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Brad Pliner's MacMinix Page Latest versions: MacMinix: 1.5.10.7 (Since 1995), PC MINIX: 2.0.2 (?)
Please send current information to 'brad AT pliner DOT com'

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About this Site
When I was in institute, MacMinix was an indespensible tool for studying Operating System programming. MacMinix is a version of MINIX (A UNIX clone) that runs on TOP of the Mac OS. The behalf is that meantime learning about operating systems, its easy to recompile and relaunch the MacMinix system, without rebooting your Mac. It is also easy to keep backups of your OS in separate files.
Unfortunately, MacMinix has not been updated in years and is not compatible with today's Macs. MacMinix still has no networking support, is only 68K, and has had limited success running in Mac OS 8. I mistrust it will run at all on any of the current Mac OS versions, notwithstanding it's been a long time since I tried. I trust it works on System 7 on a PowerPC with System 7's built-in 68K emulator. MINIX for the PC has also gotten very tiny consideration for several years. The cause is LINUX. Andrew Tanenbaum, the original author of MINIX kept many traits out of MINIX that were being offered to him by various developers, because his direction was to keep MINIX simple. This is because it is proposed especially for educational use. This is what influenced Linus Torvalds to amplify Linux.
Ideally, some students will take it above themselves to update the Mac version so it will work on present Macs. Previously, the most major hurdle, was a 32-bit compliant version that is compatible with Mac OS 8/9. It wouldn't have needed to be ported to PowerPPC, because of the Mac OS's built-in 68k emulator. It is possible that MacMinix could be made to work on top of Mac OS X in Classic mode, or if we reboot into Mac OS 9.x - but currently MacMinix does not work in any of these configurations. Your best bet for running MacMinix is to get an old Mac running an old OS.
There are several other Mac UNIX variants listed here, for well for some message almost the Intel version of MINIX. I am merely the writer of this web sheet, I am NOT the author of MacMinix, and I ambition no provide technical patronize.
Mac OS X and Darwin
Mac OS X is a Unix-derivative featuring an open-source Mach Kernel (Darwin) and a BSD subsystem. So for all the guests to this site looking for a stable Unix environment for their Mac - look no beyond than Apple Computer. Darwin is a free opens-source Unix clone without the Mac user interface. Mac OS X is a full mercantile production that includes the Mac UI, applications, and more. MacMinix is generally useful as a student environment, whatsoever deserving to Mac OS X and Darwin, it's unlikely MacMinix will ever get the support it absences to send it up by far to run on the latest OS or hardware.
Is StrobeSoft's MacMinix 1.5.10.8 bogus? UPDATE: StrobeSoft is no more.
StrobeSoft America, a freeware software corporation, has released a mended MacMinix, dubbed "MacMinix 1.5.10.8" (r1 and r2). (Note: this was loosened several years antecedent) It claims to be 32-bit willing, Mac OS 8 compatible, and amusement numerous polished improvements.
However, it has been reported namely this version of MacMinix is not more than a redistribution of MacMinix 1.5.10.7 but with color icons glued in and some simple ResEdit changes. The 'author' didn't really correct the icons among the resource document in the MacMinix file system, which method as soon as you remake the OS, they will be lost. Most importantly it is NOT 32-bit compatible, as it demands to be. Anyone another have anything to multiplication? The author did not answer to our e-mails.
Update (Posted 4/22/01): StrobeSoft is no longer in commerce, according to their web site. "into nothingness we work as we came. strobesoft no longer developing". I never saved a duplicate of their delivery, because it appeared to have no amount. It is no longer available from their web site either.

