4 ms·

That was my impression in 2011 already. Back then I wrote a blog post (in my then-much-worse English) with, admittedly, a bit of Microsoft hatred[1]. However, m

by gbl08ma 12y ago

That was my impression in 2011 already. Back then I wrote a blog post (in my then-much-worse English) with, admittedly, a bit of Microsoft hatred[1]. However, most of the points I mention are still valid, I think. Of course there have been new releases since 2011, but nothing exactly groundbreaking, at least in the eye of a casual follower like me. Relatively recently, they have run a IndieGoGo campaign and have made this[2], but to be honest (and I admit I haven't looked very deep), as a first impression, it seems it is more the result of web development, design and social media work, than work on the hard part, i.e. the operating system itself. It'd be nice if someone could clarify whether that's really the case. As others have mentioned, perhaps the idea is to offer support for legacy software on newer hardware, when that software doesn't need everything Windows has to offer... but I'm not sure how big is the audience for that, if one takes into account that some of the need is fulfilled by running Windows XP in a VM, using Microsoft's own tools for legacy compatibility ("compatibility mode" has solved all the compatibility problems I've had so far, but then again, I'm not a heavy user of such functionality), or running XP on real hardware (isolated and where applicable; it's not like Windows XP won't run on modern hardware, except possibly due to UEFI, or the like, and in that case I doubt ReactOS is of much help either). [1] http://gbl08ma.com/reactos-will-they-ever-get-somewhere/ http://gbl08ma.com/reactos-will-they-ever-get-somewhere/ [2] http://community.reactos.org/ http://community.reactos.org/

RachelF 12y ago
It is nice to see that ReactOS are still developing, but I think that their time to make a big impression was 7 years ago. The world has moved on from being a Microsoft-centric place. Perhaps if the Chinese or Russians decided to use it as an alternative OS, it would have worked?
- eksith 12y ago
  Considering the swath of (mostly pirated) XP installs still floating around China[1], I wonder if many of them would be willing to try this instead. Most of their apps should run just fine too. [1] http://www.pcworld.com/article/2103680/chinas-windows-xp-users-to-still-get-security-support.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/2103680/chinas-windows-xp-use...
hrjet 12y ago
Apart from being able to run legacy software, wouldn't it being open-source be of value? I know several people who use Windows because they need the Windows-only software (new or old). With ReactOS they would be able to use those applications with an open-source OS. (Though the pros and cons of open-source can be a separate, credible discussion).
- louhike 12y ago
  The problem is that the development seems to go too slowly to be something more than a curiosity. It looks outdated and cannot replace Windows in a worplace for the moment and it seems like it will be like that forever. I really want this to succeed but I do not think it will.
TazeTSchnitzel 12y ago
> Relatively recently, they have run a IndieGoGo campaign and have made this[2], but to be honest (and I admit I haven't looked very deep), as a first impression, it seems it is more the result of web development, design and social media work, than work on the hard part, i.e. the operating system itself. It'd be nice if someone could clarify whether that's really the case. I think they made that just to convince people to give them money which is so desperately needed for development. Probably because they previously made a Kickstarter which failed to meet its goals. What ReactOS needs is some large business to sponsor its development.

by gbl08ma 12y ago

RachelF 12y ago

It is nice to see that ReactOS are still developing, but I think that their time to make a big impression was 7 years ago. The world has moved on from being a Microsoft-centric place. Perhaps if the Chinese or Russians decided to use it as an alternative OS, it would have worked?

eksith 12y ago
Considering the swath of (mostly pirated) XP installs still floating around China[1], I wonder if many of them would be willing to try this instead. Most of their apps should run just fine too. [1] http://www.pcworld.com/article/2103680/chinas-windows-xp-users-to-still-get-security-support.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/2103680/chinas-windows-xp-use...

hrjet 12y ago

Apart from being able to run legacy software, wouldn't it being open-source be of value? I know several people who use Windows because they need the Windows-only software (new or old). With ReactOS they would be able to use those applications with an open-source OS. (Though the pros and cons of open-source can be a separate, credible discussion).

louhike 12y ago
The problem is that the development seems to go too slowly to be something more than a curiosity. It looks outdated and cannot replace Windows in a worplace for the moment and it seems like it will be like that forever. I really want this to succeed but I do not think it will.

TazeTSchnitzel 12y ago

> Relatively recently, they have run a IndieGoGo campaign and have made this[2], but to be honest (and I admit I haven't looked very deep), as a first impression, it seems it is more the result of web development, design and social media work, than work on the hard part, i.e. the operating system itself. It'd be nice if someone could clarify whether that's really the case. I think they made that just to convince people to give them money which is so desperately needed for development. Probably because they previously made a Kickstarter which failed to meet its goals. What ReactOS needs is some large business to sponsor its development.