Updated to include first set of questions.

doc/FAQ/Makefile

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ clean:
 #
 
 basic.texi: basic.t Makefile
-	$(BMENU) -p "Top" \
+	$(BMENU) -c -p "Top" \
 	    -u "Top" \
 	    -n "" ${*}.t
 

doc/FAQ/basic.t

@@ -11,5 +11,128 @@
 The questions in this category are basic questions about RTEMS.  Where
 did it come from, why is it, what is it, when should you use it, etc.?
 
+@section What does RTEMS stand for?
+
+RTEMS is an anacronym for the Real-Time Executive for Multiprocessor
+Systems.
+
+Initially RTEMS stood for the Real-Time Executive for Missile Systems
+but as it became clear that the application domains that could use
+RTEMS extended far beyond missiles, the "M" changed to mean Military.
+At one point, there were both Ada and C implementations of RTEMS.  The
+C version changed the "M" to mean Multiprocessor while the Ada version
+remained with the "M" meaning Military.
+
+@section What is RTEMS?
+
+RTEMS is a real-time executive which provides a high performance
+environment for embedded military applications including the
+following features:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item multitasking capabilities
+@item homogeneous and heterogeneous multiprocessor systems
+@item event-driven, priority-based, preemptive scheduling
+@item optional rate monotonic scheduling
+@item intertask communication and synchronization
+@item priority inheritance
+@item responsive interrupt management
+@item dynamic memory allocation
+@item high level of user configurability
+@end itemize
+
+XXX This feature list is weak these days. :)
+
+@section What standards does RTEMS support?
+
+The original "Classic" RTEMS API is based on the Real-Time Executive
+Interface Definition (RTEID) and the Open Real-Time Kernel Interface
+Definition (ORKID).  RTEMS also includes support for POSIX threads
+and real-time extensions.
+
+With the addition of file system infrastructure, RTEMS supports
+about 70% of the POSIX 1003.1b-1996 standard.  This standard
+defines the programming interfaces of standard UNIX.   This means
+that much source code that works on UNIX, also works on RTEMS.
+
+@section What processors is RTEMS available for?
+
+RTEMS is available for the following processor families:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Motorola MC68xxx
+@item Motorola MC683xx
+@item Motorola ColdFire
+@item Hitachi SH
+@item Intel i386
+@item Intel i960
+@item MIPS
+@item PowerPC
+@item SPARC
+@item AMD A29K
+@item Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC
+@end itemize
+
+In addition, there is a port to UNIX which can be used as a prototyping
+and simulation environment.
+
+@section Executive vs. Kernel vs. Operating System (RTOS)
+
+The developers of RTEMS developers use the terms executive and kernel
+interchangeably.  In the embedded system community, the terms executive
+or kernel are generally used to refer to small operating systems.
+So we consider it proper to refer to RTEMS as an executive, a kernel,
+or an operating system.
+
+@section Where/why was it developed?
+
+RTEMS was developed by On-Line Applications Research Corporation (OAR)
+for the U.S. Army Missile Command.  The original goal of RTEMS was
+to provide a portable, standards-based real-time executive for which
+source code was available and royalties were paid.
+
+In other words, RTEMS was open source before open source was cool.
+
+@section Are there no similar commercial products?
+
+Yes, but not all are based on standards and the open source philosophy.
+
+@section How can I get RTEMS?
+
+RTEMS is distributed by OAR Corporation via the Internet.  Point your
+favorite browser at the following URL and following the link:
+
+@set OAR-URL http://www.OARcorp.com
+@ifset use-html
+@href{@value{OAR-URL},,@value{OAR-URL}}
+@end ifset
+@ifclear use-html
+@value{OAR-URL}
+@end ifclear
+
+@section What about support?
+
+OAR Corporation provides numerous services for RTEMS including support,
+training, and custom development.
+
+@section Are there any mailing lists?
+
+The primary RTEMS mailing list is @code{rtems-list@@oarcorp.com}.  You 
+can subscribe by sending a message with the word @b{subscribe} as the 
+body to @code{rtems-list-request@@oarcorp.com}.
+
+@section Are there any license restrictions?
+
+RTEMS is licensed under a modified version of the GNU General Public License
+(GPL).  The modification places no restrictions on the applications which
+use RTEMS but protects the interests of those who work on RTEMS.
+
+The TCP/IP network stack included with RTEMS is a port of the FreeBSD
+network stack and is licensed under different terms that also do not
+place restrictions on the application.
+
+@section Are there any export restrictions?
+
+No.