ReactOS 0.3.1 Released
by Justin Silverton
New features
- Freeldr was improved
- HAL’s key areas have been significantly improved (irql-related, bus support, kd-functions
- The Kernel experienced a massive rewrite of incompatible parts (and is still in the process of improvement)
- Run-time library (Rtl) got a lot of improvements and bugfixes
- Bugs were fixed in kernel-mode drivers and a better USB driver was added
- Registry-support has been greatly improved thanks to addition of “cmlib”, a library shared by the boot loader and the kernel to handle binary registry hives; it even supports binary registry hives created by Windows
- More fixes in the Win32 subsystem and user-mode DLLs
- Boot video driver (and a splash screen) was added
What is reactOS?
ReactOS is a free and open-sourced operating system based on the Windows architecture, providing support for existing applications and drivers, and an alternative to the current dominant consumer operating system.
It would be perhaps important to start by saying what ReactOS -isn’t-. It is not another wrapper built on Linux, like WINE. It does not attempt or plan to compete with WINE; in fact, the user-mode part of ReactOS is almost entirely WINE-based and our two teams have close ties. ReactOS is also not “yet another OS”. It does not attempt to be a third player, like SkyOS or any other alternative OS out there. People are not meant to uninstall Linux and use ReactOS instead; ReactOS is a replacement for Windows users. As such, this has created a lot of misunderstanding from both sides. Linux users often wonder why create dilution in the free OS space by creating a Windows-alike OS; wouldn’t that keep some people from switching to Mac/Linux? Windows developers, on the other hand, don’t understand the need to reinvent the wheel by an OS that doesn’t have the high quality and support that Windows has.
screenshots
more information on reactOS can be found here
3 Comments so far
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Yeah really, why reinvent windows ?
Most new computers come with windows pre-installed so nobody can expect to save cash by an open source alternative. Also you can’t expect companies to use it because it simply ain’t something official.
You also can’t expect people that don’t like windows to use it since it will be like windows. However every new project has something new to say most of the times even if the benefits are not obvious at first. I’ll give it a test in vmware later tonight.
People like you make me more aware of how ignorant ppl can be. Have u ever realised that there is a price attached to windows while ReactOS is free? Or maybe you crack it like 60% of windows users.
Ok, Vangelis, when you are that ignorant, it’s better to keep quiet.
> why reinvent windows ?
Because Windows is widely used, it’s expensive, it’s limited and it has many problems.
> Most new computers come with windows pre-installed
> so nobody can expect to save cash by an open source
> alternative.
I build my own computer. No need to buy Windows. If you buy your computer from a store, as to format the HDD and substract the Windows tax. A friend of mine did it last year.
> Also you can’t expect companies to use it because
> it simply ain’t something official.
I can become official. Think about Firefox.
> You also can’t expect people that don’t like windows
> to use it since it will be like windows.
That’s for sure, but they account for maybe 1%? (Linux fanatics)