Single user (non-virally [non-GPL] licensed) operating systems

sidetone

sidetone

These are mainly single user (as in having one user instead of having multiple User ID) operating systems. Some may have limited, or newly added multi user functionality: such as some are single user for their desktops. Security for logging in and complex permissions aren't typically needed on single user operating systems.
  • Haiku is a desktop OS for x86 computers. It has lots of newly developed features and replaced programs, even though development seems to occur slowly.
  • RiscOS is a desktop OS for 32bit Risc architecture. It relies on a lot of GPL programs. They're making progress on its own suite of desktop applications. For 32bit Risc, this may be the best lightweight OS to use. When you're looking for a simple lightweight desktop on a RaspberryPi or BeagleBoard, that doesn't store confidential files, this is the one to use.
  • PDOS: Public Domain OS or Public DOS. DOS is known for being a single user Operating system. This OS is available on x86, 16bit Risc, 32bit Risc (it runs full screen programs in place of Windows, as DOS otherwise typically maxes out at 16bit) and other architectures.
  • Minix gets a mention, even though it's defunct. For learning purposes, it's not defunct, while for most other purposes, it is. It's for x86, and the only Risc board it has support for is Beagleboard. Minix also uses BSD init for its initialization style.
From this, I consider HaikuOS and RiscOS the most similar, and to obviously use the one which fits your hardware. If there's a reason to use these operating systems, it's for their simplicity and minimal hardware needs for the desktop. When there's lower capability hardware for basic desktop use, these would be the operating systems to use. For command-line, basic routers and basic servers: BSD and illumos operating systems will do.

Maybe: https://github.com/minexew/Shrine.

I missed some, but feel free to add them. These may be some of the more modern ones. Other operating systems need attention. Not sure about SvarDOS.
 
DOS is the most widely used single OS today, and in history. At least when used by people who know what the use - RiscOS has a lot of stake in education, basic users.

However it would be hard to formulate a point around FreeDOS for purposes of this topic. I believe it should be mentioned - it is a living, active FOSS DOS project. However the myriad of hobby DOS hardware and software developed today does not target FreeDOS per se.
 
FreeMiNT / XaAES

FreeMiNT is a free, open-source operating system for 16/32bit Atari computers and clones, based on the original MiNT by Eric Smith and officially adopted by Atari Corp. XaAES is multitasking GEM AES replacement.
 
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