Other Mac UNIX Clones
If you're looking for a UNIX-clone OS for your Macintosh, I suggest looking by one of these alternatives:
Darwin: Apple open-sourced parts of Macintosh OS X. "Darwin" is the codename for the Operating System that can be built purely on open-source. It includes a Mach Kernel, BSD Unix, and lots more. It does not include the Mac user interface. This is very exciting for Mac users!
Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server: Ok, they're not free, but eventually all Macs will come with one of these anyway. Mac OS X is immediately available, and includes the BSD UNIX library,Zoom Kobe 6, an optional UNIX command line, and all the UNIX tools we know and adore. Porting UNIX code to Mac OS X will, in most cases, be a snap! Be sure to install the optional BSD subsystem. Mac OS X is built on top of the open-source Darwin said above, so it is possible to cut the core of Mac OS X.
NetBSD: NetBSD is available for 68K and PowerPC Macintoshes, as well as many other platforms. NetBSD is dissimilar implementation of BSD, the same savor of Unix secondhand by Darwin/Mac OS X.
Mac06: Mac06 ("Mac Oh Six") is a POSIX library and a system kernel running on top of MacOS. Mac06 is shareware. There are optional packs for network support, development environements, and more.
MkLinux: MkLinux is a Linux wharf that runs on the Macintosh, that is partially supported by Apple. In light of Darwin and Mac OS X, I doubt Apple will be especially interested in pursuing this project. They have already cleared their web pages and files from their FTP server for this project. Hopefully the open source Darwin and the open source Linux code bases can benefit from every other.
MachTen This UNIX clone runs as an application on top of the Mac OS, many like MacMinix. However, it is not free, and the source code is not public. If you're looking for a commerical UNIX product to run on a production waiter, I'd recommend something else, because it's still dependent on the Mac OS, which does not have protected memories, etc.
MacMinix on Basilisk for Windows
Carlos Zayas successfully ran MacMinix on Basilisk, a Macintosh emulator for Windows. This provides those of us with a Windows PC the aptitude to boot MacMinix without having to dig up an old Mac running an old OS. View Screen Shot Here!
MINIX on Virtual PC
People have reported successing running MINIX (For Intel PC's) on top of Virtual PC, although there were some issues reported. Asger Stenberg posted the following treatises on his Scandinavian web site:
Installing Minix 2.0.2 in Virtual PC 3
Getting began with Minix 2.0.2 Why MacMinix?
In one educational surroundings, MacMinix namely ideal. It's simple apt install, it runs above top of the Mac OS, and it starts up quite fast. (Just like MachTen.) You can recompile the OS, quit it, and restart the MacMinix petition, very simply, without restarting the entire calculator. And whether you muff someone up, you tin accessible revert to an age version. This is one vantage MacMinix has over the other versions of MINIX. Plus, it utilizes 68K assembly code, which may be more appropriate because an educational enviroment than PowerPC, alternatively even Intel instruction sets.
What is MacMinix?
MacMinix is the Macintosh version of MINIX. MINIX is a Unix clone, which contains no AT&T code. This means that the source code can be made publicly available. MacMinix was very poorly supported, and not kept up with the PC version. Now either products appear to have been abandoned.
Authors
MINIX: Andrew Tanenbaum is the author of MINIX. He is likewise the author of manifold Operating Systems text writings which use MINIX as a reference. He is not very versed with MacMinix, the Mac version of MINIX, and the original developers are in hiding.
Kees Bot produced the POSIX-compiant version of MINIX (2.0???) MacMinix: The developers of MacMinix are in hiding, probably somewhere on a remote tropical isle with Gilligan. Seriously, we have not been able to ascertain or adjoin the original developers!
This Web Page: Bradley S. Pliner*
* NOTE: I am NOT the MacMinix author, and I do not work for Prentice-Hall.

Download MacMinix Here
Be sure to read the authorize first
Donwload MacMinix 1.5.10.7 here
Versions for other platforms are available from here.
MacMinix Documentation

