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{{Multiple issues|
{{About|the OS for Atari hardware|the Linux distribution|Linux Mint|other uses|Mint (disambiguation)}}
{{notability|date=October 2023}}
⚫
{{infobox OS
{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}
}}
{{Short description|Alternative operating system kernel for Atari ST}}
{{Other uses|Mint (disambiguation){{!}}Mint}}
⚫
{{Infobox OS
⚫
| name =
| logo =
| logo =
| screenshot =
| screenshot = St mint-1.1.jpg
| caption =
| caption = FreeMiNT 1.19 beta on Atari STE
| family =
| family =
| developer = Eric Smith, various volunteers
| developer = Eric Smith, various volunteers
| source model = [[Open source]]
| source model = [[Open-source software|Open source]]
| repository = {{URL|github.com/freemint/freemint}}
| frequently updated = <!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| frequently updated = <!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| marketing target = Personal computers
| marketing target = Personal computers
| kernel type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]]
| kernel type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]]
| influenced by = [[Atari TOS]]
| ui = [[Graphics Environment Manager|GEM]]
| ui = [[Graphics Environment Manager|GEM]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1993|06}}
| released = {{Start date and age|1993|06}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1926549|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
⚫
| license = [[Open source]]
| latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1926549|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| latest_release_version = 1.18.0
| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1926549|P348|P548=Q51930650}}
| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age|2013|03|18|df=yes}}
| latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1926549|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}
| programmed in = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| programmed in = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| userland =
| userland =
| supported platforms = [[Atari ST]], [[Atari Coldfire Project|Firebee]], ARAnyM
| supported platforms = [[Atari ST]], [[Atari Coldfire Project|Firebee]], ARAnyM, [[Amiga]]
| language =
| language =
| updatemodel =
| updatemodel =
| working state = Current
| working state = Current
| license = Various, including [[GNU General Public License]] ([[Free Software]])
| license = Various, including [[GNU General Public License]] ([[Free Software]])
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}}
}}


'''MiNT is Now TOS''' ('''MiNT''') is a [[free software]] alternative [[operating system]] [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] for the [[Atari ST]] system and its successors. It is a multi-tasking alternate to [[Atari TOS|TOS]] and [[MagiC]]. Together with the free system components fVDI [[device driver]]s, [[XaAES]] [[graphical user interface]] [[Widget (GUI)|widgets]], and TeraDesk [[file manager]], MiNT provides a free [[Atari TOS|TOS]] compatible replacement OS that can [[Computer multitasking|multitask]].
'''MiNT''' (MiNT is Now TOS) is a [[free software]] alternative [[operating system]] [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] for the [[Atari ST]] series. It is a multi-tasking alternative to [[Atari TOS|TOS]] and [[MagiC]]. Together with the free system components fVDI [[device driver]]s, [[XaAES]] [[graphical user interface]] [[Widget (GUI)|widgets]], and TeraDesk [[file manager]], MiNT provides a free [[Atari TOS|TOS]] compatible replacement OS that can [[Computer multitasking|multitask]].


== History ==
== History ==
Work on MiNT began in 1989, as the developer Eric Smith was trying to port the [[GNU]] library and related utilities on the Atari ST TOS. It turned out quickly, that it was much easier to add a [[Unix-like]] layer to the TOS, than to patch all of the GNU software, and MiNT began as a TOS extension to help in porting.
Work on MiNT began in 1989, as the developer Eric Smith was trying to port the [[GNU]] library and related utilities on the Atari ST TOS. It soon became much easier to add a [[Unix-like]] layer to the TOS, than to patch all of the GNU software, and MiNT began as a TOS extension to help in porting.


MiNT was originally released by Eric Smith as "MiNT is Not TOS" (a [[recursive acronym]] in the style of "GNU's Not Unix") in May 1990. The new Kernel got traction, with people contributing a port of the [[MINIX]] Filesystem and a port to the [[Atari TT]].
MiNT was originally released by Eric Smith as "MiNT is Not TOS" (a [[recursive acronym]] in the style of "GNU's Not Unix") in May 1990. The new Kernel got traction, with people contributing a port of the [[MINIX file system]] and a port to the [[Atari TT]].


