Imagesource: http://www.symbos.de/

A window-based, graphical operating system with multitasking capabilities sounds rather modern at first glance, and like something you would place back in the 90s.

But far from it. Also for earlier machines with 8-bit CPUs there existed and exist quite usable, graphical operating systems, which also bring single-core multitasking to the table. 

For the C64 GEOS comes to mind, for Atari BOSS-X. But also for Z80 based systems there exists something. Unfortunately not with the notoriety it deserves.

SymbOS just got version number 3.1 at the turn of the year, and is a multitasking operating system for Amstrad CPC, MSX, Amstrad PCW and Enterprise 64/128 machines.

Joseph Antony is the mastermind behind this project and has been taking care of the development of the OS, widgets, software and everything else needed, to get the most out of the Z80 for many years.

Don't know SymbOS yet? Time to try it out.