TAWS, The Amiga Workbench Simulator, is a browser-based JavaScript simulation that allows users to interact with a wide range of the classic Amiga computer's graphical interfaces, from OS 1.0 through to 4.1 and AROS.
The project has been recently updated to version 0.40, introducing new presets like AmiBench and refinements for OS 3.2. It aims for high accuracy in recreating the look and feel of these historic desktop environments.
Unlike full system emulators, TAWS simulates the Workbench GUI and a common set of utilities, letting users quickly switch between presets rather than run complete operating systems. It is distinguished from projects like Infinite Mac, which offer full system emulation.
The main topics covered are the TAWS simulation tool, its recent update, its functionality in recreating Amiga Workbench environments, and a comparison to full system emulation.
Amiga Workbench Simulator helps you pick your ultimate retro desktop — TAWS recently updated with refinements to OS 3.2, AmiBench presets
You can test a very wide range of Workbench GUIs from version 1.0, through 3.1, 4.1, and even AROS, from the comfort of your browser.
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TAWS - The Amiga Workbench Simulation has been updated again. This online JavaScript-based simulation of the Amiga Workbench offers a refined test platform for checking out various incarnations of the fabled computer’s graphical interface. Visitors can tinker with versions of the Amiga OS GUI all the way from version 1.0 (and other versions that came with classic Amiga hardware, like 1.3, 2.0, and 3.1), all the way up to flavors of 4.1, and even AROS. If you jumped off the Amiga train in the A500 era, for example, it might all be very eye-opening.
In the words of its developer, Michael Rupp, the TAWS project is “a pure JavaScript simulation of the Amiga Workbench 1.0 - 4.1 FE for Firefox and Apple-WebKit-based browsers (Chrome, Opera, Edge, etc. incl. Odyssey).” Its goal is to be as accurate as possible. I have some experience with actual Amiga hardware and emulators running OS releases that powered the machine during its heyday, and what I see does indeed look highly accurate.
Probably the last, most refined version of the Workbench I used on my old Amiga A1200 is represented here by the OS 3.1 MagicWB preset. I remember using it as my favorite TCP/IP and email clients relied on its colors, presets, and UI elements. However, in day-to-day productivity use, the regular Workbench 3.0 or 3.1 would be fine. TAWS lets me relive these environments, with a far superior monitor/resolution (and responsiveness).
A few days ago, Rupp updated TAWS, first released in March 2001, to version 0.40. Key changes in the new release are new presets, including AmiBench, and improvements to OS 3.2’s layout.
TAWS isn’t the Amiga version of Infinite Mac
While TAWS is a great resource and, on the surface, looks a bit like the Amiga version of Infinite Mac, it is quite different. TAWS simply presents the chosen Workbench OS GUI and a limited but common set of system utilities and tools.
You can quickly switch between TAWS presets from the ‘Presets’ directory on the desktop - whichever version you pick at startup. The contents of the drives in the demo system, therefore, don’t change, yet fun can be had with some audio, visual, and animated demos. In essence, though, TAWS is like an incredibly versatile reskin of the underlying system that occurs when you make your preset choice.
With the Infinite Mac site, you are actually emulating a full classic Mac system with the System / OS version of your choice. Incredibly, the Mac site emulators are stuffed with useful tools from their eras, so you can poke around in your old work, fun, and play apps, and you can even bring data in and out of the environment. If you are interested in this kind of Mac-based malarkey, please check out our extensive guide.
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Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.
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alan.campbell99 Jumped off the train in the A500 eraReply
Technically yes in my case but that was hanging onto it since I couldn't afford a newer model before Commodore went borkbork. Stubbornly used it until Quake 2 prompted me to go PC. If I remember properly I think it wasn't until the 300MHz Pentiums came along that passible Amiga emulation was doable on PCs.
Every so often I get an itch to try something like Amiga Forever or even look at some of the new systems but I have various other things going on these days compared to a decade or two ago. -
waltc3 Ah, the Amiga. Owned one or more of every model C= made except the A1000. Last Amiga was the A4000. What a great ride it was...it will never come around again.Reply
Meridiano
