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GEM 1.1

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article GEM 1.1, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202524 sources
GEM (Graphics Environment Manager)
Company typeSoftware / Operating environment
IndustryComputer software / Graphical user interface
PredecessorGSX (Graphics System Extension)
Founded1985
FounderDigital Research
Defunct1991
FateDiscontinued after acquisition by Novell
Area served
IBM PC compatibles, Atari ST, Amstrad computers, BBC Master
Key people
Don Heiskell (GSX director), Lee Jay Lorenzen (developer)
ProductsGEM Desktop, GEM/1, GEM/2, GEM XM, GEM/3, GEM/4, GEM/5, ViewMAX, X/GEM
OwnerDigital Research (later Novell)
ParentDigital Research

GEM (short for Graphics Environment Manager) was an operating environment introduced by Digital Research in 1985 but has since been discontinued. It gained recognition primarily as the built-in graphical user interface for the Atari ST line, featuring a WIMP style desktop interface. GEM was also released for IBM PC compatible machines and was bundled with certain Amstrad computers, in addition to being available on the BBC Master equipped with an Intel 80186 co-processor. This environment formed the foundation for commercial MS-DOS software such as Ventura Publisher. Although GEM was ported to other platforms without graphical interfaces, it did not achieve widespread adoption. The last commercial edition appeared in 1988.

Subsequently, Digital Research created X/GEM tailored for their FlexOS real-time OS, modifying it to work with the OS/2 Presentation Manager and preparing it for integration with the X Window System.

GSX

By late 1984, GEM had its origins in GSX (Graphics System Extension), a versatile graphics library developed starting in 1982 under the direction of Don Heiskell. Lee Jay Lorenzen, who previously worked at Xerox PARC, made key contributions to its development. GSX represented Digital Research's adaptation of the late-1970s GKS standard, which was intended to facilitate graphics programming across a variety of 8- and 16-bit systems—including CP/M-80, Concurrent CP/M, CP/M-86, and MS-DOS—all of which presented significant hardware diversity challenges.

GSX consisted of two main parts: GDOS (Graphics Device Operating System), which provided standardized drawing functions, and GIOS (Graphics Input/Output System), responsible for hardware-level output management. This design paralleled CP/M’s structure that separated machine-independent BDOS from machine-specific BIOS components. GDOS took charge of executing GKS drawing commands, while GIOS communicated directly with hardware devices to produce output.

Recognized 8-bit device drivers

  • DDMODE0 Amstrad CPC screen mode 0
  • DDMODE1 Amstrad CPC screen mode 1
  • DDMODE2 Amstrad CPC screen mode 2
  • DDSCREEN Amstrad PCW display
  • DDBBC0 BBC Micro screen mode 0
  • DDBBC1 BBC Micro screen mode 1
  • DDGDC, DDNCRDMV NEC μPD7220 graphics chip
  • DDVRET VT100 terminal plus Retro-Graphics GEN.II (models 4027/4010)
  • DDTS803 TeleVideo display
  • DDHP26XX Hewlett-Packard 2648 and 2627 terminals
  • DDQX10 QX-10 computer display
  • DDFXLR8 Epson low-resolution, 8-bit printer
  • DDFXHR8 Epson high-resolution, 8-bit printer
  • DDFXLR7 Epson and compatible printers
  • DDCITOLR C. Itoh 8510A low-resolution printer
  • DDCITOH C. Itoh 8510A printer
  • DD-DMP1 Amstrad DMP1 printer (Seikosha GP500M-2)
  • DDSHINWA Printers using Shinwa Industries mechanisms
  • DDHP7470, DD7470 Hewlett-Packard HP 7470 and compatible pen plotters (HP-GL/2)
  • DD7220 Hewlett-Packard HP 7220 pen plotter (HP-GL)
  • DDGEN2 Retro-Graphics GEN.II (source code in Programmer's Guide written in Ratfor)
  • DDHI3M, DDHI7M Houston Instrument HiPlot DMP devices
  • DDMX80 Epson MX-80 printer plus Graftrax Plus software
  • DDESP Electric Studio Light Pen for Amstrad PCW
  • DDOKI84 Oki Data Microline printer
  • DDMF GEM metafile format driver
  • DDPS PostScript metafile driver

