For a sure subset of our readers, mentioning IBM’s OS/2 is prone to convey forth a pang of nostalgia, whereas for others it’s extra prone to call to mind meme pictures of rebooting ATM shows. Though OS/2 didn’t develop into the desktop large that IBM had supposed it to develop into, stories of its demise are very a lot untimely. As [Michael MJD] covers in a latest video, ArcaOS is actually the most recent model of OS/2, below official license from IBM.

The preliminary launch of ArcaOS was in 2017, and the latest launch was model 5.0.7 in December of 2021. What this will get you is an evolution of OS/2 Warp 4.52 that updates the working system for modern-day {hardware}, though [Michael]’s experiences with utilizing USB and putting in WordPerfect 5.2 find yourself being slightly combined. With IBM not aspiring to open supply the OS any time quickly, ArcaOS seems to be largely geared toward corporations and people who want to maintain working their outdated (OS/2) software program on newer {hardware}, per the FAQ.

That is additionally mirrored within the license price must you want to acquire a replica of ArcaOS, with a private version license costing $129. What this does get one over OS/2 Warp is SMP assist, improved USB, audio and video assist, together with an precise bundle supervisor (ANPM, based mostly on RPM & Yum).

Would you splurge on an up to date OS/2 OS like this, or is tinkering with a completely open supply OS like Haiku (BeOS reborn) extra your factor?