[jr2]

ReactOS® is an advanced free open source operating system providing a ground-up implementation of a Microsoft Windows® XP compatible operating system. ReactOS aims to achieve complete binary compatibility with both applications and device drivers meant for NT and XP operating systems, by using a similar architecture and providing a complete and equivalent public interface.

ReactOS is the most complete working model of a Windows® like operating system available. Consequently, working programmers will learn a great deal by studying ReactOS source code and even participating in ReactOS development.

ReactOS has and will continue to incorporating features from newer versions and sometimes even define the state of the art in operating system technology.

In short, ReactOS is aiming to run your applications and use your hardware, a free operating system for everyone!

(Linky to page)
ReactOS is a project to develop an operating system that is binary-compatible with application software and device drivers for Microsoft Windows NT version 5.x and up (Windows 2000 and its successors), while being composed entirely of free software, by means of a complete clean room reverse engineering process.

Although the project currently is in the alpha development stage, many Windows programs already work well. While the ReactOS kernel has been written from scratch, the userland is mostly based on the Wine compatibility layer for Unix operating systems.

ReactOS is primarily written in the C programming language, with some elements, such as ReactOS Explorer, written in C++. Various components of ReactOS are licensed under the GNU General Public License, the GNU Lesser General Public License, and the BSD License.

[achtung]

Let's just hope it doesn't die before it gets out of alpha.

[Nuke]

freakycool. a good alternative for those who are sick of microsoft and too dumb to use linux

[Kosh]

I'm waiting to hear the call of the M$ lawyers

[karajorma]

If it's reverse engineered they can do **** all about it unless they can get it on patent infringement.

[jr2]

I'm waiting to hear the call of the M$ lawyers

They already tried... it set them back a bit, but they are back to work now. 

On January 17, 2006 Hartmut Birr alleged on the ReactOS Developers mailing list (ros-dev) that ReactOS contained code derived from disassembling Microsoft Windows.[2] As a result of the allegations, the project's developers decided to temporarily suspend access to the operating system for non-developers. Since ReactOS is a free/open-source software development project, this action caused a negative reaction by the free software community. Contributors to its development were not affected by this action.

All access to the software development tools was restored shortly afterwards. Though the accusation is unproven, on March 8, 2006 ReactOS's developers began executing a self-imposed audit of all the code that makes it compatible with Microsoft Windows. To ensure that no part of the OS is written by anyone who may have seen leaked Microsoft code or done a less than clean room reverse engineering process, a total source code audit has been ordered by the leading ReactOS developers.

The project has also decided to audit the code to look for possible code that wasn't a clean room reverse engineer and make all developers sign an agreement to only use clean room reverse engineering.[3] This is expected to set the project back by rewriting affected parts of the source code. This audit will be done by locking the "dirty" code until it is audited.[4]

Because much of the source code is already unlocked, development of ReactOS on these parts can continue. Thus, the audit can be executed concurrently with development or maintenance work. Because of this, the continuing evolution of ReactOS should not be at risk.

As of September 2007 the audit is 99.5% complete[5] with only 56 files still locked.[6]

[vyper]

Every LiveCD instance I've ever tried hasn't got past the boot stage. That being said I do look forward to the beta days.

[DeepSpace9er]

So a windows clone that has the GUI of Windows 95

[Scuddie]

That's the Windows 2000 GUI environment.  And the XP environment as well.  Smart folks don't use themes in XP .

[achtung]

I don't care how the GUI looks, as long as  it gets the job done, and I don't have to re-learn a bunch of ****.

[Mars]

Does this mean I can get rid of the illegal copy of Windows on... uh... my uncles computer?

[jr2]

Nah, keep it there to spite Gates. 

[Tyrian]

Gack...

They got it working!!!!!  When I heard about their M$ imposed code audit I thought they were done for.  Nice to see the little guy win for once, even if it is a small victory...

[jr2]

*ahem*

* jr2 looks at karajorma.

And you said my siggy was bad?!?

[karajorma]

Tyrian doesn't post enough to be on my radar half as much as you are. But yes that sig is ridiculously long. It needs to be shortened.

[Tyrian]

I knew it was only a matter of time...I'll fix it when I have a bit of free time.  I'm saving it to a text file, so if you want to nuke it in the interim, that's fine by me. 

*Slowly walks out to the glassed over part of the desert and waits...*

EDIT:  Sig backed up.  When I saved it to a text file, Explorer crasher...  Anyways, fire away, kara...

[achtung]

I knew it was only a matter of time...I'll fix it when I have a bit of free time.  I'm saving it to a text file, so if you want to nuke it in the interim, that's fine by me. 

*Slowly walks out to the glassed over part of the desert and waits...*

EDIT:  Sig backed up.  When I saved it to a text file, Explorer crasher...  Anyways, fire away, kara...

Why should he have to do it when you can just as easily do it yourself?

[jr2]

"I remember when I first came to America.  I had nothing in my pocket but a hammer and a powerful laxative..." -- Colin Mocherie

"Lassie is the perfect public service announcement.  I mean, exactly how many times does Timmy have to fall down the well before his parents buy those child-proof gates?" -- A Random Thought

"Morbid = Related to death; Gory = Your insides being on your outsides." -- Karajorma

"I never question that brown eggs and white eggs are the same.  What I do question is the route they took through the chicken." -- Dave Barry

"If it ain't eye candy, hide it at all costs." -- Mac Philosophy by Pyro MX

On Mac vs. PC ads:
aldo_14:  Getting obnoxious?
aldo_14:  Getting obnoxious?
ngtm1r:  Someone hit aldo, he's skipping.
aldo_14:  Getting obnox......OW!

Bush (Verb) - To do stupid things with confidence.

Click this link!  Click it!  Click it and laugh!

[jr2]

Now, just put a link to the above post in your siggy, and you're set (well, you can make your own post, and do it on that one, that way you can change it and keep a bit in your siggy if you want or w/e).