Wondering which OS to use (PDP-8/A) - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

20 Oct 2005

...
  Now that I have an apparently functioning PDP-8/A with
16K of core, and 
 (hopefully soon) a working RL02, I am wondering what operating system 
 would be appropriate. Currently I don't have any other input device aside 
 from the programmer's panel and the keyboard, so naturally I need something 
 that can be booted from an RL02...

 Any recommendations? Will software written for, say, an 8/E or 8/I run on 
 an 8/A without patching?

Could I run OS/8? TSS/8? Many years ago I used to have access to a TTY 
timeshare d to an 8/E running Edusystem 50 (TSS/8) and would like 
that "feel" again... 
The 8/A was compatible with the earlier machines so software should work
unless they were requiring an option which isn't on the 8/A.  OS/8
is your best bet.  TSS/8 won't work with an RL drive.  

For multi user operating systems the only one that will run on your
hardware is Multos-8.  The version that has been recovered doesn't seem
to operate well though.