virtualhub.eu.org/docs/1970s/1973/alto-os/index.md

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Alto OS Xerox Alto 1970s 1973	./alto-os.webp	The Xerox Alto OS, was the first GUI system. It was way ahead of its time. We can run it on ContrAlto emulator.	1

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Alto OS

The Xerox Alto OS, was the first GUI system. It was way ahead of its time. We can run it on ContrAlto emulator.

Manuals

:::tip

The manuals refer to the mouse buttons by their color. On a modern 3-button mouse, the colors map as the following:

• Red = Left mouse button
• Yellow = Middle mouse button
• Blue = Right mouse button

On most mouses, pressing the scroll-wheel simulates pressing the middle mouse button.

:::

You can download the Alto OS manuals from bitsavers. These are the most useful ones:

• Alto User's Handbook
• Alto Subsystems Manual
• Alto Operating System Reference Manual (Part 1)
• Alto Operating System Reference Manual (Part 2)
• BCPL Reference Manual
• Bravo Course Outline

You may also be interested in the Alto hardware manual:

• Alto Hardware Manual (Part 1)
• Alto Hardware Manual (Part 2)

Apps

• Preinstalled Apps

Related Pages

• VirtualHub Screenshots
• Run Alto OS in your browser: ContrAltoJS
• Wikipedia
• Computer History Wiki Alto page
• Toasty Tech Xerox Alto page
• Toasty Tech page on running Alto OS on the older salto emulator
• Computer History Museum: Xerox Alto Source Code Release

Credits

• The manuals were taken from Bitsavers.