Recognized 16-bit device drivers

  • DDLA100, DDLA50 by DEC
  • DDNECAPC for NEC APC
  • NCRPC4 from NCR DecisionMate V
  • IBMBLMP2, IBMBLMP3 for IBM CGA monochrome mode
  • IBMBLCP2, IBMBLCP3 supporting IBM CGA color mode
  • IBMCHMP6, IBMEHFP6, IBMEHMP6, IBMELFP6 for IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter
  • HERMONP2, IBMHERP3, HERMONP6 compatible with Hercules Graphics Card (720×348)
  • UM85C408AF by UMC for VGA
  • DDIDSM for IDS Monochrome displays
  • DDANADXM supporting Anadex DP-9501 and DP-9001A models
  • DDCITOLR designed for C. Itoh 8510A in low-resolution mode
  • DDCNTXM compatible with Centronics 351–353 printer series
  • DDDS180 from Datasouth
  • DDOKI84 for Oki Data Microline printers
  • DDPMVP supporting Printronix MVP devices
  • DD3EPSNL for IBM/Epson FX-80 low-resolution printer (see also DDFXLR7/8)
  • DD3EPSNH for IBM/Epson FX-80 high-resolution printer (see also DDFXHR8)
  • DD75XHM1 by Regnecentralen RC759 Piccoline
  • DDGSXM, METAFIL6 for Metafile
  • EPSMONH6
  • IBMHP743 supporting Hewlett-Packard 7470A/7475A Plotters (see DDHP7470/DD7470)
  • PALETTE driver for Polaroid camera

The DOS variant of GSX is capable of loading drivers in the CP/M-86 CMD format, enabling a single driver binary to function under both CP/M-86 and DOS environments.

Intel-based editions

The 16-bit GSX version 1.3 evolved into an integral component of GEM, a comprehensive graphical user interface platform built upon GSX technology. Initially called Crystal—a nod to IBM’s Glass—it was eventually renamed GEM.

Within the GEM system, GSX was rebranded as GEM VDI (Virtual Device Interface), which handled fundamental graphics operations and rendering. VDI expanded functionality by incorporating support for multiple fonts and adding raster graphics commands alongside the original vector-oriented GKS instructions. It also introduced support for several viewports, a critical feature for windowed user interfaces.

Additionally, a new subsystem named GEM AES (Application Environment Services) offered window management and user interface components. The GEM Desktop combined these elements to create a fully-fledged GUI solution. The complete 8086-compatible version was unveiled at COMDEX in November 1984, following an earlier preview on the 80286-based Acorn Business Computer in September 1984. Official release occurred as GEM/1 on 28 February 1985.

GEM/1

GEM Desktop 1.0 was introduced on 28 February 1985.[1] Shortly after, GEM Desktop 1.1 was released on 10 April 1985, adding compatibility with CGA and EGA display standards.[2][3] A specialized version tailored for Apricot Computers F-Series systems, offering 640×200 resolution with up to eight colors, was marketed as GEM Desktop 1.2.[4]

Digital Research positioned GEM alongside Concurrent DOS 4.1 as a competitor to IBM TopView.[5]

At launch, GEM was restricted to run exclusively on IBM hardware, deliberately excluding other PC compatible systems such as Compaq to enforce license fees on clone manufacturers. This limitation generated significant developer opposition and was quickly lifted by Digital Research.[6] Among prominent software supporting GEM was Lifetree Software's GEM Write.[7]

Apple Computer initiated legal action against Digital Research over GEM/1’s user interface resemblance to the Macintosh and earlier Apple Lisa GUIs, resulting in mandated modifications to GEM’s design.[8][9][10][11][12] (See also: Apple v. Digital Research.) Apple pursued comparable lawsuits against other companies subsequently.

