Discovered this operating system the other day. Basically it's a free, open source ground-up implementation of Windows XP. This operating system is not Linux with a WINE API, although some WINE code is used. ReactOS is still in an early alpha stage, so there are A LOT of bugs. The Explorer barely worked and I experienced a few BSODS. The operating system is not feature complete yet either. For example, it only works with FAT file systems and can't create more then one primary partiton. However, that being said, the foundations of the OS have been layed out already. Definately worth checking out though because this is an interesting project. Probably not legal though...
I first heard about ReactOS many years ago and it is a very slow moving project. It may even be too ambitious to gain much ground. It is completely legal and all GPL. It's a Windows work-a-like, just like Linux is a UNIX work-a-like. I would like to try it out some day for some of my old DOS RPG games.
well i've never heard of it, i've just started the Live CD downloading, if i like it i'll get the install CD good
I was reading about it some time ago. When the author discussed bluescreens and lockups, I thought, "Wow, that is a really convincing Windows clone! You can barely tell the two apart."
well i can agree with that, after having a few probs getting it to run i started it in VMware and it froze[ot]like a frozen chicken falling down a chimney[/ot]
I didn't get it working in Vmware either. If an OS is a clone of Windows, then the instability is also cloned
I got it working . But it looks a bit 'cheap'. However it is great for companies that want a free OS, and most apps of them can't run on linux (not even with wine).
wait, so its just free windows, like exactly, DX and all, or its just a OS that works like windows??? Wait, so it is, and you can install any windows programs on it, huh. Lol, At yer a funny guy
Meh, if people ahve that much time on their hands that they can sit there and clone Windows then we need to buy them something to keep them entertained and leave this project alone! "Let's clone Windows, instabilities BSOD's and all" *Everyone at the board meeting stands up and aplauds* Deary me, help us all... w...t...f...mayte... I actually can't understand wtf you just said...
Yes, the point is to create a free OS that can run DOS and windows programs. I'm not sure about DX but I wouldn't count on it (can't find any reference on the website). To explain better to those that are skeptical about this project, read this blurb from the FAQ: That makes it a really narrow user base. Someday I may try it.
Well, it sounds interesting, I'll have a look at it too. It may just be something that helps get those who can't afford a computer because of the software costs and availability. I'm no coder, but In that case I'm for it. Glenn
yeah, it seems to be a windows copy type thing, looks like windows and it will work with all the drivers and such that your hardware came with. But kinda confused as to the base as well, not really sure of who would use it.
