title: PIC Microcontroller Operating System
body: <p>I heard it is possible to write an Operating System, using the built in bootloader and a kernel that you write, for the PIC microcontroller. I also heard it has to be a RTOS.</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Is this true? Can you actually make an operating system kernel (using C/C++) for PIC?</li>
  <li>If yes to 1, are there any examples of this?</li>
  <li>If yes to 1, would you need any type of software to create the kernel?</li>
  <li>Is Microchip the only company that makes PIC microcontrollers?</li>
  <li>Can the PIC microcontroller be programmed on a mac?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>