At the same time Atari was looking to enhance the TOS with multitasking abilities, they found that MiNT could fulfill the job, and hired Eric Smith. MiNT was adopted as an official alternative kernel with the release of the [[Atari Falcon]], slightly altering the MiNT acronym into "MiNT is Now TOS". Atari bundled MiNT with a multitasking version of the [[Graphics Environment Manager]] (GEM) under the name ''MultiTOS'' as a [[floppy disk]] based installer.
At the same time, Atari was looking to enhance the TOS with multitasking abilities. MiNT could fulfill the job, and Atari hired Eric Smith. MiNT was adopted as an official alternative kernel with the release of the [[Atari Falcon]], slightly altering the MiNT acronym into "MiNT is Now TOS". Atari bundled MiNT with a multitasking version of the [[Graphics Environment Manager]] (GEM) under the name MultiTOS as a [[floppy disk]] based installer.


After Atari left the computer market, MiNT development continued under the name ''FreeMiNT'', and is now maintained by a team of volunteers. FreeMiNT development follows a classic open-source approach, with the source code hosted on a public CVS ([[Concurrent Versions System]]) repository and development discussed in a public mailing list.<ref>[http://freemint.de/en/ FreeMiNT Portal]</ref>
After Atari left the computer market, MiNT development continued as FreeMiNT, and became maintained by a team of volunteers. FreeMiNT development follows a classic open-source approach, with the source code hosted on a publicly browsable FreeMiNT [[Git]] repository on GitHub and development discussed in a public mailing list., which is maintained on SourceForge, after an earlier (2014) move from AtariForge, where it was maintained for almost 20 years.

Development has since moved to the publicly browsable [https://github.com/freemint/freemint FreeMiNT] [[GIT]] repository on GitHub<ref>[https://github.com/freemint/freemint FreeMiNT repository]</ref>, while the mailing list still maintained on SourceForge, after an earlier (2014) move from AtariForge, where it was maintained for almost 20 years.

== Hardware requirements ==
A minimal install of MiNT will run on an Atari ST with its stock 8&nbsp;MHz 68000 CPU, with 4&nbsp;MB RAM and a harddrive. It is highly recommended that an Atari computer with a 16&nbsp;MHz 68030 CPU and 8&nbsp;MB of RAM be used.

MiNT can also run inside the emulators [https://hatari.tuxfamily.org/ Hatari]<ref>[http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=29989 Minimal multitask configuration for Hatari]</ref> and [http://steemsse.sourceforge.net/ STEem], and with networking on the 68040 virtual machine [http://aranym.sourceforge.net/ Aranym]<ref>[http://aranym.sourceforge.net/links.html ARAnyM Links]</ref>.


== MiNT software ecosystem ==
== MiNT software ecosystem ==
FreeMiNT provides only a kernel, so several [[Linux distribution]]s support MiNT, most notably the [[RPM Package Manager]] or RPM based ''[[SpareMiNT]]'' and the ''[[Debian]] GNU/MiNT'' [[porting]] effort.
FreeMiNT provides only a kernel, so several distributions support MiNT, like VanillaMint, EasyMint, STMint, and BeeKey/BeePi.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Riviere |first1=Vincent |title=Atari ST - History of The OS |date=13 September 2018 |url=https://www.slideshare.net/fredericsagez/atari-st-history-of-the-os/}}</ref>


Although FreeMiNT can use the graphical user interface of the TOS (the [[Graphics Environment Manager]] GEM and the [[Application Environment Services]] or AES), it is better served with an enhanced AES which can use its [[Operating system|multi-tasking]] abilities.
Although FreeMiNT can use the graphical user interface of the TOS (the [[Graphics Environment Manager]] GEM and the [[Application Environment Services]] or AES), it is better served with an enhanced AES which can use its [[Operating system|multi-tasking]] abilities.


