Updated on June 17 2006

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Table of contents.

1. What is Free MultiOS?
2. What is the target user group?
3. Where is the ISO image?
4. How does it work?
5. Why does the Emulator i have just installed exactly nothing at all?
6. If this is Open Source, where is the source code?
7. How can i contribute?
8. How do i stay in track of Free MultiOS?

What is Free MultiOS?

Free MultiOS is a free CD-ROM, providing a compilation of free, experimental Operating Systems and emulators for the i386 architecture. All provided software is ether licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 2, Berkeley Software Distribution license or any alike Open Source license. Free MultiOS will never provide shareware, or "Warez"

What is the target user group?

Well, in fact Free MultiOS is targeted to anyone who likes to play around with Operating Systems, mostly ICT students and geeks (also known hackers, computer nerds or OS enthusiasts). Since most of its counterparts are provided as so called Live CD's even the average Joe's an Jill's will be able to try the Operating Systems. Things unfortunately change if you would like to install one of the provided Operating Systems permanently on your box. In some cases, quite some technical skills are required. My advice however is: don't be scared, dare to educate and challenge yourself! Search the web and subscribe to related Usenet newsgroups for information. I promise you, your reward will be huge ;)

Where is the ISO image?

The ISO9660 CD-ROM image file is available for download on the project page in the Bestanden (Files) section. This is the button most to the right. The file is called fMultiOSxxxx_x_iso.zip, where xxxx_x is the version number. Unzip the file and burn it to a CDR(W) with your favorite CD-burning packages. Don't create a new data cd project but look for a option called Write image or the like... Burn baby burn ;)

How does it work?

Free MultiOS is not a bootable CD, but can be best compared to a website on disk. What you need is a computer with a already running Operating System and a web browser. If you are running Microsoft Windows and have the autorun function of the CD-ROM drive enabled, simply pop in the disk into the CD-ROM drive and you will be welcomed by the introduction screen. If you are running any other Operating System or have the autorun function disabled, you will have to manually load the index.html file in the root directory of the CD-ROM. If you have spotted a file you want to try, simply click on the filename or target Operating System platform and copy it to a directory on your harddisk. If you copied a ISO9660 image, write the image with your CD writing software to a CDRW and boot your system from the fresh CDRW.

Why does the Emulator i have just installed exactly nothing at all?

Unfortunately this is a known issue that can't be solved due to legal considerations. Some Operating Systems and firmware ROM BIOS (images) are simply still copyright protected and thus not free available. There is no chance they will be ever provided by Free MultiOS. If you are looking for "Warez" Free MultiOS is simply the wrong spot to look at ;) For some emulators the Operating Systems an firmware have been delivered for non commercial use by its producers and they have been included on the CD or a link is included in the GUI. For those who are not, you will have to obtain a legal copy yourself. Please don't ask me to send you a illegal ROM or Operating System disk image; i will fully ignore your request - no exceptions -

If this is Open Source, where is the source code?

To use the diskspace on the CD as efficient as possible, the source code is removed. However conform the GNU General Public License i _must_ give you access to the Source Code. There for in the file description a link to the project's homepage is provided, where you can download the source code and eventually check for updates. You can access the homepage by simply clicking the Mozilla Firefox icon in the last column of the file description.

How can i contribute?

Well first of all you can contribute information, in case you spotted a interesting free Operating System or Emulator. Beside that you could eventually translate the GUI in your native language. Frankly i could do the Dutch, German and Hebrew translation my self, but honestly, this will distort development. So if you think there should be a release in your native language available, your work will be highly appreciated. However remember: i am not able to reward you for your work. The only thing you will get in reward is eternal fame in the Free MultiOS community. Guidelines will follow soon.

How do i stay in track of Free MultiOS?

The sites in order of importance are: The Free MultiOS project homepage; my personal homepage; my Dutch weblog; With thanks to Maarten Koopmans of Surfnet, for his great help!