What is Digg?Sponsored by Travelzoo
Take Advantage of Ridiculously Low Holiday Airfares view!
travelzoo.com - Flights $52 and up for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year. But move on it now.
51 Comments
- fgsfds, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Why are there so many people who don't even have the faintest idea about what they're criticizing?
A: This is not a windows emulator running on Linux, it is a reimplementation of the windows APIs.
B: As it's not an emulator, there are fewer translation layers to go through and thus improved performance.
C: A key goal of the React OS project is compatibility to the point of being able to use the same binary drivers as Win32 (And, eventually, Win64). Linux doesn't support all too many devices at all, and far more are missing key features - if you wish to use Linux to play a 3D game on a Radeon card, then may whatever deities that you believe in have mercy on your soul.
D: Firefox, as a web browser, kind of requires that networking be implemented in order to do much of anything.
E: Networking, in turn, requires that you have a driver for your NIC, which is no small feat considering that they're using the official Win32 drivers.
F: Windows XP has an MSRP of $300 (Retail. Non-OEM/-acad/-upgrade), React OS has an MSRP of $0.
G: Eventually, React OS will be capable of providing all the features which are keeping people tied to Windows. The jump to open-source is much easier if you don't have to make sacrifices to do it. - mgillow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I've been watching development on ReactOS for the past few years now in eager anticipation. Development has been comparitavely slow, but considering the sheer magnitude of their project, this is quite an impressive level of progress. Imagine it: a completely open-source Windows clone -- the ability not only to run Win16/32 applications and games, but also to load drivers for hardware that Just Work(tm). The potential for deployment in corporate environments on aging hardware is astounding, not to mention the ability for normal end-users to save money without breaking compatibility.
I'm still using Windows 2000 because I vehemently refuse to upgrade to the craptacular Windows XP; it does all I need it to with comparitively minimal bloat and it works on as little as a Cyrix 166MHz with 128mb of RAM (sometimes smaller). With the support/patch cycle for Win2k nearing its end, ReactOS is one to watch. Good for me, good for others that need to run Windows without the bloat, good for open source, and good for corporations that don't want to seek new investors just to pay for the renewal and/or upgrade of Windows software and support licenses. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Because its not Linux. ReactOS is not in any way Linux. The only similarities between the two are the fact that they are free and open source. ReactOS, unlike the article says, doesn't even use WINE. It uses a few DLLs, and works with the project, but doesn't use it. The linked picture is ReactOS natively running FireFox.
It has actually been able to run FireFox for quite some time, this is hardly news. - ArthurSucks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This is for people who think that windows is becoming a bloated useless money gobbler and want a free open light weight windows alternative. Linux is not right for EVERYBODY. No operating system is. Windows has a lot of great software, and I for one applaud these guys' work. I'd love to see it running all my favorite win32 apps. I think I have a higher chance of seeing Sony Vegas running natively on this, than on Ubuntu.
- clayasaurus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"Umm has anyone heard of Cedaga or Wine? Its super easy to run windows apps on linux, I run wow and CoH. How is this better or new?"
From TFF
"It is our view that Linux + Wine can never be a full replacement for Microsoft(R) Windows(R). ReactOS has the potential for a much higher degree of compatibility - especially for Microsoft(R) Windows(R) drivers - which WINE does not address." - damentz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2well its supposed to run windows applications, how is this new?
- ajs05, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Well, I hadn't heard of ReactOS before. Getting an OS to run
a complex program such as a web browser is a great
milestone for them. Dugg. - Gdjrptryjg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It is NOT a Linux distro and it is a windows clone because that is what it tries to be.
- clayasaurus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"My windows PC runs windows applications."
Is your windows OS free and open source? I didn't think so. - unexplainedmilk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is fantastic! :) Last year I tried ReactOS (in Virtual PC 2004 and several PCs around the house) but I was .. not impressed.
« Don't get me started on short filenames. If this ever runs everything Windows can run, and removes the idiocy of short filenames, I will switch. »
Amen! - mkoo, on 01/03/2009, -0/+1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Darwin
- Ratteler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dugg for ReactOS.
I'm a Graphic Artist not a programer. I would have to work my way up to being a script kiddie. Until Linux can run the Adobe Suit, Lightwave3D, and Poser natively, I simply can't afford to make it my only OS. Those are the applications I make my living from.
I've used GIMP and InkScape, and Blender. They're not the applications I know, and no one will pay me to use them.
