There are quite a few operating systems which have moved beyond the simple hobby operating system stage, onto a more lasting plane of existence. AROS, ReactOS, SkyOS, Syllable, Haiku; they're no longer basement products, coded by a single programer - they are now projects in which a lot of people have invested time, and possibly money too. They won't go away any time soon. The last few days have seen news on three of these systems: ReactOS, SkyOS, and Syllable.
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Member since:2006-01-24
sbergman wrote:
-"I think I can safely say that no one that I know from outside this forum would know anything about any of them."
while I don't doubt that for a second, there was no mention of these operating systems being even remotely mainstream, nor did it seem implied. it simply stated that these were no "no longer basement products, coded by a single programmer".
I'm a huge fan of Haiku (and Beos), that doesn't mean I believe it will conquer the desktop. hopefully it will do well in attracting users beyond the Beos base, but the competition is fierce for those few people prepared and/or able to leave the windows platform.
this is why I think Reactos is the alternate operating system with the greatest chance of attracting a substantial userbase. being a windows clone means access to drivers and most importantly windows's biggest asset, it's unequaled software library.
the only negative thing I find with Reactos is that if successful it will help reinforcing window's hold over the operating system market. not that I think windows is bad (I don't, although there are other operating systems I think are better), but rather that the whole desktop operating system market would do better with more competition.
Member since:2007-08-19
That's why Microsoft has to be careful when they say Windows 7 won't be binary compatible with previous Win32 applications. Yes, they said there will be compatibilty modes using virtualization, but if they don't get a good amount of software running properly, people COULD, especially corporations that rely on said odd program, turn to ReactOS.
Member since:2005-07-07
While RactOS may not end the Windows Monopoly it will end the MICRO$OFT Monopoly over computer opperating systems using the worlds largest driver and software library (A library which now includes Proprietary Commercial Software and Shareware, Proprietary Freeware and ecen F/OSS software.
This is something computer makers can actually use to end the Microsoft tax on computing, something which even desktop Linux has failed to do.
While I really would like Linux to win I know it will never happen as long as hardware manufacturers will not build linux drivers for their products.
Right now even though ReactOS is mainly aimed at running current Proprietary products its own GPL/LGPL
status (Wine which is the basis of its GUI libraries is LGPL) may bring more people in the F/OSS movement.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-06-03
There is an implicit one. The issue here is the lack of a clear definition of what makes something a 'basement project'. The OP is making the point that he doesn't believe enough people are aware of these OSs to move them out of the realm of basement projects.
Member since:2005-07-18
Do you know anyone that reads John Dvorak? I know he has his detractors, but he just lead off his Inside Track column this month in PC Magazine talking about ReactOS.
He said that everything since Windows NT has been Windows NT. Microsoft is standing still in terms of new development, so they present a good target to be picked off by ReactOS. I think he made a very good point.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2290316,00.asp
Edited 2008-05-09 04:16 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2008-04-15
Tech on the street:"Will it affect my mortgage?"
While i was all keyed up to try out Syllable and ReactOS the images just sat on my data store and took up space.
I have a real big OS apathy as of late. With so many projects that look really promising i get some kind of ADD and go back to debian instead.
Member since:2007-01-22
well, haiku was on google summer of code last year and there are several new projects for this year's gsoc. and even macuser knows
http://www.macuser.com/geekery/the_beos_just_wont_die.php
now it's time for other projects to get more attention, especially reactos. It could be the best way to move from windows to an open source OS.
Member since:2006-02-26
I think I can safely say that no one I know outside of tech circles knows anything about Linux, but it still seems to be doing alright.
Personally, I'm glad that some alternative operating systems are still receiving enough interest to carry on with development. I sincerely hope that we will eventually be able to move beyond the current Windows/UNIX duopoly.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2007-01-13
Most people have never heard of the Borgward Isabella, NSU Ro80 or a Lanchester. However these were all highly innovative and impressive cars. The Model 'T' Ford was cheap and solid but it continued to be sold long after it was totally outdated - a bit like Windows IMHO.
Member since:2005-07-18
You thoroughly deserve a plus for that observation. And I would be very glad to give you one, but I have already posted a comment in this thread, and therefore, can no longer moderate comments in this story.
OSNews was much more fun when I could intermix commenting and moderating.
Member since:
2005-07-24
I think I can safely say that no one that I know from outside this forum would know anything about any of them.