What is ECOS? ECOS stands for Easy Concurrent Operating System and is a smart internal hardware device designed to run Linux within your RISC OS environment. Built around the powerful Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, it brings a full Linux system into your RISC OS set up via simple networking - allowing seamless interaction between the two systems. It builds on the success and solid foundation of Wispy, our award-winning hardware browser, which brought modern web capabilities to RISC OS users, using a Linux subsystem, and EDOS, our easy dual boot system for the Pi 4.With ECOS, we're taking that concept further - offering a complete, integrated Linux system that unlocks even greater potential beyond the browser. Designed for integration into many of our ITX systems, ECOS gives you access to modern Linux OS with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of fast storage for apps and files. If you’re using a more compact set up or a system from another vendor, there’s ExCOS, an external version of ECOS offering the same power and integration in a connect-and-forget form factor. 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 Linux 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 Linux 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 Linux 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 Linux tasks and services while you continue using RISC OS. Q: What’s the difference between ECOS and ExCOS? A: ECOS is built into your RISCOSbits ITX system internally. ExCOS is the external version, ideal for compact cases or systems from other vendors. Both offer the same core features. 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? 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 Linux goes wrong? A:We made sure the 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 Linux directly. Q. What kids of software is available with Linux A. Web Browsers: Firefox, Chromium, Falkon Office Tools: LibreOffice, WPSOffice, Gnumeric, AbiWord Email Clients: Thunderbird, Evolution, Geary Media Players: VLC, MPV, Audacious Graphics & Design: GIMP, Inkscape, Krita, Scribus Developer Tools: VS Code, Geany, Git, Python, Node.js Remote Access: Remmina, VNC, SSH clients 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.