ReactOS - Open source XP replacement

[Vorg]

They have been very active on it, but I think it will be more then a few months. From what I understand it will likely reach v0.5 (beta stable) sometime in 2009. So guessing about a year. They still don't have a NTFS file system (fat32 only),  DirectX is still relying in wine code, and other things.

[dvder]

I wonder how many would switch from using Microsoft to use reactos.

[shruggedatlas]

For those who want to try it out, the simplest solution may be to use the free VMWare server and just install it as a virtual machine.  Then you can try it and see what it runs and what it does not run, with no risk to your current OS and no additional hardware cost and no time spent repartitioning or swapping hard drives.

[electricme]

@ALL

ReactOS, an operating system that is going to give MS a shock I think.

Today I down loaded ReactOS "live CD" and saved it to my computer.
Unzipped it into the same folder the zip file was in.
Burnt the ISO to a standard CD using CDburnerXP a freebie

Next I plonked the "bootable" ReactOS into the HP ZT3000 tray and rebooted the Laptop making sure the BIOS would boot from the CD drive.

After a while the screen showed the ReactOS desktop.
I had no trouble using the mouse, it opened the folders OK no problems at all.

Next I clicked on the start icon, selected the shutdown option, clicked enter and it closed down and the Laptop turned off.



OK, here is the rub a dub dub.
This laptop has NO HARD DRIVE in it, thats right.

NO Hard Drive, I need a HD and will be getting one shortly, but the thing is, the ReactOS actually booted into a Windows type of operating system, mouse and all, filled the whole screen.

For a OS which has only 33megs or so is outstanding indeed, I can see this particular OS getting some pritty good accolaids as a system repair software.

Full marks to those who are developing it, and its FREE to boot.

This ran in RAM only, making it very fast, I am VERY impressed with it.
For years, I have been looking for a small OS other than Linux or "puppy" which can boot a PC and have a GUI to browse and repair.

Take a look at the photos below, sorry about the quality.

jim

[Xaero_Vincent]

ReactOS is in no position to take on Microsoft in the foreseeable future.

Linux and other open source operating systems are much more mature, are more useful and can be themed to emulate a Windows desktop. Even so Linux has yet to make any inroads into the client PC market with a consumer market share just under 1%.

Those who wish to use Windows will simply use Microsoft's offering because the only real value in ReactOS is that its free and open source. Most people don't care about source code and obtaining Windows for free is easy if you don't mind breaking the law by pirating it.