venerdì 25 marzo 2011

ReactOS overview

I've been an passive ReactOS developer for a while now. While its slow (yet steady) pace can be frustrating, with every version it starts to look more like a decently done Operating System and less like a bad win95 copy.

So, what is ReactOS exactly?


I could post more screenshots, but you'll say it looks just like Windows 2000, with some weird added icons.
What ReactOS actually is, is a completely win32 binary compatible OS. So in short, you can use it instead of Windows with all your programs working, while that's impossible with linux or MacOS without an emulation layer (or virtual machine).

What does it mean for the OS world? Well, not much, for now, since it's still in alpha stage and some important things do not work well. Almost all new computers already come with some version of the latest windows installed, so you don't really need an alternative.
But when it'll be compatible enough that there will be virtually no difference when running the two, I'd safely bet that ReactOS will takeoff and the development of patches / security holes will be as fast and efficient as any community-based linux distro. That means it'll be faster and safer than its current windows couanterpart.

And at the end of the day, a stable ReactOS will be the OS of choice for POS, terminals, internet cafes or any other usage that wants to avoid an expensive license.

And who knows, maybe in some years we'll all be wondering why people still pay for Windows...

If you want to try reactos, download the version preloaded with QEMU, a free virtual machine. In 10 minutes time you'll be running it on a window on your Windows OS without installing or modifying anything.

31 commenti:

  1. Great. I am going to take a look at it. Because I am fed up with Windows. And I cant afford a Mac at this moment. Great post.

    RispondiElimina
  2. Sounds very interesting, have to try this sometime

    RispondiElimina
  3. Interesting stuff, never heard of ReactOS. I'll have to check it out for curiousity's sake.

    Looking forward to what your new blog has to offer!

    RispondiElimina
  4. Interesting stuff, I'll have to try it out in my VM sometimes when I get a chance.

    I like your blog!

    Followed.

    RispondiElimina
  5. I have been a newbish fan of Ubuntu for a while. I might give this a shot to learn more.

    RispondiElimina
  6. I would love to get to the point where we dont have to pay for Windows. Great stuff!

    RispondiElimina
  7. Sounds really interesting. Follow'd

    RispondiElimina
  8. Better than Windows?
    Impossible :D

    RispondiElimina
  9. Very well reading, especially part about Os wordl. Thanks

    RispondiElimina
  10. important question- will world of warcraft run on it

    RispondiElimina
  11. Man. I just lost the video card on my primary box, and I'm stuck using an HP Mini with an external keyboard and mouse. This machine runs XP, and I hate it!

    I am going to check this out!

    RispondiElimina
  12. Very very cool. Yeah, this seems like the way to go for avoiding expenses.

    RispondiElimina
  13. Sounds interesting, it'd be nice to be able to dual boot this instead of windows

    RispondiElimina
  14. I'll definitely give this a look-see, thanks for putting work into it.

    RispondiElimina
  15. Oh thats cool, i'm all ubuntu so sounds intresting for me. followed

    RispondiElimina
  16. Looks good
    Will be following for updates

    RispondiElimina
  17. I've heard of react OS before.
    My friend messes around with it from time to time.

    RispondiElimina
  18. I'll have to check that out, thanks
    following, nice blog

    RispondiElimina
  19. following.. I'm seriously interested in ReactOS. Thanks for the introduction

    RispondiElimina
  20. I'm bout to try this.
    Hope my computer doesnt die ;)

    RispondiElimina
  21. cool blog quake blows tho. ask japan

    RispondiElimina
  22. It looks really good, i'll try it, for the nice times haha, check out my blog :)

    RispondiElimina
  23. It just seems very hard for any new OS to get by in the giants nowadays. I ofc wish them the best of luck :)

    RispondiElimina
  24. ReactOS has the potential to be huge. Great informative post, thank you for sharing this!

    Will definitely follow :)

    RispondiElimina
  25. Seems like an awesome blog, can't wait for more updates.
    Followed!

    RispondiElimina