ReactOS a OS based after NT

[Tech^salvager]

www.reactos.com
At first I thought it was some os based on a linux kernel being made to work with windows programs, but on further inspection I saw that it is a whole new OS with a kernel based off NT. So I wanted to get your take on this OS. I think that it will become very usefull if it gets networking in it.

[sm8000]

Kinda sounds a little old....

Future compatibility - The ReactOS project, although currently focused on Windows NT 4.0 compatibility, is always keeping an eye towards compatibility with future Windows NT releases, that is, Windows 2000 (NT 5.0) and Windows XP (NT 5.1).

[Tech^salvager]

Well I know it works because I have used the liveCD version of it. It was allright but is still a long way off, though I have to say they have made a lot of progress since I last seen it.

[bob05]

I wonder how they can do this without getting sued by Microsoft. Maybe since it's free and it's using the NT kernel (not the 2000), I guess MS just doesn't care.

[sm8000]

I don't think it's using MS's NT kernel, but one inspired by it.

[Tech^salvager]

a quote frome their site

Before ReactOS Around about 1996 some people formed a group called FreeWin95, with the goal to implement an operating system that would be a clone of Windows 95. Unfortunately, as with many new ambitious Open Source projects, it was stuck in a rut of endless talk about the design of the system, with no results.

ReactOS Beginnings At the end of 1997, the project had burnt out with nothing to show. Jason Filby became project coordinator and called on everyone still subscribed to the list to revive the project. It was decided that the target should be Windows NT and that there would be an emphasis on results -- on written code rather than endless talk. The project was renamed ReactOS, since the operating system's roots grew out of a dissatisfaction with Microsoft's monopoly over the operating system market. In February 1998, ReactOS began.

Steep Climbing The first few years of ReactOS were painfully slow, despite the large amounts of code that was being written. Only a few of the developers knew how to write kernel code. It was a time of only a few people writing the difficult kernel beginnings. Later, as the kernel became more complete and stable, as basic drivers such as the IDE and keyboard drivers were written, more people were able to get involved in development.

Today The kernel has come a long way and is quite stable and many APIs are complete enough for higher level work to be done. Substantial work has been done on many libraries. Initial networking code is there, but unusable for the moment. A basic implementation of the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and a VGA graphics driver is paving the way for a GUI. The amount of developers are steadly increasing.

Near Future Soon subsystems for Java, OS/2 and DOS will be started. Code to support a GUI, with the help of the WINE project, is growing more and more complete every day. ReactOS is set to experience massive growth in the near future.

[Johnny Fist]

If I wanted to use NT4, I'd use NT4. I see no real point in trying to revive a long since dead operating system.

[sm8000]

Hey, maybe this one has USB support! :D

[Tech^salvager]

Originally posted by Johnny Fist
If I wanted to use NT4, I'd use NT4. I see no real point in trying to revive a long since dead operating system.
Well say it had full or 90% compaility with actual windows programs. example say you give away a computer you could say put reactos on it and wouldn't have to worry about any licenses. Anyways I have tried this OS and have to say they have some along way. It has a good gui working for it. One of the best things about it is its open source.

[Johnny Fist]

Any chances of a screenshot of ReactOS? I wouldn't mind seeing what it looks like.

[bob05]

Originally posted by Johnny Fist
Any chances of a screenshot of ReactOS? I wouldn't mind seeing what it looks like.

http://www.reactos.com/en/content/view/full/52 :t

[Johnny Fist]

I'm assuming that 1-4 on the taskbar is a VWM? I like that, but the rest of it looks pretty drab.

[Tech^salvager]

Yes you are correct