ReactOS: OpenSource alternative to Win NT kernel

[Lennart]

Yesterday, i've discoverd an OS that is open source and works with win32
programs. It is still in development, but already interesting to try it out
(you can download a live-image and start it from CD)

From their website:

ReactOS is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that
is compatible with Microsoft Windows(R) applications and drivers.

License
ReactOS is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

Relationship with the WINE project
ReactOS has always planned to work with the WINE project to share as much
programming effort as possible.
This will mainly concern User Mode DLLs and will happen once ReactOS's
Kernel Mode areas are more complete, as those areas form the underlying
infrastructure. Other areas of cooperation lie in applications and testing
suites.

Supporting other System Applications
The Microsoft Windows(R) architecture allows for subsystems, as does the
ReactOS architecture. A subsystem is an implementation of the APIs of
another operating system, allowing ReactOS to run applications from other
systems. We are already looking at subsystems for: Java, OS/2 and DOS and
possibly others in the future.

We are preparing a new website, so some of the modules are down (like
forums), We apologize for any inconveniences.

 

[Gerry]

From their website:

ReactOS is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that
is compatible with Microsoft Windows(R) applications and drivers.

Thank you for mentioning the website and for not giving the address:

http://www.reactos.com/

An awesome effort. I wish them all the luck and succes in the world,
but why not bundle all knowledge and efforts to create a user (layman)
friendlier Linux?

Gerry

 

[Mel]

Yesterday, i've discoverd an OS that is open source and works with win32
programs. It is still in development, but already interesting to try it out
(you can download a live-image and start it from CD)

From their website:

ReactOS is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that
is compatible with Microsoft Windows(R) applications and drivers.

License
ReactOS is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

Relationship with the WINE project
ReactOS has always planned to work with the WINE project to share as much
programming effort as possible.
This will mainly concern User Mode DLLs and will happen once ReactOS's
Kernel Mode areas are more complete, as those areas form the underlying
infrastructure. Other areas of cooperation lie in applications and testing
suites.

Supporting other System Applications
The Microsoft Windows(R) architecture allows for subsystems, as does the
ReactOS architecture. A subsystem is an implementation of the APIs of
another operating system, allowing ReactOS to run applications from other
systems. We are already looking at subsystems for: Java, OS/2 and DOS and
possibly others in the future.

We are preparing a new website, so some of the modules are down (like
forums), We apologize for any inconveniences.

Status

Console Applications ReactOS supports a limited range of console (text
based) applications, and support for more is increasing as we expand our
console libraries. Notable examples of supported console software are
GCC (which means that ReactOS can be compiled on ReactOS) and the GNU
Midnight Commander (text-based file manager).

GUI Applications The Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and User32 is not
yet complete. The VGA driver that comes with ReactOS also has some way
to go, although the standard Microsoft VGA driver can be loaded. Test
applications such as WinHello and WineMine demonstrate current
capability.

Driver Support At the moment, work to support 3rd party drivers
(Microsoft Windows compatible) is restricted. The focus is more on only
basic drivers that are written in conjunction with the various kernel
facilities.

Other Subsystems The JOS project has agreed to use the ReactOS kernel to
develop a Java subsystem, to help bring their goal of a Java based
operating system to realization.

Although we approached several groups that wish to implement an Open
Source OS/2 operating system, none of them wanted to use ReactOS as a
kernel. There is, however, at least one person who has joined the
project that is interested in developing an OS/2 subsystem for ReactOS.

Although there is interest in a DOS subsystem, we have not yet moved to
get interested people working on such a system.

http://www.reactos.com/

 

[John Corliss]

Lennart wrote"


Thank you for mentioning the website and for not giving the address:

http://www.reactos.com/

An awesome effort. I wish them all the luck and succes in the world,
but why not bundle all knowledge and efforts to create a user (layman)
friendlier Linux?

Looks interesting indeed, but IMO it can't work in the long run.
Microsoft is master of switching fundamental paradyms in the middle of
the stream and has surely long expected such an "attack".
My thought is that Reactos will come under massive, covert and overt
(i.e. LEGAL) attacks from Microsoft, whose monetary resources are that
of a medium sized nation. MS will never allow such affrontery.

--
Regards from John Corliss
I don't reply to trolls like "Chrissy Cruiser", for instance.
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware, nagware,
PROmotionware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware,
viruses or warez please.

