See NewbieInfo page.

What is the BeOS?

BeOS is a modern operating system that provides speed, ease of use, responsiveness and stability. Built 'from scratch', BeOS takes advantage of newer technologies, such as symmetric multi-processing, preemptive multitasking, multithreading and has a 64-bit journaling file system. The last officially released version of BeOS was Release 5 (R5).

BeOS allows users to simultaneously operate multiple audio, video, image processing and Internet-based software applications while maintaining system stability, media quality and processor performance. BeOS provides professional users and enthusiasts with a high performance environment to quickly and easily develop applications and content and is designed to facilitate the integration of new technologies. It has been ported to run on various hardware configurations, like PowerPC and Intel x86 processor platforms.

Even though BeIncorporated is not developing BeOS anymore, BeOS continues to have many enthusiasts and volunteers involved with it and more joining everyday. BeOS looks to have a bright future with projects like OpenBeOS which is an open source effort to first recreate and then extend BeOS. Recently, YellowTab has purchased the rights to use and modify the BeOS source code. Zeta will be the name of the new system.

Where do I Start?

The easiest way to get started is to download and install the BeOS R5 Personal Edition.The PE can be installed from within Windows or Linux, it creates a 500Mb file which contains the whole system. The PE is not a restricted version, you can install it on a partition, installing a bootmanager as well as use symmetric multi-processing.

BeOS Personal Edition is entirely self-contained within a file installed onto your system, providing a harmless way to run BeOS on an existing windows or linux setup.

Getting Help.

• BeTips
  BeTips is a huge collection of various tidbits about the BeOS that make using BeOS that much more easy and fun. Many of these tips are helpful in getting certain hardware to work or other troublesome tasks. Check it out if you haven't done so already, there's something for everyone.
• The Hardware Matrix
  The Hardware Matrix has been moved, and is now hosted by BeDrivers, here: http://www.bedrivers.com/hardware/. The database is full of information that details what hardware works and doesn't work with the BeOS. The information is submitted by users, so the information is truthful and extensive. You may also find tips on getting hardware to work (such as what driver to download). If your hardware is incompatible with the BeOS, please take the time to submit your hardware configuration for the benefit of the whole community.
• BeOS Laptop Page
  Want a laptop that is known to work with BeOS? Already have a laptop and want to report if it works with BeOS? The BeOS Laptop Page is for you!
• BeDrivers.com
  Do you have unsupported hardware that doesn't work with BeOS? Then checkout BeDrivers.com to see if your hardware has drivers available to download and install.
• BeNewsgroups
  There are a number of public 'forums' where beginners can ask BeOS questions and draw upon the wealth of experience that exists. Here are USENET newsgroups where BeOS newbies can seek help depending on what their problem is.
• BeShare
  BeShare is a phenomenon in the BeOS Community. BeShare, written by the talented Jeremy Friesner, is a file-sharing, chat program that helps users contact each other in real-time for functions such as general BeOS tech-support, coding support and much more. Download BeShare today for immediate and long lasting BeOS support from experienced BeOS users. If you need to log on to BeShare from other platforms you should look at Javashare2 (A multi-platform client written in Java) or Unizone_Windows or Unizone_linux (A windows and linux client written in QT).
• HowTo
  A repository of extensive guides that detail how to accomplish certain tasks with the BeOS. Everything from installing BeOS to configuring some of the little known delights of the BeOS.
• BeCommunity
  The current, active participants in the BeOS Community, including personal webpages, and more.