RISC OS Companion Systems Add all those extra features to RISC OS that you always dreamed of! ECOS - Easy Concurrent Operating System is a line of companion hardware developed to run an alternative operating system alongside RISC OS. The core idea is to embed a powerful, modern CPU subsystem into your RISC OS setup, typically within a FAST ITX-based systems, enabling seamless integration between RISC OS and a secondary environment via an internal network interface. This concept builds upon earlier projects like Wispy, which brought limited Linux capabilities to RISC OS for wireless and browser use, and EDOS, which facilitated easy dual-boot setups on Raspberry Pi 4. ECOS extends that foundation into a fully integrated, always- on companion OS. Variants of ECOS include: • ECOS5 (internal) – Built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (2.4 GHz quad-core, 4 GB RAM standard, upgradeable to 8–16 GB, plus 32 GB eMMC optional to 64 GB), this module installs inside FAST ITX cases. It includes an NVMe slot, wireless networking, debug ports, and can be powered directly from the host motherboard. • ExCOS5 (external) – A compact external version (approx. 71 × 99 mm) offering the same specs as ECOS 5. It can be powered via router USB ports (5 V 2 A required) and supports either wireless or Ethernet connectivity. • ECOS11 (internal) – A Windows 11 Pro companion system driven by an Intel Alder Lake‑N97 CPU (up to 3.6 GHz burst), 12 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD (upgradeable up to 8 TB). It integrates into FAST ITX systems and includes Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and dual 4K HDMI outputs. • ExCOS11 (external) – The external analog of ECOS 11, housed in a compact case and offering the same Windows 11 experience in a plug-and- play format. • ECOfile – A file-server–style device based on the ECOS concept. It features an ARM-based CPU (Pi Compute Module), 8 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, dual-drive options, 6 USB ports, dual 4K HDMI ports, Ethernet, and dual-band Wi‑Fi. It serves as a print server, file server, and full Linux desktop—plus optional cloud access and a customizable OLED system panel. How ECOS Works in Practice ECOS hardware operates as a parallel operating system - Linux or Windows - that communicates with RISC OS through internal networking. This allows for shared access to files, remote desktops, and resource sharing between environments. RISC OS users gain access to a broad modern software ecosystem - full-featured web browsers, office applications, development environments, graphics tools, even emulated RISC OS - all while continuing to use their primary RISC OS interface. ECOS systems are designed to integrate quietly and reliably: they run continuously in the background, and can be debugged or accessed directly via ports if needed. In essence, ECOS enables RISC OS hardware to coexist with a modern Linux (or Windows) environment - delivered through a seamless, integrated hardware module. It’s ideal for users who want both the elegance and legacy support of RISC OS and the accessibility and software richness of more contemporary platforms, all within a unified setup. Frequently Asked Questions Q: What can I do with ECOS that I can’t do with RISC OS? A: ECOS opens up access to the vast alternative software ecosystem. That means modern web browsers, office suites, development tools, multimedia apps, and advanced networking utilities - all running alongside your RISC OS set-up. Q: How do RISC OS and ECOS communicate? A: ECOS connects to RISC OS via an internal network link, allowing file sharing, remote desktop access, and communication between the two environments. Q: Can I use ECOS to access the internet? A: Absolutely. You can use the alternative environment for more modern and secure browsing, email clients, and online tools, especially where RISC OS browsers might struggle with compatibility. Q: Is ECOS always running in the background? A: Yes. Once powered on, ECOS runs continuously, quietly handling its own tasks and services while you continue using RISC OS. Q: Does ECOS actually run RISC OS? Er, well, sort of! We have installed RISC OS on Linux on the ECOS5 and ECOfile variants as standard, plus a selection of RISC OS emulators on ECOS11. You can run all of your old games and software in a window in RISC OS! Q: What’s the difference between ECOS, ExCOS and ECOfile? A: ECOS 5 and ECOS 11 are designed to be built into your RISCOSbits ITX system internally. ExCOS 5 and ExCOS 11 are the external versions, ideal for when you run RISC OS from a more compact case or systems from other vendors. Both offer the same core features of ECOS 5 and ECOS 11. ECOfile, on the other hand, has all the core features of ECOS 5 but with several incredibly useful added extras. Plus, it acts as a file server for all of your files, regardless of the OS you’re connecting from. • It has twin solid state drives • Storage is more robust and can be configured to use large capacity storage (up to 8TB) • You can access it over the internet using the optional Cloud access Q: Is ECOS hard to use? A: Not at all. It’s designed to integrate smoothly with your existing system, with preconfigured networking and a user-friendly experience. Q: Do I need to know Linux to benefit from ECOS 5 or ECOfile? A: Not necessarily! Many tools are graphical and intuitive, and if you’re just after a browser or file access, you can use ECOS without diving deep into Linux. But if you are familiar with Linux, ECOS gives you a lot more freedom and power. Q. What if the system goes wrong? A: We made sure each hardware device has debug ports available. There’s enough ports to enable you to connect it to a monitor and add a keyboard and mouse, so you can interact with the operating system directly. Q. What kinds of software can I use with ECOS? A. Web Browsers: Firefox, Chromium, Falkon Office Tools: LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, Microsoft Office Email Clients: Thunderbird, Evolution, Outlook Media Players: VLC, MPV, Windows Media Player Graphics & Design: GIMP, Inkscape, Adobe Suite, Scribus Developer Tools: Geany, Git, Python, Visual Studio Code Remote Access: Remote Desktop, VNC, SSH clients, AnyDesk Network Tools: Wireshark, FileZilla, Samba Utilities: Archive managers, disk tools, system monitors And that’s just the start! You can also run lightweight Linux environments or window managers, depending on your preference and needs. And you can even “downgrade” ECOS 11 to run earlier versions of Windows (but you’re on your own with that one!)

ECOS5 Add Linux internally to your FAST ITX

ExCOS5 …or try the external version.

ECOS11 Add Windows 11 internally to FAST

ExCOS11 …or try the external version

ECOfile A Linux companion for RISC OS

E5Audio Add a 3.5mm audio socket to ECOS5