The default one is currently [[XaAES]], which is developed as a FreeMiNT kernel module. The older N.AES also works, however the modern alternative is [http://myaes.lutece.net/ MyAES]<ref>[http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=29989 Minimal multitask for Hatari (MyAES &amp; 68000)]</ref>
The default one is currently [[XaAES]], which is developed as a FreeMiNT kernel module. The older N.AES also works, however the modern alternative is MyAES.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[XaAES]]
* [[EmuTOS]]
* [[Atari TOS]]
* [[SpareMiNT]]
* [[Hatari (emulator)]]


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|myaes.lutece.net}}, MyAeS
* {{Official website|myaes.lutece.net}}
⚫
* [https://www.old-computers.com/museum/doc.asp?c=125 MiNT is Now TOS&mdash;an interview with Mr Eric R. Smith, the creator of MiNT]
* [http://xaaes.atariforge.net Unofficial XaAES website]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

⚫
* [http://www.old-computers.com/museum/doc.asp?c=125 MiNT is Now TOS&mdash;an interview with Mr Eric R. Smith, the creator of MiNT]
{{Operating systems}}
* [https://sourceforge.net/p/freemint/mailman/freemint-discuss/ FreeMiNT mailing list]
* [http://sparemint.org/mailinglist/Mailing-Lists/MiNT-List.index.html FreeMiNT mailing list archives ]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}
* [http://wiki.sparemint.org FreeMiNT wiki ]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}
* [https://github.com/freemint/freemint/tree/master/xaaes XaAES source]


[[Category:Atari ST software]]
[[Category:Atari ST software]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 12 October 2023

For other uses, see Mint.
MiNT
FreeMiNT 1.19 beta on Atari STE
DeveloperEric Smith, various volunteers
Written inC
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial releaseJune 1993; 31 years ago (1993-06)
Latest release1.18.0[1] Edit this on Wikidata / 17 March 2013
Repository
Marketing targetPersonal computers
PlatformsAtari ST, Firebee, ARAnyM, Amiga
Kernel typeMonolithic
Influenced byAtari TOS
Default
user interface		GEM
LicenseVarious, including GNU General Public License (Free Software)
Official websitefreemint.github.io

MiNT (MiNT is Now TOS) is a free software alternative operating system kernel for the Atari ST series. It is a multi-tasking alternative to TOS and MagiC. Together with the free system components fVDI device drivers, XaAES graphical user interface widgets, and TeraDesk file manager, MiNT provides a free TOS compatible replacement OS that can multitask.

History

[edit]

Work on MiNT began in 1989, as the developer Eric Smith was trying to port the GNU library and related utilities on the Atari ST TOS. It soon became much easier to add a Unix-like layer to the TOS, than to patch all of the GNU software, and MiNT began as a TOS extension to help in porting.

MiNT was originally released by Eric Smith as "MiNT is Not TOS" (a recursive acronym in the style of "GNU's Not Unix") in May 1990. The new Kernel got traction, with people contributing a port of the MINIX file system and a port to the Atari TT.

At the same time, Atari was looking to enhance the TOS with multitasking abilities. MiNT could fulfill the job, and Atari hired Eric Smith. MiNT was adopted as an official alternative kernel with the release of the Atari Falcon, slightly altering the MiNT acronym into "MiNT is Now TOS". Atari bundled MiNT with a multitasking version of the Graphics Environment Manager (GEM) under the name MultiTOS as a floppy disk based installer.

After Atari left the computer market, MiNT development continued as FreeMiNT, and became maintained by a team of volunteers. FreeMiNT development follows a classic open-source approach, with the source code hosted on a publicly browsable FreeMiNT Git repository on GitHub and development discussed in a public mailing list., which is maintained on SourceForge, after an earlier (2014) move from AtariForge, where it was maintained for almost 20 years.

MiNT software ecosystem

[edit]

FreeMiNT provides only a kernel, so several distributions support MiNT, like VanillaMint, EasyMint, STMint, and BeeKey/BeePi.[2]

Although FreeMiNT can use the graphical user interface of the TOS (the Graphics Environment Manager GEM and the Application Environment Services or AES), it is better served with an enhanced AES which can use its multi-tasking abilities.

The default one is currently XaAES, which is developed as a FreeMiNT kernel module. The older N.AES also works, however the modern alternative is MyAES.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FreeMiNT 1.18.0". 17 March 2013.
  2. ^ Riviere, Vincent (13 September 2018). "Atari ST - History of The OS".
[edit]
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