Windows CLONE! (Open Source)

[Shamrock]

www.reactos.com


I think it's based on Win NT4, but they are eyeing WinXP and 2k...they are completely coding their own (I think) and leaving out the bloatware

Sham

**EDIT**

Linkified

ReactOS

 

[lowtech1]

Look like it have alot of potential, but the newest version 0.1.0 didn't make it pass loading the driver for my floppy.

[/i]Loading Floppy...
DriverBase for \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\floppy sys: dcc0000 (floppy.c 206)
Error: KeWaitForSingleObject return: 102[/i]

So far the install & boot is very similar to NT4 with diagnostic: Safe Mode, Command Promt Only, VGA, Last Know Good, Debug Mode, etc...

The ISO is 8megs and is extreamly quick to install much quicker than DOS, and the same goes with boot if it work.

 

[ivwshane]

Hmm interesting but it's got a long way to go.

 

[ProviaFan]

That project isn't really useful for much yet except as a proof of concept, but those guys have got a great idea. If they can pull it off, it would be an awesome OS (they're already talking about Java, OS/2, and DOS compatibility, and Linux compatibility wouldn't be unlikely in the future if I'm guessing correctly). I wish them luck, and hope that they don't get sued into oblivion by the big bad giant.

 

[Doomer]

Whether they succeed or not will depend largely on their ability to pay their lawyers once they rise high enough for MS to see them.

 

[Rkonster]

Originally posted by: ivwshane
Hmm interesting but it's got a long way to go.

Yeah, it's going to take them a long long time.

 

[Inrimoza]

I used to watch this and another similar project at owptcentral (think that's right...).
Windows clones are a great concept but the project teams are so small that it looks as if it'll be years before they have an OS as usable as win95...

 

[Nothinman]

The WINE team hasn't gotten a 100% working implementation of the Win32 API, you think a smaller group of developers will be able to produce a complete OS in any meaningfull amount of time?

Personally I'd just run Linux and use WINE, well I would use Linux versions of the programs I need but to each his own.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
The WINE team hasn't gotten a 100% working implementation of the Win32 API, you think a smaller group of developers will be able to produce a complete OS in any meaningfull amount of time?

Personally I'd just run Linux and use WINE, well I would use Linux versions of the programs I need but to each his own.

Same here, its either wine (well actually winex ), or linux native.

 

[EeyoreX]

Originally posted by: Rkonster

Originally posted by: ivwshane
Hmm interesting but it's got a long way to go.

Yeah, it's going to take them a long long time.

And, on top of taking a long time, it is being made compatible with Windows NT 4.0 and is "keeping an eye on compatibility" with later versions. I am not a compulsive OS upgrader, but I don't think I would be anywhere near happy if I still tried to use Windows NT 4.0 these days.

Good idea, though I can't say I am too impressed with the OT (Old Technology)

\Dan

 

[Nothinman]

And, on top of taking a long time, it is being made compatible with Windows NT 4.0 and is "keeping an eye on compatibility" with later versions. I am not a compulsive OS upgrader, but I don't think I would be anywhere near happy if I still tried to use Windows NT 4.0 these days.

The only thing you might miss out on is games, but even well written games like Q3 which use OpenGL instead of D3D run great on NT 4.