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BeOS Release 5 Free Version This document provides a summary of the new and changed features that can be found within the latest version of BeOS. This document lists the differences between BeOS Release 4.5 and BeOS Release 5 Free Version; see the BeOS Product Datasheet for more information about all of the features of BeOS. Except where otherwise noted, the changes listed below are identical on the Intel and PowerPC platforms. This list is current for the BeOS Release 5 Free Version, as of March 27, 2000. Quick links to sections on this page: Summary of Changes User-Level Changes Links to other useful BeOS information: BeOS Product Datasheet BeOS Specifications BeOS Ready Systems   Summary of Changes Hardware Support Changes Intel Architecture platform support improvements PCMCIA Graphics Audio Network Mouse Modem Development Environment Debugger Storage Support PowerPC platform Major Software Changes Tracker improvements Netpositive improvements Print server improvements Translation kit improvements Added desk bar features Reduced memory footprint CPU-specific libraries and functions Media kit matures Media player CD burner application CDDA-FS Improved networks setting panel Extensible file-type sniffing P-III optimized memcpy/memset Midi kit Better parallel driver Better Bemail Miscellaneous Changes New compiler Improved PPP support USB printing   User-Level Changes "User-level" changes are those changes people will notice just using BeOS. These are feature changes, additions, improvements, bug fixes, and the like that you don't need to be writing code to stumble across. We also include things that only a developer will really touch or see directly, but which have an affect on things that might be visible to the end user. Note that a few of the changes described here are similar to support that was available with Release 4.5, with "experimental" software. The versions included here are revised and improved from those versions. Unless specifically noted, everything listed below is considered "supported" rather than "experimental." Hardware Support Changes Intel Architecture platform support BeOS Release 5 Free Version is the fourth major release of BeOS for Intel Architecture. We've again expanded our range of hardware support, both the core systems on which you can install and run BeOS, and the add-in hardware which BeOS will recognize and make use of. Below is a list of the changes (improvements) to our Intel Architecture hardware support. If you are interested in knowing the full range of hardware which is supported by BeOS Release 5 Free Verson, see the BeOS Ready Systems -- Intel list. PCMCIA Great news for laptop users! There's now experimental PCMCIA IDE support, including: Compact flash adaptor Memory stick adaptor Vaio CD-ROM Improved modem support (reliability) Linksys DE-660 10-T ethercard Linksys Network Everywhere(tm) 10-T ethercard Graphics We've added yet more graphics drivers. Here's the list: Matrox g400 rage128 pro i810 Trident MVP 4 Audio We've also added new audio drivers, including support for the Echo Gina, Layla, and Darla, IOMagic MagicWave PCI (based on the Aureal Vortex and Vortex-2), NewClear PCI 128, Sonorus STUDI/O, Turtle Beach Diamond, Montego, and Montego II Quadzilla, VIA MVP4, Yamaha DS1 Network There's now better support for multiple network cards (of the same type). Mouse Mouse wheel support for all applications except Logitech USB mouse. Modem Lucent and pc-tel softmodem support. Development Environment The development environment has changed for the better to include: The ability to open multiple projects Support for multiple project builds Support for multiple message windows Profiling support (-p option) Nasm support Debugger Debugging for developers now has: Better support for global variables Assembly-level debugging support Enhanced memory viewer Conditional breakpoints (simple expressions only) Storage Thread-local storage, improved malloc Support Some of the biggest advancements made were in the area of support. Here's the list: 1394 support; Isochroous USB support; Experimental PCMCIA IDE support, including: compact flash adaptor, memory stick adaptor, vaio CD-ROM; improved modem support (reliability); Linksys DE-660 10-T ethercard; Linksys Network Everywhere(tm) 10-T ethercard; Read-only ntfs support Read-only ext2 support PowerPC platform Important Note: BeOS still won't run on Apple's "G3" systems, but the limitation is our knowledge of Apple's system design, not of the PowerPC 750 microprocessor. This is knowledge that only Apple can give us, and Apple has consistently refused our requests. You can read more in the BeOS FAQs. That's not an answer we like giving when people ask (and they ask a lot), but it's where we're at. Please read the FAQs before sending further questions or suggestions on this issue. Thanks for understanding. Major Software Changes Tracker improvements Query templates, an improved find panel and spring-loaded X-ray folders that allow for seamless moving of files from one folder to the next by a click-hold, then mousing through lists until you see your destination folder. Also new are a get info panel, recent apps, recent documents and recent queries plus icon suites and safe mode support. Netpositive improvements An all-new download manager with improved navigation icons and performance, including multiple download capabilities such as the ability to stop, start and pause downloads. Print server improvements With reduced memory and thread usage, the print server is faster and uses less system resources. Translation kit improvements Improved Targa and PNG handling. Added desk bar features Includes drag and drop, configuration, and new desk bar add-on api kernel. Reduced memory footprint CPU-specific libraries and functions Media kit matures Summary of changes: Improved media file handling Cinepak encoder mp3 decoder Read/write multi-channel wav files Lower-latency with existing drivers Media Player Now with: Streaming media support NetPositive plug-in integration Drag & drop frame as image Overlay support CDDA-FS The CDDA filesystem allows you to mount and read an audio CD as if it were a CD-ROM. The tracks are available as WAV files and can be read by any BeOS application. Advantages to this filesystem include playing a regular audio CD slower or faster (or backwards!), and the ability to modify audio files (music, etc.) with applications such as SoundPlay, already in your BeOS system. Saving the WAV files to your computer's hard disk is as simple as dragging and dropping. Improved networks setting panel Now autodetects cards. Extensible file-type sniffing Pentium III optimized memcpy/memset Midi kit The new midi kit with microsecond resolution timing comes with: MidiOxygen44 USB Midi Support More than one application can listen to a midi port Application-to-application midi support Better parallel driver The new and improved parallel driver is now faster, has ECP mode and supports dongles. Better BeMail New and improved with button bar, save as draft, spell checking(!) and UI enhancements. Miscellaneous Changes New compiler The little darling now generates faster and better code. Improved PPP support USB printing

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