Exclusive: New OS Runs Windows, Linux, Mac OS X.

While Microsoft’s Virtual PC lets Mac users run Windows XP on Mac OS X, no dependable system allowed Mac OS X to operate on machines running Intel’s Pentium® processors. Yesterday, the Mac community was set aflame with the release of CherryOS that lets Mac OS X run on a PC.

Today, a new OS is scheduled to be released that will run Windows XP, Mac OS X, and major flavors of Linux (Red Hat and SuSE) on all major hardware platforms. These include IBM’s PowerPC chips which power Apple computers, PCs using Intel’s Pentium® processors, and a “light” version which will operate on devices from handheld PDA maker Palm.

The new operating system was developed over the past four years by Kryben Arkiazewski, of Poland, in collaboration with a number of eastern European software developers and their respective governments. Apparently, local governments were dissatisfied with ongoing contract negotiations with Microsoft over licensing agreements and decided to provide an alternative.

Arkiazewski says the operating system will run on most computers using Intel’s Pentium® 4 processor, IBM’s PowerPC processor (only the new CPU powering Apple’s PowerMac G5 for now), as well as a limited version which can run as an application on the Palm devices.

The new operating system was developed specifically to run other operating systems, and their respective applications. Dubbed 3 Pickle XOS, Arkiazewski said his organization plans a press release, demonstrations on various platforms, and shipment “within weeks.” The version for Palm is expected to ship by the end of the year.

Many computer industry veterans in the Windows, Mac, and Linux community were astounded yet skeptical at the news. Screen shots of the new XOS were made available (see below) which clearly show a PC screen running Mac OS X, Windows XP, and SuSE Linux.

Recently, software developer CherryOS announced an operating system that would allow Mac OS X to run on Intel-based architecture. Many speculate that the CherryOS is merely a copied version of the PearPC project.

Independent verification of the CherryOS has not been forthcoming. In an effort to shed more light on the new OS which is able to run so many different operating systems, Tera Patricks was able to track down 3 Pickle XOS developer Arkiazewski. Here is the telephone converstaion.

Tera Patricks
Mr. Arkiazewski, many in the computer industry do not believe quality, high performance emulation is possible on any computer platform. What makes XOS different?

Kryben Arkiazewski
Please, call me Kryben. First, let me say that Pickle XOS is not an emulator. It is a true multi-tasking, real-time operating system which is capable of running on dual platforms, both Intel Pentium® 4 and IBM’s PowerPC.

Tera Patricks
That’s incredible, Mr. Akiazewski. Can you give us some specifics, and a demonstration?

Kryben Arkiazewski
Please, call me Kryben. Let me send you an email screen shot which clearly shows a PC running Windows XP, Mac OS X, and SuSE Linux. They are all running on the PC at the same time. Each is capable of running at approximately 80-percent of native processor speed. Mostly.

Tera Patricks
Does that mean each operating system will run slower than normal by using XOS?

Kryben Arkiazewski
Yes, please call me Kryben. The OS is optimized for multi-tasking, doing many functions at once.

You know, like riding a bicycle, singing, and waving at people inside a barber shop as you ride by. That’s not easy.

Tera Patricks
Who funded development of the operating system and what are your plans for release?

Kryben Arkiazewski
A number of countries in eastern Europe, including my home country of Poland, were upset at the expense of maintaining Microsoft’s Windows and Office applications. They began funding an alternative OS project. We made little progress for two years until a kernel was purchased from China.

Tera Patricks
So the XOS is truly an international effort to undermine Microsoft’s operating system monopoly? Won’t that also damage sales of Apple’s Mac OS X?

Kryben Arkiazewski
Of course not. In eastern Europe, like China, we do not actually pay for Windows. It is available freely on the black market. We simply wanted to create an environment where all users had a choice.

Tera Patricks
What will be the cost of XOS? How will you distribute the OS? What kind of packaging and support do you plan?

Kryben Arkiazewski
Please, one question at a time. I’m orginally a Windows user. If you open too many questions at once, I will crash. Ha ha ha! That’s a little developer humor.

Ok, the cost of XOS will be $29.95 in the US, the same equivalent in Europe, but 20-percent higher in the UK. We would have been able to ship the OS early this week but had some problems with our Pay Pal account. Once that is fixed, we’ll be good to go.

Also, 3 Pickle XOS will be packaged in a standard CD jewel case with a very clever design. Would you like me to send you a copy of the graphic by email? What is your email address? I have your web site on my screen now. Is that your real hair?

Tera Patricks
Yes, please send a copy of the Pickle XOS cover design. I’ll make sure it shows up on our web site’s home page. Now, when may we expect to see a fully running demonstration of XOS?

Kryben Arkiazewski
When can we get together? Lunch? Dinner, perhaps? I have a meeting tomorrow with Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft. He’s quite the simian, don’t you think? Microsoft is interested in licensing our technology. I keep telling him, “apeman, it’s not for sale.” He is persistent. And perspiring.

Tera Patricks
Have you contacted the mainstream media and made efforts to provide a working demonstration of 3 Pickle XOS? That might satisfy the curiosity of many computer users, the media, our readers.

Kryben Arkiazewski
Mainstream media? You mean like, “Wired” and “Fox News?” I think we’ll pass and go straight to the reporters at the New York Times, maybe 60 Minutes II. They will love our screen shots.

Tera Patricks
Well, Mr. Akiazewski, I have to admit that I have doubts about any multi-platform operating system, especially one called 3 Pickle XOS. Is it possible that you’re attempting to defraud the computing community to extort licensing fees from Microsoft?

Kryben Arkiazewski
What would be the point of such actions? Assuming we actually had a multi-platform operating system, even one with a better name, what would we do with the millions of American dollars that Microsoft would shower upon us to keep it off the market? Certainly Microsoft would not do that, would they? Is there a chance? How much should we ask for? Cash or stock or both?

Tera Patricks
I’m beginning to realize that your Pickle XOS is probably a sad hoax. Yes, I know that Mac users have longed to run Windows inside Mac OS X at near normal speeds so they’re willing to grasp at anything that resembles such a dream. Still, millions of other Mac and Windows users want to see Mac OS X running on Intel architecture, but you’ve shown me nothing, Mr. Arkiazewski, nothing that says Pickle XOS can do the job.

Kryben Arkiazewski
Please, call me Kryben. Is that your real hair? I mean, it’s silver! What’s with that?

Editor’s Note: As with CherryOS and many other so-called emulators, we’re inclined not to believe it’s possible to run Mac OS X on Intel architecture. PearPC seems new and unpolished. CherryOS looks like PearPC with a different fruit. Pickle XOS?

Would you like to see Mac OS X running on PC boxes with Intel or AMD chips? Click Comments below to share your thoughts with other readers. 

Off Topic Note: Have you ever noticed how much Apple’s “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” television commercials remind you of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote? Seriously.