 

[Gerry]

Microsoft is master of switching fundamental paradyms in the middle of
the stream and has surely long expected such an "attack".
My thought is that Reactos will come under massive, covert and overt
(i.e. LEGAL) attacks from Microsoft, whose monetary resources are that
of a medium sized nation. MS will never allow such affrontery.

My thoughts exactly. I would rather see a united world wide effort
aimed at creating a user (layman) friendlier free Linux. That would
scare the pants off Gat€$ and his Micro$oft cronies. We all, not just
the computer fanatics, need a life without Micro$oft.

Gerry

 

[Bob Adkins]

My thoughts exactly. I would rather see a united world wide effort
aimed at creating a user (layman) friendlier free Linux. That would
scare the pants off Gat€$ and his Micro$oft cronies. We all, not just
the computer fanatics, need a life without Micro$oft.

Yes, we do need a Windows alternative. Since the Linux community has
disregarded all the fine Windows programs and games that people refuse to
give up, it probably won't be Linux. I'm excited about ReactOS. Too bad
there isn't more enthusiasm for it among the Open Source community.
Development is just too slow for it to catch on.

Using names like "Gat€$" and "Micro$oft." does not help our cause. It makes
us look like kooks and fanboys.

 

[Mel]

Yes, we do need a Windows alternative. Since the Linux community has
disregarded all the fine Windows programs and games that people refuse to
give up, it probably won't be Linux. I'm excited about ReactOS. Too bad
there isn't more enthusiasm for it among the Open Source community.
Development is just too slow for it to catch on.

Using names like "Gat€$" and "Micro$oft." does not help our cause. It makes
us look like kooks and fanboys.

JOS (Java Operating System) has been rather slow in development too.

 

[Lennart]

Op Wed, 24 Aug 2005 14:29:30 +0200 schreef Gerry:

Thank you for mentioning the website and for not giving the address:

http://www.reactos.com/

An awesome effort. I wish them all the luck and succes in the world,
but why not bundle all knowledge and efforts to create a user (layman)
friendlier Linux?

Gerry

Excuse me for not giving the link ...

Why not Linux? After all, the men in the street uses the software. And a
lot of programs runs only on a Win32 layer.

 

[CARP]

paradyms

Whowhats?

oh, you mean PARADIGM? How is Microsoft a paradigm, again?

My thought is that Reactos will come under massive, covert and overt
(i.e. LEGAL) attacks from Microsoft, whose monetary resources are that
of a medium sized nation. MS will never allow such affrontery.

React has been around (in original FreeWin95 format) for years, at least
since 1996 or so.... Microsoft hasn't messed with it yet, and I doubt they
will... I also doubt they would have a legal leg to stand on, since not a
drop of React's code comes from MS... it's not even written in MSC++...

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Hm. I've looked at reactos.com. There is no commercial win32-program
(except quake2) which is not running under linux-wine. After all, there
are much more programs running under linux-wine than under reactos.
I prefer to use linux over reactos because
+ drivers under linux are normally open-source (better gpl), so they can
be adapted to new cpu/chipsets
+ I want to support a company independent operating system. Wine is only
acceptable as long as there is no free alternative for some programs
(very seldom in my case - actually none). Copying windows because of
windows is ... becoming more userfriendly does not mean to imitate
windows (even if people think mouse and windows were invented by M$).

So for me Linux is OK till Hurd is released


Ciao,
Bernd

 

[Lennart]

Op Wed, 24 Aug 2005 22:05:51 +0200 schreef Bernd Schmitt:

Hm. I've looked at reactos.com. There is no commercial win32-program
(except quake2) which is not running under linux-wine. After all, there
are much more programs running under linux-wine than under reactos.
I prefer to use linux over reactos because
+ drivers under linux are normally open-source (better gpl), so they can
be adapted to new cpu/chipsets
+ I want to support a company independent operating system. Wine is only
acceptable as long as there is no free alternative for some programs
(very seldom in my case - actually none). Copying windows because of
windows is ... becoming more userfriendly does not mean to imitate
windows (even if people think mouse and windows were invented by M$).

So for me Linux is OK till Hurd is released


Ciao,
Bernd

The problem is then, that people have to step over to linux. Most people
can't use linux, because they don't now. Most people even don't know
Internet is more than www and email (and even www isn't internet ... its
http, nntp, ftp, smtp etc)

People like us, understand how to use a newsreader, install Linux, find a
website called www.freewarehome.com (most people i tell, are amazed about
the huge collection of freeware they find on this site - and they're more
amazed when I tell, that's there plenty more ...).

