Apple ships Darwin 1.0 open source OS core

Apple has released the first full version of Darwin, the open source operating system core on which the upcoming MacOS X is based, just over a year after the Mac maker announced its open source plans. Darwin 1.0 is based on the Mach 3.0 microkernel and FreeBSD, and as reported earlier, can be compiled for both PowerPC and Intel CPUs. That said, Apple admits "Darwin 1.0 does not currently run on Intel-based computers. There are still several issues to be worked out before the Intel platform will be usable". Said Darwin Product Manager Ernest Prabhakar: "We have synchronised Darwin with the latest Mac OS X sources... You should now feel free to write enhancements, fix bugs, and expand driver support - and know that you're work will be compatible with future versions Mac OS X." Indeed, Darwin 1.0 is a major step forward in the development of drivers for the OS, and by extension, for MacOS X too. As Web site DarwinOS.org put it: "There is no longer any excuse to put off development of drivers for Darwin, and by extension Mac OS X. All the required components are now publically available." The 221MB binary download is currently only available for Apple's most recent machines based on the New World architecture, including the iMac, the Power Mac G4 and the blue'n'white Power Mac G3. A binary for older machines is in preparation, though Apple hasn't said when it will be made available. Apple has also announced an updated version of Darwin Streaming Server, its open source QuickTime movie server software, that adds support for Windows NT. The update is due to be released next month. ® Related Stories Darwin on x86 - Apple's Intel interest Apple offers open source for Mac OS X Server Open source server leads Apple streaming scheme