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Windows NT/OS2 Design Workbook

A fascinating historical artifact has surfaced: an index containing numerous original design documents for the foundational Windows NT/OS2 operating systems. This collection offers an invaluable, granular look into the engineering decisions and architectural blueprints that shaped one of the most significant operating systems. It's a goldmine for computer history enthusiasts and systems programmers keen on understanding the genesis of modern computing.

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Feb 14, 7:00 PM
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The Lowdown

This discovery presents a rare glimpse into the early development of Microsoft's Windows NT and OS/2 operating systems. The provided link leads to an index of files, primarily in .doc and .pdf formats, collectively referred to as the 'NT/OS2 Design Workbook.' These documents represent internal design specifications and discussions from the nascent stages of these complex operating systems.

  • The collection includes a wide array of technical documents covering various subsystems and design aspects.
  • Files such as io.pdf and cache.pdf detail the input/output and memory caching mechanisms, respectively.
  • Other documents like vm.pdf (virtual memory), coding.pdf (coding standards), and execsupp.pdf (executive support) delve into fundamental operating system components and development practices.
  • The presence of both .doc and .pdf formats, alongside a TOC.mht file, suggests a structured, though perhaps dated, compilation of internal project documentation.

This archive serves as an essential resource for those interested in the historical evolution of operating systems, providing direct insight into the detailed planning and conceptualization that underpinned Windows NT's architecture and its OS/2 roots.