29 Jul
2005
29 Jul
'05
5:59 p.m.
On Thu, 28 Jul 2005, Alex Ionescu wrote:
> This wasn't directed at any one person :P
>
> This is directed at everyone in general. A problem i've noticed that
> alotta devs are having is a problem i tend to have as well. In order
> for ReactOS to actually become a useable, viable desktop alternative
> someday, goals need to be SET and MET. You set a goal, and you work
> towards the goal. When all the goals are met, you release a new
> version. Remember 0.3? It was due out last year wasn't it? It's now
> almost NEXT year and there is still a lot of work to do for 0.3.
Hi,
I'm interested in helping (lots of network coding experience from DOS
WATTCP and embedded systems right through to Win2003), but the reactos web
server outage isn't making it any easier to get started.
Anyways, I just wanted to wade in on the completion comments...
Projects tend to mature quicker when there is momentum, and momentum
usually comes from achieving less ambitious/reachable goals first. In
particular, goals which make money and pay people to help.
We could learn a lot from the Linux and FreeBSD groups which
capitalized on corporate money ages ago to fund this sort of work.
Yes, it will be great to have reactos as a viable desktop alternative, but
an earlier achievement will be a decent Win32-compatible black box running
relatively little GUI code.
If you want some examples: control systems, DHCP servers, Win32 web
pages without needing buggy IIS, etc.
You may think that niche is being filled by Linux/FreeBSD, but I think the
ability to use Windows development tools and device drivers will make
ReactOS a better choice for many people.
I think NTFS is important, but I know millions of computers would be happy
to use captivefs and their windows license. A perfect example would be to
use ReactOS + captive FS to install Windows XP on workstations. Right now
people are paying for Powerquest/etc. $$$ per station to do this.
The installation idea is neat because it would be free advertising to the
windows administration community that ReactOS is out there, and that
it may become relevant to their needs.
The networking section is critical. High performance would be nice, but
not essential to get our foot in the door.
Erick