When the original specifications for
the Atari TT030 workstation were released, Atari stated that the system would be
able to run UNIX. Older then Atari itself, Unix is a very powerful open
operating system used widely in most academic, research and corporate
institutions. Atari had an opportunity to show the world that it too could
compete against other systems in the workstation market. However, even after the
TT030 was finished and the new operating system was complete, Atari backed out
of the chance to enter the workstation market feeling it just didn't have the
credentials to compete with the big boys, so Unix was made available, but it was
never pushed or advertised by the company.
Instead as Atari had promised, they
made sure that a new version of TOS/GEM would run on the TT030's. However, other
companies saw the Atari platform as a viable and useful system for their
flavours of Unix, so LINUX a Unix clone was made for the Atari's and so was
BSD/ATARI Unix as well. Those individuals who had had the chance to experience
the power of Unix on their ST's have joined the ranks of many other in enjoying
such a powerful and versatile operating system.
For more in-depth information regarding Atari Unix, please Visit the Atari
Exhibition Site: Atari Unix Page