Beyond standard printer support, GEM included drivers for distinctive peripherals such as the Polaroid Palette.[13]

GEM/2

In reaction, Digital Research introduced the "lawsuit-friendly" GEM Desktop 2.0 on 24 March 1986, incorporating VGA compatibility by 1987.[14] This version restricted the desktop environment to two fixed windows, modified the trash can icon, and eliminated window animations. Despite these changes, it preserved much of the foundational design of GEM/1 while implementing bug corrections and visual refinements.

By 1988, industry expert Stewart Alsop II observed that GEM was one among several graphical user interfaces effectively supplanted by competitors such as Apple, IBM/Microsoft, and others.[15]

GEM XM

GEM XM, featuring "GEM Desktop 3.0," was an enhanced iteration of GEM/2 released during 1986 and 1987 for DOS platforms (including DOS Plus). It supported task switching and allowed up to ten GEM and DOS applications to run concurrently, utilizing swapping to expanded memory (XM) through EMS/EEMS or disk storage (including RAM disk), with extended memory support as well. Users could transfer data between programs via a clipboard equipped with filter capabilities, a feature later incorporated into TaskMAX under DR DOS 6.0. Digital Research intended to offer GEM XM as an optional upgrade for GEM Draw Plus customers and through original equipment manufacturer (OEM) channels.

The source code for GEM XM is currently distributed under the GNU General Public License.

GEM/3

The last commercial version, GEM/3 Desktop, was released on 3 November 1988, delivering enhanced performance along with several basic applications. Following this release, commercial distribution ceased and the source code was made available exclusively to select DRI clients.

In contrast to GEM/2, which supported both GSX and GEM APIs, GEM/3 discontinued support for the GSX API.

GEM/4 for CCP Artline

Around 1990, GEM/4 was introduced with added support for Bézier curves—a capability rarely found outside the PostScript environment. This edition was specifically developed for Artline 2, a graphic design tool created by German company CCP Development GmbH. Additionally, it revamped font management, which led to compatibility issues with applications such as Timeworks Publisher. Meanwhile, Artline version 1 continued operating on GEM 3.1.

GEM/5 for GST Timeworks Publisher

GEM/5, crafted by GST Software Products for use with Timeworks Publisher, showcased a modernized interface featuring three-dimensional buttons and dynamic font scaling. Built upon GEM version 3.13, it integrated Bézier curve functionality from GEM/4 alongside standard tools from GEM 3.1.

ViewMAX for DR DOS

In 1990, GEM Desktop evolved into ViewMAX, a file management shell designed for DR DOS. This shell was unable to execute other GEM applications directly, resulting in multiple programs each containing their own statically linked copy of the GEM system—although native GEM software remained scarce. ViewMAX 2 was subsequently released in 1991.

Development of GEM ended following Digital Research’s acquisition by Novell in June 1991.

X/GEM

Digital Research pursued multitasking enhancements for GEM beginning with X/GEM, which was based on GEM/1 and required multitasking CP/M-compatible operating systems. They also produced X/GEM variants tailored for their real-time OS FlexOS, with further adaptations made for the OS/2 Presentation Manager and the emerging X Window System.

Ventura Publisher

Following the launch of GEM/1, Lee Lorenzen departed from DRI due to its narrow application scope and partnered with Don Heiskell and John Meyer to establish Ventura Software. Their flagship product, Ventura Publisher, later distributed by Xerox and Corel, emerged as a prominent desktop publishing software.

Atari iterations

Atari initiated development of the 68000-based GEM in September 1984, originally intending to operate it on CP/M-68K. Due to impractical CP/M-68K ports, Atari switched to using DRI's DOS-like operating system GEMDOS (also known as "Project Jason") in January 1985 for the Atari ST series, branding the platform's OS as TOS.

Atari maintained exclusive rights to advance GEM without requiring reverse licensing from DRI, thereby circumventing the Apple-DRI legal dispute and preserving a Macintosh-style user interface.

Between 1985 and 1992, TOS versions progressed alongside Atari ST hardware improvements, expanding support for enhanced color depths and resolutions while retaining fundamental GKS capabilities. The release of TOS 4 (MultiTOS) in 1992 with the Falcon030 introduced full multitasking within GEM when combined with the MiNT operating system.