But an initiative like ReactOS can be very useful for people without much
computer knowledge.

 

[John Corliss]

Looks interesting indeed, but IMO it can't work in the long run.
Microsoft is master of switching fundamental paradyms in the middle of
the stream and has surely long expected such an "attack".
My thought is that Reactos will come under massive, covert and overt
(i.e. LEGAL) attacks from Microsoft, whose monetary resources are that
of a medium sized nation. MS will never allow such affrontery.

Eh.... make that "Effrontery."

--
Regards from John Corliss
I don't reply to trolls like "Chrissy Cruiser", for instance.
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware, nagware,
PROmotionware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware,
viruses or warez please.

 

[John Corliss]

JOS (Java Operating System) has been rather slow in development too.

For those who are curious:

http://cjos.sourceforge.net/archive/

--
Regards from John Corliss
I don't reply to trolls like "Chrissy Cruiser", for instance.
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware, nagware,
PROmotionware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware,
viruses or warez please.

 

[John Corliss]

Whowhats? oh, you mean PARADIGM?

Criticizing spelling is kinda considered... well... bad form on usenet.

How is Microsoft a paradigm, again?

Never said that *they* were a paradigm (or a paradym for that matter).
What I meant was that they intentionally change fundamental aspects of
new versions of their OS so that software companies have to scamble to
make their programs compatible with it. For instance, file systems.

React has been around (in original FreeWin95 format) for years, at least
since 1996 or so.... Microsoft hasn't messed with it yet, and I doubt they
will... I also doubt they would have a legal leg to stand on, since not a
drop of React's code comes from MS... it's not even written in MSC++...

True, but it hasn't taken off either. MS simply sees them as a fly on
the wall. Not yet worth it to get the fly swatter out because they
haven't buzzed around Bill Gate's face yet.

--
Regards from John Corliss
I don't reply to trolls like "Chrissy Cruiser", for instance.
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware, nagware,
PROmotionware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware,
viruses or warez please.

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

The problem is then, that people have to step over to linux.

My mother in law did not notice it was linux - i told her it is a kind
of a new windows . It is like driving a new car, steering wheel and
knobs might have different appearance ...

But an initiative like ReactOS can be very useful for people without much
computer knowledge.

Maybe (later).
I really do not want to start OS-flamewar so I forego arguing whether
kde/gnome/.../MAC/Win is easier to use - to me it is subjective


Ciao,
Bernd

 

[Mark Carter]

since 1996 or so.... Microsoft hasn't messed with it yet, and I doubt they
will... I also doubt they would have a legal leg to stand on, since not a
drop of React's code comes from MS... it's not even written in MSC++...

Problems may remain, though.
1. Legality does not necessarily stop MS from adopting bully-boy tactics
which can squash opponents regardless of the merits of their arguments
2. There are worrying trends regarding patents. It appears that APIs may
be patentable (anyone care to confirm this?), thereby blocking
alternative implementations. I'm not aware of any patents over existing
APIs, so ReactOs appears to be OK for now. Still, you never know, in the
future things could turn nastey.

 

[CARP]

Never said that *they* were a paradigm (or a paradym for that matter).

I just had to screw with ya John, relax....

True, but it hasn't taken off either. MS simply sees them as a fly on
the wall. Not yet worth it to get the fly swatter out because they
haven't buzzed around Bill Gate's face yet.

Never stopped them before... of course, if you get a screen cap of React
running IE7, then all hell *will* break loose ;o)

 

[Lennart]

Op Wed, 24 Aug 2005 22:43:04 +0200 schreef Bernd Schmitt:

I really do not want to start OS-flamewar so I forego arguing whether
kde/gnome/.../MAC/Win is easier to use - to me it is subjective

Me either. Maybe is OS X better to use, Linux more stable. But what I see,
is that lot of people only knew Windows & only use Windows programs.

I'm not arguing from computer to user, i'm arguing from user to computer.
The reality is that more than 90% of the users uses Windows and MS
software. And, it is true, "Bill" can change a whole filesystem with a new
version of Windows. In that perspective, it's better to use a OS like
Linux. It would provide a more stable line in the future.

But when people start to use an other OS than Windows, they learn to see
that there is more then MS thats easy to use.

gr, Lennart

ps Your mother in law? What is she doing in your hobbyroom? ;-)