is stored on disk in CLIPBOARD.DAT file - BIOS: Expanded error messages system - GUI: New expanded START MENU - GUI: Task bar changes color with Title bar - GUI: Some icons updated - GUI: Move windows procedure improved - DISK: Misplaced labels when moving fixed - BASICALLY API expanded with icons, buttons and text labels elements - WORDS is 3x times faster type-in mechanism and other improvements - GP BRAZIL: More realistic opponent cars placement and more random race track - Variables simplified and reorganized - Code restructured - BASICALLY Jump Table expanded - SDK TEMPLATE program is expanded - Improvements & bugfixes - Documentation updated and expanded DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.41: avantee.art/triangular/releases/TRIANGULAR-uOS-1.41.zipDOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.41 SDK: avantee.art/triangular/releases/TRIANGULAR-uOS-1.41-SDK.zipTRIANGULAR μOS 1.40 YouTube preview in 4K: What's in future? In version 1.42 windows colors will customizable add SETTINGS will add separate WINDOW tab. SIMCITY will be expanded and save game option will be added, and GP BRAZIL will be further expanded. Version 1.43 will add mouse settings options. Roadmap of TRIANGULAR μOS: 1. Series 1.4x supports Commodore 128 with BASIC 7.0 and will be much more expanded (1.42, 1.43, etc.) 2. Series 1.5x will support Commodore 65/MEGA65 with BASIC 10.0 3. Series 1.6x will support MEGA65 with BASIC 11.0 / '65 BASIC' 4. Version 2.0x will support MEGA65 with BASIC 11.0 / '65 BASIC' and will be ML-BASIC hybrid **** TRIANGULAR μOS website: triangular-uos.blogspot.com |
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Post by robertb on Jan 1, 2024 1:14:30 GMT
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Jan 2, 2024 0:10:57 GMT
Happy New Year Robert. Today I've basically finished main objective of version 1.42, that is GUI changeable color theme. By doing so I've pushed μOS functions and especially SETTINGS further not only than version 1.25 that introduced 2 tab SETTINGS with 16 desktop colors, but version 1.10 for VIC-20 that first introduced similar functioning SYSTEM and COLORS apps (albeit only in 8 colors) - that was nearly 2 years ago. Now SETTINGS is divided into 3 tabs: SYSTEM (no changes here), WINDOW and DESKTOP. DESKTOP has all options of old GRAPHICS tab besides TITLE BAR color. WINDOW has TITLE BAR, WINDOW, BUTTON, TEXT and TASK BAR color options. Each tab has own DEFAULT button that will only revert GUI elements or DESKTOP theme colors. BIOS (UOS) and config file updated to new specs. Those changes added nearly 2 KB of code. Default "BRAZIL" theme is same as in versions 1.40 and 1.41, but now similar look is possible:  Now I will work on updates to SIMCITY and GP BRAZIL. And WORDS will receive some minor improvements. |
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Post by robertb on Jan 2, 2024 1:00:28 GMT
Today I've basically finished main objective of version 1.42... Whether v1.41 or v1.42, I will present TRIANGULAR μOS at the next SCCAN meeting (January 13) and the next FCUG meeting (January 21).  Happy New Year! Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group - www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm\Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - www.portcommodore.com/sccan |
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Post by =TRIANGULAR= on Jan 3, 2024 1:03:49 GMT
Whether v1.41 or v1.42, I will present TRIANGULAR μOS at the next SCCAN meeting (January 13) and the next FCUG meeting (January 21). I should finish version 1.42 before Jan 13th meeting easily and 1.43 should be finished before Jan 21st. I've expanded WINDOW tab even more and now it has one additional customizable element: START Menu color. Also accent on black strip of START Menu has color set by BUTTON color. UOS.CFG config file has 60% positions and is twice as bigger than before (1.41 and earlier). Now such color theme is possible:  Also WORDS is further expanded and utilizes WINDOW BASIC command to achieve seamless visual operation - all blinking and screen refreshing are eliminated + some minimal visual corrections. Speed of writing 1 line of text goes below 4 second, down to 3.98s from 4.15s in 1.41 (~5% faster). TRIANGULAR μOS 1.42 for Commodore 128 Task list: - SETTINGS is now divided into 3 tabs: SYSTEM, WINDOW and DESKTOP => DONE - SETTINGS WINDOW tab can customize colors of GUI elements => DONE - SETTINGS DESKTOP tab can customize desktop wallpaper => DONE - SIMCITY expanded => TODO - GP BRAZIL expanded => TODO - WORDS improved => DONE - Bugfixes => Currently in development More updates hereWhat's left in version 1.42 is expansion of SIMCITY & GP BRAZIL. Version 1.43 will have MOUSE option as main feature. Also I will introduce message box and add it as BASICALLY API item. Next I will introduce custom charset. I will divide this task on 2 parts: First in version 1.44 I will alter graphic part of PETSCII charset to modify or replace characters that take part in drawing GUI elements. Next in version 1.45 I will introduce new fonts designs that could be changed. Graphic part of charset introduced in 1.44 will stay the same in all of those different fonts for uniformity. Also I will introduce new BASICALLY API element to change fonts: selection list. In version 1.46 I will probably introduce bitmap graphic, which could be used as artwork for games title screens. Above sums up plan for main features of upcoming TRIANGULAR μOS versions. Alongside there will be added plethora of smaller features, alternations, improvements and bugfixes. |
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