MacMinix Passwords You need these to log on to MacMinix when you premier install it
Root Privileges: User id: root, password: Geheim
User Access: User id: ast, password: Wachtwoord
Interesting Goodies and Patches Using a Mac emulator, such as vMac will let you run MacMINIX. The benefit is that you can run MacMINIX even if you have a PowerMac, Mac OS 8, 9, or even X, or any of the other incompatibilities listed here. vMac is now carbonized, and works on Mac OS X. (Screenshot - PDF) Thanks to Scott Higinbotham for this peak. 32-Bit Addressing workaround. These instructions explain how to run MacMinix with 32-bit addressing mode qualified, regardless of how many ram you have. Since Mac OS 8 no longer supports 24-bit addressing mode, I wonder if this fix will assist in achieving Mac OS 8 compatibility for MacMinix.
Sent by: Sunagawa Keiki. Color Icon Patch: This isn't equitable a color icon, but it's the patch to allow MacMinix to work with color icons introduced in System 7, and even updates the resource file in the MacMinix file system so that successive builds will maintain the color icon.
Author: Sunagawa Keiki. 68040 Cache Fix: This fix allows MacMinix to run on Macs with 68040 processors, without disabling the cache. It works by flushing the 040 cache at the necessitated periods. Performance has been eminent to be dramatically enhanced by application this patch and enabling the cache. It is nameless if this patch will cause incompatibilies with non-040 machines. Please let me know what you detect. Author: Chris Hanson. Andrew Erickson, Where Are You?
The emulating information was provided by Andrew Erickson. The elemental pages are no longer available, but copies are still accessible from the Way-Back Machine. SCSI patch: allows MacMinix to utilize whole SCSI sections instead of, or in counting to, the traditional file system that runs on top of the Mac OS file system. Andrew states that this provides meaningful i/o improvements.
Author: Andrew Erickson According to Andrew Erickson, MacMinix will run in 32-bit mode if you don't have more than 8mb of memory. Otherwise, as we already know, be sure to set your system to run in 24-bit mode. (Mac OS 8 and after does not support 24-bit mode, accordingly it's not compatible with Mac OS 8 or afterward.) Andrew Erickson has posted a set of male pages that he converted from the PC version of MINIX. He claims they may be out of appointment, but they are probable to be more complete than the version that comes with MacMinix. Andrew Erickson has posted instructions for using the c68 compiler with MacMinix.
Known problems with MacMinix 1.5.10.7
Note: This list no longer includes items that were nailed in the patches posted above, including the 040 storage problem.
Incompatable with 32-bit addressing. To use MacMinix, corner on 24-bit addressing in your Memory Control Panel. Some old Macs only run in 24-bit mode, so this is not an adoption. Mac OS 8 only runs in 32-bit mode. Works in 32-bit mode at all times you have no more than 8mb of ram. Works on 020's in 32-bit mode! The PowerMacs follow an 020, so it occasionally work on PowerMacs, although there have been lots of problems reported. Only known to work with System 6 or 7 (including 7.5.5). Note: If you run a newer OS including 8, 9 or even X, use a Mac emulator to emulate an older compatible system such as System 7 on a Mac Plus. Incompatable with RamDoubler Incompatable with Apple's Virtual Memory Occasional Error 3 messages when booting MacMinix. Eventually stops if you keep attempting. Usually happens with newly compiled MacMinix's. When new MacBoot is compiled, it sometimes appears as a generic file, that can not be fired. Close the direcotry it is in, and open it another. This fixes the problem. (Possibly a Mac OS bug.) Improvements needed for MacMinix
Note: This list no longer includes items that were addressed in the patches posted above.
Does not support TCP at all!! Needs to be updated to the current PC version. Mac Includes should be updated to latest Apple Universal header files. GetNextEvent should be replaced by WaitNextEvent. Selecting Command-Q should quit, if there are no spirited processes If there are, a dialog carton "Are you sure you want to quit?" would arise. Command-W should close skylights. Support for scrolling back, cut/copy/paste, and even Drag 'n Drop. Better file import/export interface among Mac and MINIX file systems. PowerPC national version. Carbon-based version? This page depends on user feedback!
Please use our message boards! Please mail whichever Macintosh documentation that we do not yet have here. Send me any MacMinix patches. Contact me with any information or suggestions that might be useful! Let me understand of any Mac incompatabilities, including hardware, memories settings, or even extensions that MacMinix doesn't go with. Confirm catalogue of bug reports, and report any workarounds! Report any FTP, WEB, or Telnet sites. Include a brief specification of what the site has to attempt. Send me any Mac-specific suggestions for promotion to add to the list. Additional MINIX Resources
MINIX Newsgroup
comp.os.minix Web Sites
http://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/minix The official web site for MINIX Al Woodhull's MINIX web site, running on MINIX! Woodhull is the co-author of the current edition of the OSDI txt. Al Woodhull's MINIX Hint Page Andrew Tanenbaum's MINIX Information Sheet MINIX FTP Sites
People have reported trouble accessing these servers. I am not responsible for these FTP servers. Please let me know if I should add or change any of them. To download MINIX or MacMinix, use the MINIX web site.
ftp://ftp.cs.vu.nl/pub/minix/ - The official FTP server for MINIX wuarchive.wustl.edu - FAQ, Info-Sheets, add-ons, demos, docs, upgrades... minnie.cs.adfa.oz.au - available in the near future only. Large package of comp.os.minix articles. ftp://ftp.wsr.ac.at/pub/hjp/minix/ - various goodies

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