All the latest UK technology news, reviews and analysis

ReactOS 0.3.14 Live CD

by Chris Wiles

More from this author

30 Apr 2012

Comments: 2

  • Tweet this
ReactOS screenshot

Verdict

Alternative Windows NT-driven operating system supplied on a Live CD. Works well, but very limited application support.

Review Rating: rating

Platform: Linux

Manufacturer: ReactOS Foundation

Size: 15.2MB

Number of Downloads: 984

Price: £Free

This is the software publisher’s description.

The ReactOS project is dedicated to making free software available to everyone by 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.

Although Free Software advocates agree that free software operating systems improve the state of the art by fostering competition, ReactOS has practical benefit for others, too; 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 components are growing more and more compatible with equivalent, closed source alternatives, but ReactOS doesn't simply stop at an arbitrary line in the sand. ReactOS has and will continue to incorporate new versions of the Win32 API and so will track and sometimes even define the state of the art in operating system technology. Rather than using current technology as a limit on our activities, we are constantly incorporating features from newer versions as well.

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

The download link here is a Live CD for testing purposes only. It links directly to the Sourceforge download page.

Do you agree?

 

Add your comment

We won't publish your address
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions. Your comment will be moderated before publication.
Riso

Colour printing: why the bill keeps outstripping the budget

The wrong printers, for the wrong tasks on the wrong contracts

Qlikview

Magic quadrant for business intelligence platforms

Who leads the BI pack and who should we be watching out for?

To send to more than one email address, simply separate each address with a comma.