Topic: ReactOS — what's the point?

Anonymous A started this topic 9 months (2009-07-02 20:14:?? UTC) ago (#28,759):

I just stumbled upon http://www.reactos.org/en/index.html in a different topic, it is a link to the download site of a new OS based on an old OS. So I ask you why has someone spent so much time developing an copy of an outdated OS that doesn't function as well as the outdated OS does? Is there some benefit I cannot see?

Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 9 months (2009-07-02 20:18:?? UTC) ago, 4 minutes later (#171,803):

Have you read the info page? "ReactOS is an effort to create a Free Software replacement for Microsoft Windows(TM) that is compatible with existing hardware and software", it says.

Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 9 months (2009-07-02 20:21:?? UTC) ago, 3 minutes later, 7 minutes past creation (#171,805):

For the same reason Linux supporters do. This project is Windows-based though, so it might actually end up being more popular than Linux ever was overnight. Distributions of this OS in the future and you have a full blown Linux type trend with more penetration, possibly.

Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 9 months (2009-07-02 20:23:?? UTC) ago, 2 minutes later, 9 minutes past creation (#171,807):

@171,803

> Have you read the info page? "ReactOS is an effort to create a Free Software replacement for Microsoft Windows(TM) that is compatible with existing hardware and software"

Yes, so I am asking what is the point? I know it's free but it doesn't run programs better than wine on Macs or Linux and to download it you have to be running an OS anyway, I can't see anyone bothering with this as most computers come shipped with the OS already. So if a person wants windows they buy their computer with windows included.

Anonymous A (OP) double-posted this 9 months (2009-07-02 20:24:?? UTC) ago, 1 minute later, 10 minutes past creation (#171,809):

@171,805

> For the same reason Linux supporters do. This project is Windows-based though

It's not Windows-based it's coded from scratch, but Linux actually has benefits.

Anonymous B replied with this 9 months (2009-07-02 20:39:?? UTC) ago, 15 minutes later, 25 minutes past creation (#171,822):

There likely won't be any further points beyond those mentioned on the website. You say, if you want Windows, you buy it with your computer, well, this one is free and also open source software, which Windows is not. That might be beneficial for some people. Also, it is not UNIX, so people who don't like UNIX wouldn't need to use it to run Windows programs.

AnonTalk BBS

Topic: ReactOS — what's the point?