Give me Linux versions of the apps I use and I'll switch in a heartbeat. I don't really care what the OS is as long asit get's the job done.
ReactOS has the promise of running all those with no thought on my part.
And for those who say, "Why not just use Windows?" I don't like the idea that M$ is embracing the DRM lobby. I'm the customer who pays their bills when I buy their products. They should be making the OS to serve MY needs of getting around DRM, not selling out to the Entertainment Business.
When Windows figures out who the boss is they may get me back as a customer. Until then... Fight the Power. - KAMI_no_kodomo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm realy happy to see this. not becose it is so special React OS can run Firefox but it means React OS FINALY suport networking (It was the biggest problem I had whit it when I was testing it)
- AnalogDaylight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0What do people mean when they say "get rid of the windows" Get rid of what? Just what would you like to see in an OS??? What is it that people are looking for since everyone has so many complaints about windows being ugly.
- fgsfds, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0ph713: "I would venture a guess that it supports more hardware devices than Windows XP on the same platform (because it still supports many older hardware devices that are no longer supported in XP)."
Well, yes, but if you were applying for a job as an English to German translator then speaking Klingon doesn't help.
If you were going to be running a version of windows on a machine, you would run one from the right era. If your most advanced slot is EISA, you probably can't run XP in the first place, and would instead be running 3.1 or 95.
In the server market things are different, but that's a place where Windows is a weak sister. - fgsfds, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0pcgeek: "Indeed, my Windows box runs Windows programs, imagine that! lol .... if people only knew how powerful Windows is, they wouldn't be dissing the price of it."
I know the power of windows, and it's an overpriced poor performer. It's power comes from the market dominance achieved through dirty tricks and sabotage, and not from any value inherent in the OS. - emperortomato, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0As soon as someone says M$ I stop reading the post. I wouldn't expect you to have read this far in my post, either. That's only fair
- techgeekthomas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Nice... Dugg
- ct2000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0errm but why not just run the Linux version !>?
- Kiba, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0What new: It can run more windows applications and better too. That what new!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Boo peregrine
I think its a good project. Hell, there's tons of Windows apps out there, and some people really like Windows. Maybe this will prompt Linux devs to make stuff easier to use? Maybe it will prod Microsoft to innovate?
Either way, WINE doesn't run everything... - Web_Weasel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wake me up when it runs Guild Wars.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Umm has anyone heard of Cedaga or Wine? Its super easy to run windows apps on linux, I run wow and CoH. How is this better or new?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0>ReactOS had better get finished implementing Win32 right quick. By the >time they're done with that, most applications will be written using .Net >APIs.
>mancat posted by mancat (0)
They'll just implement mono! heh. - mancat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0ReactOS had better get finished implementing Win32 right quick. By the time they're done with that, most applications will be written using .Net APIs.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0last post!!!!
- JackDoyle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I can't even get ReactOS to run at all in my Virtual PC. Glad I didn't destroy any data to give it a try.
- Stonekeeper, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0old news
- n0other, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've never heard of ReactOS before and I am not living in a cave. They should spend more time promoting it. As far as I can see, it's a superb project with great progress. Getting win32 apps to run natively on an open-source os is a really amazing milestone. I, however, will not switch to it :) My FreeBSD box coupled with Fluxbox gives me everything I need. The only thing I need windows for is to check my websites in IE. Yeah, wine can do that :). Definitely dugg.
- schlechtj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The awnser to "Why not just run windows to run window software?" is that if the dream of a sub $100 computer is to become a reality then I beleive that this is a necessary step. If you pay $300 for the operating system alone, then obviously, this price point is impossible. Look at the long term - Third world contries and less fortunate familes in first world countries will have a machine that will be within reach to them and has the promise to run the same software that the major companies run. If the machine was linux only, a lot of people would not go for it. Of course at first if $100 was their limit, then they could not afford Microsoft software in the first place but could build up to it. Most really good open source software works with windows also (Gimp, abiword, open office etc...) and they could run these for free untill they can afford MS. Of course along the way, they will develop an appreciation for the open source software they have been using and now will be better candidates for moving to linux.
And in case you havent noticed, the os is Much Much smaller than Windows xp. this will save you hard drive space, will probably run with less ram and has the potential to run quicker because of less bloat. All factors to a more affordable pc. Who would not want that?
