(POE) A definition containing
API and
ABI specifications based on the
PowerPC architecture. It
is not an
operating system. The presence of the ABI
specification in the POE distinguishes it from other open
systems (POSIX, XPG4, etc.) since it allows
platform
independent binary compatibility which is otherwise typically
limited to particular hardware.
The POE is an
open standard, derived from
AIX and
conforming to industry open standards including
POSIX,
XPG4 and
Motif. The POE specification will be publicly
available to anyone wishing to produce either application programs or hardware platforms. The
PowerOpen Association will provide the necessary conformance testing
and POE branding.
The POE is hardware
bus independent. System implementations
can range from laptop computers to supercomputers. It
requires a multi-user,
multitasking operating system. It
provides networking support, an
X Window System extension, a
Macintosh Application Services extension and
Motif. It is
conformance tested and certified by an independent party
(the
PowerOpen Association).
The POE specification is targeted for availability in the
first quarter of 1994. The
PowerOpen Association will soon
have some of the information material available on-line.