
TL;DR
Os8088.com has successfully integrated a web browser into the IBM XT OS, allowing it to fetch and display real web pages. Additionally, it now emulates CP/M 2.2, enabling the use of classic software like Microsoft Word 1.1a on vintage hardware.
✦ Why It Matters
Explore retro computing by experimenting with os8088 to run classic software and access web pages.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
os8088.com has made significant advancements by developing a web browser that fetches real web pages and displays them as text and tables on an IBM XT OS. This browser, which is only 13,889 bytes in size, operates over an Ethernet card or a parallel cable, with the rendering speed being the bottleneck rather than the network speed.
Furthermore, os8088 now emulates the Zilog Z80 processor, allowing classic CP/M 2.2 software to run, including Microsoft BASIC and an assembler. A new C compiler has been introduced, enabling faster program development, leading to the creation of a version of Microsoft Word 1.1a that fits within 47KB.
Additionally, os8088 can now utilize both monochrome and color monitors simultaneously, creating a unified desktop experience. Lastly, a Z-machine interpreter has been added, allowing users to play classic text-based games from the 1980s.
Related