More Details Emerge About Free BeOS
Be, Inc. has further outlined the details behind the availability of BeOS for free on the Internet. Coming sometime in mid-to-late February, Version 5 will bring the Be operating system to users without the need to partition the hard drive. While the free version will not contain all components of the enhanced version that can be purchased from the Be Store, it will be fully functional with no time restrictions.
The entire operating system will be contained in a single FAT32 file within Windows, and double-clicking on it will make the system exit Windows, and load BeOS directly from the Windows file structure. To uninstall the operating system, users will simply have to drag it to the recycle bin.
For those users who are already running BeOS on a partition, or those who wish to run it on a separate partition, there is an option available to do so. Be, Inc. is still working out the details for upgrades to any person who has previously purchased BeOS and is currently running it. Those users are encouraged to visit the Be, Inc. Web site in the coming weeks as the details are worked out.
The major new features in Version 5 include firewire and DV support, and enhanced USB support. The Media Kit has also made some improvements with the addition of new drivers and nodes such as the multi-channel audio node that will make it easier to work with multiple sound cards.
While Be, Inc. continues to shift more towards Internet appliances and closed systems, they stress that they have not given up on the desktop market. With the hopes of expanding their installed base, Be switched market strategies and decided to offer Version 5 for free. Be is currently working with various other Be software developers to offer more ways for users to gain access to their operating system. One such partnership with GoBe Productions will bundle BeOS with the purchase of the GoBe Office Suite. The goal is for the end user to get everything they need "in one single purchase."
More details will be released in the coming weeks and the FreeBe Web site will be updated accordingly. Also available at the Free BeOS site, users can sign up for the mailing list that will notify those on it the second BeOS Version 5 becomes available for download. Send a blank e-mail to freebeos@be.com to sign up.