Good going React OS! - HackWithRamzi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"What do people mean when they say "get rid of the windows" Get rid of what? Just what would you like to see in an OS??? What is it that people are looking for since everyone has so many complaints about windows being ugly."
You obviously have never used a machine with OSX on it.... - Mulkiatsch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@lfshdl (»any OSX clones?«): GNUstep. It's not really a clone of Mac OS X, of course (rather a clone of NeXTStep), but it's cool nonetheless and it comes close enough :)
- jreid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0it would be good if an OS came out that was linux based (at the core), so it had the security and the stabilitly, and was able to run Windows applications natively. If this was to ever be released, I, along with many other users, would switch to it without looking back. :)
- birdadderley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0>"Maybe it will prod Microsoft to innovate?"
or break out more lawyers to sue more people... - pcgeek101, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Indeed, my Windows box runs Windows programs, imagine that! lol .... if people only knew how powerful Windows is, they wouldn't be dissing the price of it.
- ph713, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"C: A key goal of the React OS project is compatibility to the point of being able to use the same binary drivers as Win32 (And, eventually, Win64). Linux doesn't support all too many devices at all, and far more are missing key features - if you wish to use Linux to play a 3D game on a Radeon card, then may whatever deities that you believe in have mercy on your soul."
Yes, there are some issues with 3D card drivers (which are entirely 100% the mfgs fault - nvidia won't release specs for an oss driver, but releases a decent binary driver - ati releases a fairly crappy binary driver, and still doesn't give full specs for the oss one), but on the whole, Linux supports a crapload of devices. I would venture a guess that it supports more hardware devices than Windows XP on the same platform (because it still supports many older hardware devices that are no longer supported in XP). Virtually any hardware you can imagine is well-supported in Linux, with the exception of the cases where IP law and stupid companies get in the way (3D cards as mentioned, and another classic example is wireless ethernet cards, although in both cases if you buy the right brand/model of card with Linux in mind, you can get things done).
More importantly, for 99% of all hardware that is supported, the Linux drivers come with the OS - whereas in the Windows world the majority of the drivers out there have to be gotten from the mfg over the web or via a CD/floppy that came with the product. - john117, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0"As soon as someone says M$ I stop reading the post. I wouldn't expect you to have read this far in my post, either. That's only fair"
Other candidates for the Microsoft version of Godwin's Law:
Microsuck
Micro$$$hit
MICRO~1 - silentvirus, on 10/25/2008, -2/+1any open source OSX clones?
- retr0spectiv, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1nah rice. your a fanboy. you proved it in your IM. "I don't care, I'll digg anything with Firefox in it."
Yeah, Thats smart.
and btw, im no way a windoze supporter, so dont make that leap of logic. - ahmerhussain, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0What is the point of ReactOS?
All it is is a OS based on WINE. i would rather use linux with WINE. - MrMysterious, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2My windows PC runs windows applications.
- zanek, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Firefox sucks. I use to love it, now I use opera. Please view the last time I used Firefox :
This is w/ one tab open ! What a piece
http://www.dancclark.com/tmp/why_firefox_sucks.JPG - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0I know this is not a Linux OS but i don't see why you would choose this over a Linux OS with wine and cedaga. I run World of War craft on my Ubuntu 5.10. Can this Alpha do that? If not then i can't see why someone would switch to an under developed operating system.
- peregrine, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0I agree with Joe prbc
If I wanted my machine to look like windows I would run windows. If I wanted to run a open source OS I would use Slackware with KDE, or Kubuntu, or ANY other of them. If I wanted to run windows programs on them...well its amazing...WINE has been around for how long now?
No digg. this is lame. - dmoffitt, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0if you are gonna make an alt. os at least get rid of the windows UGLY
- meowcow, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0 don't care, I'll digg anything with Firefox in it.
posted by Rice (14)
^ha, cause firefox is soooo great. - BugMeNot2, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0It runs Firefox. So what?
- joe_prbc, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Why would you want an uglied up linux distro. I can see the desire to run windows apps but why does it have to be a windows clone.
- Snyder, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Rice just got served! lol
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0>Firefox sucks. I use to love it, now I use opera. Please view the last time I >used Firefox :
>This is w/ one tab open ! What a piece
>http://www.dancclark.com/tmp/why_firefox_sucks.JPG
Check this out genius:
http://geocities.com/m1t0s1s5000/Opera_8_failing_ACID_css2_test.jpg
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is 
