5 Operating Systems for Computers That Fell Into Obscurity

Old Operating Systems That Disappeared but Left Their Mark: A Journey Through the History of Operating Systems

While popular operating systems like “Windows,” “Linux,” “Mac,” and “Chrome OS” dominate the scene today, this wasn’t always the case in the past. There were many diverse options provided by various companies, each trying to offer its own unique operating system model. Although many of these systems have disappeared, their influence remains present in today’s operating systems, making it important to remember them as we approach 2025.

1. Microsoft Xenix

Some believe that Microsoft’s true foray into operating systems began with MS-DOS, but in reality, the company introduced a primitive operating system called “Xenix” in 1980, three years before DOS. At that time, Xenix was based on “Unix” and was sold to companies for installation on their computers. Although it lacked a graphical interface, it was considered advanced due to its support for 16-bit processors and its ability to run multiple applications simultaneously. Ultimately, Microsoft abandoned Xenix in favor of DOS and later Windows.

2. OpenServer

The “OpenServer” system was known by various names, including “SCO Open Desktop,” and was developed by Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) from 1989 until it ceased support in 2016. This system was based on the Unix library and competed with Microsoft’s Xenix. Despite lacking many of the features we now take for granted, such as IP networking support and advanced graphical interfaces, OpenServer was one of the first operating systems to support long file names.

3. OS/2

Before the 1990s, IBM dominated the computer market and played a significant role in shaping the future of operating systems. IBM partnered with Microsoft to create the OS/2 operating system, designed to compete with systems like DOS. Although it offered a graphical interface and multitasking, its high hardware requirements and the rise of other operating systems, such as Windows 95, led to OS/2’s decline, and IBM discontinued it in 2006.

4. JavaOS

In 1996, Sun Microsystems launched JavaOS, an operating system fully based on the Java programming language. The system was designed to run on various devices, including computers and mobile devices. Despite initial interest, Sun stopped developing JavaOS in 1999 and shifted users toward the Java development environment instead.

5. Lindows

At the beginning of the 2000s, Windows and Linux were in an ongoing battle for supremacy. To fill the gap between the two, Lindows was introduced, offering a user-friendly, low-cost alternative to Windows. Although it initially gained traction, Microsoft filed a lawsuit against the company due to the similarity in names with Windows. After years of legal battles, the company rebranded the system as “Linspire,” which still exists today with its free version, “Freespire.”

Conclusion

While these operating systems have disappeared, their influence is still felt today. Modern operating systems have incorporated many features that were once unique to these systems. Over time, dominant systems like Windows and Linux have taken center stage, but it’s important to remember the historical impact of these earlier operating systems and their role in shaping the evolution of computing technology.

Sources:

• Historical reports from software companies.
• Articles from The Verge.
• Studies and reviews from operating system specialists.