Ongoing evolution

When Caldera acquired remaining Digital Research assets from Novell on 23 July 1996, initial intentions were to rejuvenate GEM and ViewMAX as lightweight graphical interfaces for OpenDOS targeting mobile devices under the label Caldera View. However, Caldera UK redirected efforts toward projects like DR-WebSpyder and GROW. Subsequently, Caldera Thin Clients (later Lineo) released the source code for GEM and GEM XM under the GNU GPL-2.0-only in April 1999. Development of GEM persists through initiatives such as FreeGEM and OpenGEM.

On the Atari ST front, original DRI source code was adapted for the open-source TOS alternative EmuTOS. New AES implementations including XaAES and MyAES have been engineered from the ground up, supporting multitasking via the FreeMiNT extensions integrated into TOS.

Description

The comprehensive GEM system consisted of three principal elements:

  1. GEM VDI (Virtual Device Interface)
  2. GEM AES (Application Environment Services)
  3. GEM Desktop (a drag-and-drop file management utility)

The core graphics subsystem, GEM VDI, executed low-level vector drawing commands through an interface independent of resolution and coordinate systems. GDOS served as a mediator directing these commands to suitable device drivers—whether displays or printers—streamlining output handling and easing developer effort. In contrast to Macintosh's QuickDraw, which embedded device context within applications causing multitasking difficulties, GEM VDI maintained context within devices themselves, allowing each window to have its own virtual device.

GEM AES was responsible for managing windows, user interface styles, and control widgets. To optimize performance, many GUI components were drawn using character graphics, resulting in a straightforward appearance featuring a single monospaced font. Applications generally invoked AES to create windows and utilized VDI for rendering content inside them.

GEM Desktop functioned as a file manager and program launcher running atop DOS variants (MS-DOS, DOS Plus, or DR DOS on PCs; GEMDOS/TOS on Atari). Unlike the polished Macintosh environment, GEM Desktop presented DOS-like elements such as pathnames and wildcards, which appealed more to technically inclined users. Nevertheless, it incorporated features like proportional sliders that enhanced usability.

Native PC applications designed for GEM use the .APP extension for executable files and .ACC for desktop accessories. Numerous desktop accessories operate seamlessly under ViewMAX without requiring modifications.

See also

References

{{Reflist|refs= [12] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] <ref name="MyAES"> Landemarre   , Olivier   ; Rivière   , Vincent   ; Méquignon   , Didier   ; Reboux   , Eric    (eds.). "MyAES Project Overview   ". {{cite web}}: |editor-first5= missing |editor-last5= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); horizontal tab character in |editor-first5= at position 9 (help); no-break space character in |editor-first1= at position 9 (help); no-break space character in |editor-first2= at position 9 (help); no-break space character in |editor-first3= at position 8 (help); no-break space character in |editor-first4= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |editor-last1= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |editor-last2= at position 9 (help); no-break space character in |editor-last3= at position 11 (help); no-break space character in |editor-last4= at position 8 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 24 (help)

Further reading

  • Apricot Portable - Technical Reference Manual, Section 3: Software, ACT (International) Limited, 1984 (228 pages) [1]
  • GSX Graphics Extension - Programmer's Guide, 2nd edition, Digital Research Inc., September 1983 [2]

