A/UX

A/UX
A/UX 3.0.0 desktop
Type:	Multitasking, multiuser
Creator:	Apple/UniSoft
Architecture:	Macintosh
This Version:	3.11
Date Released:	1988

After Steve Jobs left Apple, they scrambled to put together a system that could compete with NeXT. Hearing that NeXT was going to enter the Unix workstation market, Apple commissioned UniSoft to help port SYSVr2 to its Macintosh II lineup.

Significant Versions

0.7

A/UX 0.7's UI

This version is more infamous because it included the source code to the kernel, which can be built with a little bit of work. There is no real Toolbox in this version, but rather a bare minimal SYSV port. This version uses a SYSV filesystem, while later versions of A/UX used 4.2BSD's FFS.

1.1.1

A/UX 1.1.1's GUI

This is a super barebones version, the toolbox is barely able to run the terminal application and some simple desktop widgets.

2.0

A/UX 2.0's GUI

Version 2.0 is more polished, and able to run a finder that is more parallel to System 6.

3.0

A/UX 3.0's GUI

This is the best version to get ahold of. 3.0 emulates a System 7.0.1 environment.

How do I get this to run?!

You will need an actual Macintosh that is supported. The best machines are the Quadra series. Note, not all Quadras will run A/UX. More information can be found on aux-penelope. Optionally the Shoebill emulator can run A/UX 1.1.1, 2.0 & 3.0.0 (*NOTE that version 3.0.0 seems to work the best). The latest version includes SDL support which can run on *NIX'es and Windows.

The Macintosh environment from 3.0.1 will not run on Shoebill right now, however the unix side does work. You can create a hybrid 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 setup by replacing the /mac directory on 3.0.1 media with the /mac directory of 3.0.0 install media.

What Runs?

Some early GNU stuff will compile, however keep in mind that during the lifespan of A/UX GNU started up the Apple protest over the 'look and feel' lawsuit.