When talking about an operating system Open Source, the most common is that Linux be the first to come to mind, however we must bear in mind that it is not the only free operating system that exists (but it is the most popular).
Today we present you ReactOS, an open source operating system that offers out-of-the-box compatibility with Windows applications (and drivers), specifically versions Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012.
Based on the principles of architecture design Windows NT, ReactOS is not based on Linux and does not share any element with the architecture UNIX.
Su look and feel it is almost identical to Windows 2000, with slight variations on the famous "Start" menu. We can say that it is like running a PC with Windows 2000, but free and open source. Admittedly, it is impressive that they have managed to create an operating system with these characteristics, and even that it runs in such a stable and fluid way, even though it is still in alpha phase.
However, ReactOS It is not a simple imitation of Windows and they have incorporated one of the most desired features in Windows that has never materialized, a Package Manager (Package manager) in the best Linux style. From it we can install a wide variety of free applications such as Firefox, Libreoffice, Gimp, etc., in the Windows applications format.
To test this operating system, I installed the software I commonly use on Linux: Firefox, Chrome, VLC, Gimp, LAMP (in this case WAMP), some development environments for Python and Java, MySQL and Postgres. It should be noted that I was able to work without problems and in a similar way to how it is done in Linux. Only it wasn't Linux, but Windows.
In general, I have no bad impressions about ReactOS. Its graphical interface is not as attractive as modern Linux desktops (Gnome 3 and KDE, for example), however the fact that it is a free alternative to Windows may be attractive to many users.
Personally, I am one of those who would prefer to run Windows applications using WINEThat way I can enjoy the benefits of Linux with Windows software (even though not all applications can be run by WINE). ReactOS is just very Windows, limiting compared to Linux.
Dare to try ReactOS and share your experience with us.
Actually Reactos uses WINE internally.
regards
Being more specific, both WINE and ReactOS share libraries and other pieces of software in common. Both communities work together and both benefit from each other.
WINE is a compatibility layer for running windows-like applications on UNIX-like systems and ReactOS is an entire operating system based on the Windows NT kernel design.
Greetings.
They say that ReactOS was built based on the filtered Windows NT source code, is that true?
No Miguel, it's not true ...
A few years ago… Some crackers illegally got the Windows 2000 source code on the Internet… Later, that rumor emerged. So the ReactOS developers paused and painstakingly manually scanned their entire source to make sure that the offending code had not occurred or removed. This took a long time, I don't remember if months or even years ... but they did it and they shut up the mouths of all those who in the future could use that argument.
besides being very friendly with the windows interface, the advantage is that it does not have viruses!
If you have a virus in fact on youtube there are examples of windows viruses running in ReactOS
ReactOS is a good alternative to Microsoft's monopoly for the future, as it has compatibility with binaries for the Windows Operating System.
Since June there are more hopes for the project to be chosen as the 2nd official operating system in Russia. http://www.muylinux.com/2015/06/22/rusia-reactos-linux
Unfortunately, the supported hardware is limited and its performance in virtual machines depends on its configuration for a good experience. https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Supported_Hardware
I recommend its use for testing purposes and any bug reports or community support are welcome.
It is still green. It has some stability issues. I haven't tried it in a few months. It's pretty fast. It has incompatibilities with Microsoft Office, I think the same as Wine because, as I understand it, they share some code. I have tried several times to install MS-Access and have not been able to. It happens to me the same as with Wine.
In the end Virtualbox with Windows XP. The best thing is the installer, you download the repo programs in a moment.
Greetings,
Emilian.
sorry but who in real life uses MS Access ?? We are in 2015 !!
What's wrong with using Access or any other database manager?
I have made an application in Access for years, because I do not have much idea of programming, it is comfortable for me, it saves me a lot of work and I can keep a small accounting. Another base that I had, to manage only bank accounts, I have passed to LibreOffice, but the other not yet. I have two modules ready, but I am missing a third.
The problem is the reports in LibreOffice, they do not allow subreports and to make a report a bit complicated is a bit confusing, with queries of appended data, which I don't like.
I am trying to make forms, with subforms for the reports, although if they are a bit long they will not fit on one page, and a table control cannot be put on multiple pages.
Using Mariadb or Mysqlo seems excessive for what I have to manage.
That is why I still use MS-Access, which is the only one that I have not succeeded in replacing.
Greetings,
Emiliano
I have tried it several times in virtual machines and it has been very unstable at the first change, what version have you tried and what have you done it on?
However, wine has been very useful for me to run applications that are only for Winodws and that work very well with wine such as, sqlyog, MLCad, amstrad cpc emulators, some games, etc ...
Regarding the package system, it is assumed that in Windows 10 they added one called OneGet (I don't know if they finally released it together with the final version of Windows) and before that it already existed Chocolate and which serves the same purpose.
I think it is a very good idea which still has a long way to go. The day they release version 1.0 I will be happy to try it.
Well, I do not know, in particular I think it is not surprising what is not necessary and it really is the case. Reactos, although it is a good development for what it implies (regarding reverse engineering) could contribute more by becoming independent from that platform it is pursuing. I do not see this system serving as a serious work tool in the medium and long term.
I do not think so. From what I understand, all work is based on the design of the Windows NT kernel through Reverse engineering and released as opensource code.
I remember the time when NT code was leaked and many users proposed to use it in ReactOS to speed up the project, but the developers refused because it was Illegal and another scandal was that a supposed developer included illegal code (copy / paste from windows ). So much was the commotion that the project was completely stopped until a code audit was carried out and possible illegalities were detected.
regards
To try it has been said
So the project was slowed down a lot by that Microsoft check?
It wasn't Microsoft who checked it. An external audit was done (looks like paid for by the community or something) as the ReactOS developers didn't want to use illegal code and they didn't want their reputation to go down because of that incident.
As I said in another answer, now that it is Russia's second official OS, it will help the project move forward.
I invite those interested to try and report bugs. That helps the ReactOS and Wine community.
If you want to learn more, check the ReactOS page (www.reactos.org) or the community forums.
regards
The million dollar question, is this system any use? In addition to the classic curiosity of the computer, I mean, that I get to try it in the past and honestly even wine works better to run windows programs. And I'm not saying that wine works very well.
Has it improved on anything?
Yes and no. It is software in alpha state and that says a lot about its state of development and stability. It is used to navigate and perform other basic functions that any other OS offers (I could even watch movies among other things).
But to see beyond satisfying the curiosity of a computer scientist, is to test ReactOS and perform everyday tasks and document the errors that come along, so those who are qualified can improve this valuable piece of software.
Greetings.
Well, taking into account that almost everything users currently do on their computers is to be lazy on Facebook and Twitter, it does everything you need…!
It should be noted that it is built with reverse engineering, which adds a plus in merit.
It's good that someone is working with this, I have been doing some tests lately with ReactOS, without Internet, therefore I have not been able to install anything with the package manager and that is why I have some questions to ask you.
- WAMP worked well for you, did you manage to host an application and use it?
- You tried socket functions or some module like SimpleHTTPServer in python, did it work for you?
Reactos = wine - gnu / linux