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ANALOG_TCS_1
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Lineback_GEM11
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Seasip_GEM11
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Seasip_Apricot
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CW_1985_CDOS
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Markoff_1985
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kisor_1985
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NYT_1985_GEM
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Watt_1985_Apple
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Watt_1986_Reorg
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GUI_History
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Dilger, Daniel Eran (2007-09-10). "Office Wars 3 – The Path to Microsoft's Office Monopoly". RoughlyDrafted Magazine. San Francisco, California, USA. Archived from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DRI_1984_MicroNotes2
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Lineback_GEM20
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Alsop_1988
  16. ↑ Barney, Douglas (1987-11-02). "Microbits: The Most Challenging Part is Waiting". Computerworld. Vol. XXI, no. 44. CW Publishing, Inc. pp. 37, 45. ISSN 0010-4841. Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  17. ↑ Fitler, Bill (March 1989). "Developing Portable Software with X/GEM - A Comparison with Other Window Systems". Dr. Dobb's Journal. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  18. ↑ "Announcement of GEM by Digital Research". Corporate Histories Collection - Computer History Museum. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25.
  19. ↑ "A Long-lasting GEM Interface from Digital Research: A User Interface for Various Computer Architectures (in German)". Computerwoche (in Deutsch). IDG Business Media GmbH. 1989-08-18. ISSN 0170-5121. Archived from the original on 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  20. ↑ Leon  , Mark   (1996-07-29  ). "Caldera Reopens Previously Settled Lawsuit, Acquires DR DOS — Antitrust Case Against Microsoft Resurfaces  ". InfoWorld  . News  . Vol. 18  , no. 31  . InfoWorld Publishing Co.  . p. 3  . ISSN 0199-6649  . Retrieved 2020-02-08. {{cite news}}: Check |issn= value (help); Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); no-break space character in |author-first= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |author-last= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |issn= at position 11 (help); no-break space character in |issue= at position 4 (help); no-break space character in |newspaper= at position 15 (help); no-break space character in |page= at position 3 (help); no-break space character in |publisher= at position 30 (help); no-break space character in |series= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 107 (help); no-break space character in |url= at position 55 (help); no-break space character in |volume= at position 4 (help)
  21. ↑ Morris  , Joseph P.  , ed. (1997-05-23   ) [1997-05-19   ]. "Caldera Introduces OEM "Web-TV"-Style Features Using OpenDOS - WebSpyder Enhances Customizable Inter/Intranet Options for OEMs  ". Provo, Utah, USA   : Caldera, Inc.   . Archived from the original on 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2018-08-26    – via www.delorie.com/opendos   . {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help); Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help); Invalid |url-status=live    (help); no-break space character in |access-date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |archive-url= at position 137 (help); no-break space character in |date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |editor-first= at position 11 (help); no-break space character in |editor-last= at position 8 (help); no-break space character in |location= at position 18 (help); no-break space character in |orig-year= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |publisher= at position 19 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 128 (help); no-break space character in |url-status= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |url= at position 82 (help); no-break space character in |via= at position 25 (help)
  22. ↑ Jemmett   , Ben A. L.    (April 1999   ). "Caldera Publishes GEM Under GPL License   ". Deltasoft - GEM News   . Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2016-11-07   . {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help); Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help); Invalid |url-status=live    (help); no-break space character in |access-date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |archive-url= at position 78 (help); no-break space character in |author-first= at position 11 (help); no-break space character in |author-last= at position 9 (help); no-break space character in |date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 41 (help); no-break space character in |url-status= at position 6 (help); no-break space character in |url= at position 35 (help); no-break space character in |work= at position 22 (help)
  23. ↑ Scott   , Karyl    (1991-07-29   ). "Merging Novell and DRI to Enhance Client Management Capabilities   ". InfoWorld   . Networking   . Vol. 13   , no. 30   . InfoWorld Publishing Co.   . p. 33   . ISSN 0199-6649   . Retrieved 2017-01-21   . {{cite news}}: Check |issn= value (help); Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help); no-break space character in |access-date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |author-first= at position 7 (help); no-break space character in |author-last= at position 7 (help); no-break space character in |date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |issn= at position 11 (help); no-break space character in |issue= at position 4 (help); no-break space character in |newspaper= at position 15 (help); no-break space character in |page= at position 4 (help); no-break space character in |publisher= at position 30 (help); no-break space character in |series= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 66 (help); no-break space character in |url= at position 56 (help); no-break space character in |volume= at position 4 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ "A Definitive Merger Agreement Signed Between Novell and Digital Research   ". Business Wire   . 1991-07-17   . Retrieved 2017-01-24   . {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help); no-break space character in |access-date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |date= at position 12 (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 74 (help); no-break space character in |url= at position 68 (help); no-break space character in |work= at position 19 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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