BeIA
Encyclopedia
BeIA, or BeOS for Internet Appliances, was a minimized version of Be Inc.
's BeOS
operating system
for embedded system
s.
The BeIA system presents a browser based interface to the user. The browser was based on the Opera 4.0 code base, and was named Wanger. Unlike the BeOS, which runs the Tracker and Deskbar at boot-up, the BeIA OS boots straight in to the Opera browser interface (much like the Google Chrome OS
). Whilst it is possible to boot BeIA into an interface similar to the standard BeOS, doing so involves special knowledge.
The CFS Filesystem was used to reduce the file system size. CFS (Compressed File System) was a file system created in house at Be Inc that aimed to compress the files with in itself to save space. The filesystem had a similar set of properties to the native BeOS file system BFS, but some of the more advanced features (live queries and attributes) were either broken or non-functional in many of the Beta releases of the software.
The BeOS uses ELF
format executable files, much as many other operating systems. BeIA uses an extended version of ELF, the name of which is unknown but which has come to be known as CELF, from the CEL magic word within the executable header and the fact that it is derived from ELF format executables through a compression process. The CELF (Compressed ELF) files use a patented technique to compress the op codes within the executable and reduce the overall footprint of each executable file. The file was compressed by creating a set of dictionaries that contain the op codes and are read by the kernel at start up and mapped in to the executable in memory at run time. This makes the file fast loading, but has an extreme disadvantage, in that the dictionary is not extendible by the user and adding extra executable was not possible when using CELF compression techniques unless the executable symbols existed within the dictionary already present. The creation of CELF executables is generally done in batch. The entire system will be compressed and a file system image created from the crushed files.
Crushing was the term coined for the compression of the system using CELF format. BeIA can run either as CELF or ELF based. However, it can only use one or the other file formats.
During 2001, a Zanussi
"internet fridge" toured the US with a BeIA powered DT-300 webpad docked in its door.
Be Inc.
Be Incorporated was an American computer company founded in 1990, best known for the Be Operating System and BeBox personal computer. Be was founded by former Apple Computer executive Jean-Louis Gassée with capital from Seymour Cray....
's BeOS
BeOS
BeOS is an operating system for personal computers which began development by Be Inc. in 1991. It was first written to run on BeBox hardware. BeOS was optimized for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as symmetric multiprocessing by utilizing...
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
for embedded system
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
s.
The BeIA system presents a browser based interface to the user. The browser was based on the Opera 4.0 code base, and was named Wanger. Unlike the BeOS, which runs the Tracker and Deskbar at boot-up, the BeIA OS boots straight in to the Opera browser interface (much like the Google Chrome OS
Google Chrome OS
Google Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications. Google announced the operating system on July 7, 2009 and made it an open source project, called Chromium OS, that November....
). Whilst it is possible to boot BeIA into an interface similar to the standard BeOS, doing so involves special knowledge.
BeIA compression techniques
The BeIA operating system employs a number of techniques to minimise the system footprint. These involve a number of pre processes which yield an installable file system image.The CFS Filesystem was used to reduce the file system size. CFS (Compressed File System) was a file system created in house at Be Inc that aimed to compress the files with in itself to save space. The filesystem had a similar set of properties to the native BeOS file system BFS, but some of the more advanced features (live queries and attributes) were either broken or non-functional in many of the Beta releases of the software.
The BeOS uses ELF
Executable and Linkable Format
In computing, the Executable and Linkable Format is a common standard file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps. First published in the System V Application Binary Interface specification, and later in the Tool Interface Standard, it was quickly accepted among...
format executable files, much as many other operating systems. BeIA uses an extended version of ELF, the name of which is unknown but which has come to be known as CELF, from the CEL magic word within the executable header and the fact that it is derived from ELF format executables through a compression process. The CELF (Compressed ELF) files use a patented technique to compress the op codes within the executable and reduce the overall footprint of each executable file. The file was compressed by creating a set of dictionaries that contain the op codes and are read by the kernel at start up and mapped in to the executable in memory at run time. This makes the file fast loading, but has an extreme disadvantage, in that the dictionary is not extendible by the user and adding extra executable was not possible when using CELF compression techniques unless the executable symbols existed within the dictionary already present. The creation of CELF executables is generally done in batch. The entire system will be compressed and a file system image created from the crushed files.
Crushing was the term coined for the compression of the system using CELF format. BeIA can run either as CELF or ELF based. However, it can only use one or the other file formats.
Versions
The following BeIA versions were released to developers at stages of the development of the system.- Pre 1.0 build - reports to be 4.5.2, this is likely a hang over from the BeOS version. Pre numbering of BeIA.
- 1.0 beta 9 (uncrushed binaries are compatible with Release Candidate)
- 1.0 Release Candidate (circa the clipper)
- 1.0
- 2.0 (the version Dano seems to have been aimed at.)
History
BeIA is believed by many to be partially responsible for the death of Be, Inc., as sales were never anywhere near as high as anticipated.During 2001, a Zanussi
Zanussi
Zanussi is an Italian producer of home appliances that in 1984 was bought by Electrolux. Zanussi is a leading brand for domestic kitchen appliances in Europe. Products have been exported from Italy since 1946.-History:...
"internet fridge" toured the US with a BeIA powered DT-300 webpad docked in its door.
List of BeIA devices
- Sony eVillaSony eVillaThe Sony eVilla is a discontinued Internet appliance from Sony. After 18 months of development, it was released to the public on June 14, 2001 for $499 USD...
- sold as a home web terminal with BeIA preloaded - CompaqCompaqCompaq Computer Corporation is a personal computer company founded in 1982. Once the largest supplier of personal computing systems in the world, Compaq existed as an independent corporation until 2002, when it was acquired for US$25 billion by Hewlett-Packard....
IA-1 - sold with either BeIA or MSNMSNMSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
Companion. - HARP - not a computer, but a standard for audio streaming terminals, used by Virgin in some of their stores
- ProView iPAD (PI-520B)
- DT Research DT-300 (NB. DT-325 was used with later 2.0 betas)
- Hardware known to run BeIA (official and unofficial)
See also
- BeOSBeOSBeOS is an operating system for personal computers which began development by Be Inc. in 1991. It was first written to run on BeBox hardware. BeOS was optimized for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as symmetric multiprocessing by utilizing...
- BeIA Product overview
- BeIA FAQ
- BeIA DataSheet
- BeIA browser tests
- Link discussing BeIA technical terminology
- DT300 and BeIA hacking discussion.