PhoenixOS is:

• Runs on any operating system which has a JRE 1.2 implemented.
• Is written entirely in Java.
• Designed to have a similar Look&Feel to RiscOS.
• Has Drag and Drop (DnD) as the main way of transferring data between programs (some bugs in it).
• Has an Iconbar, with file type facilities on the left and applications on the right.
• Uses Left=Select, Middle=Menu and Right=Adjust mouse button convention.
• Uses popup menus as default.
• Applications included:
• A universal Textual Data editor (similar to !Zap; Text, Java & HTML, extendable to other formats) [partly implemented].
• A universal Drawing program (similar to !Draw), [not implemented].
• A universal help system, based on Java helpsets, with context sensitive, bubble, application and detailed help [partly implemented].
• A Filer system which implements RiscOS type file viewers [partly implemented].
• A Backdrop system [partly implemented].
• A Quicklook system (whenever a file is selected, it is quicklooked) [not implemented]
• A universal Print system, print whole desktop, application window, or application page(s) [not implemented].
• VRML and 3D display (uses Java3D-) [not implemented].
• Web browsing (using Jazilla) [not implemented].
• An application framework
• Automatic booting of  applications, running on start-up, running on file double click, running on application double click.
• A universal "Save as Gif" command for the desktop or any applications window.
• Application resources are contained within the application directory, and config. directory only.
• Java classes implement default application behaviour.
• Model Viewer Presenter (similar to MVC) model application model.
• Flexible command support with history, undo, redo remote driver support [partly implemented]
• Uses Infobus to connect applications together [partly implemented].
• Between application events [not implemented]
• A universal Script system (based on Java)  [not implemented].
• Universal Colour Selector, Save Box, Event Log, Font Selector, Style Selector, etc.  [not implemented]
• Universal config system [not implemented].
• Use of Resource Bundles for application resources.   [not implemented]
• Full internationalisation, using resource bundles to hold various language resources [not implemented].
• Full accessibility support [not implemented].
• Icons can be Gif (load/store), JPEG (load) [Sprites and other formats not implemented].
• Applications can be found in ROM, local hard disc, or out on the network [not implemented].
• Applications can be booted / removed while the system is running without requiring reboot or leaving resources scattered about the system. [partly implemented].
• In place editing of objects like PCA [not implemented].
• Multiple Look&Feel, by the Swing pluggable Look&Feel system. RiscOS Look&Feel [not implemented].
• Built in expert system shell. [not implemented]
• Expert system for backup [not implemented]
• Expert system for smart program update [not implemented]


19th November 1998

• Corrected some bugs in usage of URLClassLoader
• Packaged rest of applications into a JAR file.
• Uploaded a new version of PhoenixOS to web site.


15th November 1998

• Changed class loding to use URLClassLoader, there are still some wrinkles. Only Filer now loads as URLClassLoader loads JAR files.
• Packaged Filer up into a JAR file. Need to do the same for other applications.
• Added Command.properties files for Filer and Desktop.


13th November 1998

• Downloaded CVS and jCVS (java client with source code)


12th November 1998

• Got Filer undo/redo working. Many commands still don't undo properly.
• Got Filer "Open parent" working.
• Contacted JavaLobby as regards making PhoenixOS a JavaLobby project, with CVS access from the JavaLobby site.

 

• Got Filer selection partially working again (still can't do disjoint selections!)

 

• Problems with JTable, multiple selections with disjoint selection doesn't seem to work. Array random cell selection is even worse. I think the only way to get them working properly is to create an entirely new component, something which is several weeks work.
• made minor changes to InnerApp, member variable infobus now private.
• Added tool tip accessor to PhoenixOS.Command.java.

9th November 1998

• Mega hack of Filer, moved viewers to JTable based.

4th November 1998

• Continued coding "Full Info" view to the Filer.
• Added in-line editing of file names for "Full Info" view of Filer.
• Added sorting of files by name, date, size or type ("Full Info" view only).
• Help system does not run any longer as depends on old location of swing.

 

• Added simple PhoenixOS events. They are very easy to use but not very efficient, an extendable efficient way of applications defining events, finding out which events are available and subscribing to events is needed.

• Started "Full Info" view of Filer using JTable.

Windows95 by any other name would smell as sweet!