Steel OS 1.2 SR-1, Support of more OSes, and more - 8 July 2023

     Hello everyone, it's time for some big news for Steel OS, and not just Steel OS 3, but also the previously supposed to go out-of-service Steel OS 1.2. This is a juicy set of updates I'm going to list, so enjoy this big news update!

-- Steel OS 1.2 SR-1 --

     Steel OS 1.2 support was supposed to end back in March, which I should state that end-user support (I can't call it customer support as this software is free) is already very horrible (which is why I at least began adding something I'll talk about later in this post), as I do not operate a support phone line (as I'm only allowed to have one operational phone, or at least only one phone with access to celluar service, since I keep my old iPhone 7 in my closet in the event that I need a spare phone or something on that phone), and I do currently do not operate other support methods (e.g. e-mail, Discord server, subreddit, etc.). Basically, right now, with the condition of support for Steel OS, it is effectively like an apocalypse - No form of knowledge base or support line, combined with scarce patch updates (note that Steel OS 3 is still in development).

     So, I'm putting Steel OS 1.2 back in service, as you don't just release an OS and only provide support for it for about 2 months. Starting with Steel OS 1.2 and 2.3, service releases will be distributed, basically updated versions of these versions with bug patches and occasionally more content/features. Development of Steel OS is generally focused on Steel OS 3 right now, so I have no idea when Steel OS 1.2 SR-1 will begin development. It'll patch bugs, update Quanty, add minimize buttons, the Modern Steel OS File System (MSOFS), and more settings, and possibly add the Mail program.

   When this update releases, expect it to be big.

-- Steel OS on more OSes --

     Currently, Steel OS supports Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11, in terms of system software you can put Steel OS on top of, and possibly also Windows Vista if the extended kernel is installed and version number set to 10 via the configuration file. However, not everyone uses Windows. Some use macOS. Others use Linux. And others use... uhhhh, I honestly don't know what else... Haiku, ReactOS, FreeBSD, Android?? (idk >_<). So, I'm going to start testing some of the newest builds of Steel OS on Linux. Obviously, I'm pretty sure with backwards compatibility, Microsoft Windows 12 (Hudson Valley, possibly in development and slated for a late 2024 release if I'm not mistaken, note that I cannot confirm this as I do not work for Microsoft Corporation, even though I WISH I COULD) will support Steel OS. But currently, my main focus for a Steel OS platform expansion is to port Steel OS over to Linux. 

     Testing will be done in one of the latest versions of Ubuntu (either 22.10 or 23.04), although it should be noted that in order for Steel OS to be able to be launched on Linux, it must be ran via a terminal application. I have previously tested a lower-performance runtime configuration of Steel OS 1.0 on Ubuntu 22.10 (installed on a Dell Inspiron 3252), but as my Linux systems are a Raspberry Pi currently configured for retro gaming and a Dell Inspiron 3252 with god-awful specs for 2017 (as those things make better Linux and Windows 7 computers than they do with the OS typically pre-installed, that being Windows 10), proper testing may not work well, and there's a pretty good chance the people who daily Linux will have a better experience than me, a guy who has been screwing around with Windows NT 3.51 and Mac OS X 10.6 in VirtualBox.

     Meanwhile, with Android, because of how even standard Android works, you THEORETICALLY could get Steel OS to work on even a mobile phone running Android - I have direct access to potential testing hardware, that being a Google Pixel 7. But, getting Steel OS to properly work on Android, likely would need a keyboard and mouse to get it to work. Currently, the packager and editor I use to develop Steel OS can't package into an APK/Android app, so porting Steel OS to Android would be a big pain. The same can be said for iOS/iPadOS, which wouldn't look hard due to the fact that I know that IPA is the iOS/iPadOS equivalent to an APK, BUT, it'd actually be even harder - Unlike macOS, which I can port Steel OS to as easily as I can with Linux, porting Steel OS to Apple's mobile platform would involve having to get it signed, work properly, and whatnot, and with a 6th-gen iPad... I think iOS/iPadOS is probably out-of-reach for now.

     With macOS, porting Steel OS to that is possible, but that will not happen for the time being, as I do not have sufficient hardware that can be used to test it and make sure it works and whatnot. So yeah. Likely, Steel OS will possibly be available on Windows Vista (via the extended kernel), Windows 12, Linux, and possibly Android. This will not occur just yet, however.

-- The current state of Steel OS 3 --

     Steel OS 3 has been in development since March, and currently, the way it is going, it may not release until 2024. During the time that Steel OS 3 is not ready for a full, stable launch, I will discuss and provide builds on occasion. Currently, I think that with the direction I'm taking Steel OS 3 in, it's likely a good thing that it may not release until 2024, because that gives me more time to make sure built-in DLC and the system is as flawless as possible. Some of the programs that will be available on Steel OS 3 at launch currently include Steel OS Museum, EggScope, and InfoBase. There'll be more programs, as it could be possible that TextClick Express 2023 may be another potential launch title.

     During the development of this version of Steel OS, despite its codenames and official name being final, and despite some builds being distributed, distribution of beta builds of Steel OS 3 is barred. Furthermore, if you talk about Steel OS 3 in public, please refer to it as "Sansani Hagane" and instead of referring to Steel OS 3 as "it", please use the pronouns "she/her" to refer to Steel OS 3 when not referring to it under the name "Sansani Hagane". You probably do not understand, but let me explain - I "created" a character to "personify" Steel OS 3 (based off of a customized character from a video game playthrough I did in mid-2022) with the name "Sansani Hagane". I will also call Steel OS 3 "Sansani Hagane" and use these pronouns to refer to Steel OS 3, starting in the next paragraph. If you need to, you can call the OS just "Sansani" for short when appropriate. Also, the name comes from a clever pun on words - "san" is Japanese for "three", and since "ni" is Japanese for "two", it could also be a fitting reference to that Steel OS 3 is based off of the Steel OS 2.3 codebase; while "hagane" is Japanese for "steel". Just please note, developers, when internally referring to Steel OS 3, you can still refer to it as Steel OS 3 and Graphite, which is the Steel OS 3 codename.

     Currently, I'm refining the default visuals with Sansani, but likely the hardest part will be making the changes the web browser, and adding the DLC software. Some of the programs I have planned for her include ShieldAid (an antivirus program), PictureWorks 2.0 (an updated graphics editing program), InspireCAD (a CAD program), DashClock (a novelty program displaying the time), and unnamed music player, weather, and cook book programs. Furthermore, Sansani will follow in the footsteps of Steel OS 2.0's development and she'll get a program initially supposed to be in Steel OS 2.0 - That being a help and support program. Given how aggressive I am with making Sansani friendly to everyone (mainly people not as experienced with computers, such as first-time PC users), I thought so that people who are having problems can get the support from the person who... uhhhh... I'll just say, is Sansani's boyfriend, let's just cap it off there.

     Sansani Hagane probably will not be ready until 2024, but if she's ready before then, that's good. Her training is probably going to be the longest of her kind, probably even more than Waterfall, her more advanced twin. That'll be it for the news on the latest version of Steel OS!

     So, yeah. That's your latest news for Steel OS as of the 8th of July, 2023.